Study Tracks

Click on the tabs to see the full curriculum for each study track with descriptions

The EMABG is a 2-year study programme (120 ETCS) and builds on MSc courses that already exist in the different consortium universities. It concentrates on the development of scientific expertise in the areas of quantitative, population and molecular genetics related to animal breeding. This involves four study tracks:

  • Breeding programmes in low-income countries (WUR – BOKU)
  • Biological and societal context of breeding (WUR – SLU / UGOE – SLU)
  • Genomic selection and precise phenotypes (WUR – NMBU / UGOE – NMBU)
  • Integrative biology (UGOE – APT)
Welcome course
Year 1 (60 ECTS)
WU logo
General animal breeding and genetics, with a focus on breeding program design
UGOE logo
Quantitative and population genetics and genomics as fundaments of animal breeding
Breeding Lab

during semester 2

Internship placement

time period to be arranged individually

Summer course
Year 2 (60 ECTS)
WUR – BOKU
BOKU logo
Breeding programmes in low-income countries
WUR – SLU
UGOE – SLU
SLU logo
Biological and societal context of breeding
WUR – NMBU
UGOE – NMBU
NMBU logo
Genomic selection and precise phenotypes
UGOE – APT
APT logo
Integrative biology
Collaborative student project

during semester 3

Optional study period at an academic associated partner

during semester 3

Graduation ceremony

Breeding programmes in low-income countries

WUR-BOKU

Welcome course

The Welcome course is held at the end of August at one of the six partner universities. EMABG students are introduced to the academic system in Europe, the European and global dimension of farm-animal breeding, establish friendships and get settled in before the start of the academic year. The course includes an intensive skills training section and brings together staff from all six partner universities.

Year 1 (60 ECTS)
Breeding lab

during semester 2

The Breeding lab is simultaneously organised by WUR and UGOE and brings together first year students to work on an assignment in close collaboration with an associated industry partner. The aim is to familiarize students with the competences and skills that are needed to work in a professional environment and to implement their knowledge of different elements of animal breeding acquired in the first year into a practical context.

WU logo
General animal breeding and genetics, with a focus on breeding program design
Internship placement

time period to be arranged individually

The internship offers students the opportunity to learn about the needs of national and international organisations and companies in their field and to apply their skills and knowledge. It takes place during the summer period between semester two and three (formally belonging to semester two). The exact period depends on the course schedule of the first-year universities and industry partners.

Associated Partners: ALLICE, AquaGen, EAAP, Friedrich Loeffler-Institut, INRA, Geno, Hendrix Genetics, ILRI, Norsvin, SUISAG, Swedish Kennel Club, Viking Genetics, VIT Solutions for Animal Production

Summer course

The Summer course takes place between the second and third semester and is organised by BOKU, partially overlapping with the graduation ceremony. The content of the summer course is focused on widening the knowledge of students in terms of the societal context of animal breeding and practical relevance, with participation of industry representatives and other associated partners. This networking opportunity outside of the academic environment will enable students to decide their final preferences on the master thesis topic, including the possibility to collaborate with industry experts in order to solve currently relevant problems. The overlap of the Summer course with the graduation ceremony will allow for a meeting of two student groups at a crucial time point in their studies.

Year 2 (60 ECTS)
Collaborative student project

during semester 3

Students participate in a transversal educational project, where they will expand their knowledge and review various aspects of animal breeding and genetics in the context of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This transversal project will involve all students, including lecturer support from second-year partner universities, with optional involvement of students from academic associated partners (China Agricultural University, University of New England and Iowa State University).

BOKU logo
Breeding programmes in low-income countries
Optional study period

time period to be arranged individually

  • China Agricultural University, China
  • University of New England, Australia
  • Iowa State University, USA
Graduation ceremony

The EMABG student Graduation ceremony is a two-day event when the students from all second-year universities reunite to present their Master theses, celebrate their success and receive their EMABG Diploma certificate. The structured meetings with the Summer course students take place during the first day, consisting of a joint session presented by groups of graduates per second-year university, with follow-up personal discussions among students. During the second day the graduates will present their MSc thesis in a conference-like setting, attended by all Summer course participants, including associated partners and industry representatives.

