University of Jordan
Faculty of Agriculture
Dept. of Animal Production
Prof. Mohammad Jihad Tabbaa
Quantitative and Population Genetics (602761)
2nd Semester, 2010/2011
Office Hours: 11 - 12 S, T
Course Description:
The purpose of this course is to provide the student with the principles and applications of
population and quantitative genetics. Study factors affecting genic and genotypic frequencies and methods
of estimating genetic and nongenetic variance, heritabilities and breeding values. Discussing the roles of
mating systems and selection procedures in producing superior genetic populations.
1.
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Text Books
Introduction to Quantitative Genetics, 3rd Ed. D. S. Falconer, 1989.
Manual of Quantitative Genetics, 3rd Ed. W. A. Becker, 1975.
Handouts will be provided for specific subjects.
Course Contents
Subject
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Random Mating Population and Forces Change Gene
Frequency:
Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, Migration, Mutation,
Selection, Equilibria
Changes of Gene Frequency for Small Population:
Sampling, Inbreeding, Effective population size, Mutation,
Migration, Selection, Drift, Path coefficient, Regular
inbreeding systems.
First Midterm Exam
Population and Individual Values:
Population means, Average effect, Breeding value,
Dominance deviation, Partitioning variation, Repeatability.
Variance Components and Heritability Estimation
Methods:
Genetic and Environmental covariances, Methods of
heritability estimation
Second Midterm Exam
Selection:
Response, predictions and selection effects on variance,
Experimental results, Information from relatives, Selection
index, Correlated response.
Inbreeding and Crossbreeding:
Inbreeding depression, Heterosis, Changes in variances,
Applications.
Ch. in
Falconer
1-2
Pg. in
Becker
Week
1+2
3-5
3+4
6-8
5
6+7
9 - 10
11 - 13, 19
1-5
15 – 124
6 – 14
125 - 144
14 - 16
8+9
10
11 - 13
14 - 15
Students are expected to read the materials in the book before the subject is covered in lecture and
participate in the class discussion.
First hour exam:
Second hour exam:
Class Discussion and Homeworks
Final exam:
Grading Policy
20 %
20 %
20 %
40 %
Registration Office
Course Outcomes:
After you finish this course, you are expected to have the following talents:

Understand the main concepts of population and quantitative genetics.

Use appropriate methodology to estimate genetic and nongenetic variance, heritabilities and
breeding values.

Have the ability to perform mating systems and selection procedures for producing superior genetic
populations.

Use appropriate methodology to solve particular population genetics problems.

Manipulating and undertaking problems related to mating systems and selection procedures.

Be able to explain the essential concepts and major principles relevant to population and quantitative
genetics.

Be able to display personal responsibility by working to multiple deadlines.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
References:
Concepts in Quantitative Genetics and Breeding, E. J. Eisen, Course Notes, 1989.
A Primer of Population Genetics, 2nd Ed. D. L. Hartl, 1988.
Quantitative Genetics in Maize Breeding, 2nd Ed. A. R. Hallauer and J. B. Mirranda,
1988.
Introduction to Biometrical Genetics, K. Mather and J. L. Jinks, 1977.
Genetics of Populations, P. W. Hedrick, 1985.
First Course in Population Genetics, C. C. Li, 1978.
Selection Index and Introduction to Mixed Model Methods, L. D. Van Vleck, 1993.