This course introduces students to applications of probability and statistics in the field of modern genetics.

2 1-hour lectures per week for 11 weeks

4 1-hour tutorials

STATS4074

Examination (100%)

to introduce some of the applications of probability and statistics in the field of genetics; 

to provide applications of approaches to inference using likelihood in a variety of genetics setting; 

to expose students to published research in the area related to what they have seen in the rest of the course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ describe basic notions of genetics;

■ estimate gene frequencies, using a variety of methods, including the EM algorithm;

■ apply Bayes' theorem in order to solve problems in genetic counselling and in DNA fingerprinting;

■ explain how genes that might cause disease can be located in the genome;

■ perform simple linkage analyses in pedigrees;

■ explain and use the coalescent process;

■ critically assess a published research output in the field.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.