Data-Driven Breeding and Genetics (Online Learning) MSc

Improving global food security and shifting to sustainable agriculture with technological advances are key to achieving sustainable development.

Despite selective breeding tools being applied for thousands of years, their use now is more important than ever. They can help us address some of the biggest global challenges in the Anthropocene, especially food insecurity and resource depletion in a changing climate and environment.

Ensuring the resilience and sustainability of food, and food production systems, contribute towards the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Sustainable Development Goals

The curriculum is led by academics from the Roslin Institute and the Division of Global Agriculture and Food Systems at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies. There are also strong links with the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and the Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH).

The wide network of partners brings a valuable breadth of perspectives and offers students the opportunity to build relationships that will enrich their future practice.

The programme contains a diverse range of global perspectives and representation of systems across the Global North and South.

You will gain the skills to:

* apply practical, applied statistical and computational analysis

* manage, analyse and interpret large, real-world data

* address context-specific genetic challenges

* develop specialised skills in genetics, data science, and underpinning technologies

You will learn to implement sustainable genetic improvement programmes for key aquacultural, agricultural animal, and plant species across global food systems and resource production systems.

Study options

* Masters, 3-6 years, 180 credits

* Diploma, 2-4 years, 120 credits

* Certificate, 1-2 years, 60 credits

* Individual courses, up to 2 years, up to a maximum of 50 credits