Search result: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2016

Agroecosystem Sciences Master Information
Master Studies (Programme Regulations 2016)
Major in Animal Sciences
Methodology Competences
Methods for Scientific Research
NumberTitleTypeECTSHoursLecturers
751-6241-00LLaboratory Practical in Molecular Animal Genetics and Inherited DiseasesW+3 credits3PS. Neuenschwander, A. Bratus-Neuenschwander, C. Schelling
AbstractTechnologies of molecular animal-, immuno- and biochemical genetics will be shown and applied to selected domestic and farm animals. The students will perform laboratory tests for genome analysis (identification of gene loci, gene mapping), gene expression (mRNA, proteins), diagnostics (analysis of hereditary diseases) and verification of animals and animal products (parentage control, forensics).
ObjectiveGet to know and apply the basic laboratory methods to systematically identify loci controlling important performance and disease traits and analysis of the molecular nature of variation at the loci. At the end of the course the students are able to understand the underlying mechanisms influencing genetic variations and to analyze gene variants in the laboratory. The students know the importance of the technologies for animal breeding, animal health and quality of animal products in Switzerland and internationally.
The matter is illustrated on practical examples.
Content- Introduction to the course (aims, program, written examination)
- Porcine E.coli test. Determination of the mutation in FUT1
- Sequencing of DNA
- Marker-/microsatellite analyses
- Forensics
- Cytogenetics
- Cell cultures
- Inheritance of coat colour
- Gene expression and animal biotechnology

Contact hours: 42 h
Self-study (preparation for courses and examination): additionally
Lecture notesHandouts/scripts will be distributed by the lecturers.
LiteratureHermann Geldermann. Tierbiotechnologie (2005). Verlag Eugen Ulmer, Stuttgart (Hohenheim)

Specific literature will be indicated individually by the lecturers.
751-3801-00LExperimental Design and Applied Statistics in Agroecosystem ScienceW3 credits2GA. Hund, W. Eugster, C. Grieder, R. Kölliker
AbstractIn this course, different experimental designs will be discussed and various statistical tools will be applied to research questions in agroecosystem sciences. Both manipulative (field and laboratory) experiments and surveys are addressed and students work with a selection of basic techniques and methods to analyse data using a hands-on approach. Methods range from simple t-tests to multi-factoria
ObjectiveStudents will know various statistical analyses and their application to science problems in their study area as well as a wide range of experimental design options used in environmental and agricultural sciences. They will practice to use statistical software packages (R), understand pros and cons of various designs and statistics, and be able to statistically evaluate their own results as well as those of published studies.
ContentThe course program uses a learning-by-doing approach ("hands-on minds-on"). New topics are introduced in the lecture hall, but most of the work is done in the computer lab to allow for the different speeds of progress of the student while working with data and analyzing results. In addition to contact hours exercises must be finalized and handed in for grading. The credit points will be given based on successful assessments of selected exercises.

The tentative schedule containst the following topics:

Introduction To Experimental Design and Applied Statistics
Introduction to 'R' / Revival of 'R' Skills
Designs of Field and Growth Chamber Experiments
Nonlinear Regression Fits
Multivariate Techniques: Principle Component Analysis, Canonical Correpondence Analysis (CCA), Cluster Analysis
ANOVA using linear and mixed effect models
Error Analysis, Error Propagation and Error Estimation
Introduction to autoregression and autocorrelations in temporal and spatial data and how to consider them in ANOVA-type analysis

This course does not provide the mathematical background that students are expected to bring along when signing up to this course. Alternatively, students can consider some aspects of this course as a first exposure to solutions in experimental design and applied statistics and then deepen their understanding in follow-up statistical courses.
Lecture notesHandouts will be available (in English)
LiteratureA selection of suggested additional literature, especially for German speaking students will be presented in the introductory lecture.
Prerequisites / NoticeThis course is based on the course Mathematik IV: Statistik, passed in the 2nd year and the Bachelor's course "Wissenschaftliche Datenauswertung und Datenpräsentation" (751-0441-00L)
751-6125-00LPractical Course in Molecular PhysiologyW+3 credits3PS. Bauersachs, S. E. Ulbrich
AbstractThis course is intended to intensify and broaden the knowledge of molecular biology gained during the bachelor lab practical course. It directly allows students to commence a master thesis with a detailed knowledge of pitfalls in experimental setup. It will also sensitize for the awareness of biological and technical variance in experimental research.
ObjectiveThe course will be divided in two parts:
Experimental part:
- Isolation of leukocytes from blood and milk (cattle)
- Culture of isolated cells and stimulation, e.g., with LPS
- Extraction of RNA
- Quantification and quality control of RNA (Nanodrop, Fluorometer, Bioanalyzer)
- Analysis of gene expression by the use of quantitative real-time RT-PCR
Theoretical part:
- Principles of primary cell culture and transcriptional regulation, methods for analytical detection
- Bioinformatics (scientific databases, sequence analysis, biostatistics)
- Presentations by the students (e.g. techniques for analysis of physiological regulatory processes, application examples)
ContentIn this practical course the students will achieve a comprehensive understanding of molecular physiology in livestock research. A cell culture experiment using blood and milk leucocytes under pathogen-associated treatment will be performed and the analysis of differential gene expression undertaken. The primary cell culture study will give insights into the laboratory work undertaken in animal physiology research. It will include the general discussion of strategies for an appropriate experimental setup in livestock research and possible methods and tools for the analysis. Hands-on cell culture and harvesting, preanalytical sample preparation and measurement implementation as well as the analysis of differential gene expression, data analysis and statistical evaluation using bioinformatics will be performed. In addition, the students will present talks based on state-of-the-art primary literature about related topics to prepare for the course and to complement the provided information. The course will enable the students to design, perform and evaluate laboratory in vitro investigations of physiological regulatory processes on a cellular level.
751-6127-00LPractical course in Microscopy of Functional HistologyW+3 credits6PS. E. Ulbrich
Abstract
Objective
751-6129-00LPractical course EpigeneticsW+3 credits6PS. E. Ulbrich
Abstract
Objective
Project Management for Scientific Research
NumberTitleTypeECTSHoursLecturers
751-6001-00LForum: Livestock in the World Food SystemW+2 credits1SM. Kreuzer, S. Bauersachs, E. Hillmann, S. Neuenschwander
AbstractThis forum is a platform for the critical reflection of highly relevant topics of livestock in the frame of the world food system comprising issues from basic knowledge to acceptance in society. The exchange is operated by scientific writing and presentation.
ObjectiveIn the Forum "Livestock in the World Food System", a topic of significance for livestock agriculture is selected by the students and subsequently dealt with from various angles (from scientific basis to production systems, environmental aspects and to the acceptance by society). The students learn to present a scientific subject in writing and orally to an audience and to defend the presentation in a discussion.
ContentThe Forum "Livestock in the World Food System" will take place in blocks of 2 hours each. Once the general topic has been selected, it comprises two elements:

