Instructors:

Dr. Anita L. Brûlé-Babel
Rm 247A Agriculture Bldg.
Telephone: 474-6062
Office Hours: Normal work hours.
e-mail address: Anita_BruleBabel@umanitoba.ca

Dr. Gary Crow
Room 230, Animal Science Building
Telephone: 474-9102
Office Hours: Normal work hours.
e-mail address: Gary_Crow@umanitoba.ca

Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course, students should:

1) Understand basic principles and concepts of population genetics and related topics.
2) Be able to develop solutions to simple problems through the application of population genetic theory and principles.
3) Be able to apply the basic principles of population genetics to the analysis of natural and managed systems.
4) Effectively communicate scientific knowledge related to population genetics.

There is no required text for the class. The following resources are on 4 h reserve in the William R. Newman Library (Agriculture):

Falconer, D.S. and Mackay, T.F.C. 1996. Introduction to Quantitative Genetics. Longman Group Ltd. Essex, England. pp. 464.

Hartl, Daniel L. 1988. A Primer of Population Genetics. Second Ed. Sinauer Associates, Inc. Sunderland Massachusetts. pp. 305.

A binder with additional references, which will be updated as the course progresses.

In the courses outline, information in brackets indicates where supplemental information can be found. Wherever possible notation used by Falconer and Mackay (1996) will be used in this course. Therefore, there may be some differences in notation used in the different references sources listed. Additional references may be provided during the class. Please make use of additional resources where appropriate.

Lectures: Slot 1, Monday-Wednesday-Friday at 8:30 am in Room 343 Agric. Bldg.

Labs: Slot 25, Wednesday at 2:30-5:30 pm in Room 342 Agric. Bldg., or the computer lab in the Agric. Library (will be announced). Attendance is mandatory. Take advantage of the learning opportunity and plan to be available for the entire lab period. Room schedules will vary depending on the specific laboratory.

Student evaluation

Evaluative feedback from the first assignment and midterm examination will be provided prior to the deadline for voluntary withdrawal (March 20, 2008).

Mid-term Examination (February 27, 2008) 20%

Laboratory
Problem Sets, Laboratory Reports and Quizzes 30%
(Due dates will be provided as assigned.)
Paper and Presentation 10%
(Paper due April 9, 2008 - Presentation in lab period
as assigned)
Final Examination (During regular examination period.) 30%

Participation (Students are expected to participate in the class,
attend all lectures, and arrive on time. Lack of
participation, late arrivals, and/or missed lectures will
result in loss of participation marks.) 10%

Late Assignments: The grade will be reduced by 10% for each day the assignment is late.

Examinations will include questions and problems from lectures, laboratories, assignments and assigned readings.

Note: Academic dishonesty is a serious offense. Please refer to the General Academic Regulations and Policy section in the General Calendar for information on `plagiarism and cheating' and `examination impersonation'.

AGEC 2500 POPULATION GENETICS - COURSE OUTLINE

The page numbers in brackets refer to supplemental reading materials.

Note: This outline is a general guideline. Variations in topics and organization may occur.

1. POPULATION GENETIC PRINCIPLES

1.1 Basic Concepts of Genetics (Binder - Ayala, 1982: Chapter 1 and Ayala 1980: Chapters 1-3)
- Basic DNA structure
- Definitions of terms and concepts
- Mendelian principles of inheritance
- Introduction to the study of population genetics

1.2 Genetic Variation (Hartl, 1988: pages 1-21)
- Role of genetic variation in evolution
- Sources of genetic variation
- Measurement of genetic variability

1.3 Genetic Constitution of Populations (Falconer and Mackay, 1996: pages 1-20 and Hartl 1988: pages 21-47)
- Allelic and Genotypic Frequencies
- Hardy-Weinberg principle

1.4 Migration (Falconer and Mackay, 1996: page 23 and Hartl, 1988: pages 103-114)
- Definition of migration
- Effect of migration on allele frequencies
- Applications

1.5 Mutation (Falconer and Mackay, 1996: page 24 and Hartl, 1988: pages 93-103)
- Types of mutations
- Effect of mutation on allele frequency
- Applications

1.6 Selection (Falconer and Mackay, 1996: pages 25-45 and Hartl, 1988: pages 114-139)
- Natural vs. artificial selection
- Types of selection
- Fitness
- General selection model
- Balance between mutation and selection
- Applications
 1.7 Small Population Size - Genetic Drift (Falconer and Mackay, 1996: pages 48-81 and Hartl, 1988: pages 69-93)
- Idealized population
- Sampling
- Genetic drift
- Inbreeding
- Effective population size

1.8 Pedigreed Populations and Systematic Inbreeding (Falconer and Mackay, 1996: pages 82-97 and Hartl, 1988: pages 47-65)
- Positive and negative assortative mating
- Systematic Inbreeding
- Effect of inbreeding
- Inbreeding coefficient

1.9 Quantitative Traits (Falconer and Mackay, 1996: pages 100-106 and Hartl, 1988: pages 215-284)
- Characteristics of quantitative traits
- Statistical methods used to study quantitative traits
- Genetic basis of quantitative traits
- Environmental effects on phenotype
- Genotype x environment interaction

1.10 Heritability (Falconer and Mackay, 1996: pages 145-181)
- Definition and techniques of estimation
- Observed values for heritabilities of traits

1.11 Selection for Quantitative Traits (Falconer and Mackay, 1996: pages 184-204)
- Factors affecting response to selection
- Possible and realized responses in agricultural animals and plants

2. APPLIED POPULATION GENETICS

2.1 Adaptation and Speciation
- Adaptation
- Speciation
- Genetic differentiation
- Phylogenetic Variation

2.2 Conservation of Genetic Variation
- Genetic variation as a resource
- Consequences of loss of genetic variability
- International efforts for genetic conservation
 2.3 Genetic Improvement of Animals and Plants
- Domestication of plants and animals
- Basic principles of plant and animal improvement
- Historic accomplishments
- Trends for the future

2.4 Risks of Transgenic Organisms
- Definition of transgenic organisms
- Advantages and disadvantages to agricultural industry
- Issues associated with development and release of transgenic organisms

2.5 Management of Resistance
- Pesticide resistance evolution
- Strategies to delay evolution of pesticide resistance