Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2023 - HSCI 324 D200

Human Population Genetics and Evolution (3)

Class Number: 8042

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 4 – Apr 11, 2023: Fri, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 13, 2023
    Thu, 12:00–3:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    BISC 202 with a minimum grade of C-.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Human variation and human health in the context of population genetics, epidemiology, demography, and human evolution.

COURSE DETAILS:

An explanation of human origins, ancestry, diversity, adaptations, and disease risk in the context of genetic variation, evolution, demography and epidemiology. This course is designed to show how human history and health has been and can be influenced by genetic features in the context of a dynamic environment. Particular attention will be paid to how this and other forms of knowledge can tell the stories of humans and reveal who we are.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

By the end of this course, it is expected that students will be prepared to:

  • describe the basic principles of human population genetics
  • explain how different selective and stochastic forces create and shape the distribution of genetic variability in humans
  • explain how evolution’s main components: variation, adaption, competition, and cooperation impact human health and disease
  • describe pioneering human migration events, migration events through time and interaction with subpopulations
  • summarize key elements of peer-reviewed literature through written, visual and oral communication formats
  • evaluate different models and forms of evidence important for human evolution

Grading

  • Midterm 25%
  • Final Exam 35%
  • Quizzes 15%
  • Assignments 25%

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Primary literature and online videos with be delivered on Canvas.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Principles of Populations Genetics, 4th Ed. by Hartl and Clark
ISBN: 978-0878933082

Human Evolutionary Genetics; Origins Peoples and Disease, 2nd Ed. by Jobling, Hollox, Hurles, Kivisild, Tyler-Smith
ISBN: 978-0-8153-4148-2

Primer of Population Genetics, by Hartl
ISBN: 978-0878933044

Sapiens : a brief history of humankind / Yuval Noah Harari.
ISBN: 0062316117

Human population genetics and genomics, by Alan R. Templeton
ISBN: 978-0-12-386025-5


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html