Purpose
The overall theme of population genetics is the origin, maintenance, and significance of genetic variation. Population genetics occupies a special place in biology because it cuts across many diverse disciplines, including molecular biology, genetics, ecology, evolutionary biology, systematics, natural history, plant and animal breeding, many areas of conservation and wildlife management, human genetics, sociology, anthropology, and quantitative biology.
This course will first provide a general introduction to the nature and organization of genetic variation in populations. We will then consider equilibria and changes in gene frequency at a single locus, linkage disequilibrium and selection at two or more loci, and selection on quantitative (size and shape) traits. The final portion of the course will consider the ramifications of these basic principles for ecological and evolutionary diversification.
Prerequisites
One semester of general genetics (BIOL 3301) or equivalent, one semester of college algebra (MATH 1320) or equivalent, and one semester of statistics (MATH 2300) or equivalent.
Time and place
12:00 – 12:50 MWF, 106 Biological Sciences
Textbook
Hartl, D.L. and A.G. Clark. 1997. Principles of Population Genetics, 3rd ed. 542 pp.
| Complete syllabus (PDF file) |
| Strauss home page | Strauss Matlab page |
| Biological Sciences | Texas Tech University |