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Descriptor Details
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Descriptor Title
Biological Anthropology Laboratory
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C-ID Number
115
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Suffix
Lab Course (L)
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Units
1.0
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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
- Nature of scientific inquiry and the scientific method
- Molecular, Mendelian and population genetics
- Mechanisms of evolution
- Comparative primate taxonomy, anatomy and behavior
- The nature of the fossil record including dating techniques
- Fossil and genetic evidence of human evolution
- 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:
- Application of scientific methods
- Investigation of cell biology
- Examination of genetic traits
- Exploration of evolutionary mechanisms
- Investigation of human osteology, forensic and anthropometric methods
- Comparative behavioral and anatomical studies of non-human primates
- Comparative anatomy of fossil species
- Investigation of trends in hominin evolution
- Investigation into modern human variation and bio-cultural adaptations
Objectives
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
- Apply the scientific method.
- Identify the outcomes of evolutionary processes.
- Describe structure and function of DNA and RNA.
- Demonstrate how human traits are inherited.
- Identify anatomical and behavioral features of non-human primates.
- Compare the morphology of primates and early hominins.
- Describe the biological and behavioral adaptations of the genus Homo.
- 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:
- In-class discussions and exercises
- Field assignments/zoo projects
- Practicums
- 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
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Public Review Needed
No
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Next Descriptor Review
No information provided
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Resubmission Requirements for Courses
Descriptor changes were administrative only
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Resubmission Deadline
No information provided
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Comments
A lab supplement to the core biological component of anthropology.
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Notes
No information provided
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Keywords
No information provided
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