Biological Anthropology

Methods and Analysis in Biological Anthropology

In this module you will get to grips with the core methods and analysis in biological anthropology. You’ll apply these methods to: 

• evolutionary biology
• cladistics (the shared characteristics of animals and plants)
• evolution
• primatology
• psychology
• osteology. 

You’ll gain excellent scientific skills, as you learn the core concepts of scientific method and hypothesis testing. You’ll be introduced to concepts of morphometric analyses, behavioural observation techniques and webometrics. You’ll also explore population genetics and evolutionary systematics. You’ll gain strong statistical knowledge, vital to your future career, as you learn how to use statistics and present results with tables and figures. 

Human Evolutionary Biology and Geography (Alternative Compulsory)

In this module, you’ll dive into human evolution. You’ll explore how the biological stages of human evolution link to changes in society and behaviour. You’ll gain specialist knowledge of the palaeoenvironmental (environment of a past age) and palaeogeographical ( geographical features of a past age) context of human evolution.

Human Ecology (Alternative Compulsory)

How do humans interact with their environments, past and present? In this module, you’ll explore two key themes - nutrition and disease - and what these can tell us about humans and their biological and social surroundings. You’ll gain a strong grounding in the principles of human ecology. And you’ll gain key critical skills as you explore humans and their evolution.

Primate Adaptation and Evolution

Are humans any different from other primates? In this module, you’ll dig into the relationship between humans and other primates. You’ll investigate the structure, physiology, molecular biology and evolutionary history of primate species. 

You’ll discover what marks us as human against other species. You’ll gain a detailed knowledge of other species, as you trace our inheritance and explore the reasons for our unique characteristics.

Animal Behaviour (Alternative Acceptable)

Why do animals act the way they do? In this module, you’ll dig into the evolutionary forces behind animal behaviour, and its variations. You’ll gain key scientific skills, as you understand the importance of observation and experimentation to understanding animal behaviour. You’ll also look at what influences animal behaviour, how behaviour evolves and how animals acquire new behaviours. You’ll observe real life examples of the importance of animal behaviour in conservation.

Anthropology in Action (Acceptable)

In this module, you’ll kick-start your career, as you explore the wide range of career options open to Anthropology graduates. You’ll put anthropology into practice, using the skills you’ve gained in your degree to explore how anthropology contributes to business, conservation and development. You’ll also look at how anthropology can help us understand human health and wellbeing, and support forensic investigations. 

Becoming Independent Researchers (Acceptable)

In this module, you’ll develop fantastic, transferable skills for work, and gain the research skills to succeed in your degree. You’ll develop the knowledge and expertise to become an independent researcher. You’ll enjoy access to the research in our internationally acclaimed department, the current work of staff.

Current Trends in Biological Anthropology (Acceptable)

This module is designed for delivery of occasional modules offered by visiting lecturers or by Biological Anthropology Staff for trial runs of new modules.

Human Osteology (Acceptable)

In this module, you’ll discover human bones from archeological sites, and analyse them. You’ll get to grips with palaeopathology (the study of ancient diseases in human and animal remains), and how we use it to study populations now and in the past.

Quatenary Environmental Change (Acceptable)

Sea levels are rising; glaciers are melting and Arctic sea ice is thinning. Life as we know it is changing - forever. But how do these changes compare to the environmental changes of the past? What can the past teach us about the natural and human factors behind climate change? In this module, you’ll examine environmental changes during the Quaternary: the last 2.6 million years in which humans have evolved and spread across the earth. 

Environmental Decision Making

From wind farms to waste disposal facilities, how do individuals and organisations make environmental decisions? In this module, you’ll get to grips with the key theories behind environmental decisions. 

You’ll gain a strong understanding of key decision-making tools and approaches. These include, Multi-Criteria Analysis, Strategic Environmental Assessment and Environmental Management Systems. You’ll also understand the regulations and policies which underpin them. 

