Genetics in Conservation and Ecology
Organizers
Under the auspices of the Research School Ecology & Evolution:
Prof. Per Palsboll (Genomics Research in Ecology and Evolution in Nature {GREEN}, UoG)
Dr. Corine Eising (Research School Ecology & Evolution)
Aim of the course
The objective of this course is to teach students to interpret population and individual-based genetic data in typical applications of genetics in conservation, ecology and behavior.
The specific learning objectives of this course is to teach students to:
(1)select the appropriate population genetic approach for specific common questions in conservation, ecology and behaviour.
(2)apply population genetic methods for analysis of population genetic data.
(3)interpret outcomes of common population/conservation genetic data (genotype and sequence data).
(4)critically assess published population/conservation genetic data.
Contents & Structure
The course consists of lectures, in-depth reading and discussion of original research papers as well as computer exercises. Each week will focus on different specific applications of population/individual-based genetic data in conservation, ecology and behavior, such as individual identification and parentage analysis; delineation of management units and population structure; long- and short-term abundance; as well as detection of selection/adaptation. Students will prepare by reading two pre-selected case studies each week, make a brief presentation on the specific approach and chair the subsequent discussion of the approach and case studies. Each week students will use common computer programs as part of a weekly assignment to analyze specific data sets relevant to the weekly case studies. The last week students will be tasked with a comprehensive review of a published study.
Lecturers
- Prof. Per Palsboll (UoG)
Course Programme
The course will run over a period of three weeks, starting Monday 5 February, ending Friday 24 February. Each Monday through Thursday there will be lectures, discussion sessions, reading of program manuals or scientific papers, presentations etc. from 09.00 till 12.00. On Fridays there will be computer practicals from 09.00 till 16.00.
Monday to Thursday the lectures will be held in Room LB 5173.0176, on Fridays the computer practicals will be held in Room LB 5173.0076.
General Information
| Required knowledge & preparation | * Students should work / have a strong interest in the field of Evolutionary Biology
* Students should have knowledge of Basic Statistics (equivalent to any introductory course) |
| Course material |
Assignments and exercises can all be conducted on the Millipede cluster. However, if you want to conduct the work on your own computer it is in principle possible for most cases BUT you will then be responsible for installing (may require compilation) the required software (e.g., for a Windows PC this would require the installation and use of a Unix emulator such as Cygwin). |
| Course credits | 5 ECTS, upon receiving a 'pass' for participation in the course. A Pass requires (as for all students) full participation and satisfactory performance. |
| Location | The course lectures will be held in various lecture rooms of the Linnaeusborg and other buildings, Zernike Campus, University of Groningen, The Netherlands. Accommodation is not included in the course but is available in the nearby City centre. Student-priced options include: The Bud Gett Hotel and The Simplon Youth Hostel. |
| Duration & date | 5- 24 February 2018 |
| Costs | Master students participate in the course for free. For GELIFES PhD students, only an administration fee of €25 is applicable. Other PhD students, please contact C.M. Eising |
| Participants | The minimum number of participants is 5, the maximum 15. |
| Registration |
PhD students may register via the online registration form. Registration deadline is Thursday 1 February 2018; please register at your earliest convenience if you intend to participate as available positions will be filled on a first come, first serve basis. |
| Last modified: | 21 February 2020 3.59 p.m. |