This course explores the ecological and evolutionary factors that influence the genetic structure of plant and animal populations. We begin the course by describing the range of molecular genetic markers available for identifying genetic variation within and among populations. Next we introduce a wide range of standard and new statistical procedures for population genetic analysis. The course is taught in intensive workshop format and employs a combination of lectures, tutorials and computer-based practical sessions designed to ensure that students fully understand the procedures involved.  For many of the analyses, students will learn to calculate the various statistics by hand, before attempting the self-paced, computer-based examples, pursuing further understanding and interpretation of the results. Lectures, with examples drawn from plants, birds and mammals will illustrate both statistical analyses and biological interpretations of real data sets.

On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Understand and describe the range of molecular laboratory techniques available for detecting population genetic variation
2. Perform statistical analysis of population genetic data under limited supervision, by hand, calculator and with the aid of computer software, and summarise and interpret the outcomes in written and oral form
3. Search the literature to identify papers relevant to the biological data sets provided for statistical analysis and integrate and evaluate the findings in written and oral form

4. Explain the ecological and evolutionary factors that influence the genetic structure of plant and animal populations.

Assessment will be based on:

• Computer based tutorial reports (60%) demonstrating competent use of the software, understanding and meaningful interpretation of the analysis outcomes in relation to the theory (LO 1-3)
• Reports (30%) demonstrating literature search skills, critical evaluation and synthesis of topics relevant to both the practical and theory components of the course (LO 1-4)
• Oral presentation (10%) that demonstrates capacity to analyse and interpret real data sets (L0 1-4)

Primarily presented in an intensive workshop during 4-15 July, format (6 x 7 hrs) over a 10 day period followed by 2 or more 1 hour tutorial sessions.

BIOL2151.

BIOL3051