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Part 4. Monogenic Inheritance
This course is the 4th module of a five-part course Mastering Animal Genetics: Unlocking the Code to Health-Oriented Breeding.
In the previous part of the course, we learned that a single-gene trait is typically caused by a mutation that alters protein function and thereby affects an individual’s phenotype. In this part, we look more closely at the specific modes of inheritance within single-gene inheritance and the pedigree diagrams associated with them.
Among the topics covered:
- Predicting offspring traits using a Punnett square
- Inferring parental genotypes from offspring
- How alleles influence each other’s expression – dominance, incomplete dominance, overdominance, codominance, and epistasis
- Determining the mode of inheritance of a trait from a pedigree
- What are the safe mating combinations when a disease is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner? What about X-linked inheritance?
- What is the probability that a disease in a pedigree will be inherited by offspring?
- Why does a genetically affected individual not always develop the disease?
Content of the course
Empower your breeding decisions with interactive quizzes, lecture videos, and an easy-to-use glossary for quick answers.
15 lessons
You can watch the lesson on video or read it in text – or do both to enhance your learning! The points made in the lecture videos are also in the text of each lesson, so you don’t have to search for a particular point in the video if you want to go back and check something.
Interactive quizzes
Reinforce learning with short quizzes after each lesson to test your understanding.
Flexible learning
Study at your own pace with a six-month access to course materials.
Glossary of Terms
Access an easy-to-use glossary to clarify complex genetic terminology.
Expert support
Get personalised help and answers to your questions from Dr. Katariina Mäki, PhD in Animal Breeding.
There’s a question and comment section after each lesson – you can ask all those questions that have been bothering you for years. Remember, there are no stupid questions!
Certificate of completion
Showcase your knowledge with a professional certificate you can share on social media or print.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does this course take?
This course lasts about two weeks, depending on how many lessons you want to complete per day.
You can study at your own pace.
When does this course start?
The course becomes available on 18 December. After that, there is no fixed start date for the course. You can start the course as soon as you purchase it.
Are there any prerequisites for this course?
You should be familiar with the material covered in the previous parts of the course so that you can absorb the material covered in this part.
Do I need special tools to participate?
You will need an internet connection and a computer or smart device.
How long will I have access to the course material?
You will have access to the course for six months (180 days) from the date of purchase.
What if I am not satisfied with this course?
Your satisfaction is our priority! If the course doesn’t meet your expectations, simply reach out within 14 days for a full refund—no questions asked.
Please note! When you purchase this course, you will still be on this same page. To start the course, open the first lesson ‘Welcome to the course’ by clicking ‘View Lesson’. If you are on a computer, you will find the Lesson menu on the right hand side of the page. If you are on a smartphone, the menu will appear at the bottom of the page.