Element 1. Oral Presentation: The students form small groups and are lecturers. There are chair persons (moderators) from outside of these small groups and they also head the discussion. The remaining students and lecturers are the audience.

Element 2. Scientific writing: Option 1: preparation of a short scientific type of paper from a result table offered by the lecturers; Option 2: preparation of an abstract with limited word count from a scientific paper; Option 3: writing of a critical review of a paper. The students have to select 2 of the three options each. There will be a discussion be a discussion in small groups at two dates.

Introductions to both forms of presentation will be offered by lecturers.
The preparation of the oral and written presentations takes place to a small part during the 2-h blocks and mainly outside of this time.
Lecture notesno scriptum
Prerequisites / NoticeRequirements for allocation of the two credit points:
- Theatre presentation (with handout) at the forum
- Delivery of written documents of sufficient quality
- Active participation during the presentations by the other participants
751-6003-00LTraining Course in Research Groups (Large) Restricted registration - show details W+6 credits13PM. Kreuzer, E. Hillmann, S. Neuenschwander, S. E. Ulbrich
AbstractThe students will learn the conceptual and methodological background of research in the animal science groups of the Institute of Plant, Animal and Agroecosystem Science. In addition to teaching the theoretical background, the major aim of the course is to integrate the students into the research groups (on job training) and, hence, to focus on the practical application of the knowledge.
Objective- Introduction into the conceptual and methodological basis of research
- Integration of the students into the research groups (on job training)
- Application of the gained knowledge
ContentThe students will be integrated into the research groups’ day-to-day work and will thus deal with all aspects of scientific work. This comprises the planning (conceptually and logistically), execution (data collection, laboratory analyses) and evaluation (statistics, data presentation) of experiments as well as the basics of scientific writing (aim: later publication, Master thesis). The research topics and the range of methodologies vary between the animal science research groups in the Institute of Plant, Animal and Agroecosystem Sciences.
Lecture notesNone
LiteratureSpecific readings after enlisting in a particular research group.
Prerequisites / NoticeThe number of training slots in the various groups is limited. It is therefore highly recommended to contact the group leaders early enough (first come first serve).
The full integration in a research group often means to work on weekends.
The total time budget is equivalent to about 180 hours. Active participation in group meetings (discussion, presentation) and short written reports about the work conducted are required for the 6 credit points. There are no grades, it is only pass or fail.
751-6003-01LTraining Course in Research Groups (Small) Restricted registration - show details W+3 credits6PM. Kreuzer, E. Hillmann, S. Neuenschwander, S. E. Ulbrich
AbstractThe students will learn the conceptual and methodological background of research in the animal science groups of the Institute of Plant, Animal and Agroecosystem Science. In addition to teaching the theoretical background, the major aim of the course is to integrate the students into the research groups (on job training) and, hence, to focus on the practical application of the knowledge.
Objective- Introduction into the conceptual and methodological basis of research
- Integration of the students into the research groups (on job training)
- Application of the gained knowledge
ContentThe students will be integrated into the research groups’ day-to-day work and will thus deal with all aspects of scientific work. This comprises the planning (conceptually and logistically), execution (data collection, laboratory analyses) and evaluation (statistics, data presentation) of experiments as well as the basics of scientific writing (aim: later publication, Master thesis). The research topics and the range of methodologies vary between the animal science research groups in the Institute of Plant, Animal and Agroecosystem Sciences.
Lecture notesNone
LiteratureSpecific readings after enlisting in a particular research group.
Prerequisites / NoticeThe number of training slots in the various groups is limited. It is therefore highly recommended to contact the group leaders early enough (first come first serve).
The full integration in a research group often means to work on weekends.
The total time budget is equivalent to about 90 hours. Active participation in group meetings (discussion, presentation) and short written reports about the work conducted are required for the 3 credit points. There are no grades, it is only pass or fail.
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