Biological Consequences of Selection

Background of Summer School / Introduction

This summer school deals with how breeding and selection affects the biology of animals. Traditionally animal breeding has been focusing on a limited number of traits, with a large emphasis on production and conformation. This has had a negative effect on the functional traits, such as health and fertility. Robustness, resilience, mother abilities and behavioural traits are other traits which have been affected by selection.

Hosting University

Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU)

Venue

Hafjell Hotell, Hundervegen 33, 2636 Oyer, Norway (https://www.hafjellhotell.no/)

Date

18.- 22. August 2025 (on-site part)

Participants

Approx. 40 MSc students and 20 PhD students.

Maximum 20 MSc slots are reserved students from the Erasmus Mundus joint MSc program in Animal Biodiversity and Genomics. For the remaining slots, priority will be given to students from the ELLS Universities. If slots are still available, non-ELLS students can be enrolled.

Maximum 15 PhD slots are reserved for students from the NOVA network (NMBU, SLU, AU and HU) as NOVA has co-funded the course.

Previous Knowledge

For MSc students, a basic knowledge of animal breeding and genetics. For PhD students, a project related to animal breeding and genetics.

Course Content

This course explores the consequences of domestication and selective breeding. Students will critically evaluate the ethical implications of animal breeding and examine how domestication and selection has shaped various traits, including performance, behavior, functional attributes, and maternal ability. The course also covers the fundamentals of animal growth, genetic scaling, resource allocation, and feed efficiency, emphasizing the interaction between genetics and environment. Through group discussions and collaborative reflection, students will integrate key concepts and analyze real-world dilemmas in animal breeding and selection. The course fosters a multidisciplinary approach, encouraging students to engage in critical thinking and present informed perspectives on complex challenges in the field.

Intended Learning Outcome (ILO)

After completing the course, the participants should be able to...

• Evaluate the ethical consequences of selection in animals
• Understand how the process of domestication has changed animals
• Understand how selection has had an impact on several traits, like performance, functional traits, behavior and maternal ability and how environment impacts performance
• Understand the basic principles of animal growth, genetic scaling and development including resource allocation and feed efficiency
• Collaborate and reflect in groups on questions related to topics related to the course
• Reflect and discuss on how to integrate the different elements of the course
• Analyze and present dilemmas related to animal selection

Course Schedule

• Introduction lecture (live) beginning of June.
• 4 online lectures available between June 15. and August 15.
• 5 days on-site at Hafjell Hotel.

Course Language

English

Course Format / Teaching Methods

The summer school is organised as a Erasmus+ blended intensive program, incorporating both online and on-site components. Participation in both parts is mandatory. There will be on-line and on-site lectures, discussion, group work, presentations and an excursion.

Credits

ECTS Credits and Workload Overview

Type of Assessment and Assessment Criteria

• MSc students will be assessed based on active participation and a group assignment.
• PhD students will be assessed based on active participation and presenting or opposing to a scientific paper. 

Cultural Activities / Social Program

• During the week in Hafjell there will be a field trip in the mountain experiencing grazing animals and local production of milk products. Every evening there will be a joint dinner and social activities.

Tuition Fees

None

Additional Costs

Students are required to cover their own costs for traveling to Norway, visa and per-sonal needs.

Erasmus+ scholarship is a possibility for both MSc and PhD students, contact your Erasmus coordinator about the possibility of obtaining a scholarship for the Blended Intensive Programme (BIP). Note the Erasmus+ scholarship is only available for stu-dents whose home institution has an active Erasmus+ partnership agreement with the Norwegian University of Life Sciences.

Accommodation

For ELLS MSc students: double room: 400 €, Single room: 615 € 

For non-ELLS MSc students: double room: 550 €, Single room: 765 €

For PhD students: double room: 550 €, Single room: 765 €

For MSc ELLS students staying in a double room, ELLS Funds for Incentives cover the differences between the actual cost and the Erasmus+ scholarship (approx. 400 €). Special conditions apply to NMBU MSc students. 

All meals and coffee and snacks during the breaks are included.

Health Insurance

Health insurance, covering illnesses and accidents, is required for participation.

Visa

All participants are responsible for arranging the correct visa.

Application Deadline

1 May 2025 – application open March 1.

Link to online Application form

Apply by completing the form https://nettskjema.no/a/499122#/page/1

Contact persons for scientific questions

Elise Norberg (elise.norberg@nmbu.no)

Contact person for administrative questions

Stine Telneset (stine.telneset@nmbu.no)