Biology 4260: Population Genetics

Course Description and Goals

The purpose of this course is to introduce you to the population level of the study of genetics as it relates to all branches of modern biology. The course requires a prerequisite of Genetics since we will need to assume a basic knowledge of the classical and molecular concept of genes and how they function. It also requires some knowledge of statistics, particularly for the quantitative genetics section.  Emphasis will be placed on both theory and experimental approaches including mathematical/statistical/computer methods. The theoretical foundation for population processes such as genetic drift, selection, and gene flow will be covered throughout the course, and used to address the mechanisms for the maintenance of variation and to briefly consider the neutral theory of evolution. Beyond the lectures, assignments will include basic problems that can be solved with a hand calculator but also those that will require computer statistical and other programs. Many simulations can be accomplished with the software program Populus, and a number of problems in the problem sets will ask for you to use this program. In the quantitative genetics section of the course, statistical and QTL mapping programs will be used.

The goals of this course are to give you a wide exposure not only to the basic principles of population genetics, but also to some of the modern tools which population geneticists now routinely use. Although there is no laboratory connected with this course, realistic examples will be given where possible to illustrate the use of population genetics in solving/explaining/pursuing biological problems.