Counting for Conservation: Principles of Population Genetics

Birth and survival are the crux of how humans observe and manage other living species on the planet. How do zoos, hatcheries, rare plant nurseries and wildlife managers contend with the challenges of small populations and the genetic consequences? Population genetics is a fundamental component of evolutionary theory and its applications to the conservation of populations and species. Population fragmentation, extinction and migrations can affect the survival of species in the dynamic stresses of the Anthropocene and are an integral part of the challenges of managing terrestrial and aquatic plants and wildlife. This program will be focused on the mathematics of genetics and microevolution, with practical training in the algebra and statistics as applicable to population genetics and population biology. We will practice the quantitative analysis of how genetic variation, population change, selection and fitness are linked to the survival and conservation of organisms in the wild and in managed settings. Through calculations, problem sets and readings in the literature, students will learn the essentials of population genetics in theory and its applications in conservation biology. This 8-credit upper-division science program is designed for students who are looking to develop their quantitative toolkit for biology and environmental science.

This 8-credit program will meet during the day on Mondays and Fridays. Students wishing to take a full 16-credit load can consider the 8-credit programs Marine Fisheries and Human Health, Marine Microbiology, and Symbiosis which have non-conflicting schedules.

Spring Anticipated Credit Equivalencies

8* - Population Genetics