Evolutionary genomics: theory and practice

Curious about genomic data and genetic variation? This course teaches the theory and bioinformatics tools to analyze genetic differences in DNA sequences, individuals, populations, and species, providing a solid foundation for fields like population and conservation genomics.
Composite of several photos, including a teri dish, a flower, fish, an arctic fox and mammoth tusk.

Photo: Rike Stelkens, Benjamin Laenen, Aurélie Désaamoré, Anastasia Andersson, Peter Hällberg och Love Dalén

In the course you will learn about the major forces of evolution and how they shape molecular genetic variation and DNA sequence evolution. You will discuss central theories in the field of evolutionary genetics, and apply computational analyses to real-world data sets from natural populations to analyse genetic variation and draw conclusions about evolutionary processes. Finally, you will critically discuss principles, problems, and research results in evolutionary genomics and conservation genomics, based on recent scientific literature.

The course structure includes lectures where you will be introduced to central topics and theory, computer labs where you will practically apply theoretical knowledge and learn relevant bioinformatic tools, and discussion seminars where you will discuss key concepts and principles in the context of recent scientific articles. The course will also include guest lectures on timely topics. All lectures are given by active researchers in the field of evolutionary genomics. 


Teaching Format

The teaching methods will include lectures, computer labs and seminar discussions, with mandatory attendance at computer labs and seminar discussions.


Assessment

Examination is based on a written exam and evaluation of computer lab reports.

Examiner

Associate Prof. Rike Stelkens, Dept. of Zoology
Prof. Tanja Slotte, Dept. of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences (DEEP)

The schedule will be available no later than one month before the start of the course. We do not recommend print-outs as changes can occur. At the start of the course, your department will advise where you can find your schedule during the course.


Note that the course literature can be changed up to two months before the start of the course.

Asher Cutter, A Primer in Molecular Population Genetics. Online ISBN: 9780191874826 Print ISBN: 9780198838944.

Course reports are displayed for the three most recent course instances.


Evolutionary genomics is a highly active research field at Stockholm University. Multiple research groups at different departments work within this broad field. Topics include the genetic basis of adaptation and speciation, population genomics and conservation genomics, ancient DNA, and phylogenomics. In the course, you will encounter active researchers working on these topics as teachers.






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