BI3010
Population Genetics
Last taught 2016
Autumn
English
About this course
Content
The course gives an introduction to population genetics (qualitative and quantitative) and its analytical tools. Panmictic populations and genetic equilibium (Hardy-Weinberg). Genetically effective population size (Ne). Wahlund effect. Deviation from panmixia genetic consequences. Change in gene frequencies due to the evolutionary forces mutation, genetic drift, gene flow, and selection. Measuring genetic differentiation between populations, speciation. Genetic processes in small populations (inbreeding, genetic drift). Molecular evolution and phylogenetics. Neutral and near-neutral theory, geneaology and coalescence. Different types of selection. Breeding genetics theory and methods. Epistasis and pleiotrophy. Evolutionary genetics.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge:
The candidate shall receive:
Insight in central themes of population genetics
Knowledge of population genetics analytical tools
Skills
The candidate shall know and understand:
Basic statistical analyses of genotypic distributions
Estimates and statistical tests of genetic differences between populations
Formulae for genetic equilibria between the four evolutionary forces
Calculations of coancestry- and inbreeding coefficients from pedigree
Methods for mapping of QTL (queantitative trait loci)
Estimating number of polymorphic loci affecting quantitative traits
Estimating genetic response in specified selection experiments
Genetic isolation and different types of speciation processes
General competence
The candidate shall know and understand:
General theory and analytical methods in qualitative and quantitative population genetics
Implementing theory and methods for practical scientific purposes
Teaching methods
Lectures: 30 hours
Auditorium lectures with chapter-wise Powerpoint presentations uploaded to Its learning.
Control questions (chapter-wise) uploaded to Its learning and treated in plenary sessions in auditory. Various software for genetic simulations and analysis is demonstrated in auditory and made available on Its learning. Lecturers may be available for answering questions sent by email.