Biological and societal context of breeding

WUR-SLU / UGOE-SLU

Welcome course

The Welcome course is held at the end of August at one of the six partner universities. EMABG students are introduced to the academic system in Europe, the European and global dimension of farm-animal breeding, establish friendships and get settled in before the start of the academic year. The course includes an intensive skills training section and brings together staff from all six partner universities.

Year 1 (60 ECTS)
Breeding lab

during semester 2

The Breeding lab is simultaneously organised by WUR and UGOE and brings together first year students to work on an assignment in close collaboration with an associated industry partner. The aim is to familiarize students with the competences and skills that are needed to work in a professional environment and to implement their knowledge of different elements of animal breeding acquired in the first year into a practical context.

WU logo
General animal breeding and genetics, with a focus on breeding program design
UGOE logo
Quantitative and population genetics and genomics as fundaments of animal breeding
Internship placement

time period to be arranged individually

The internship offers students the opportunity to learn about the needs of national and international organisations and companies in their field and to apply their skills and knowledge. It takes place during the summer period between semester two and three (formally belonging to semester two). The exact period depends on the course schedule of the first-year universities and industry partners.

Associated Partners: ALLICE, AquaGen, EAAP, Friedrich Loeffler-Institut, INRA, Geno, Hendrix Genetics, ILRI, Norsvin, SUISAG, Swedish Kennel Club, Viking Genetics, VIT Solutions for Animal Production

Summer course

The Summer course takes place between the second and third semester and is organised by BOKU, partially overlapping with the graduation ceremony. The content of the summer course is focused on widening the knowledge of students in terms of the societal context of animal breeding and practical relevance, with participation of industry representatives and other associated partners. This networking opportunity outside of the academic environment will enable students to decide their final preferences on the master thesis topic, including the possibility to collaborate with industry experts in order to solve currently relevant problems. The overlap of the Summer course with the graduation ceremony will allow for a meeting of two student groups at a crucial time point in their studies.

Year 2 (60 ECTS)
Collaborative student project

during semester 3

Students participate in a transversal educational project, where they will expand their knowledge and review various aspects of animal breeding and genetics in the context of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This transversal project will involve all students, including lecturer support from second-year partner universities, with optional involvement of students from academic associated partners (China Agricultural University, University of New England and Iowa State University).

SLU logo
Biological and societal context of breeding
Optional study period

time period to be arranged individually

  • China Agricultural University, China
  • University of New England, Australia
  • Iowa State University, USA
Graduation ceremony

The EMABG student Graduation ceremony is a two-day event when the students from all second-year universities reunite to present their Master theses, celebrate their success and receive their EMABG Diploma certificate. The structured meetings with the Summer course students take place during the first day, consisting of a joint session presented by groups of graduates per second-year university, with follow-up personal discussions among students. During the second day the graduates will present their MSc thesis in a conference-like setting, attended by all Summer course participants, including associated partners and industry representatives.

Genomic selection and precise phenotypes

WUR-NMBU / UGOE-NMBU

Welcome course

The Welcome course is held at the end of August at one of the six partner universities. EMABG students are introduced to the academic system in Europe, the European and global dimension of farm-animal breeding, establish friendships and get settled in before the start of the academic year. The course includes an intensive skills training section and brings together staff from all six partner universities.

Year 1 (60 ECTS)
Breeding lab

during semester 2

The Breeding lab is simultaneously organised by WUR and UGOE and brings together first year students to work on an assignment in close collaboration with an associated industry partner. The aim is to familiarize students with the competences and skills that are needed to work in a professional environment and to implement their knowledge of different elements of animal breeding acquired in the first year into a practical context.

WU logo
General animal breeding and genetics, with a focus on breeding program design
UGOE logo
Quantitative and population genetics and genomics as fundaments of animal breeding
Internship placement

time period to be arranged individually

The internship offers students the opportunity to learn about the needs of national and international organisations and companies in their field and to apply their skills and knowledge. It takes place during the summer period between semester two and three (formally belonging to semester two). The exact period depends on the course schedule of the first-year universities and industry partners.

