ANTHÂ 0001L. Biological Anthropology Laboratory
Unit: 1
Prerequisite: Completion with grade of "C" or better or concurrent enrollment in ANTH 1
Hours: 54 laboratory
Introductory laboratory course designed to investigate the science of biological anthropology. Areas of study include the production and distribution of genetic variation, human osteology, human variation, comparative primate taxonomy, behavior and osteology, and fossil evidence for human evolution. Field trip required. Students are responsible for fees associated with required field trip. (C-ID ANTH 115L) (CSU, UC)
ANTH 0001L - Biological Anthropology Laboratory
http://catalog.sierracollege.edu/course-outlines/anth-0001l/
Catalog Description DESCRIPTION IS HERE: Prerequisite: Completion with grade of "C" or better or concurrent enrollment in ANTH 1 Hours: 54 laboratory Description: Introductory laboratory course designed to investigate the science of biological anthropology. Areas of study include the production and distribution of genetic variation, human osteology, human variation, comparative primate taxonomy, behavior and osteology, and fossil evidence for human evolution. Field trip required. Students are responsible for fees associated with required field trip. (C-ID ANTH 115L) (CSU, UC) Units 1 Lecture-Discussion Laboratory 54 By Arrangement Contact Hours 54 Outside of Class Hours Course Student Learning Outcomes Utilizing the human skeletal materials, identify the elements of the human cranium and skeleton and apply established protocol for determining various aspects of variation. Using a lab activity and/or materials, describe the structure and function of DNA and explain the mechanisms that produce and redistribute variation in gene frequencies in populations. Using both skeletal materials and living non-human primate observations, apply appropriate taxonomic and biological terminology, evaluate social behavior, and compare and contrast structural variation, modes of locomotion, and dental variation in the major groups of living and extinct primates. Using hominin fossil materials, evaluate developments in biology, brain size, cultural adaptations, and migration in hominins. Course Content Outline I. Nature of scientific inquiry and the scientific method II. Genetics: Mendelian and molecular III. Mechanisms of evolution and distribution of variation IV. Human osteology and human variation V. Biological and taxonomic classification of living primates VI. Living primate behavior VII. Primate evolution VIII. Exploration of the fossil record including methods of dating IX. The early hominins (fossil and, as relevant, genetic evidence) X. The genus Homo (fossil and, as relevant, genetic evidence) Course Objectives Course Objectives 1. Utilizing the human skeletal materials, identify the elements of the human cranium and skeleton. 2. Using the human skeletal materials, apply established protocol for determining various aspects of human variation. 3. Using a lab activity and/or materials, describe the structure and function of DNA and RNA and evaluate the process of protein synthesis. 4. Using a lab activity and/or materials, explain the mechanisms that produce and redistribute variation in gene frequencies in populations. 5. Using both the primate skeletal materials and appropriate taxonomic and biological terminology, compare and contrast structural differences, modes of locomotion and dental variation in the major groups of primates. 6. Observe and evaluate living non-human primate social behavior. 7. Using the primate skeletal materials, correlate similarities in the earliest primate traits (Paleocene to the Oligocene) with generalized mammals and living primates; explore primates living during the Miocene. 8. Using hominin fossil materials, compare and contrast bipedal skeletal characteristics with other locomotor strategies. 9. Using hominin fossil materials, evaluate developments in biology, brain size, cultural adaptations, and migration in hominins existing from greater than 5mya to early Homo, (comprising mostly the Australopithecines but including Sahelanthropus, Orrorin and Ardipithecus). 10. Using hominin fossil materials, evaluate developments in biology, brain size, cultural adaptations, and migration in hominins from Homo habilis to Homo sapiens sapiens. Methods of Evaluation Essay Examinations Objective Examinations Problem Solving Examinations Projects Reports Skill Demonstrations Reading Assignments 1. Read the assigned pages from the laboratory text on primate biology and be prepared to discuss the topics during class meetings. 2. Read the assigned pages from the laboratory text on early hominins and summarize the information in writing prior to class meeting. Writing, Problem Solving or Performance Complete laboratory reports which require analysis of genetic data, skeletal materials of modern and prehistoric humans, and nonhuman primates. The following are sample directives from lab assignments. 1. Observe the two pelves here. Name one trait that is similar in the australopithecine pelvis and the modern human pelvis. Name one way in which these pelves differ. 2. Compare the dentition of A. africanus with that of the even earlier A. afarensis. In what ways can the dentition of A. afarensis be said to be more primitive than A. africanus? Do you think the dentition provides a good case for being an ancestor to africanus? Why or why not? 3. Given the differences you noticed between the gracile and robust australopithecines, do you think the differences are great enough to warrant classifying the robust australopithecines into their OWN genus, Paranthropus? Why or why not? Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.) A field trip to a zoo is required for the course. During this field trip students are required to observe at least two different nonhuman primates for a minimum of thirty minutes. From these observations, directed questions about biology and behavior will be addressed. Students will perform analyses such as comparing and contrasting body size of males and females and ascertaining the dominant individual in the group. Methods of Instruction Laboratory Distance Learning Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.
Course Identification Numbering System (C-ID)
...ANTH 110 ANTH 0001 ANTH 115L ANTH 0001L ANTH 120 ANTH 0002 ANTH 130 ANTH...
