SDST3608 Statistical Genetics (6 credits) Academic Year 2026
Offering Department SCDS (Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science) Quota 23
Course Co-ordinator TBC, SCDS (Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science) < ugenq@hku.hk >
Teachers Involved
Course Objectives This course aims to provide students with a fundamental knowledge of DNA profiling in human identification and genetic epidemiology in gene mapping and to understand how statistical theory and methods are applied to solve forensic DNA and genetic problems.
Course Contents & Topics This course will cover the following topics: background of genetics; Mendelian inheritance; Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium; linkage equilibrium; chi-square test; likelihood ratio test; exact test; match probability; paternity testing and kinship analysis; DNA mixed stain; relatedness; population structure; gene mapping; parametric linkage analysis; non-parametric linkage analysis; linkage disequilibrium; association designs; case-control analysis; family-based association study; quantitative traits.
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

CLO 1 understand the fundamental principles in statistical DNA forensics and genetic epidemiology
CLO 2 know the usefulness and possible limitations of statistical methodology in human identification and gene mapping
CLO 3 provide statistical solutions to specific problems in the field
Pre-requisites
(and Co-requisites and
Impermissible combinations)		 Pass in SDST2602 or SDST3902
Only for students admitted in 2025 and thereafter.
Course Status with Related Major/Minor /Professional Core 2U000C00 Course not offered under any Major/Minor/Professional core
2026 Professional Core in Statistics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2026 Major in Statistics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2026 Minor in Statistics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2025 Professional Core in Statistics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2025 Major in Statistics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2025 Minor in Statistics ( Disciplinary Elective )
Course to PLO Mapping 2026 Professional Core in Statistics < PLO 1,2,4,5,6 >
2026 Major in Statistics < PLO 1,2,4,5,6 >
2025 Professional Core in Statistics < PLO 1,2,4,5,6 >
2025 Major in Statistics < PLO 1,2,4,5,6 >
Offer in 2026 - 2027 N        Examination
Offer in 2027 - 2028 N
Course Grade A+ to F
Grade Descriptors
A Demonstrate thorough mastery at an advanced level of extensive knowledge and skills required for attaining all the course learning outcomes. Show strong analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, with evidence of original thought, and ability to apply knowledge to a wide range of complex, familiar and unfamiliar situations. Apply highly effective organizational and presentational skills.
B Demonstrate substantial command of a broad range of knowledge and skills required for attaining at least most of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, and ability to apply knowledge to familiar and some unfamiliar situations. Apply effective organizational and presentational skills.
C Demonstrate general but incomplete command of knowledge and skills required for attaining most of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of some analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, and ability to apply knowledge to most familiar situations. Apply moderately effective organizational and presentational skills.
D Demonstrate partial but limited command of knowledge and skills required for attaining some of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of some coherent and logical thinking, but with limited analytical and critical abilities. Show limited ability to apply knowledge to solve problems. Apply limited or barely effective organizational and presentational skills.
Fail Demonstrate little or no evidence of command of knowledge and skills required for attaining the course learning outcomes. Lack of analytical and critical abilities, logical and coherent thinking. Show very little or no ability to apply knowledge to solve problems. Organization and presentational skills are minimally effective or ineffective.
Communication-intensive Course N
Course Type Lecture-based course
Course Teaching
& Learning Activities
Activities Details No. of Hours
Lectures 36.0
Tutorials 12.0
Reading / Self study 100.0
Assessment Methods
and Weighting
Methods Details Weighting in final
course grade (%)		 Assessment Methods
to CLO Mapping
Assignments Coursework (assignments, tutorials, and a class test) 25.0 1,2,3
Examination One 2-hour written examination 75.0 1,2,3
Required/recommended reading
and online materials		 Klug, W. S. and Cummings, M. R.: Essentials of Genetics (Prentice Hall, 2002)
Ott, J.: Analysis of Human Genetic Linkage (The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1999, 3rd ed.)
Ziegler, A. and Konig, I.R.: A Statistical Approach to Genetic Epidemiology (Wiley-VCH, 2006)
Evett, I. W. and Weir, B. S.: Interpreting DNA Evidence (Sinauer Associates, Inc. Publishers, 1998)
Fung, W. K. and Hu, Y. Q.: Statistical DNA Forensics: Theory, Methods and Computation (Wiley, Sussex, 2008)
Course Website http://moodle.hku.hk
Additional Course Information NIL