Population Genetics

3 credits

BIOL3050 Genetics or BIOL3060 Foundations in Genetics is recommended. In molecular evolution, random events such as pointwise DNA mutations and chromosomal rearrangement events (inversion, reciprocal translocation) create genetic variation in a diploid population that undergoes selection of the fittest to survive. This course describes mathematical models, both deterministic and stochastic, that provide a theoretical foundation for understanding modern genetics. The types of questions we'll address include the following. In a large population, how do haplogype frequencies change both in the presence and absence of selection and restricted migration? What is linkage disequilibrium and how is it measured? In situations of a population bottleneck, caused for instance by limited environmental resources, what is the probability that a particular allele will become fixed in the population, and what is the expected time until fixation? What is the coalescent? In addition, some original research papers will be presented.