Download Population, Conservation and Evolutionary Genetics: A Primer

Population, Conservation and Evolutionary Genetics: A Primer
Offered by:
Lawrence R. Hale, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biology
University of Prince Edward Island
Canada
When:
May 2 to May 13, 2016
Since before the middle of the last century, genetical data has been an ever-increasingly
important part of the study of evolutionary phenomena, both at the microevolutionary and
macroevolutionary levels. Indeed, organismal phenotypes upon which such forces as natural
selection act are largely determined by their genetic make-up.
The course will introduce students to the core concepts of population genetics, with a
focus on how various ecological and life history factors influence the genetical composition of
natural populations of organisms and their ability to adapt to environmental changes. From that
theoretical basis, we'll see how those principles are applied to one of the most timely aspects of
conservation biology, namely conservation genetics, which is concerned with identifying species
at risk of extinction, and with finding appropriate solutions to prevent that from happening.
Finally, we'll delve into the area of evolutionary genetics, which applies population genetic
principles for questions involving a longer (macroevolutionary) time-frame, but which also has
its own set of phenomena and measures. I intend to illustrate all of these principles with key case
examples from the literature.
This will be accomplished by (comparatively light) readings, classroom work, problem
sets, computer simulations, and a final exam at the end.
The only pre-requisite for course is that students should have a reasonable grasp of simple
Mendelian genetics, the structure of nucleic acids and proteins, and of gene expression
(transcription and translation). I will provide, through the course web-site, readings and exercises
for any students who feel they may need to "brush up" on these things ahead of the course. If
necessary, we’ll spend some in-class time on this at the beginning.
Course evaluation
Problem sets:
Computer assignments:
Final exam:
30%
30%
40%
Questions? Feel free to contact me at [email protected]
Population, Conservation and
Evolutionary Genetics: A Primer
May 2 to May 13, 2016
Furtwangen University Schwenningen Campus
D obrynin et al. Genom e Biology (2015) 16:277
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