Genetics 462/562 — Evolutionary Genetics — General Info — Spring 2006
(http://www.public.iastate.edu/~fjanzen/pdf/EvolGen.PDF)
Instructor:
TA:
Fredric J. Janzen
343 Bessey
294-4230
fjanzen@iastate.edu
Jason Hasenstein
2254 Kildee
haas@iastate.edu
Office Hours: Tue 11-12 AM
Wed 1-3 PM
Thu 11-12 AM
else by appt.!!
Office Hours: Mon 12-1
Wed 12-1
else by appt.!!
Course Content:
This 3-credit course will focus on genetic and selective
processes at the population level that are responsible for the generation and
maintenance of biological diversity. We will begin with a discussion of variation
and move from there to basic population genetic theory and variations on that
theme. Next we will briefly evaluate the role of population genetics in the
burgeoning fields of molecular evolution and phylogenetics. Afterward we will
extend the theory and concepts of population genetics to more complex,
quantitative traits. Finally, to tie the genetic machinery firmly into adaptive
evolutionary processes, we will explore and apply the statistical tools of
multivariate selection theory.
Course Prerequisite: BIOL 303 or equivalent evolution course! A background in
statistics, particularly a STAT 401-type course or higher, would also be helpful.
Recommended Text: A Primer of Ecological Genetics, by Conner & Hartl
I will not follow the text directly and I will list readings to supplement particular
topics. I will also provide occasional handouts as references.
Classes: We will meet in W162 Lagomarcino from 09:30 sharp to ~10:45 on
Tuesdays and Thursdays. I will lecture but I also expect free discussion. There
will be no overheads or Powerpoint, just me and the “chalk” board. I encourage
you to ask questions even if they seem totally simple and you think you just dozed
off and missed the point. Obviously, you won’t benefit if you don’t understand
what we’re discussing. Not surprisingly then, I expect you to attend class regularly
and promptly (plus the exams will come almost solely from my lectures). There
will also be in-class quizzes on most Tuesdays and two debates to hone your skills
in evolutionary genetics. Moreover, Jason and I hope to implement occasional
group homework sets that will improve your skills as well.
Course Requirements:
1)
Quizzes
Most Tuesdays
10%
Each quiz will consist of a single question just like I would ask on an exam (short
essay and problem solving). You will have 10 minutes to finish (09:30-09:40), so
come prepared and don’t be late! An unexcused absence will earn a grade of zero.
2)
Class debate/presentation #1 21/23 February
15%
3)
Class debate/presentation #2 18/20 April
15%
The class debates/presentations are meant to be experiences in group problem
solving and discussion. One of the best ways to learn a topic is to have to argue for
or against it and to listen to others’ ideas on the same topic. For the first
“discussion” in late February, we will focus on the controversial debate between
neutralists and selectionists on the nature of genetic variation. For the second
“discussion” in mid April, we will probably focus on whether or not heritability
remains a useful parameter for evolutionary geneticists to estimate. Each debate
will occupy two class periods, however only half the class will be required to
attend during a given class period. For each class period, the chosen graduate
students will be split into two groups, one taking the neutralist side and the other
taking the selectionist side for the first debate and one taking the yes side and the
other taking the no side for the second debate. Undergraduates will similarly be
split into two groups and will only have to attend one of the two class periods for
each debate topic. Undergraduates will be required to read the selected papers and
to participate actively in the discussion. For the debates, your grade will be
determined by your level of participation; obviously if you don’t say anything,
either as a comment or a question, you will receive no credit.
4)
Midterm exam
2 March
30%
The midterm exam will consist of about 10 questions. Coherent writing will be
necessary to answer the questions; a calculator may be useful for some questions.
Oh, and don’t cheat. I take it very seriously and do not tolerate it any form, not
that I expect it to be a problem. As with the quizzes, an unexcused absence will
earn a grade of zero. If you know you will miss the exam, tell me beforehand so
we can make arrangements. Jason and I will hold a ~2-hour study session for you
to ask questions and discuss issues the evening before the exam. The exam will
cover classical population genetics, speciation genetics, and molecular evolution.
