Mathematical Population Genetics : Theoretical Introduction

Population genetics occupies a central role in a number of important biological and social undertakings. It is fundamental to our understanding of evolutionary processes, of plant and animal breeding programs, and of various diseases of particular importance to mankind.

This is the first of a planned two-volume work discussing the mathematical aspects of population genetics, with an emphasis on the evolutionary theory. This first volume draws heavily from the author's classic 1979 edition, which appeared originally in Springer's Biomathematics series. It has been revised and expanded to include recent topics which follow naturally from the treatment in the earlier edition, e.g., the theory of molecular population genetics.

This book will appeal to graduate students and researchers in mathematical biology and other mathematically-trained scientists looking to enter the field of population genetics.

Population genetics occupies a central role in a number of important biological and social undertakings. It is fundamental to our understanding of evolutionary processes, of plant and animal breeding programs, and of various diseases of particular importance to mankind. This is the first of a planned two-volume work discussing the mathematical aspects of population genetics, with an emphasis on the evolutionary theory. This first volume draws heavily from the author's classic 1979 edition since the material in that edition may be taken, to a large extent, as introductory to the contemporary theory. It has been revised and expanded to include recent topics that follow naturally from the treatment in the earlier edition, e.g., the theory of molecular population genetics and coalescent theory.

This book will appeal to graduate students and researchers interested in theoretical population genetics and evolution.

Reviews of the first edition:
Ewens book will be an important reference to anyone interested in the mathematical aspects of population genetics, not only to those actually doing it, but also to anyone trying to bridge the now substantial gap between theoretical and experimental population genetics.

Woodrow Setzer, Quarterly Review of Biology, 1980

This book is an excellent combination of an introduction to population genetics theory for a mathematically sophisticated reader, together with a survey of current work in the field.

Stanley Sawyer, SIAM Review, 1980