2023
Biological Anthropology
Name: Biological Anthropology
Code: BIO11463L
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area:
Biological Sciences
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese, English
Regime de Frequência: Presencial
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
This curricular unit aims:
1 - To address the biology of the human skeleton in order to built biological profiles, including diagnosis of sex and estimating age at death;
2 - Illustrate the various methods with application in forensic anthropology and the study of ancient human populations;
3 - Develop in students critical thinking about the methodologies to be applied in laboratory research as well as the possible interpretations of the results that lead the investigation.
With this course is intended that students acquire basic skills in the area of skeletal biology, acquire the ability to plan and execute work in human paleobiology and develop critical thinking about the results.
1 - To address the biology of the human skeleton in order to built biological profiles, including diagnosis of sex and estimating age at death;
2 - Illustrate the various methods with application in forensic anthropology and the study of ancient human populations;
3 - Develop in students critical thinking about the methodologies to be applied in laboratory research as well as the possible interpretations of the results that lead the investigation.
With this course is intended that students acquire basic skills in the area of skeletal biology, acquire the ability to plan and execute work in human paleobiology and develop critical thinking about the results.
Contents
1. Human osteology.
1.1. Bone morphology and identification of anatomical structures of the skeleton.
1.2. Sex diagnosis in adult skeletons.
1.3. Choosing useful parameters to assess age at death estimation.
Criteria for age at death estimation in non-adults skeletons. Dental and skeletal indicators in the process of development, growth and maturation.
2. Paleodemography, age and sexual distributions, life expectancy, mortality and birth rates and population size.
3. Growth: endochondral and intramembranous ossifications. Growth disruption.
4. Paleopathology: assessment of health profiles through bone and tooth injuries. Degenerative diseases, traumatic, infectious, oral, metabolic, congenital and neoplastic. Differential diagnosis. Epidemiology.
5. Muscle skeletal markers and reconstitution of physical activity.
1.1. Bone morphology and identification of anatomical structures of the skeleton.
1.2. Sex diagnosis in adult skeletons.
1.3. Choosing useful parameters to assess age at death estimation.
Criteria for age at death estimation in non-adults skeletons. Dental and skeletal indicators in the process of development, growth and maturation.
2. Paleodemography, age and sexual distributions, life expectancy, mortality and birth rates and population size.
3. Growth: endochondral and intramembranous ossifications. Growth disruption.
4. Paleopathology: assessment of health profiles through bone and tooth injuries. Degenerative diseases, traumatic, infectious, oral, metabolic, congenital and neoplastic. Differential diagnosis. Epidemiology.
5. Muscle skeletal markers and reconstitution of physical activity.
Teaching Methods
Teaching methodology:
-Lectures (one hour weekly), supported by audiovisual means, Moodle and bibliography.
Laboratory-classes (three hours per week) in which each student has the osteological material in order to follow, experimental and sequentially throughout the curriculum. At the end of each UC student will have to apply the methods taught in the identification of the biological profile of the skeleton as well as to identify the etiology of injury. Students investigations will be collected in order to, using appropriate software, simulate statistical methods and discuss the results.
Tutorial (0.27 hours per week).
Evaluation:
The evaluation is expected through ongoing implementation of two frequencies or evaluation by a final exam, covering all the subjects taught. There will be a recourse exam, as regulated by the UÉ.
-Lectures (one hour weekly), supported by audiovisual means, Moodle and bibliography.
Laboratory-classes (three hours per week) in which each student has the osteological material in order to follow, experimental and sequentially throughout the curriculum. At the end of each UC student will have to apply the methods taught in the identification of the biological profile of the skeleton as well as to identify the etiology of injury. Students investigations will be collected in order to, using appropriate software, simulate statistical methods and discuss the results.
Tutorial (0.27 hours per week).
Evaluation:
The evaluation is expected through ongoing implementation of two frequencies or evaluation by a final exam, covering all the subjects taught. There will be a recourse exam, as regulated by the UÉ.
Teaching Staff
