Overview
In this unit, you will be provided with a framework for the development and application of agricultural breeding strategies, and application of modern genetic selection tools. You will be introduced to a broad overview of genetic selection tools, whilst learning how to select, monitor and evaluate a breeding program. Finally, you will consider the ethical and social implications of genetic modification and how this might influence management decisions.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2025
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from SUTE data
Usefulness of assessment feedback was agreed by most students.
Review rubrics and marking guides to ensure evaluation feedback for "useful feedback" continues to improve.
Feedback from Student feedback during residential schools
Residential schools were a good learning experience.
Continue offering research and industry relevant residential schools
Feedback from Email
The guest speakers provided a fabulous diversity of information to the unit
Weekly live tutorials will continue to include guests from research and industry and provide real life examples.
Feedback from SUTE data
Improve organisation of learning material
Learning material will be organised to enhance the current lecture material.
Feedback from SUTE data
Clarify marking criteria
Students have weekly live workshops where discussion on assessment is encouraged. In addition, weekly posts on current timetable and upcoming assessment, is provided. Additional workshops on specific assessment will be considered based on student requirements.
Feedback from SUTE data
Improve video resources
Resources are reviewed each year to provide additional topical material for students.
Feedback from SUTE data
Review amount of weekly content
Content is reviewed each year. Weekly live tutorials aim to support lecture material and provide students opportunity for questions of content.
Feedback from SUTE data
Upgrade content to provide more real life examples
Content is reviewed each year. Weekly live tutorials provide current content that often involve guests from research and industry so that real life examples are provided.
- Select appropriate tools for a genetic improvement plan
- Develop a breeding program based on heritability and economic returns
- Monitor and evaluate a breeding program
- Critique the social and ethical implications of genetic modification.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 20% | ||||
| 2 - Presentation and Written Assessment - 50% | ||||
| 3 - Portfolio - 30% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||||
| 5 - Team Work | ||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| 1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 20% | ||||||||||
| 2 - Presentation and Written Assessment - 50% | ||||||||||
| 3 - Portfolio - 30% | ||||||||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Microsoft Office
- PowerPoint
- Video and Audio recording equipment.
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
k.harper@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Introduction to genetics and breeding in crops and livestock
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Qualitative and quantitative genetics
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Phenotypes and traits
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Non-Mendelian and Mendelian genetics
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Livestock selection and breeding
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 1 Online quiz A Closes Friday 15 Aug 2025 5:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Genetic modification
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Social and ethical implications
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Residential school (6-7th September)
Module/Topic
Genes and sequences
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Advances in crop breeding
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Advances in livestock breeding
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 1 Online quiz B Closes Friday 26 Sept 2025 5:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Breeding tools examplar
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 2 Part A (report) Due: Friday 3 Oct 2025 5:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Integration and revision
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 2 Part B (presentation) Due: Friday 10 Oct 2025 5:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Online Quiz(zes)
There are two (2) quizzes:
- QUIZ A (10%): Assessment of content delivered during lectures and tutorials from Week 1 through to Week 4, specifically the terminology used. Due date: Week 5 Friday 15 Aug. 2025 5:00 pm AEST
- QUIZ B (10%): Assessment of content delivered during lectures and tutorials up to Week 10. Due date: Week 10 Friday 26 Sept. 2025 5:00 pm AEST
Quizzes will be undertaken on Moodle, consist of multiple choice, true/false, match type questions and will open on Monday of the corresponding week at 00:00h for 5 days. You will have 2 hours to complete each quiz once started. Only one attempt is allowed.
Level of GenAI use allowed.
Level 1: You must not use Al at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.
The 72-hour grace period does not apply to this assessment.
2
Other
Quiz A due Week 5 Friday 15 Aug. 2025 5:00 pm AEST; Quiz B due Week 10 Friday 26 Sept. 2025 5:00 pm AEST
Grades will be returned within 10 working days of submission.
Marks will be awarded based on correct responses to quiz questions.
- Monitor and evaluate a breeding program
- Critique the social and ethical implications of genetic modification.
- Problem Solving
- Information Technology Competence
2 Presentation and Written Assessment
This assessment, “Development of a breeding program plan” compromises of two (2) parts and accounts for 50% of your final mark:
PART A - Report (40%):
Choose one (1) of the four (4) case studies provided. Develop a breeding program plan based on sound scientific background and economic returns in the form of a written report. In this report include:
Introduction - Outline the scenario and outline breeding objectives for your chosen case study
Breeding strategy - Describe and discuss what breeding strategy will be implemented
Genetic tools - Describe genetic tools (up to three tools) that are suitable in your scenario
Evaluation of strategy - Outline how you will monitor and evaluate the success of the breeding strategy both in relation to heritability and economic returns
This assessment will be in the format of an essay (1000-1200 words) and must include the above focus headings, conclusion and references. References are not included in the word limit. Figures are welcome.
PART B - Short presentation (10%):
You will be required to pre-record a 3 minute presentation briefly describing a selected genetic tool to be applied within the breeding program of your selected case study. Your presentation should discuss the following aspects:
Introduce your chosen genetic tool that is relevant to your scenario.
Outline and discuss at least one positive and one negative aspect of the selected genetic tool
The marking rubrics will be available on Moodle.
Level of GenAI use allowed:
Level 2: You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.
PART A due Week 11 Friday 3rd October 2025 by 5PM AEST; PART B due Week 12, Friday 10th Oct 2025 by 5PM AEST
Grades will be returned within 14 working days of submission.
Marks are awarded for:
- Communication and presentation skills
- Introduction and addressing the topic
- Knowledge, content and structure
- Analysis of information
- Discussion of how the breeding strategy will be implemented
- Evaluation of the success of the breeding strategy
- The clarity of English expression, spelling and grammar
- Use of references and accuracy of referencing
- Appropriate length (Part A) and timeframe (Part B)
Detailed marking rubrics will also be available on Moodle.
- Select appropriate tools for a genetic improvement plan
- Develop a breeding program based on heritability and economic returns
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
3 Portfolio
The practical portfolio relates to the residential school, where you will be required to complete a series of activities or short response questions. A copy of the practical portfolio will be available on Moodle including specific details for each activity.
Level of GenAI use allowed.
Level 1: You must not use Al at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.
Week 8 Friday (12 Sept 2025) 5:00 pm AEST
Grades will be returned within 14 days of submission.
Marks are awarded for attendance, participation, completion, correct responses to questions and submission of required practical activities at the residential school.
- Monitor and evaluate a breeding program
- Critique the social and ethical implications of genetic modification.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Team Work
- Information Technology Competence
- Ethical practice
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
