Primatology
Code: 105780 ECTS Credits: 3| Degree | Type | Year | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2500251 Environmental Biology | OT | 4 | 0 |
Contact
- Name:
- Assumpció Malgosa Morera
- Email:
- Assumpcio.Malgosa@uab.cat
Use of Languages
- Principal working language:
- catalan (cat)
- Some groups entirely in English:
- No
- Some groups entirely in Catalan:
- Yes
- Some groups entirely in Spanish:
- No
Other comments on languages
The content of different subjects will be explained using visual material. The main literature and ppts will be in EnglishTeachers
- Javier Quesada Lara
- Aurora Ruíz Herrera Moreno
Prerequisites
It is assumed that the student has previously acquired enough solid knowledge on subjects like Genetics and Human biology
Objectives and Contextualisation
The course of Primatology shows the panorama of current primates in their biological aspects in general, and in taxonomic and ethological in particular. It also analyzes the phylogeny and evolution of primates and the aspects that affects their conservation. In addition, we analyze the importance of models in biomedical research and paleoanthropological research, in order to understand ourselves.
Competences
- Carry out functional tests and determine, assess and interpret vital parameters.
- Develop strategies of analysis, synthesis and communication in order to teach biology and environmental studies.
- Focus on quality.
- Identify and interpret the diversity of species in the environment.
- Integrate knowledge of different organisational levels of organisms in their functioning.
- Manage information
- Recognise and analyse phylogenetic relations.
Learning Outcomes
- Define the role of primates in identifying the causal agents of diseases.
- Explain the biological basis of human social behavior.
- Focus on quality.
- Interact with governmental institutions of the social, political population and public health sectors and advise them.
- Interpret the evolutionary processes that have led to animal diversity.
- Manage information
- Recognise the basic principles of biology that must be conveyed in the field of secondary education.
- Summarize and interpret the biology, evolution and behavior of the Primates order.
Content
- Definition and evolutionary tendencies. Evolution of Primates. - Diversification in current primates. - Biogeography, ecology, and adaptations to the environment. - Chromosomal characteristics, karyotype, and intraspecific variability. - Mechanisms of chromosomal speciation, breakpoints and synthetic groups. - Databases and analysis of Primates genomes - Methods for studying primates behavior - Socio-sexual behavior in primates. - Primate Cognition. Animal cultures - Communication in primates.
*Unless the requirements enforced by the health authorities demand a prioritization or reduction of these contents.
Methodology
Lectures are divided into three blocks: 1) Taxonomy and Morphological Evolution 2) Genetic evolution and specific diversification and 3) Ethology; a different teacher will teach each bloc. In each one there will be a practice that will be developed within the same block. At the end of the course, there will be a global seminar with all the students where different topics will be discussed directed by the three teachers.
*The proposed teaching methodology may experience some modifications depending on the restrictions to face-to-face activities enforced by health authorities.
Activities
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: Directed | |||
| Computer practices | 2 | 0.08 | |
| Fieldwork | 2 | 0.08 | |
| Laboratory practiques | 1 | 0.04 | |
| Lectures | 19 | 0.76 | |
| Seminar | 2 | 0.08 | |
| Type: Supervised | |||
| Tutorials | 2 | 0.08 | |
| Type: Autonomous | |||
| Personal study | 45 | 1.8 |
Assessment
As it is a continuous evaluation, the course will consider the different activities of the student in the classroom, as well as the practices and seminars. It will be evaluated by means of a written test that includes the three parts of the subject, a test answered by the working group of the seminar, and the practices of each of the 3 sections that the subject consists of. The final result will be the weighted sum of each of the parts. - There will be a written test to evaluate the theoretical part of the subject (50%) - The practices will measure 30% of the final mark (10% for each of the 3 practical sessions). Assessment will take into account both the attitude of the students as well as the work carried out in the laboratory itself and the questionnaires required. -The seminar will have a group assessment that will equal 20% of the final grade. All students in the same group will have the same grade in this test To be eligible for the retake process, the student should have been previously evaluated in a set of activities equaling at least two-thirds of the final score of the course or module. Thus, the student will be graded as "No Avaluable" if the weight in of all conducted evaluation activities is less than 67% of the final score AAttendance to practical or field sessions is mandatory. Students missing more than 20% of programmed sessions will be graded as "No Avaluable"
*Student’s assessment may experience some modifications depending on the restrictions to face-to-face activities enforced by health authorities.
Assessment Activities
| Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exam | 50% | 2 | 0.08 | 1, 3, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8 |
| Practice assessment | 30% | 0 | 0 | 3, 6, 4, 5, 8 |
| Seminar assessment | 20% | 0 | 0 | 1, 2, 6, 5, 7, 8 |
Bibliography
BASIC BIBLIOGRAPHY:
FLEAGLE JG.- Primate adaptation and evolution. Academic Press
BOYD R & SILK JB. Como evolucionaron los humanos. Ariel Ciencia
SPECIFIC BIBLIOGRAPHY
It will be given during the course