This course is an introduction to the coalescent and its applications to modern population genetics and genomics. Derivation and properties of basic coalescent model and extension to include factors such as recombination, geographic structure and natural selection. Use of the coalescent in analyzing data for disease gene mapping, recombination rate estimation, and detection of recent adaptive evolution. Use of coalescent methodologies in large-scale surveys of genetic variation. Applications to standard or next-generation sequencing data for inferences from natural populations and disease cohorts. Use of public domain softwares.

This course will be followed by the workshop on Coalescent Theory: New Developments and Applications, October 7-11, 2013.