Integrating the Electronic Desktop into the Natural Sciences

Curriculum Development Project at California State University, Los Angeles

HardyWeinberg

HardyWeinberg was created for an introductory college course in population genetics. It demonstrates the Castle-Hardy-Weinberg principle for an autosomal gene, a sex-linked gene, and two linked autosomal genes. Four tools are available: (1) a "Hardy-Weinberg calculator" for converting allele frequencies to genotype frequencies and vice-versa; (2) a Definetti (triangular coordinate) diagram for plotting genotype frequencies; (3) a window for simulating changes in allele frequencies of a sex-linked gene; and (4) a window for simulating changes in the linkage disequilibrium parameter of two autosomal genes. Sliders and text fields can be used to change allele, genotype, or gamete frequencies and simulation parameter values. The mouse can be used to plot points and draw lines on the Definetti diagram. The graphs can printed or copied and pasted into other applications. A screen image of a typical HardyWeinberg session appears below. HardyWeinberg was written by Dr. Robert Desharnais.

Click to download full resolution image (67.9 KB.)

The Electronic Desktop Project is about improving the way science is taught and learned by bringing the power of advanced workstation technology to introductory science students in both major and general education classes. This involves changing the way in which instruction is delivered using multi-media electronic mail, custom written visualization applications, powerful commercial software packages, and easy-to-use graphical applications that bring the resources of the Internet into the electronic classroom. This project has been funded by grants USE 9153162, DUE 9156142 and DUE 9455428 from the National Science Foundation. For more information contact Dr. Robert Desharnais (biology), (213) 343-2056, rdeshar@calstatela.edu, or Dr. Gary Novak (geology), (213) 343-2406, gnovak@calstatela.edu, California State University, Los Angeles, California, 90032.
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