2025
Human Biology
Name: Human Biology
Code: BIO00301L
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area:
Biology
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
The objectives of this course are:
1 ? To address the origin and evolution of man through knowledge and understanding of the fundamental aspects of morphology, diversity, geographic distribution, adaptability and behavioral aspects of the primate order.
2 - Analyze the diversity, geographic distribution, adaptability and ecology of human populations.
3 - To acquire knowledge about about the physiology of diseases with special focus on emerging diseases as well as on diseases with greatest impact on public health.
It is intended that students acquire skills in Human Biology that gives them the ability to approach and critical and reflexive visions of evolution, diversity and human health.
1 ? To address the origin and evolution of man through knowledge and understanding of the fundamental aspects of morphology, diversity, geographic distribution, adaptability and behavioral aspects of the primate order.
2 - Analyze the diversity, geographic distribution, adaptability and ecology of human populations.
3 - To acquire knowledge about about the physiology of diseases with special focus on emerging diseases as well as on diseases with greatest impact on public health.
It is intended that students acquire skills in Human Biology that gives them the ability to approach and critical and reflexive visions of evolution, diversity and human health.
Contents
Primatology. Man as a primate. Biogeography of Primates and comparative anatomy. Social structures and behaviour.
Human Evolution: hominoids, hominids and hominins, characterization and geographic distribution. Bipedalism: anatomy and ecological framework. Genus Homo and out of Africa. Our species. Current populations and polymorphisms.
Growth: Stages and sex differences.
Cell Structure and Function: homeostasis, cell cycle, signaling and cellular interactions, adhesion and cell communication, extracellular matrix, cell death, stress and adaptation; cancer and carcinogenesis.
Stem cells: embryonic stem cells and adult stem cell types. Cloning.
Blood. The blood cells of mammals: red cells, white cells, polymorphonuclear cells, neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, mononuclear cells: lymphocytes, monocytes, platelets. Hematopoiesis.
Musculo-skeletal system: bones, cartilage, joints, tendons, ligaments and muscles.
Human Evolution: hominoids, hominids and hominins, characterization and geographic distribution. Bipedalism: anatomy and ecological framework. Genus Homo and out of Africa. Our species. Current populations and polymorphisms.
Growth: Stages and sex differences.
Cell Structure and Function: homeostasis, cell cycle, signaling and cellular interactions, adhesion and cell communication, extracellular matrix, cell death, stress and adaptation; cancer and carcinogenesis.
Stem cells: embryonic stem cells and adult stem cell types. Cloning.
Blood. The blood cells of mammals: red cells, white cells, polymorphonuclear cells, neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, mononuclear cells: lymphocytes, monocytes, platelets. Hematopoiesis.
Musculo-skeletal system: bones, cartilage, joints, tendons, ligaments and muscles.
Teaching Methods
Attendance lectures by professors and / or faculty / visiting researchers.
Reflection on current and emerging issues based on articles from specializes journals, previously distributed.
Moodle and audio-visual media will be used.
Use of casts of non-human primates and hominids from the perspective of comparative anatomy.
Observation of histological slides through light microscope of various types of tissues studied in the lectures.
Study visit to the Laboratory of Pathology, Hospital do Espírito Santo, Évora, to observe the processing of tissues in oncology.
In the assessment there are two types of parameters: a two-frequency or written examination, covering all the subjects taught. Recourse exam, according to internal school regulations, aplied to those who have not passed in previous trials (80% of final grade). 2 - Presentation of a review of a scientific paper to fellow students and teachers (20% of final grade)
Reflection on current and emerging issues based on articles from specializes journals, previously distributed.
Moodle and audio-visual media will be used.
Use of casts of non-human primates and hominids from the perspective of comparative anatomy.
Observation of histological slides through light microscope of various types of tissues studied in the lectures.
Study visit to the Laboratory of Pathology, Hospital do Espírito Santo, Évora, to observe the processing of tissues in oncology.
In the assessment there are two types of parameters: a two-frequency or written examination, covering all the subjects taught. Recourse exam, according to internal school regulations, aplied to those who have not passed in previous trials (80% of final grade). 2 - Presentation of a review of a scientific paper to fellow students and teachers (20% of final grade)
Accreditations and Certifications
