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Introduction to ConGen

The Conservation Genetics, Population Genomics, and Molecular Ecology course, also known as ConGen, is a comprehensive program designed to provide training in conceptual and practical aspects of population genomic data analysis. The primary goal of ConGen is to equip participants with the skills and knowledge necessary to address questions in conservation and eco-evolutionary biology.

Course Objectives

The objectives of ConGen are to:

• Provide training in theoretical and practical aspects of population genomic data analysis
• Teach the coalescent, Bayesian, and likelihood-based approaches
• Offer special lectures and hands-on exercises to test for HW proportions, population structure, selection, inbreeding, population assignment, and genetic monitoring
• Emphasize next-generation sequence data analysis and interpretation of output from fundamental and novel statistical approaches

Course Content

The course covers a range of topics, including:

• Whole-genome sequencing and assembly
• Filtering raw NGS reads, genotyping, and analyses of NGS datasets using different workflows
• Using R and the Linux command line scripting for data analysis
• Software programs such as Structure, NeEstimator, pcadapt, Bayesass, and snpR

Course Structure

ConGen features:

• A week-long live course at the Flathead Lake Biological Station, near Polson, Montana, USA
• A virtual hands-on session and lecture introducing R, R studio, and Linux, held a week before the course
• Recorded lectures and Q&A sessions, available for participants to re-watch for over three months after the course
• A cloud server, configured with the majority of the course software, allowing students to practice hands-on exercises at their convenience

Instructors and Sponsors

ConGen has over 10 expert instructors, teaching a breadth of concepts and applications. The course is sponsored by:

• The American Genetic Association
• NASA (the National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
• NSF (the Dimensions in Biodiversity program)
• Journals such as the Journal of Heredity, Environmental DNA, Evolutionary Applications, Molecular Ecology Resources, Conservation Genetics, and Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution
• Sponsoring companies, including Dovetail Genomics and PacBio

Cost and What's Included

The cost to participate in ConGen is:

• $1900 US if paid before June 1st
• $2200 US if paid after June 1st The cost includes:
• Food and lodging
• Transportation to and from the airport
• A short field or boat trip
• Lectures, video recorded, with PowerPoint slides from at least 10 expert instructors
• Recommended readings from each instructor
• Hands-on exercises with worksheets and practice datasets
• ConGen swag (T-shirt, mug)
• Access to an online Box repository with course materials, including recorded lectures, worksheets, practice datasets, and slides, for over three months after the course

Expected Outcomes

ConGen aims to:

• Promote interactions among early-career researchers, faculty, agency researchers, and leaders in population genomics
• Help develop the next generation of conservation and evolutionary geneticists
• Facilitate networking and idea sharing among participants
• Lead to publications reviewing the main topics, course outcomes, and recent advances in the field, facilitating the use of genetic/omic for biodiversity conservation worldwide.