General genetics:
- Introduction to genetics; biological diversity and role of organic macromolecules
- Structure of genetic material (nucleic acids) and DNA replication; chromosomes and chromatin
- Flow of genetic information from DNA to proteins: transcription and translation, genetic code
- Gene expression regulation
- Cell cycle, mitosis, meiosis
- Mendelian genetics and principles of trait inheritance: mono- and di-hybrid crosses, backcross, chi-square test
- Genetic linkage, recombination and genetic maps
- Mutations (point, chromosomal, genomic)
- Genetics of quantitative traits, continuous variability, genetic and phenotypic components of variability, basis of statistical analysis.
Plant breeding:
- Introduction, origin and evolution of cultivated species, exploitation of genetic biodiversity as a source of useful genes
- Methods to create new variability, inter- and intra-specific hybridization; interaction between genes, environment and phenotype
- Characterization of trait polymorphism, phenotypic and genotypic selection, marker assisted selection
- Reproductive systems and barriers of cultivated species
- Genetic structure of populations
- Methods of breeding autogamous crops
- Chromosome engineering for wheat breeding
- Methods of breeding allogamous crops, and vegetatively propagated crops
- Integrative platforms for plant breeding
- Exercises: visit to experimental fields

- Russell PJ: IGenetics: A Molecular Approach, Pearson Education, Inc.
- Barcaccia G, Falcinelli M: Genetica e Genomica. Vol. II. Miglioramento genetico. Liguori Editore S.r.l. (in Italian)