Associated Partners: ALLICE, AquaGen, EAAP, Friedrich Loeffler-Institut, INRA, Geno, Hendrix Genetics, ILRI, Norsvin, SUISAG, Swedish Kennel Club, Viking Genetics, VIT Solutions for Animal Production

Summer course

The Summer course takes place between the second and third semester and is organised by BOKU, partially overlapping with the graduation ceremony. The content of the summer course is focused on widening the knowledge of students in terms of the societal context of animal breeding and practical relevance, with participation of industry representatives and other associated partners. This networking opportunity outside of the academic environment will enable students to decide their final preferences on the master thesis topic, including the possibility to collaborate with industry experts in order to solve currently relevant problems. The overlap of the Summer course with the graduation ceremony will allow for a meeting of two student groups at a crucial time point in their studies.

Year 2 (60 ECTS)
Collaborative student project

during semester 3

Students participate in a transversal educational project, where they will expand their knowledge and review various aspects of animal breeding and genetics in the context of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This transversal project will involve all students, including lecturer support from second-year partner universities, with optional involvement of students from academic associated partners (China Agricultural University, University of New England and Iowa State University).

NMBU logo
Genomic selection and precise phenotypes
Optional study period

time period to be arranged individually

  • China Agricultural University, China
  • University of New England, Australia
  • Iowa State University, USA
Graduation ceremony

The EMABG student Graduation ceremony is a two-day event when the students from all second-year universities reunite to present their Master theses, celebrate their success and receive their EMABG Diploma certificate. The structured meetings with the Summer course students take place during the first day, consisting of a joint session presented by groups of graduates per second-year university, with follow-up personal discussions among students. During the second day the graduates will present their MSc thesis in a conference-like setting, attended by all Summer course participants, including associated partners and industry representatives.

Integrative Biology

UGOE-APT

Welcome course

The Welcome course is held at the end of August at one of the six partner universities. EMABG students are introduced to the academic system in Europe, the European and global dimension of farm-animal breeding, establish friendships and get settled in before the start of the academic year. The course includes an intensive skills training section and brings together staff from all six partner universities.

Year 1 (60 ECTS)
Breeding lab

during semester 2

The Breeding lab is simultaneously organised by WUR and UGOE and brings together first year students to work on an assignment in close collaboration with an associated industry partner. The aim is to familiarize students with the competences and skills that are needed to work in a professional environment and to implement their knowledge of different elements of animal breeding acquired in the first year into a practical context.

UGOE logo
Quantitative and population genetics and genomics as fundaments of animal breeding
Internship placement

time period to be arranged individually

The internship offers students the opportunity to learn about the needs of national and international organisations and companies in their field and to apply their skills and knowledge. It takes place during the summer period between semester two and three (formally belonging to semester two). The exact period depends on the course schedule of the first-year universities and industry partners.

Associated Partners: ALLICE, AquaGen, EAAP, Friedrich Loeffler-Institut, INRA, Geno, Hendrix Genetics, ILRI, Norsvin, SUISAG, Swedish Kennel Club, Viking Genetics, VIT Solutions for Animal Production

Summer course

The Summer course takes place between the second and third semester and is organised by BOKU, partially overlapping with the graduation ceremony. The content of the summer course is focused on widening the knowledge of students in terms of the societal context of animal breeding and practical relevance, with participation of industry representatives and other associated partners. This networking opportunity outside of the academic environment will enable students to decide their final preferences on the master thesis topic, including the possibility to collaborate with industry experts in order to solve currently relevant problems. The overlap of the Summer course with the graduation ceremony will allow for a meeting of two student groups at a crucial time point in their studies.

Year 2 (60 ECTS)
Collaborative student project

during semester 3

Students participate in a transversal educational project, where they will expand their knowledge and review various aspects of animal breeding and genetics in the context of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This transversal project will involve all students, including lecturer support from second-year partner universities, with optional involvement of students from academic associated partners (China Agricultural University, University of New England and Iowa State University).

APT logo
Integrative biology
Optional study period

time period to be arranged individually

  • China Agricultural University, China
  • University of New England, Australia
  • Iowa State University, USA
Graduation ceremony

The EMABG student Graduation ceremony is a two-day event when the students from all second-year universities reunite to present their Master theses, celebrate their success and receive their EMABG Diploma certificate. The structured meetings with the Summer course students take place during the first day, consisting of a joint session presented by groups of graduates per second-year university, with follow-up personal discussions among students. During the second day the graduates will present their MSc thesis in a conference-like setting, attended by all Summer course participants, including associated partners and industry representatives.

Last updated: 18.02.2021