Undergraduate Course: Population & Evolutionary Genetics (EVBI10005)
Course Outline
School |
School of Biological Sciences |
College |
College of Science and Engineering |
Course type |
Standard |
Availability |
Not available to visiting students |
Credit level (Normal year taken) |
SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) |
Credits |
10 |
Home subject area |
Evolutionary Biology |
Other subject area |
None |
Course website |
None |
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Course description |
This course will deal with several types of ways that genetic variants can be useful in biology, including evolutionary biology, medicine, agricultural production and conservation biology. We will critically discuss different approaches to analysing this genetic variation. The lectures will cover methods for finding and quantifying genetic variation for various types of markers that are currently important, together with illustrations of their uses. The basic principles of molecular evolution will include analysis of divergence between sequences of different species, phylogenetic tree estimation, the neutral theory of molecular evolution, polymorphism within species, and methods to detect natural selection acting on gene sequences. The principles of using markers in genetic analysis of quantitative characters will include some of the major current issues in this area, including the heritability of human IQ, and will provide concepts needed to understand the genetics of complex human diseases. Finally, the use of pedigree information to study selection in natural populations, including the effects of inbreeding on fitness and the maintenance of genetic diversity, will be covered. |
Course Delivery Information
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Delivery period: 2010/11 Semester 1, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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WebCT enabled: Yes |
Quota: None |
Location |
Activity |
Description |
Weeks |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
King's Buildings | Lecture | | 1-11 | | 10:00 - 10:50 | | | | King's Buildings | Lecture | | 1-11 | | 09:00 - 09:50 | | | |
First Class |
First class information not currently available |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
Increased understanding of Biological processes. Detailed learning outcomes will be provided later. |
Assessment Information
Exam - Week 12, Semester 1 |
Special Arrangements
Not entered |
Contacts
Course organiser |
Dr Loeske Kruuk
Tel: (0131 6)50 5515
Email: Loeske.Kruuk@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary |
Mrs Pat Dougall
Tel: (0131 6)50 5464
Email: pat.dougall@ed.ac.uk |
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copyright 2010 The University of Edinburgh -
1 September 2010 6:02 am
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