? Credit Points : 10  ? SCQF Level : 10  ? Acronym : BIO-4-GEpopevg

We shall study several ways in which genetic variants can be useful in biology (including evolutionary biology, medicine, agriculture and conservation biology). We will critically discuss different approaches and some basic statistical concepts needed for these kinds of genetic analysis. The lectures will describe methods for finding and quantifying genetic variation, covering all the types of markers that are currently important, with illustrations of their uses. The basic principles of molecular evolution will include analysis of divergence between sequences of different species, phylogenetic tree estimation, the neutral theory of molecular evolution, polymorphism within species, and methods to detect natural selection acting on gene sequences. The principles of using markers in genetic analysis of quantitative characters will include some of the major current issues in this area, including the heritability of human IQ, and will provide concepts needed to understand the genetics of complex human diseases. Finally, we will cover applications of evolutionary genetics to studies of natural populations, including discussions of inbreeding depression and sexually-antagonistic genetic effects.

? This course is not available to visting students.

? Pre-requisites : Permission of the Curriculum Approval Officer.

? Costs : Notepads

Home subject area

Genetics, (School of Biological Sciences, Schedule K)

? Normal year taken : 4th year

? Delivery Period : Semester 1 (Blocks 1-2)

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) 45 minutes per week for 11 weeks

First Class Information

Date Start End Room Area Additional Information 18/09/2007 09:00 09:50 Seminar Room 715, Swann Building KB

All of the following classes

Type Day Start End Area Lecture Tuesday 09:00 09:50 KB Lecture Tuesday 11:10 12:00 KB

? Additional Class Information : Local Organiser - Dr Loeske Kruuk

Increased understanding of Biological processes. Detailed learning outcomes will be provided later.

Exam - Week 12, Semester 1

Exam times

Diet Diet Month Paper Code Paper Name Length 1ST December 1 - 2 hour(s)

The Course Secretary should be the first point of contact for all enquiries.

Course Secretary

Miss Donna Wright
Tel : (0131 6)51 7051
Email : Donna.Wright@ed.ac.uk

Course Organiser

Dr Peter Fantes
Tel : (0131 6)50 5669
Email : P.Fantes@ed.ac.uk

School Website : http://www.biology.ed.ac.uk/

College Website : http://www.scieng.ed.ac.uk/