Human Evolution
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 starts with the biological principles of evolution, life histories, and phylogenetics. Attention will be paid to the comparative anatomy and physiology of the human digestive tract, immune system and brain. The program then continues with paleontological methods, and the reconstruction of the age, distribution and anatomy of human species. Archeological evidence on diet, use of fire, disease, and group composition will be studied. Hereafter, the minor focuses on the consequences of our evolutionary history for our health, and will provide evolutionary explanations for ageing, metabolic disease, cancer, autoimmune disease and mental disorders. The program ends with an exploration of the diversity in behaviour of modern humans, and the evolution of a range of human traits such as foraging strategies, mate preferences, culture, language, and music.
A prominent second learning objective is scientific writing and critical evaluation of scientific literature. Therefore, students will work in small interdisciplinary groups on an integrative essay in the first half of the minor, and will review of topic on own choice at the end of the minor. During the minor, students will become familiar with a variety of approaches and theories in the field by a combination of lectures, primary literature, many practicals and some museum visits. There are ample opportunities for debate, oral presentations, poster presentations and discussions.
For example questions of some of the subjects treated in the minor please see this test: https://www.formdesk.com/universiteitleiden/form7626
General information
Size: 30 EC
It is possible for students of the Medicine program to follow the first 3 courses of the minor as a half-minor for 15EC
Period: Fulltime from 2 September 2024 – 31 January 2025
Language: English
Number of participants from Leiden University/TU Delft/ Erasmus University Rotterdam: maximum 55
Number of parcticipants from the Medicine program: maximum 20
General information: Education Office Biology
Coordinator: Dr. M. van der Zee
The minor is provided by the Bachelor Biology
Accessibility
This course 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
Registration
Students of Leiden University
Registration possible from 15 May, 13:00 o'clock till 4 July 2024 via eduXchange.
Students of TU Delft and Erasmus University Rotterdam
Registration possible from 15 May, 13:00 o'clock till 31 May 2024 via eduXchange.
Other students:
Students from other Dutch universities can register from 15 May, 13:00 o'clock till 31 May 2024 by:
Sending an e-mail to Education Office Biology with your CV, transcript, and letter with permission from your home university
After approval, register as a guest student at Leiden University: instructions
Exchange
This minor is also 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