5)
Final exam (take-home!)
27 April-2 May 30%
Ah yes, the final exam. It will focus entirely on problem solving and
interpretation, will be comprehensive but emphasize the latter portion of the course
(i.e., quantitative genetics and multivariate selection), and will be take-home. And,
in case you forgot, don’t cheat. You can use other resources if you feel they are
necessary, but you must work on the exam questions by yourself. I intend to hand
out the exam in class on 27 April. It will be due in my office by 5 PM on 2 May so
that we will have time to grade it. I am hoping the take-home nature of the exam
will permit you to chill out a bit during finals week.
If you have a documented disability and anticipate needing accommodations in this course,
please make arrangements to meet with me by the end of the first week of class. Please also
request that a Disability Resources staff member (1076 Student Services Building, 4-6624)
send a SAAR form verifying your disability and specifying the accommodation you will
need.
Genetics 462/562 — Evolutionary Genetics — Course Syllabus — Spring 2006
DATE
TOPIC
READING
1/10
Phenotypic diversity, genetic variation, Hardy-Weinberg principle
pp. 1–36
1/12
Sex-linkage and linkage disequilibrium
pp. 157–160
1/17
QUIZ #1
Non-random mating--Assortation and inbreeding
pp. 36–43
1/19
Random genetic drift--Effective population size
pp. 52–57
1/24
QUIZ #2
Random genetic drift--F-statistics, etc.
pp. 57–66
1/26
Migration--Wahlund’s principle, Wright’s island model
pp. 48–51
1/31
QUIZ #3
Migration--Stepping-stone model, private alleles; Mutation
pp. 47–48
2/2
Natural selection--Fitness, selection coefficient
pp. 66–71
2/7
QUIZ #4
Natural selection--overdominance, underdominance, etc.
pp. 71–76
RECEIVE FOCAL PAPERS & ASSIGNMENTS FOR DEBATE #1
2/9
Still more natural selection--Mutation-selection balance, genetic load, pp. 76–89
Haldane’s Sieve, Fisher’s Fundamental Theorem
2/14
QUIZ #5
Speciation--isolating mechanisms, modes, reinforcement, Haldane’s Rule
2/16
Neutral theory of molecular evolution, molecular clocks, selfish DNA
2/21
DEBATE #1 for Group 1
2/23
DEBATE #1 for Group 2
2/28
Quantitative genetic traits & statistical measures/methods--phenotypic pp. 97–107,
plasticity, reaction norms, genotype-by-environment interactions
137–145
3/1
STUDY SESSION (7-9 PM in 231 Bessey)
3/2
MIDTERM EXAM
3/7
Partitioning phenotypic variation; Repeatability
pp. 108–111
3/9
SPECIAL SURPRISE!
3/14
SPRING BREAK
3/16
SPRING BREAK
3/21
QUIZ #6
Heritability--broad-sense, narrow-sense
pp. 112–115
3/23
Heritability--estimation
pp. 115–131
3/28
QUIZ #7
Heritability--utility, interpretation
pp. 131–133
3/30
Genetic covariances and correlations
pp. 150–163
4/4
QUIZ #8
# of loci affecting a trait, QTL analysis
pp. 170–180
4/6
Experimental methods of quantitative genetics (QG w/o tears)-pp. 145–147
common gardens, wide crosses
RECEIVE FOCAL PAPERS & ASSIGNMENTS FOR DEBATE #2
4/11
QUIZ #9
More quantitative genetics without tears--transplant experiments
Selection differentials, response to selection
pp. 147–149,
163–170
4/13
Multivariate selection--correlated response, selection gradient,
predicting/reconstructing adaptive evolution
pp. 189–210,
216–223
4/18
DEBATE #2 for Group 1
4/20
DEBATE #2 for Group 2
4/25
QUIZ #10
Adaptive landscapes and evolutionary equilibria
4/27
Visualizing multivariate selection
IN-CLASS STUDY SESSION; RECEIVE FINAL EXAM
5/2
FINAL EXAM DUE BY 5 PM!
pp. 210–211