Population Biology and Genetics
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course aims at teaching the students the basics to analyse natural populations and their dynamics. The study of the genetic structure of populations are of fundamental importance to understand diversification, speciation and evolution of all living species. Moreover, the analysis of biodiversity and its distribution within and among populations is fundamental to show examples and strategies which could be applied in nature conservation programs.
Expected learning outcomes
The student is going to acquire in-depth methodological and technical knowledge for the biological analysis. The scientific method of investigation acquired, focused on the study of natural populations and their conservation, will be fundamental for planning activities and during the acquisition and analysis of data, as well as for the interpretation of results.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Genetic variation and its origins: mutation, recombination transposition.
Analysis of genetic variability.
Systems to measure genetic variability: 'traditional' and modern genetic markers.
Gene structure of a population. Hardy Weinberg's model, calculation of gene frequencies, balance test.
Gene structure of characters related to sex.
Linkage disequilibrium.
Study of the dynamics of the populations.
Natural selection and its effects on gene frequencies.
Selection on quantitative traits.
Forms of selection: directional or stabilizing, frequency-dependent, variable in space or time.
Individual fitness and overall fitness.
Random genetic drift and its consequences on gene frequency dynamics.
Bottleneck and founder effect.
Effective size of a population, its estimation and importance.
Identification of factors that can modify the effective population size.
Estimation of genetic distances and population structuring.
Effect of gene mutations and migration.
Balance between mutation and selection.
Concepts of population, community, ecological conditions and resources.
Ecological niche theory: definitions, multidimensional niche and its extent, niche overlap and differentiation, problems
Basic demographic parameters and population structure: intrinsic rate of population growth, forms of population growth, density-dependent and density-independent regulation of a population and carrying capacity.
r and K strategies, and evolution of life-histories
Life-tables and age-related mortality and fecundity rates
Metapopulations
Ecological interactions between populations of different species: competitive competition and exclusion, coexistence and character displacement, predation.
Analysis of genetic variability.
Systems to measure genetic variability: 'traditional' and modern genetic markers.
Gene structure of a population. Hardy Weinberg's model, calculation of gene frequencies, balance test.
Gene structure of characters related to sex.
Linkage disequilibrium.
Study of the dynamics of the populations.
Natural selection and its effects on gene frequencies.
Selection on quantitative traits.
Forms of selection: directional or stabilizing, frequency-dependent, variable in space or time.
Individual fitness and overall fitness.
Random genetic drift and its consequences on gene frequency dynamics.
Bottleneck and founder effect.
Effective size of a population, its estimation and importance.
Identification of factors that can modify the effective population size.
Estimation of genetic distances and population structuring.
Effect of gene mutations and migration.
Balance between mutation and selection.
Concepts of population, community, ecological conditions and resources.
Ecological niche theory: definitions, multidimensional niche and its extent, niche overlap and differentiation, problems
Basic demographic parameters and population structure: intrinsic rate of population growth, forms of population growth, density-dependent and density-independent regulation of a population and carrying capacity.
r and K strategies, and evolution of life-histories
Life-tables and age-related mortality and fecundity rates
Metapopulations
Ecological interactions between populations of different species: competitive competition and exclusion, coexistence and character displacement, predation.
Prerequisites for admission
A basic course in genetics and an introductory course in evolution are required. An introductory statistics course and familiarity with algebra will also be very helpful.
Suggested books are in English, so students are expected to be able to read and understand scientific texts in English.
Suggested books are in English, so students are expected to be able to read and understand scientific texts in English.
Teaching methods
The course is based on interactive lessons supported by powerpoint presentations and it includes numerous practical examples.
Students will be stimulated to participate in discussions to improve their critical skills, elaborating the acquired concepts and communicating those concepts in an appropriate manner.
Students will be stimulated to participate in discussions to improve their critical skills, elaborating the acquired concepts and communicating those concepts in an appropriate manner.
Teaching Resources
Neal Dick - Introduction to Population Biology. 2nd edition. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781139107976
· Begon M., Harper J.L., Townsend C.R. Ecology - Individuals, Populations and Communities. Blackwell Scientific Publications
· Daniel L. Hartl e Andrew G. Clark - Principles of Population Genetics, 4th Edition - Ed. Sinauer. ISBN: 9780878933082
· Richard Frankham, Jonathan D. Ballou, David A. Briscoe - Introduction to Conservation Genetics 2nd Edition - Ed. Cambridge. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511808999
· Further readings and scientific articles will be proposed during the course and made available through the Ariel website.
http://lgianfranceschibgp.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/
· Begon M., Harper J.L., Townsend C.R. Ecology - Individuals, Populations and Communities. Blackwell Scientific Publications
· Daniel L. Hartl e Andrew G. Clark - Principles of Population Genetics, 4th Edition - Ed. Sinauer. ISBN: 9780878933082
· Richard Frankham, Jonathan D. Ballou, David A. Briscoe - Introduction to Conservation Genetics 2nd Edition - Ed. Cambridge. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511808999
· Further readings and scientific articles will be proposed during the course and made available through the Ariel website.
http://lgianfranceschibgp.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final examination of the two parts of the course is one and consists of an oral discussion on the topics covered during the course. The examination is oral and begins with a presentation by the student, of max 15 minutes, of a scientific article on one or more of the topics of the course and concerning an animal or plant species chosen by the student.
During and after the presentation the lecturers will ask questions to assess the candidate's preparation and understanding of the topics. The questions will not be limited to the topics of the article but may relate to any of the topics covered during the lessons and summarized in the syllabus.
The final grade, expressed as usual in thirtieths, will take into account the candidate's presentation skills, understanding of the topics discussed and his or her preparation.
During and after the presentation the lecturers will ask questions to assess the candidate's preparation and understanding of the topics. The questions will not be limited to the topics of the article but may relate to any of the topics covered during the lessons and summarized in the syllabus.
The final grade, expressed as usual in thirtieths, will take into account the candidate's presentation skills, understanding of the topics discussed and his or her preparation.
BIO/07 - ECOLOGY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professors:
Gianfranceschi Luca Enrico Angelo, Romano Andrea
Professor(s)
Reception:
Upon email request
2nd floor, C building, Dept. of Biosciences