Entry requirements

150 credits including (1) 60 credits in biology and 30 credits in chemistry or 30 credits in earth science, or (2) 90 credits in biology. In both cases 15 credits at intermediate level in evolutionary biology, bioinformatics, genetics, or ecology are also required.

Learning outcomes

The main idea behind the course is to cover in more depth a few major topics that the students have seen in previous courses.

Students that pass the course should be able to:

• discuss major evolutionary questions (e.g. speciation, local adaptation, evolution of mating systems) and be able to put them into context.
• present and discuss key concepts and results in population genomics
• plan and carry out an experiment to test hypotheses related to the topics covered during the course
• use data analysis methods related to the topics discussed during the course (e.g. Approximate Bayesian Computation, diffusion-based methods).

Content

Lectures and tutorials covering research in population genomics carried out at EBC. During a project the students will analyse data, write the outline of computer programs and do literature review/meta-analyses.

Instruction

The course comprises lectures and tutorials. The tutorials include sets of exercises, computer assignments, discussion and presentation of articles.

Assessment

Modules: Theory 7 credits; Tutorials 3 credits; Project work 5 credits.

The theory part is examined through a written examination and seminars. The seminars require active participation. The laboratory sessions require active participation and approved laboratory reports. The project work is examined both orally and with the written report.