Primate Genetics, Ecology, and Conservation

(Same as Society and Genetics M142.) Focus on genetic research on wild primates at different geographic scales, using readings from primary literature on primate genetics, ecology, and behavior. Study of paternity and kinship, intrapopulational variation, population genetics, biogeography, systematics, phylogenetics/phylogenomics and comparative genomics. Utility and appropriateness of various markers considered for different research questions, e.g., mitochondrial DNA, microsatellites, nuclear genes, Y-chromosome, as well as GWAS and genomic/next generation sequencing platforms, and epigenetic markers. Discussion of methods in fieldwork and lab work, including sampling techniques, collection techniques, wet lab techniques, software analysis packages, and statistical analyses. Introductory-level understanding of genetics expected; study further illuminates areas in molecular biology relevant to case studies analyzed.

Letter grading.