Descriptor Details

  • Descriptor Title
    Biological Anthropology Laboratory
  • C-ID Number
    115
  • Suffix
    Lab Course (L)
  • Units
    1.0
  • Date of Last Revision
    2/26/2025 04:19:22 PM GMT+0000

General Description

This laboratory course is offered as a supplement to Introduction to Biological Anthropology either taken concurrently or in a subsequent term.  Laboratory exercises are designed to introduce students to the scientific method and explore genetics, human variation, human and non-human primate anatomy and behavior, the primate/hominin fossil record and other resources to investigate processes that affect human evolution.

Prerequisites

Successful completion of or concurrent enrollment in Introduction to Biological Anthropology (C-ID ANTH 110).

Corequisites

None

Advisories

Eligibility for or completion of C-ID ENGL 100: College Composition

Content

  1. Nature of scientific inquiry and the scientific method
  2. Molecular, Mendelian and population genetics
  3. Mechanisms of evolution
  4. Comparative primate taxonomy, anatomy and behavior
  5. The nature of the fossil record including dating techniques
  6. Fossil and genetic evidence of human evolution
  7. Biocultural adaptations and modern human variation

Lab Activities

Utilize laboratory activities related to course content in lecture class.  Laboratory activities include but are not limited to:

  1. Application of scientific methods
  2. Investigation of cell biology
  3. Examination of genetic traits
  4. Exploration of evolutionary mechanisms
  5. Investigation of human osteology, forensic and anthropometric methods
  6. Comparative behavioral and anatomical studies of non-human primates
  7. Comparative anatomy of fossil species
  8. Investigation of trends in hominin evolution
  9. Investigation into modern human variation and bio-cultural adaptations

Objectives

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

  1. Apply the scientific method.
  2. Identify the outcomes of evolutionary processes.
  3. Describe structure and function of DNA and RNA.
  4. Demonstrate how human traits are inherited.
  5. Identify anatomical and behavioral features of non-human primates.
  6. Compare the morphology of primates and early hominins.
  7. Describe the biological and behavioral adaptations of the genus Homo.
  8. Identify defining features of anatomically modern humans.

Evaluation Methods

Multiple measures will include individual/group lab exercises, and may include but are not limited to: 

  1. In-class discussions and exercises
  2. Field assignments/zoo projects
  3. Practicums
  4. Exams

Textbooks

France, Diane. Lab Manual and Workbook for Physical Anthropology.  Cengage. 

Hens, Samantha.  Method and Practice in Biological Anthropology: A Workbook and Lab Manual for Introductory Courses.  Pearson. 

Walker-Pacheco, Suzanne.  Exploring Physical Anthropology: A Lab Manual and Workbook. Morton. 

Whitehead, Paul, William Sacco and Susan Hochgraf.  A Photographic Atlas for Physical Anthropology.  Morton.

Or equivalent Open Educational Resource, such as

Shook, Beth, Katie Nelson, Kelsie Aguilera and Lara Braff (eds). Explorations: An Open Invitation to Biological Anthropology.

Descriptor Administration

  • Public Review Needed
    No
  • Next Descriptor Review
    No information provided
  • Resubmission Requirements for Courses
    Descriptor changes were administrative only
  • Resubmission Deadline
    No information provided
  • Comments

    A lab supplement to the core biological component of anthropology.

  • Notes

    No information provided

  • Keywords

    No information provided