Courses in Biological Anthropology (Division 318)

161. Introduction to Biological Anthropology. (4). (NS). (BS).
Study of human evolution with emphasis on genetic evolutionary process. Man's evolutionary history as evidenced by fossil remains and present racial variation in light of modern evolutionary theory. Lectures and discussion.

168. First Year Seminar in Primate Field Studies. Only first-year students, including those with sophomore standing, may pre-register for First-Year Seminars. All others need permission of instructor. (3). (NS). (BS).
This course introduces first year students to the scientific method via an unusual means: observational studies of the behavior of nonhuman primates in the wild. The class is divided into three parts. The first part reviews the scientific method. The course next examines Darwin's theory of natural selection, the unifying theme of biological inquiry. The course concludes with reviews and discussions of two long-term field studies of monkeys.

297. Topics in Biological Anthropology. (3). (NS). (BS). May be repeated for a total of twelve credits.
The course covers a topic in biological anthropology in depth. The topic varies from term to term.

361. Biology, Society, and Culture. Sophomore standing. (4). (NS). (BS).
An elementary study of the nature of man from the perspectives of the biological and behavioral sciences. Equal emphasis is put on the way biological factors influence behavior and the way behavioral factors influence human biology.

362. Problems of Race. Sophomore standing. (3). (NS). (BS).
An analysis of the problems arising from racial classification, migration of peoples, and race mixture. Biological and genetic aspects of race.

364. Nutrition and Evolution. Sophomore standing. (4). (NS). (BS).
Study of the evolutionary basis of contemporary nutritional patterns, the short and long-term effects of industrialization on human biology during development and adulthood.

365. Human Evolution. Sophomore standing. (4). (NS). (BS).
A non-technical account of human evolution, focusing on the evolutionary process, the fossil evidence, and the reconstruction of changing human behavior. A laboratory section provides hands-on experience with replicas of human fossils.

368/Psych. 437. Primate Social Behavior I. (4). (NS). (BS).
This course describes and explains primate societies. Lower course in a sequence of two. The class investigates sex, aggression, cooperation, social development, and group structure.

398. Honors in Biological Anthropology. Senior standing and permission of instructor. (3). (Excl). (INDEPENDENT). May be repeated for credit twice.
For information concerning Honors work in anthropology, see the Honors Program description preceding the listing of anthropology courses or consult with the Honors concentration advisor.

399. Honors in Biological Anthropology and Anthropology/Zoology. Senior standing and permission of instructor. (3). (Excl). (INDEPENDENT). May be repeated for credit twice.
See the Honors Program description preceding the listing of anthropology courses.

450. Molecular Anthropology. At least one anthropology or biology course. (3). (Excl). (BS).
The course encompasses the theory and methodology of molecular genetic data collection, as well as the analysis of molecular genetic data. Molecular genetic data is used to illustrate the basic principals of population genetics and molecular evolution. Class projects involve analyses of molecular data.

451. Molecular Anthropology Lab. Biol. Anthro. 450 and permission of instructor. (3). (Excl). (BS). Laboratory fee ($50) required.
This is a laboratory course where students learn and employ some of the basic methodologies for collecting molecular genetic data. Methods include DNA extraction, PCR, electrophoresis, RFLP analyses, analysis of STR polymorphisms, and DNA sequencing. Class projects include collection and analysis of data.

452. Population Genetics and Anthropology. One course in anthropology or biology. No credit granted to those who have completed Biology 490. (4). (Excl).
This course covers the basics of population genetics, with special reference to evolutionary questions. Core concepts of population genetics are emphasized, including: selection, drift, equilibrium, neutrality, heterogeneity, genetic distance, gene flow, founder effect, and bottlenecks. Projects involve population genetic analyses of data to test hypotheses.

461. Genetic Basis of Human Evolution. Biol. Anthro. 161 and junior standing. (3). (Excl). (BS).
Population genetics applied to problems of human evolution and analysis of human variation.

462. Ecological and Genetic Variation in Human Populations. Anthro. 161. (3). (Excl). (BS).
An outline of the ecological determinants of human genetic variation.

463. Research Strategies in Human Biology. Senior standing, and/or any 300-level course in biological anthropology. (3). (Excl).
Evaluation of the various research strategies, methods, and techniques used in the study of contemporary human variability. The course includes use of non-invasive field techniques for measuring body composition, cardio-respiratory function, and energy expenditure throughout the life cycle. Students develop individual projects and present it during class.

467. Human Behavioral Ecology. Two of: Anthro. 161, 368, Biol. 152, 154, 404, 494. (3). (Excl). (BS).
This course considers the anthropological significance of recent advances in natural selection theory. Students read the primary scientific literature to learn how anthropologists test evolutionary hypotheses about human behavior.

469. Topics in Biological Anthropology. Permission of instructor. (2-4). (Excl). (BS).
The course covers in depth topics in biological anthropology. The topics covered vary from term to term. Students should consult the Time Schedule for the focus in any given term.

471. Undergraduate Reading and Research in Anthropology. Permission of instructor. (1-3). (Excl). A maximum of three credits of independent reading may be included in a concentration plan in anthropology. (INDEPENDENT). May be repeated for a total of six credits.
Independent reading and research under the direction of a faculty member. Ordinarily available only to students with background in anthropology.

562. Human Nature. Biol. Anthro. 467 and permission of instructor. (2). (Excl).
An advanced seminar in evolutionary psychology. Topics covered include: sexual selection, mating systems theory, parental investment, reciprocity, morality, and religion.

563. Mechanisms of Human Adaptation. Senior standing. (3). (Excl). (BS).
Short-term and long-term bio-cultural responses of man to environmental stress; human genetics, growth, physiology, and culture. Individual and population variations in response to stress.

564. Hominid Origins. Biol. Anthro. 365 or 466. Primarily for biological anthropology concentrators. (4). (Excl). (BS).
Appearance of the earliest humans in Africa, evolution of Australopithecine species, and the issue of arboreal life in the hominids. Both theories and data are emphasized.

565. Evolution of Genus Homo. Anthro. 365 or 466. Primarily for students concentrating in biological anthropology or vertebrate evolution. (4). (Excl). (BS).
Evolution of the genus Homo from H. erectus to modern human populations. Topics include origin and dispersal of Homo erectus, appearance and evolution of early H. sapiens, Neanderthal, and modern humans. Some laboratory work is included.

566. Laboratory in Human Osteology. Permission of instructor. (4). (Excl). (BS).
Identification and analysis of human osteological remains.

568. Primate Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology. Biol. Anthro. 368. (3). (Excl). (BS).
A survey of the biological, ecological, and social determinants of non-human primate social behavior. Topics covered include role behavior social organization, play, conflict resolution, reproductive behavior, kinship, ecology, communication, and socialization.

570. Biological Anthropology: An Overview. An undergraduate concentration in anthropology or its equivalent. (3). (Excl). (BS).
A summary of what a professional anthropologist should understand concerning those aspects of basic biology that have to be taken into account to make sense out of the evidence for human evolution and "racial" variation. The emergence of modern "racial" differences is treated in terms of both adaptive and non-adaptive aspects of biological variation. The perspective of evolutionary theory is used throughout. The contributions made by the study of both living and fossil non-primates is also included.

University of Michigan | College of LS&A | Student Academic Affairs | LS&A Bulletin Index