Prospectus

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Research seminar: Anatomy / Morphology

Course
2017-2018

Admission requirements

  • BA or BSc degree obtained;

  • Admission to the RMSc-programme Bioarchaeology.

Description

This seminar includes the study of the anatomy and morphology of a range of materials, from botanical and animal genera to human. The anatomy and morphology of any fossil is crucial for its identification but, even more importantly, to understand its evolutionary history.

The seminar addresses changes in morphology due to long-term processes such as natural selection, or due to short-term changes as a result of pathological conditions. The vast amount of information that can be deduced from anatomical and morphological features of past species will be discussed.

Course objectives

  • Basic knowledge of the anatomy and morphology of a range of materials from botanical and animal genera to human;

  • Working knowledge of a wide range of (changes in) morphological features encountered in the bioarchaeological record;

  • Interpretation of the observed morphological features in the context of scientific debates.

Timetable

Course schedule details can be found in the RMA and RMSc time schedule.

Mode of instruction

  • Lectures with practical exercises;

  • Discussion meetings;

  • Assignments;

  • Reading list.

Course load

The course load will be distributed as follows:

  • 14×2 hours of lectures, discussion meetings and practical exercises (2 ec);

  • 280 pages of literature (2 ec);

  • 1 paper presenting the results of a case study assigned to the candidate (1 ec).

Assessment method

  • Participation in discussions;

  • Presentations;

  • Assignments (research papers).

All assessment deadlines (exams, retakes, paper deadlines etc.) can be found in the RMA and RMSc examination schedule.

Reading list

To be published on BlackBoard.

Registration

Registration for the course or the exam is not required.

Contact

For more information about this course, please contact prof. dr. T. van Kolfschoten.

Remarks

Compulsory attendance.