Admission requirements
This course is part of the minor Human Evolution and only open to students who have been admitted to that minor.
Description
In this course, comparative approaches are used to understand the origins of human anatomy and physiology. We will examine how the study of other animal species, an in particular that of non-human primates, can contribute to our understanding of the evolution of human bodies and minds.
The course starts with a general introduction into evolutionary biology and genetics, including topics such as gene regulation, genetic variation and mutation, population genetics, inclusive fitness, speciation, and phylogeny, followed by the biological principles of life histories and ageing. These concepts are crucial to understand and follow the remainder of the minor.
The remainder of the course is devoted to the comparative anatomy and evolution of the human body. We start off with the skeleton. Amongst others, the human skull is studied in detail and compared with the skulls of other primates during practicals. This is followed by the comparative anatomy and physiology of other traits and structures, such as the digestive tract, the immune system, and the brain. Soft tissues of humans will be studied in a dissection practical using human cadaveric remains at the University of Amsterdam.
During this course, you will spend around 28 hrs to prepare the biological part of your half-minor essay topic.
Course Objectives
After the course, the student can:
1. Explain the basic principles of natural selection, evolutionary biology and phylogeny.
2. Compare and explain anatomical and morphological differences between primate species.
3. Explain the effects of environmental factors and food specialization on physiological and anatomical adaptation of vertebrates, with the focus on primates.
4. Make a phylogenetic classification based on skeleton structures or other anatomical properties.
5. Explain and interpret the function and evolution of anatomical brain structures and systems in vertebrates, with the focus on primates.
6. Recognize and reproduce human anatomy based on human remains.
7. Write a theoretical group assignment (essay) about a given theme.
8. Give a presentation and assess it according to a theoretical assignment.
Timetable
A detailed time table will be published on Brightspace.
In MyTimetable, you can find all course and programme schedules, allowing you to create your personal timetable. Activities for which you have enrolled via MyStudyMap will automatically appear in your timetable.
Additionally, you can easily link MyTimetable to a calendar app on your phone, and schedule changes will be automatically updated in your calendar. You can also choose to receive email notifications about schedule changes. You can enable notifications in Settings after logging in.
Questions? Watch the video, read the instructions, or contact the ISSC helpdesk.
Note: Joint Degree students from Leiden/Delft need to combine information from both the Leiden and Delft MyTimetables to see a complete schedule. This video explains how to do it.
Mode of instruction
Lectures, computer practicals (molecular phylogenetics), practicals (skulls, skeletons), and a dissection practical on human cadaveric remains. During this course, you will spend around 28 hrs to prepare the biological part of your half-minor essay topic (Evolution of Diet, Brain, Life Histories, or Disease in humans).
Assessment method
The mark for this course will consist of the following:
Examinations together 80% - of which the first exam contributes 20%, the second exam 80%.
PPT presentation: 20%.
Minimum grade:
Courses require a minimum, unrounded 5.5 grade to complete.
If a course has 2 or more written partial exams, the minimum grade only applies to the weighted average of the exams.
For partial grades from components other than exams (e.g. practicals, seminars, writing assignments), the bottom grade does apply to the individual components.
Please refer to the Student Charter for an overview of regulations.
Reading list
Compulsory book: R. Boyd & J.B. Silk; How Humans Evolved, 8th edition, 2018; Norton Publishers.
Note: earlier editions as well as the 9th edition, loose leaf edition, and e-book are also acceptable.
Primary literature t.b.a.
Registration
As a student, you are responsible for enrolling on time through MyStudyMap.
In this short video, you can see step-by-step how to enrol for courses in MyStudyMap.
Extensive information about the operation of MyStudyMap can be found here.
There are two enrolment periods per year:
Enrolment for the fall opens in July
Enrolment for the spring opens in December
See this page for more information about deadlines and enrolling for courses and exams.
Note:
It is mandatory to enrol for all activities of a course that you are going to follow.
Your enrolment is only complete when you submit your course planning in the ‘Ready for enrolment’ tab by clicking ‘Send’.
Not being enrolled for an exam/resit means that you are not allowed to participate in the exam/resit.
Exchange and Study Abroad students, please see the Prospective students website for information on how to apply.
Contact
Coordinator: Dr. C. Tudorache (c.tudorache@biology.leidenuniv.nl)
Remarks
Brightspace will be used for communication
Software
Starting from the 2024/2025 academic year, the Faculty of Science will use the software distribution platform Academic Software. Through this platform, you can access the software needed for specific courses in your studies. For some software, your laptop must meet certain system requirements, which will be specified with the software. It is important to install the software before the start of the course. More information about the laptop requirements can be found on the student website.