Topics that will be covered through lectures and practicals are: genetic variation, molecular markers and their properties, quantification of genetic diversity, effective population size, genetic drift and natural selection, subpopulations and gene flow, genetic distance, F-statistics, Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) analyses, phylogeography, behavioural genetics and conservation genetics.

The students shall understand the theoretical foundation for population genetics and how evolutionary forces are shaping the genetic variation within and between populations. An important goal is to understand the properties of molecular markers, what kind of information they give and how they can be applied in evolutionary and ecological studies. The course shall give the students generic knowledge applicable in studies of all kinds of organisms. Molecular ecology seeks to understand adaptation and changes in populations from a molecular perspective by linking variation at the DNA level with phenotypic observations. Through practical training the students will learn how large amounts of next-generation DNA sequencing data are analyzed and used to enhance our understanding of adaptation in natural populations (ecogenomics) and genotype-phenotype associations (breeding populations). The course will provide the students with solid theoretical and conceptual knowledge as a background for attending master courses in population genetics and evolution, molecular genome analyses, bioinformatics, plant breeding, animal breeding and nature management.

Engelsk:Lectures. Compulsory assignments/computer exercises. Colloquiums organized by students.

Fronter will be used actively to distribute all teaching materials. PhD students will assist during the data analyses/assignement work. Fixed times for access of students to teachers will be agreed based on the needs.

Selected chapters from the textbook: Freeland, Kirk, Petersen: Molecular Ecology, 2nd ed. 2011 plus selected articles.

BIO120 - Genetics introductory course; MATH100 - Mathematics introductory course; STAT100 - Statistics introductory course

Hand-in a given number of assignments.

Final written exam counts 100%. Compulsory assignments must be passed before final exam can be taken.

Lectures: 24 hours; Assignments/data analyses: 20 hours; Preparations, homework, self study and colloquims: 106 hours.

Special requirements in Science

Engelsk:Lectures: 2 hours per week for 12 weeks. Assignments/data analyses: 2 hours per week for 10 weeks.

External examiner participates in controlling exam questions and grading