Population Genetics

The key to understanding population genetics is gaining familiarity with a set of traditional conceptual approaches along with classical hypotheses and debates. Armed with this background, many empirical studies will be readily understood because the basic hypotheses they address are understood from first principles.

To achieve this goal, this book is designed to contain mostly conceptual material that is augmented with case studies as illustrations. Several outstanding pedagogical features including methods boxes and exercises to assist students in conducting simulations using public domain software will be integrated into the text.

1. Thinking like a Population Geneticist.2.Genotype Frequencies.3. Gentic Drift and Effective Population Size.4. Population Structure adn Gene Flow.5. Mutation.6. Natural Selection.7.Quantitative Traits.8.Synthesis

The most catching aspect of Hamilton's book is its extremely well thought-out structure and pedagogical concept. All sections are well motivated in the respective introduction and all chapters have reviews at the end. A large number of problems have been interspersed throughout the text for students to work on, and the solutions are provided at the end of each chapter. A very interesting and novel feature is the use of so-called 'interact boxes', which are essentially links to interactive learning and simulation software available on the internet. (Human Genetics, December 2009) "Hamilton's volume would be the best choice for someone seeking a thorough grounding in the subject." (The Quarterly Review of Biology, April 2010) "Both population biologists and upper-level biology students will appreciate the relatively clear explanations of exceptionally difficult material." (CHOICE, November 2009)

Matthew B. Hamilton teaches Population Genetics, Evolutionary Genetics, Evolutionary processes and similar graduate level courses at Georgetown University and conducts research on the processes that influence the distribution of genetic variation within species.