What people are saying…

“ The sections are just the right length for my type of learner who finds it difficult to concentrate for long periods of time. I love that there is a summary of the key points at the end and no silly trick questions in the exam. This would allow even a hermit like me to study for a long time 😄 although the fact that I have always been extremely interested in the subject certainly helps. Thank you for this lecture series!!

Sanna H.

Animal Enthusiast and Breeder

“ Dr. Mäki’s course gave me the confidence to make informed breeding decisions. Highly recommended for anyone serious about genetics!

Mark H.

Veterinary Student

“ “I was overwhelmed with genetic concepts, but this course made it practical and accessible. My breeding program has transformed!”
– Jane D., Dog Breeder

Jane D.

Dog Breeder

“ The videos, texts, summaries and tests support each other well, and it’s easy to chew through the appropriately sized sections one by one. I also got quick help from Dr. Mäki when I needed it. Thank you!

Melissa F

Dog Breeder

What’s Inside the Course?

Our comprehensive genetics course is divided into 5 structured parts, each designed to build your understanding step-by-step:

  1. Genes and Their Regulation
    Discover what genes are, how they function, and how their activity is regulated. You’ll also learn about epigenetics and how mutations create genetic diversity.
  2. Transmission of Genes from Parents to Offspring
    Learn how genes are passed from parents to offspring, including the roles of chromosomes, meiosis, and Mendel’s principles of inheritance.
  3. Modes of Inheritance: Single Gene or Polygenic?
    Explore the different inheritance patterns of traits and understand their implications for breeding.
  4. Monogenic Inheritance
    Dive deeper into traits determined by a single gene and learn how to predict outcomes using tools like Punnett squares.
  5. Polygenic Inheritance (available in January 2025)
    Master the inheritance of complex traits influenced by multiple genes and learn to identify patterns for practical breeding decisions.

What Will You Learn?

This course will take you on a step-by-step journey into the fascinating world of genetics. Starting from the very basics, you’ll build a strong foundation and gradually progress to more advanced topics and practical applications.

Understand how traits are inherited

Learn how parental traits are passed on to offspring and explore how accurately this inheritance can be predicted.

Identify the role of genes

Determine whether a specific trait is influenced by one or multiple genes.

Predict offspring traits

Master the use of tools like the Punnett square to forecast how traits are inherited across generations and in various inheritance patterns.

Analyze trait variation for breeding

Investigate how genetic variation impacts breeding decisions and the selection of healthy animals.

Account for environmental factors

Discover how the environment influences traits and how to separate these effects to better assess an animal’s genetic potential.

Demystify heritability

Understand what heritability really means and why it matters in breeding—clearing up common misconceptions.


With a mix of clear explanations and practical examples, this course will equip you with the knowledge and tools to confidently apply genetics to real-world breeding challenges.

No prior knowledge of genetics is required—just a curiosity and a desire to learn!

This course will take you on a step-by-step journey into the fascinating world of genetics. Starting from the very basics, you’ll build a strong foundation and gradually progress to more advanced topics and practical applications.

No prior knowledge of genetics is required—just a curiosity and a desire to learn!

By the end of this course, you will:

  • Understand how traits are inherited: Learn how parental traits are passed on to offspring and explore how accurately this inheritance can be predicted.
  • Identify the role of genes: Determine whether a specific trait is influenced by one or multiple genes.
  • Predict offspring traits: Master the use of tools like the Punnett square to forecast how traits are inherited across generations and in various inheritance patterns.
  • Analyze trait variation for breeding: Investigate how genetic variation impacts breeding decisions and the selection of healthy animals.
  • Account for environmental factors: Discover how the environment influences traits and how to separate these effects to better assess an animal’s genetic potential.
  • Demystify heritability: Understand what heritability really means and why it matters in breeding—clearing up common misconceptions.

With a mix of clear explanations and practical examples, this course will equip you with the knowledge and tools to confidently apply gene