Introduction to Population Genetics - 04 edition

Summary: For upper level undergraduate or beginning graduate courses in Population Genetics.

This text provides an introduction and essential background in population genetics for students from various fields in biology. By incorporating examples from many biological disciplines, it makes the theory of population genetics relevant to all students. It employs examples of human genetics, medical evolution, human evolution, and endangered species.

Secondly, ...show more the author strives to address mathematical modeling clearly with a variety of exercises and pedagogical aids. An appendix provides a review of the probability theory used in the text.

Features

• Inter-disciplinary approach.
  • Provides the essential background in population genetics for students who will study other fields such as ecology, evolution, conservation biology, molecular biology or human genetics.
• Application-oriented.
  • Enables students to relate concepts of population biology to other areas such as evolutionary biology, conservation biology, and human genetics.
• Careful explanation of mathematics--Makes it easier for students to learn quantitative aspects of population genetics.
  • A variety of exercises and pedagogical aids are used to present mathematical modeling.
• What-if Exercises--Allows students to test hypotheses using real population data.
  • Creates a more realistic expericence.
• Non-mathematical language--Uses plain language to emphasize biological rationale and assumptions that extend from a mathematical model.
  • Allows students to clearly see the biological implications.
• Secondary mathematical detail placed in boxes.
  • Allows for uninterrupted flow of text discussion, without getting bogged down in details of math.
  • Enables students and instructors to make decision on whether to cover or skip these details--depending on the interests and abilities of the class.
• Emphasis on using a spreadsheet as a learning tool--Uses step-by-step worked spreadsheet examples.
  • Challenges student to reproduce the examples and learn by doing.

Edition/Copyright: 04
Cover: Hardcover
Publisher: Prentice Hall, Inc.
Published: 10/28/2003
International: No

View Table of Contents

1. Introduction.

2. Genetic Variation.

3. The Hardy-Weinberg Principle.

4. Recombination, Linkage, and Disequilibrium.

5. Natural Selection I: Basic Models.

6. Mutation.

7. Genetic Drift.

8. Inbreeding and Nonrandom Mating.

9. Population Subdivision and Gene Flow.

10. Molecular Population Genetics.

11. Molecular Evolution and Phylogenetics.

12. Natural Selection II: Balancing Selection and Advanced Models.

13. Quantitative Genetics.

Appendix A. Probability and Random Variables.

Appendix B. Computer Software for Population Genetics.

Answers to Problems,

Literature Cited.

Index.