Teaching methods:
- Based on student’s practice: materials collection, analysis and presentation (paper, Power Point presentation);
- Tutorial-practice, e.g. measurements on human body with the use of anthropological instruments;
- Discussion, e.g. out of Africa vs. multiregional theory.
- Lecture (Power Point presentation, movies)
Biological anthropology
The main goal of this laboratory is to present knowledge about main topics in anthropology, to provide information about human’s place on the Earth, ethnic diversity. During laboratory, basic anthropological research methods will be overviewed. Main topics:
- Specific areas of Anthropology: Biological anthropology, Medical anthropology, Cultural anthropology, Paleoanthropology, Human ecology, Ontogeny. Connection with other sciences. Practical usage of Anthropology.
- Biological anthropology – somatometric: basic points of anthropometry – practice.
- Anthropological instruments – measurements on human body: students fill out forms with given measurements.
- Working with database: statistical methods use in anthropological studies. Student use appropriate statistical methods.
- Human head and body index – practical usage.
- Descriptive methods in somatoskopy – practice with the use of anthropological instruments.
- Basic methods in osteology overview; skull, pelvis and sacrum dimorphism.
- Anthropogeny: students are obliged to prepare 25-minute presentations of Hominids: Australopithecus, Homo habilis, Homo erectus, Homo neanderthalensis, Homo haidelbergensis. Discussion on ‘Star Wars bar’ hipothesis.
- Out of Africa and Multiregional hypothesis: discussion.
- Anthropogeny and DNA researches: mitochondrial Eva and DNA of Homo neanderthalensis – discussion.
- Ethnic diversity in the World: students are obliged to prepare 25-minute presentations of ethnic structure of Europe, North and South America, Asia, Africa, Australia and Oceania.
Introduction of human biology
The main goal of this laboratory is to present knowledge about main topics in human biology and anatomy. Main topics:
- Bones and skeletal system – structure and functions
- Muscular and blood systems – structure and functions
- Cardiovascular and respiratory systems
- Endocrine system (hypothalamic hormones which control pituitary hormone secretion; other hormones of endocrine glands)
- Nervous system (central, peripheral and the autonomic nervous systems)
- Digestive and urinary systems
- Male and female reproductive system; sensory system
- Cells and tissue types, structure and functions of joins; immune system
Human biology
The main goal of this laboratory is to present knowledge about main topics in human biology. Main topics:
- Genetic factors (determinants and stimulators)
- Paragenetic factors
- Extragenetic factors
- Exogamic factors (modifiers)
- Durinal, monthly and seasonal biorhythms; mechanism of the biorhythms
- Progressive and regressive development
- Ontogeny process; Prenatal and postnatal development
- Ecosensitivity, adaptability and expression; Adaptation/populational and individual levels; Regulatory, acclimatory and development adjustments
- Qualitative material aspects of physical development
- Quantitative material aspects of physical development; Energetic and information aspects of physical development
- Nutrition influence on biological development of children and youth; Nutritional status and its disorders; Malnutrition and undernutrition
- Role of physical activity; Asymmetry of body build: functional, dynamic and morphological; Role of rest and sleep; Bodily posture and its changes with age; Spinal curves; scoliosis
- Physical activity and development of motor activity; Development of strength, speed, endurance fitness, coordination, agility and space orientation
- Urban conditions, Overpopulation; Air pollution; Radiation; Noise and vibration
- Discussion on literature concerning behavior of human in different environmental conditions
Research methods in anthropology
The main goal of this laboratory is to present knowledge about main topics in research methods in anthropology. Main topics:
- Surface and lines of body, anthropological points (on the head and body), height measurements, circumferences and skin-fat fold.
- Measurements on human body and head with the use of anthropological instruments.
- Head and body indexes. Classification of indexes.
- Body build determination on the basis of indexes – practice.
- Anthropological descriptive methods.
- Classification, Rorher index, Wanke’s typology.
- Norm, normal distribution.
- Determination of developmental age on basis of skeletal age, teeth age, secondary sex characteristics age. Sex and age determination on the basis of skeleton – practice.
- Determination of morphological age on the basis of Biological Maturity Index, Pirquet’s tables, Centile charts method.
- Craniometry and cranioskopy.
- Osteometry.
