Prospectus

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Human Evolution

Minor

About this programme

This multidisciplinary minor addresses the fascinating question how we, modern humans, got to be the way we are. Who were our ancestors? How does our morphology, genetic makeup, brain and behaviour relate to that of other species? How does our evolutionary past affect our susceptibility to diseases? And how did language and culture arise?

The minor deals with all aspects of evolution of the species Homo sapiens and examines its relation to other hominin and animal species. Not only is human evolution of great intrinsic interest, but it also has important implications to understand human diversity, behaviour, ageing, and susceptibility to disease. The minor is taught by a range of experts from Biology, Archaeology, LUMC Social Sciences, and Humanities. A prominent goal of this minor is to let students experience and practice interdisciplinary collaboration. 

In the first half of the minor you will study ageing and life histories, diet and digestive system, immune system and disease, and our brain from a biological, archeological, and medical perspective in interdisciplinary groups. Students will become familiar with approaches and theories in the field by a combination of lectures, primary literature, practicals, and museum visits. There are ample opportunities for debate, oral presentations, poster presentations, and discussions.

Enrollment / Good to know

General Information

  • Size: 30 EC

  • Period: fulltime from 31 August 2026 to 30 January 2027

  • Language: English

  • It is possible for students of the Medicine programme to follow the first 3 courses of the minor as a half-minor for 15EC

  • Number of participants from Leiden University/TU Delft/ Erasmus University Rotterdam: maximum 60

  • Number of participants from the Medicine programme: maximum 15

  • Exchange students and students from universities of applied science are welcome to apply (see below), the number of available places may vary

  • General information: Education Office Biology

  • Coordinator: Dr. M. van der Zee

  • The minor is provided by the Bachelor Biology

How to enroll

Students of Leiden University, TU Delft, and Erasmus University Rotterdam

Registration from Tuesday 19 May (13:00 hrs) until Tuesday 30 June 2026 (23:59 hrs) via eduXchange.

Students of other universities (of applied science)

Application possible from Monday 2 March until Tuesday 30 June 2026.

Please follow all steps outlined here.

You will be placed on a waiting list and informed as soon as possible after application whether or not you can join the minor.

Exchange

This minor is open for inbound exchange students if they wish to take the entire minor Human Evolution. It is not possible to take single courses from this minor. Exchange students must be admitted by the Science International Office prior to the start of the minor. For more information about the application procedure for exchange students; please contact the Science International Office at incoming@science.leidenuniv.nl

Required prior knowlegde

This minor is particularly directed towards students in Natural Sciences, Medicine, and Archaeology but is open to all students with an interest in human evolution. The focus on genetic, biological, and medical topics may be challenging to students without a background in natural sciences.

The aim is an equal mix of students of Biology, Archeology, and Medicine. Students from other disciplines may be interviewed to evaluate if this minor is the right choice.

For example questions of some of the subjects treated in the minor please see this test: https://www.formdesk.com/universiteitleiden/form7626