Degree | Type | Year | Semester |
---|---|---|---|
2500250 Biology | OT | 4 | 0 |
The course of Molecular Anthropology is integrated in the field of Human Biology. It is a relatively new field of research, in fact, there have been less than 50 years since Emil Zuckerkandl, in the symposium "Classification and Human Evolution" (1962, Wartenstein Burg, Austria), formally introduced the designation. As the name suggests, Molecular Anthropology, focuses on the study of human evolution and variation using molecular tools.
The main objective of this course is to deepen in the study of the tools and methods used in the study of variation and evolution of humans. In this regard, it stresses the Human Genome Diversity Project as a turning point for Molecular Anthropology since it has played a key role in changing perspective of Molecular Anthropology from genetics to genomics. The most recent projects to analyze human variation, the 1000 Genomes and HapMap, will be discussed. The problems of the study of human genetic variation in both recent and ancient remains will be explored. Also, the genetic variation as a tool to reconstruct the evolutionary history and for mapping disease susceptibility variants and with pharmacogenomic interest will be approached.
THEORY:
Unit 1. Foundations of molecular anthropology: from morphology to the HapMap Project and the 1000 genomes project
Unit 2. Tools and Methods in Molecular Anthropology
Unit 3. Genetic variations in humans and other primates: Diversity, phylogeography and selection
Unit 4. Quantitative Genetics: applications in molecular anthropology
Unit 5. Confluence of molecular anthropology and epidemiology
Unit 6. Ancient DNA: problems and applications
Unit 7. Application of molecular anthropology in forensic sciences
SEMINARS:
Research in Biological Anthropology
COMPUTER PRACTICES:
HapMap Project
1000 genomes project
Applications in Genetic Epidemiology
Definitions of work themes and bibliographical search
LAB PRACTICES:
DNA extraction and PCR
Detection of SNPs
DNA sequencing
*Unless the requirements enforced by the health authorities demand a prioritization or reduction of these contents.
The development of the training activities of the course is based on: theory classes, seminars, classroom practices and laboratory and computer practices, each of them with its specific methodology. Likewise, a series of virtual-type activities are proposed that will allow the student to take an active role in the teaching-learning process.
Classes of theory: The student acquires the scientific knowledge of the subject by attending theory classes. These are classes with TIC-TAC support in which the teacher exposes the subject but also asks for the participation of the student. Likewise, activities prior to the sessions are proposed that allow the student to intervene more actively in the teaching-learning process. In this sense, some theoretical sessions are devoted to topics related to group work carried out by students, both for the resolution of doubts and the presentation of key concepts, as well as for the presentation of the work itself. The audiovisual material used in class can be found by the student in the Moodle space of the subject.
Seminars: Specialists are invited and in advance the student will be provided with the topics to be debated in the seminar; The student must prepare the seminars collaboratively with their classmates.
Classes of practices: The knowledge acquired in theory classes and in personal study are applied to the resolution of practical cases. Students work in small groups allowing them to acquire the ability to work in groups and analysis and synthesis. It also allows to apply statistical resources in the interpretation of data. The student can access the practice guides through the Moodle space
The main vehicular language will be Catalan. However, all the support material will be in English and the sessions on the 1000 genomes and HapMap projects will be done in English. The work of the subject (both digital support and oral presentation) can be done in Catalan, Spanish or English.Students who use the English language will have a plus in the final grade of the work of up to 1 point.
*The proposed teaching methodology may experience some modifications depending on the restrictions to face-to-face activities enforced by health authorities.
Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
---|---|---|---|
Type: Directed | |||
Computer practices | 8 | 0.32 | 1, 2, 5, 6, 3 |
Laboratory Practices | 10 | 0.4 | 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 3, 14 |
Seminars | 4 | 0.16 | 1, 2, 5, 7, 13, 12, 11, 9, 10, 3, 4, 14 |
Theory classes | 28 | 1.12 | 1, 5, 6, 7, 13, 12, 11, 9, 10, 3, 14 |
Type: Supervised | |||
Tutorship (individual or group) | 4 | 0.16 | |
Type: Autonomous | |||
Group work | 40 | 1.6 | 1, 2, 5, 13, 12, 11, 9, 10, 3 |
Individual Study | 30 | 1.2 | 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 13, 12, 11, 9, 10, 3, 4 |
Participation in virtual learning activities | 6 | 0.24 | 5 |
Practice report | 14 | 0.56 | 1, 2, 6, 8, 3, 4 |
Preparation of seminars and internships | 6 | 0.24 | 1, 2, 5, 3, 14 |
For the evaluation of the subject, a continuous assessment model will be followed. The participation of the student, the preparation and presentation of the group work, the practical materials, the critical summary of a group work and the exam rate will be taken into account, in the following proportions:
Exam: 35%
Group work: 30%
Critical summary of a group work: 10%
Student participation in face-to-face and virtual learning activities: 5%
Training materials: 20%
In the development of all the activities, including those of the theoretical typology, the student will be asked to previously prepare some concepts, and in the case of the group work, the whole process of elaboration during the semester will be taken into account.
Group work (both digital support and oral presentation and defense) can be done in Catalan, Spanish or English. Students who use the English language will have a bonus in the final grade of the group work of up to 1 point.
There will be an integrative examination of the contents of the subject that students must overcome with a minimum of 4.
Recovery: in the case of necessity, the note of the group work and the integrative examination can be recovered. To participate in the recovery, students must have been previously evaluated in a set of activities the weight of which equals a minimum of two thirds of the total grade of the subject. Therefore, the students will obtain the "Not Evaluable" qualification when the evaluation activities carried out have a weight lower than 67% in the final grade.
The grade of the summary evaluation can be raised, in this case, the classification that will be considered will be the last one, regardless of whether it is superior or inferior to that obtained previously.
The average mark of the different evaluable parts (Participationof the student in the face-to-face and virtual learning activities, Practical materials, Group work, Critical summary of a group work, Examination) must be equal to or greater than 5.0.
*Student’s assessment may experience some modifications depending on the restrictions to face-to-face activities enforced by health authorities.
Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Critical summary of a group work | 10% | 0 | 0 | 3, 4 |
Exam | 35% | 0 | 0 | 6, 7, 3, 4 |
Participation in face-to-face and virtual learning activities | 5% | 0 | 0 | 1, 2, 5, 8, 3, 14 |
Practical materials | 20% | 0 | 0 | 8, 13, 12, 11, 9, 10 |
Preparation, presentation and defense of group work | 30% | 0 | 0 | 1, 13, 12, 11, 9, 10, 3, 4, 14 |
Basic bibliography:
Crawford MH. 2007. Anthropological Genetics: Theory, Methods and Applications. Cambridge University Press.
Destro-Bisol G. 2010. Molecular Anthropology in the Genomic Era. Journal of Anthropological Sciences, 88:93-112
Relethford J. 2013. The Human Species: An Introduction to Biological Anthropology. 9th Edition. McGraw-Hill.
Relethford JH. 2003. Reflections of Our Past. Boulder: Westview Press
Specific bibliography:
It will be given during the course.