BioA 482:
Human Population Genetics Fall 2004
Class homepage: faculty.washington.edu/goodreau/bioa482
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Description: This course surveys population genetics
theory as applied to micro-evolutionary change in human populations. We
will look at the effects of mutation, selection, mating patterns, recombination,
and genetic drift on changes in the genetic composition of human
populations. Initial emphasis is on mathematical analyses of these
relationships at the micro-level. We
will then use this knowledge to examine applications of population genetics
theory to human population history and evolution.
Objectives: The objectives of this course are to
(1) provide you with a solid foundation for
understanding the genetic basis of evolution
(2) provide sufficient historical, intellectual,
and mathematical background so that you can evaluate contemporary research in
anthropological genetics.
(3) provide you with tools, concepts, and ways of
thinking about quantitative problems in biological anthropology and
evolutionary biology;
Textbook
and readings: The
text for this course is Hartl and Clark, Principles of Population Genetics,
3rd edition, published by Sinauer Associates. Copies are available at the
University Bookstore. Be certain you get
the third edition of this book as it differs substantially from previous
editions. There is also a copy on
reserve at Odegaard.
The
textbook is oriented toward general population genetics rather than human
population genetics. Additional readings on topics of interest to
anthropologists will supplement the text.
These will be made available on electronic reserve.
Midterm and Exam: The midterm will cover the first half of the
course. The final exam will focus on all
material since the midterm, although this material necessarily builds off of
the foundation laid in the first half. Both exams will be similar in format to
the problem sets, although longer. Both
will be closed book, although you will be allowed to take in a single 8.5x11”
sheet of notes.
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Grading: Problem sets 10% each x
6 = 60%
Midterm 20%
Final
exam 20%
Late assignments: Grades for late problem sets will be reduce by 10%
per day, including any fraction of a day late. For example, if you would have
gotten a 95% on the problem set, you will receive 85.5% if one day late, 77% if
two days late, etc. I will not accept
problem sets more than a week late.
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|
Week |
Topics |
|
Assignments |
|
1
(Sep 29, Oct 1): |
Course aims. Basics of human genetics.
Models and the scientific method. Probability. |
HC
Chapter 1 |
|
|
2
(Oct 4, 6, 8) |
Probability continued. Phenotypic variation - Mendel, Galton and
Fisher. Measuring genetic variation. |
HC
Chapter 2 |
|
|
3
(Oct 11, 13, 15) |
Random mating. Hardy Weinberg. Heterozygosity. |
HC
Chapter 3 |
PS
1 due Friday |
|
4
(Oct 18, 20, 22) |
Population subdivision. Inbreeding. Assortative
mating. |
HC
Chapter 4 |
PS
2 due Friday |
|
5
(Oct 25, 27, 29) |
Drift. The Wright-Fisher model. Mutation. |
HC
Chapter 7 267-277 HC
Chapter 5 163-180 |
PS
3 due Friday |
|
6
(Nov 1, 3, 5) |
Effective population size. Mutation-drift balance. Infinite Alleles. |
HC
Chapter 7 277-304 |
|
|
7
(Nov 8, 10, 12) |
Recombination.
Linkage and linkage disequilibrium.
Selection. Relations to
survival and reproduction. |
HC
Chapter 5 180-198 HC
Chapter 6 211-227 |
Midterm
Monday |
|
8
(Nov 15, 17, 19) |
Mutation-selection balance. Timing of allele change. Application:
CCR-5, HIV and the plague. |
HC
Chapter 6 227-264 |
PS
4 due Friday |
|
9
(Nov 22, 24) |
Molecular clock.
Mismatch distributions. |
HC
Chapter 8 315-349 |
|
|
10
(Nov 29, Dec 1, 3) |
Phylogenetics. Application:
Mitochondrial Eve, Out of
|
HC
Chapter 8 349-374 |
PS
5 due Friday |
|
11
(Dec 6, 8, 10) |
Quantitative
traits. Heritability. Norms of reaction. Application: Genetics, environment and IQ. |
HC
Chapter 9 |
PS
6 due Friday |
|
12 (Dec 13) |
|
|
EXAM |