Cross-Cultural Perspectives in Psychology (Alternative Acceptable)

What can data from a range of cultures tell us about human emotion, socialisation and the self? In this module, you’ll discover how cross-cultural material can help us uncover key topics in psychology, from the development of cognitive skills, to the relationship between language and thought. You’ll draw material from the work of psychologists, but also research by social and cognitive anthropologists. You’ll gain core critical skills for your degree, as you investigate the connection between human psychology and society, particularly in terms of the individual versus the group.

Biological Anthropology Dissertation (Compulsory Double Honours Component)

This module gives you the chance to do independent research on a topic that fascinates you. You’ll have the support of our expert tutors, as you use the skills and knowledge you’ve gained from your degree to produce a dissertation on a particular subject. Whether you’re studying the world’s first jewellery and how it relates to human thinking, to the ecology of lemurs in Madagascar, you’ll gain fantastic research skills for your future career, and shape your dissertation around your passions.

Anthropology Independent Study (Acceptable Honours Component)

This module gives you the chance to do independent study on a topic that fascinates you. You’ll dive into any anthropological topic you choose, with the support of expert tutors. We offer great flexibility in how you present your research. This could include:

• an essay
• annotated bibiolgraphy
• ethnographic fieldwork journal
• video / film
• a long report.

Cognitive Evolution (Acceptable Honours Component)

How did the human mind evolve? Dive into this most fascinating of questions, as you explore fossil and archaeological records. You’ll draw on recent developments in fields such as evolutionary psychology, cognitive science, linguistics and primatology. You’ll explore human intelligence, and gain core critical skills as you evaluate how key cognitive traits from language and symbolism to tool use developed. You’ll assess the minds of other animal species, and consider the differences between human and non-human minds.  

People and Other Animals (Acceptable Honours Component)

As humans, we’ve lived closely with other animals since the dawn of time. We have a long history of interacting with each other. In this module, you’ll examine the complex and contradictory elements in people-animal relations, including, animals as food, companion animals, and animals as nature. 

Primate Conservation (Acceptable Honours Component)

From forest loss to climate change, living primates (including humans) are facing huge threats to their environment and conservation. In this module, you’ll get to know the impact of humans on non-human primates, including hunting for trade to the issues of co-existence.You’ll discover why our non-human primate relatives are at greater risk of extinction now than ever before. You’ll understand the major challenges facing primates, how international legislation protects them, and how we can help the world’s most threatened species.

Palaeopathology (Acceptable Honours Component)

In this module, you’ll analyse human bones from archaeological sites. You’ll get to know the ancient diseases that we can understand through human and animal bones. You’ll gain key practical skills through lab-based sessions and through researching primary material. You’ll also learn how palaeopathology can help us understand different populations.

Dawn of Civilisation (Acceptable Honours Component)

How did humans change from nomadic hunter-gatherers to the pioneers of enormous changes in technology, subsistence and organisation? In this module, you’ll look at human history from 10,000 until 1,000 BC that led to an avalanche of development. You’ll gain key critical skills as you review:

• archeological data
• geography 
• the environmental record 
• mythology from the world’s first civilisations. 

Molecular Anthropology (Acceptable Honours Component)

In this module, you’ll uncover the evolutionary links between ancient and modern humans through molecular anthropology. You’ll explore basic population genetics, phylogenetics and molecular evolution. You’ll also look at the links between humans and other (extinct) primates.

Culture and Care (Acceptable Honours Component)

Why is care so fundamental to human survival and adaptation? In this module, you’ll focus on care as an alternative to anthropological accounts of conflict, competition, and violence.

You will begin by debating 

• the evolutionary basis for care
• the evidence of care in prehistoric times
• notions of empathy, sympathy, and altruism. 

You’ll also examine how different cultures care for children, the disabled and the elderly. You’ll look critically at whether current social institutions deliver care, as well as cure. You will look at how we care for non-human life and the planet. And you’ll gain core research skills for your future career, as you investigate care in the world around you through fieldwork assignments and contribute to the class blog to share your work with the world.