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Duke University

Introduction to Genetics and Evolution

Duke University via Coursera

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Overview

Introduction to Genetics and Evolution is a college-level class being offered simultaneously to new students at Duke University. The course gives interested people a very basic overview of some principles behind these very fundamental areas of biology. We often hear about new "genome sequences," commercial kits that can tell you about your ancestry (including pre-human) from your DNA or disease predispositions, debates about the truth of evolution, why animals behave the way they do, and how people found "genetic evidence for natural selection." This course provides the basic biology you need to understand all of these issues better, tries to clarify some misconceptions, and tries to prepare students for future, more advanced coursework in Biology (and especially evolutionary genetics). No prior coursework is assumed.

Syllabus

  • Welcome to Genetics and Evolution
    • General introduction to this MOOC, including coverage and expectations.
  • Evidence for Evolution
    • This module discusses the definition of the word "evolution" in a biological context, evidence for the truth of evolution and common ancestry of species, and public thoughts and misconceptions about biological evolution. This module is optional and will not be included in the course assessments. There are not class discussion forums for this section, as we feel such discussion can happen on other, non-course-related, sites on this topic (of which there are a great many on the internet).
  • Genetics I
    • An introduction to basic transmission genetics and inheritance. This module reflects what is often covered in high school biology courses in the USA.
  • Genetics II
    • This module delves somewhat more deeply into genetics and specifically the concept of "recombination." It begins to discuss how recombination is leveraged in classic genetic works as well as mapping simple genetic traits using crosses or data from natural populations.
  • Genetics III
    • This module delves even more deeply into the complexities of the genetics underlying traits,the origin of genetic variation, and how "complex" traits (ones controlled by multiple genes) are studied genetically.
  • Heritability and Population Growth
    • This module begins the transition to evolutionary genetics by looking at the relative contributions of genetics and environment to traits, and also introduces how population growth is studied.
  • Population Genetics I
    • Rather than looking at individuals, this module discusses how multiple individuals from natural populations can be studied genetically to begin to understand the evolutionary forces acting upon the populations.
  • Population Genetics II
    • This module extends the previous one to specifically examine the effects of natural selection and genetic drift on genetic variation in natural populations.
  • Molecular Evolution
    • This advanced module explains why sexual reproduction (involving recombination) is evolutionarily advantageous, and discusses how the analysis of DNA sequences can be used to understand the evolutionary forces acting on populations or species, either in general or at specific genes.
  • Adaptive Behaviors and Sexual Selection
    • This module changes gears a bit to look at the exciting field of animal behavior-- specifically, how particular behaviors are or may be adaptive, and why individuals choose particular others as mates.
  • Speciation and Phylogenetics
    • This module gets into the nitty gritty of what causes the formation of new species, and how evolutionary relationships between species are inferred.
  • Applied Evolution
    • This final module talks about applications and misapplications of many of the concepts discussed in the course to human health, understanding, and well-being. This module is optional and not included in the assessments.

Taught by

Mohamed Noor

Tags

Reviews

4.5 rating, based on 31 Class Central reviews

4.8 rating at Coursera based on 1647 ratings

Start your review of Introduction to Genetics and Evolution

  • Profile image for Pat Bowden
    Pat Bowden @pat
    An interesting course for people interested in genetics. There is some mathematics, especially in calculations of where on the chromosomes the genes are located.
  • Anonymous
    I'm taking this course currently and already running ahead of schedule on Week 3 despite the course set to begin 10 days later. It's solely because of the interesting way in which the material is presented by Professor Noor and how well he organises…
  • Anonymous
    This is an excellent class. The topic is interesting and very relevant today with the availability of direct-to-consumer DNA analysis. Prof. Noor has put together a wide array of material that will enable you to much better understand and appreciate…
  • Anonymous
    Very well done with an engaging, enthusiastic professor. Material presented in a clear, logical format. Challenging enough to make you think, but within the scope of an "Introduction" level class. Problem sets and exams were fairly framed using the information presented in the course but requiring some thought, not taken right from the lectures. Professor was actively involved in the discussion forums directly with students.
  • Anonymous
    Excellent class! Dr. Noor is an outstanding professor...very down to earth with a good sense of humor. All topics are explained clearly. Exams can be challenging, but are reasonable. If you have an interest in evolution and genetics, you should take this class. Dr. Noor teaches it in a way that anyone can understand, with no pre-requisites.
  • Anonymous
    I've taken about half a dozen courses at coursera and udacity so far, and this has been the best - mainly because of the enthusiasm of Prof. Noor and his ability to get even complex ideas across in an entertaining & clear manner. The content of the course is mid-level - not trivially simple and not excessively hard. Expect to put in some work, but it's well worth the effort.
  • Anonymous
    Es un magnífico curso, esta bien detallado, todos los puntos muy bien explicados, fáciles de acoplarlo a los conocimientos básicos de la Biología
  • Ali Muhammad Abbasi
    As a student of zoology department this course is very important to increase my knowledge in my subject. Genetics is the most important or interesting field of biology because it shows the information about the genetic composition, the main thing is this that by the genetics we can understand the heredity and variation among the same species. Now a days it is the most popular branch of science because of showing mode of heritable characters.
    Evolution is the process by which organisms changes its organs, structures and mode of their life according to its environment. So this process shows how the different types of organisms evolved by a single common ancestor.
  • Anonymous
    Lectures are from a high energy and enthusiastic teacher who encourages questions on the forum and participates in discussions. Content is up to date and engaging. It's hard to keep up, but when you're learning so much it's worthwhile.
  • Anonymous
    I have thoroughly enjoyed this class. The material was fascinating and the lecturer Dr Noor, is so enthusiastic and friendly and easy to understand.

    I would recommend this to anyone with an interest in the subject.
  • Anonymous
    An excellent course, wonderful and enthusiastic instructor who made himself available and was supportive beyond what I had expected in any online course, let alone a MOOC.

    Loved the format and learned a lot.
  • Maboroshi
    Prof. Noor is undoubtedly passionate! Great lectures help beginner indulge into the topic quickly. Although the quiz and exam are a bit difficult and grading policy is strict, you should have a try.
  • Astrid
    Starts with an easy lecture on evolution but then goes deeper into gene analysis. Great lecturer but you do need some a good background in biology to really appreciate and follow the course.
  • Anonymous
    A1 marvellous , fascinating , amazing .Prof Noor is a brilliant educator and my fellow students were at once humorous and knowledgeable some of them frighteningly so , but in a good way
  • Anonymous
    Rewarding experience: Prof. Noor reads it really well. At the same time, homework requires serious thinking, research, and dedication.
  • Anonymous
    Professor Noor is an exceptional teacher. It's one of the best courses I've ever taken. I'd recommend it to anyone!
  • Anonymous
    Well crafted, well presented introduction to genetics and evolution by an amazingly involved instructor.
  • Anonymous
    Great course, favorite topics were genetic drift, neutral theory and population genetics.
  • Anonymous
  • Anastasia Blita
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