Mathematical Evolutionary Theory
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This course will cover the basic mathematical models utilized in population genetics
and evolutionary biology. The initial emphasis will be on the simplest one-locus
models and quantitative genetics models. Biological factors to be considered
include different types of natural selection (viability and fertility selection,
maternal selection, frequency- and density-dependent selection); effects of multiple
alleles; mutation; migration; random drift; recombination and linkage disequilibrium;
non-random mating; phenotypic plasticity. The biological questions considered will
include the rate of evolution, levels of genetic variation maintained, coevolution
of interacting species, speciation, and adaptive diversificatin. Computer packages
Maple and Matlab will be extensively used in class.http//www.tiem.utk.edu/~gavrila/583/583.html