Course Synopsis:
      Lectures will focus mainly on aspects of population genetics and how these phenomena relate to ecological contexts.  Examples of possible topics will include: heritability and how the heritability of traits is measured, sources of genetic variation, the genetic structure of populations and genetic drift, models of gene flow, effects of selection on gene frequencies. 

 Graduate Section                           Undergraduate Section

Lecture Test #1      20%              Lecture Test #1      25% 
Lecture Test #2      20%              Lecture Test #2      25% 
Lecture Test #3      20%              Lecture Test #3      25% 
Lecture Test #4      20%              Lecture Test #4      25% 
Paper Review        20% 

Paper Review:

     If you are a graduate student, twenty percent of your course grade is based on a review that you write on a peer-reviewed journal article.  You will be expected to write a detailed evaluation of a primary source article taken from a high quality peer-reviewed journal, such as those listed at the end of this syllabus.  Your review should be no more than 5 pages.  It should be organized as follows:  1) provide a brief introduction to the topic of the paper (with some background information), 2) state the objectives of the study and how they relate (ie are important) to the general field of study, 3) describe the methods used and evaluate the suitability of these methods (suggest better approaches if possible), 4) describe the results and the author’s interpretation of those results and their significance as a contribution to the topic in general.  Finally, append a copy of the article to the back of your review.
      Your article must be relevant to some aspect of Ecological Genetics and must have been published within the last year (2004 - 2005).  A list of some periodicals is appended to the back of this syllabus.  Articles involving Ecological Genetics published in other journals are acceptable.  Articles required from any of those listed at the back of the syllabus must be ordered through inter-library loan and will, therefore, take about two weeks to arrive.  If you have even the slightest doubt about the suitability of a paper, do not hesitate to consult me.
      Your review should be no more than 5 typewritten pages (double-spaced, 12 point, 10 CPI type, 1" margins).  It is due on the last day of classes.  People often lose marks for failing to properly cite their sources of information.  You must cite all sources of information.  Copying of material, whether, whether parts of sentences, whole sentences, paragraphs, or entire articles, will result in a score of zero for your essay.  Cite all references in the body of your paper and in a literature cited section at the back  Use scientific journal format.  Consult a journal or consult me to see how this is done.  Do not use direct quotes (you will lose marks for doing so).  Your mark will be based largely on how thoroughly you have tackled the assignment.  Therefore, be very concise and avoid verbosity and redundancy.  Pay attention to your spelling and grammar.  If you have questions, please talk to me.
 

Scientific Journals (You can scan the contents then use ILL to obtain hard copies)
 

Genetical Research Animal Conservation American Naturalist Heredity:  Journal of Animal Ecology: Journal of Evolutionary Biology:

Obligatory Statements:

 Plagiarism is a criminal activity.  You must cite all sources of information.  Copying of material, whether, whether parts of sentences, whole sentences, paragraphs, or entire articles, will result in a score of zero for your essay and can result in further disciplinary action.

 Students requesting accommodations for disabilities must go through the Academic Support Committee.  For more information, please contact the Director of Disability Resources & Services, Halladay Student Services Bldg.,  Room 303D, (903) 886-5835

 All student enrolled at the University shall follow the tenets of common decency and acceptable behavior conducive to a positive learning environment.  See Student's Guide Handbook, Policies and Procedures, Conduct.