Background | Institute for Behavioral Genetics | University of Colorado Boulder

ISGW Forum ISGW OnDemand

Overview

Summary

These lectures provide an introduction to population genetics, focusing on how genetic variation arises and is maintained within populations and how it influences observable traits. They explain the relationship between genotype and phenotype, the role of environmental factors, and key concepts such as heritability, genetic variance, and relatedness among individuals. The lecture series also explores methods used to study genetic traits, including family, twin, and modern genomic approaches.

Originally presented: June 1, 2026
Lead: Loïc Yengo
Topics: biometrical modeling; population genetics; data sources; ethics and historical context; simulations and PCA

Lectures

Introduction to Quantitative Genetics Theory: Estimation of heritability from individual-level data (95 minutes)

This lecture series can be viewed as a YouTube playlist.

Slides for this series of lectures.

Part 1: Introduction

Part 2: Concepts and tools

Part 3: Methods

Part 4: Interpretation

Part 5: Overview of research topics

Introduction to Population Genetics Theory: Hard-Weinberg Equilibrium, Linkage Disequilibrium (72 minutes)

This lecture series can be viewed as a YouTube playlist.

Part 1: Introduction to population genetics theory

Part 2: Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium

Part 3: Practical: Changes of allele and genotype frequencies

Part 4: Linkage disequilibrium

Practicals

Information about the practical is in the part 3 of the introduction to population genetics lecture series.