BIOL4250 · Biology

Population Genetics

Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences

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.