Module 1: Introduction to Plant Quantitative Genetics (Download Syllabus)

Target audience:  Geneticists and molecular biologists with an interest in classic approaches to plant breeding that are critical for molecular breeding.
Goals:  An introduction to the basic machinery of quantitative genetics useful for plant breeders
Assumed background:  Some exposure to statistics (regressions, ANOVA, covariances).

Lectures:
(1)  Introduction to Modern Plant Breeding
(2)  Basic Genetics
(3) Basic Statistics
(4) Allelic Effects and Genetic Variances  
(5) Resemblance Between Relatives
(6) Experimental Design
(7) QTL and Association Mapping
(8) Inbreeding, Heterosis
(9) Mass and Family Selection
(10) Breeding Neglected and Underutilized Crops

Instructors:
Prof. Bruce Walsh, Depts. of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Plant Science, Animal Science, Molecular & Cellular Biology, University of Arizona
Iago Hale, Associate Professor, University of New Hampshire

Module 2: Advanced Statistical Plant Breeding (Download Syllabus)

Target audience:  Geneticists and molecular biologists with an interest in classic approaches to plant breeding critical for molecular breeding.
Goals:  An introduction to advanced methods for gene detection, mapping, and selection with a focus on marker-based approaches.
Assumed background:   Introduction to Plant Quantitative Genetics module or similar background.

Lectures:
(1) Linear Algebra
(2) Multivariate Selection
(3) Index Selection
(4) Linear and Mixed Models 
(5) Molecular Markers and Genotyping
(6) BLUP
(7) Association Mapping
(8) Marker-Assisted and Genomic Selection
(9) G x E 
(10) Summary:  Integrating Classical and Molecular Breeding

Instructors:
Prof. Bruce Walsh, Depts. of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Plant Science, Animal Science, Molecular & Cellular Biology, University of Arizona
Iago Hale, Associate Professor, University of New Hampshire