652-301 Ecological and Evolutionary Genetics

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Genetics 652-204 or 652-214 and 652-205 or 652-215. (For 1998, students who have done only 652-204 or 652-214 should consult Professor McKenzie for possible waiver of prerequisites.) (Before 1997: 652-201)

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

Upon completion of this subject students should have:

• understood the genetical and ecological properties of animals and plants and the relevance of these properties to evolutionary processes;
• comprehended the way in which variation is measured within and between populations and how data are tested against competing hypotheses;
• appreciated experimental approaches to hypothesis testing;
• understood current debates of molecular evolution;
• appreciated the historical foundation on which current research is based;
• developed a capacity to critically review the literature.

The subject will emphasise the genetic structure of populations in relation to modes of selection, genetic polymorphism, gene flow and genetic drift. The processes and outcomes of chemical and molecular evolution will be studied.

Assessment

A 2-hour end-of-semester examination. A mid-semester test. Two tutorial assignments of not more than 500 words each.