The basis of live and its evolution
The main goal of this laboratory is to present knowledge about main topics in evolutiond and history of life. Main topics:
- The principle of creating genealogical tree by the method of maximum parsimony, construction of genealogical tree;
- Evolutionism, evolutionary synthesis, neo-darwinism
- Evolution of features: comparative morphology: homology, homoplasy, convergent evolution (Batesian and Mullerian mimicry), paralelizm, reversion, heterochromia, allometry, heterotropia, adaptive radiation
- Geological time scale: changes in particular eras (Archean, Proterozoik, Paleozoik, Mesozoik, Cenozoik): duration, the most important events (continental drift, development of plants and animals [includes Hominids] – fossils)
- Extinction of megafauna – which theories are true – discussion
- Geographic evolution: biogeographic proofs of evolution, distribution of species, historic factors (extinction, vicariance, Hawaii fauna example)
- Genetic drift: gene flow, genetic drift, coalescences, founder effect, neutral theory
- Natural selection and adaptation
- Speciacion: types, examples
- Coevolution: mechanisms, examples
- Macroevolution: gradualism, saltationism, formation of incipient and new features, evolutionary trends – types and examples
Primatology
The main goal of lecture and laboratory is to present knowledge about main topics in primatology. Main topics:
- Characteristics of Primates families: Primates’ taxonomy, range, order characteristics, description of Daubentoniidae, Cheirogaleidae, Lemuridae, Lepilemuridae, Indridae, Lorisidae, Galagidae, Tarsiidae, Callitrichidae, Cebidae, Aotidae, Pitheciidae Cercopithecinae, Colobinae families and Hominoidea (gibbon, orangutan, gorilla).
- Range, morphological and anatomical characteristics, etiology of: Pan troglodytes and Pan paniscus.
- Anatomical adaptation to environment: comparative anatomy of Primates, muscular and skeletal system, dentitions, body size, reproduction, diet adaptation
- Behaviouristic aspects of tool usage: The use of tools by Primates, peer communication, social and procultural behavior. Ability to acquire knowledge by Primates, language learning
- “Primates” BBC movie – discussion concerning orangutan and gorilla behavior
- Pan troglodytes and Pan paniscus – discussion on ‘The Last Great Ape” movie.
- Local ZOO laboratories – observation of lower Primates, their appearance and behavior
- Endangered species of Primates: Species on the verge of extinction, habitat devastation, resources overuse. Students are asked to prepare list of the most endangered species; A view on animal saving foundations, wildlife reserve, reintroduction and restitution of Primates.
- Primates reintroduction: A view on animal saving foundations, wildlife reserve, reintroduction and restitution of Primates
- Primates evolution: Earliest representatives of Primates, characteristic, range and migration
- Evolutional future of Primates: Newest approach to primates and human evolution
Biology and ecology
The main goal of laboratory is to present knowledge about main topics in biology and ecology. Main topics:
- Theories of the Origin of Life on Earth, oldest multicellulaire organisms, Archean
- Proterozoik, Paleozoik, Mesozoik, Cenozoik (duration, the most important events, development of plants and animals – fossils, causes of extinction)
- Prokaryota and Eukaryota description
- Origin of species, evolutionism, founder effect, population bottleneck
- Anthropogenesis
- Interaction between species and populations (neutralism, commensalism, protocooperation, mutualism, competition, amensalism, parasitism)
- Human influence of organisms (species extinction, forest logging, habitat devastation, GMO, tourism, balanced development)
- Environmental protection in Poland (protected species, national parks, landscape parks)
- Importance of zoological and botanical gardens to endangered species
- Forests, water and refuse management in Poland and in the World
- How people can protect the environment (refuse segregation, renewable energy sources)
- Main definitions of ecology: autecology, synecology, organism, population, biocenosis, biosphere, biotope, environment, habitat, ecological niche
- Organisms adaptation to environment, organisms tolerance, Shelford rule, minimum-maximum Liebieg rule
- Population structure: size, numerical force, spatial, age, sex, social, genetic structure, analysis methods
- Biocenotic processes (energy, matter, trophic levels, trophic pyramid, producers, consumers, reducers)
- Types of nutrition: autotrophic (photosynthesis, chemosynthesis), mixotrophic, heterotrophic
- Nitrogen and carbon cycles in nature. Role of microorganisms
- The importance of Biology and Ecology to other sciences and industry
- Most interesting nature museums in Poland and worldwide
- Destructive influence of bacteria and other organisms on museum and library collections
- Work group: extinction of megafauna theories
- Evolutionary strategies: prisoner’s dilemma game, pigeon and hawk strategy
Witam na stronie/Welcome 