Breeding Programme Modelling with AlphaSimR

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Free Online Course: Breeding Programme Modelling with AlphaSimR provided by edX is a comprehensive online course, which lasts for 5 weeks long, 3-5 hours a week. The course is taught in English and is free of charge. Upon completion of the course, you can receive an e-certificate from edX. Breeding Programme Modelling with AlphaSimR is taught by Gregor Gorjanc, Ivan Pocrnic, Steph Smith, Laura Strachan and Gabriela M. Fortuna.

Overview
  • This online course will equip participants with an understanding of computer modelling of breeding programmes to enhance genetic improvements in agriculture. The modelling is done through the AlphaSimR package.

    The package provides a set of functions that represent breeding activities. The combination of these functions in an R script allows the modelling of simple and arbitrarily complex breeding programmes. It also allows evaluation of the effects of alternative breeding scenarios on the rate of genetic improvement and other key performance indicators.

    The course is taught by experts in the field and is applicable to a range of breeding programmes as demonstrated through local and global case studies.

    Wheat field image by Alf Ceplitis.

Syllabus
  • Week 1: Introduction to breeding programme modelling

    Week 2: Relationship between DNA & traits

    Week 3: DNA Lottery

    Week 4: Response to selection

    Week 5: Modelling complex breeding programmes