Population Genetics

1. Appreciate genetic variation in natural populations
2. Discuss the Hardy-Weinberg principle
3. Explain how inbreeding increases homozygotes
4. Understand mutation as a source of genetic variation
5. Describe how genetic drift results in loss of genetic variation
6. Explain how gene flow introduces new alleles

13 weeks, about 28 hours in total. Yours will differ.

1. Week 1Module 1:

   • Unit 1: Basic Concepts · 2 hours

     Read the introduction to population genetics.. Understand the differences between transmission and population genetics.. Define Mendelian population.. Review the historical development of population genetics..

2. Week 2Module 1:

   • Unit 2: Determination of Genotypic Frequency from Counts · 2 hours

     Learn how to determine genotypic frequencies from counts.. Understand the different types of dominance relationships: complete, incomplete, and co-dominance.. Practice calculating genotypic frequencies using examples..

3. Week 3Module 1:

   • Unit 3: Determination of Allelic Frequency from Counts · 2 hours

     Learn how to calculate allelic frequencies from observed numbers of genotypes.. Learn how to calculate allelic frequencies from genotypic frequencies.. Practice calculating allelic frequencies using examples..

4. Week 4Module 1:

   • Unit 4: Determination of Allelic Frequency Given Various Conditions · 2 hours

     Study the method of calculation given actual counts in multiple allelic systems.. Study the method of calculation given genotypic frequencies in multiple allelic systems.. Work through examples of calculating allelic frequencies in multiple allelic systems..

5. Week 5Module 1:

   • Unit 5: Sex-Linked Traits · 2 hours

     Learn how to calculate allelic frequency for sex-linked traits.. Understand the differences in calculations for males and females.. Practice calculating allelic frequencies for sex-linked traits using examples..

6. Week 6Module 2:

   • Unit 1: Hardy-Weinberg Populations · 2 hours

     State the Hardy-Weinberg Law.. Highlight the assumptions of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.. Understand the importance of the Hardy-Weinberg principle..

7. Week 7Module 2:

   • Unit 2: Application of Hardy-Weinberg Equations to Real Populations · 2 hours

     Apply the Hardy-Weinberg law to a one locus, two allelic system.. Practice using the binomial equation to predict genotype frequencies.. Calculate allele frequencies in subsequent generations..

8. Week 8Module 2:

   • Unit 3: Application of Hardy-Weinberg Principle to One Locus Multiple Allelic System · 2 hours

     Determine allelic and genotypic frequencies in a multiple allelic system.. Apply the Hardy-Weinberg principle to the human ABO blood group system.. Calculate Hardy-Weinberg heterozygosity..

9. Week 9Module 2:

   • Unit 4: Sex-Linked Traits · 2 hours

     Determine genotypic and allelic frequencies for sex-linked traits using the Hardy-Weinberg principle.. Understand the differences in calculations for males and females.. Practice calculating frequencies for X-linked traits..

10. Week 10Module 3:

    • Unit 1: Testing Populations for Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium · 2 hours

      Distinguish between observed population counts and Hardy-Weinberg expectations.. Use the chi-square test for analysis.. Calculate expected genotypic frequencies.. Compare observed and expected frequencies using the chi-square test..

11. Week 11Module 3:

    • Unit 2: Evolutionary Changes in Genetic Structure of Populations · 2 hours

      Discuss the term mutation.. Understand how mutation can alter allele frequencies.. Differentiate between forward and reverse mutations.. Calculate equilibrium frequencies..

12. Week 12Module 3:

    • Unit 3: Genetic Drift · 2 hours

      Define genetic drift.. Measure genetic drift in a population.. Discuss variation due to genetic drift.. State the forms of genetic drift: small populations, founder effect, and bottleneck effect..

13. Week 13Module 3:

    • Unit 4: Effect of Migration or Gene Flow on Evolutionary Changes · 2 hours

      Define gene flow.. Discuss how gene flow between populations can introduce new alleles.. Understand how gene flow can rapidly change allelic frequencies.. Calculate the effect of migration on allelic frequencies..

    • Unit 5: Effect of Selective Forces on Evolutionary Changes · 2 hours

      Highlight the effect of natural selection on allelic frequencies.. Enumerate the effect of natural selection on evolutionary changes.. Define adaptation and natural selection.. Understand fitness and the coefficient of selection..