Principles of Population Genetics
Population genetics studies the genetic composition of biological populations and how allele frequencies change over time and space. It serves as the theoretical foundation for understanding evolution. This course offers a comprehensive introduction to the core concepts and methods of population genetics, with a focus on linking observed patterns of genetic variation to the underlying evolutionary processes that generate them. Throughout the course, we emphasize the interplay between analytical theory, computer simulations, and the analysis of genetic data from both natural and experimental populations. We will also explore current efforts to connect genotype to phenotype and, ultimately, to fitness. Case studies will include the evolution of drug resistance, genetic ancestry inference, experimental evolution, and the genetic structure and demographic history of human populations.
Topics
- Explain and interpret the fundamental evolutionary processes that shape patterns of genetic variation within and among populations.
- Critically evaluate current research in population genetics.
- Design and implement simple computer simulations of evolutionary processes to test hypotheses and theoretical predictions.
- Apply appropriate statistical and computational methods to population genomic datasets to draw evolutionary inferences, and evaluate the statistical power, assumptions, and conceptual limitations of these methods.
- Describe and analyze applications of population genetics in conservation biology, agriculture, and medicine.
- Communicate clearly and thoughtfully about the ethical and societal implications of population genetics research.
Official roster learning outcomes
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027