Entry requirements

120 credits including 60 credits in biology/medicine/pharmaceutical science and at least 15 credits of courses in one of the following subjects: bioinformatics, biomedicine, biotechnology, evolution, genetics, genomics or systematics. Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6.

Learning outcomes

After the completion of the course, students will have a comprehensive overview and insight regarding human origins and evolutionary history, based on the latest genetic findings that have emerged after the genomic revolution.

On completion of the course the student shall be able to:

• give an overview of the human genome, its organisation, how it is inherited and what different types of genetic variation exist
• analyse mendelian traits and diseases in humans and multifactorial traits/diseases
• use and evaluate the main population genetic/genomic tools to investigate genetic variation, inheritance, and human evolutionary and demographic history
• be familiar with ethical principles in human genetic studies and evaluate their applicability to the current ethical framework
• identify the main patterns of human genetic variation in time and space
• reconstruct past human migrations and know how they can be detected by analysing genetic variation
• explain, evaluate and (theoretically) use the "ancient DNA" technique
• summarise the most important paleontological findings of hominids and archaic people
• suggest how paleontology, archeology, anthropology and linguistics can be combined with genetic data to enhance the understanding of human evolutionary history

Content

The course is divided into seven main blocks:

1. The human genome: A review about how the human genome is structured, inheritance, genetic basis of traits/diseases and the different types of genomic variants that are informative for demographic investigations
2. Population Genetic Theory and Statistical Methods: Basic concepts in population genetics as well as the most important statistical methods for investigating demographic and evolutionary models using the distribution of genetic variation in time and space.
3. Human evolutionary history: Human demographic history including the relationship with archaic people (Neanderthals), "out-of-Africa migration," and the spread of agriculture in Europe and how these hypotheses find support in the distribution of genetic variation.
4. Archeology, Anthropology, Palaeontology and Linguistics: A multidisciplinary block for linking models based on genetics with other scientific disciplines that also contribute to inferences about human history. Human evolution from 7 million years back to today. Paleontological and genetic data and evolutionary principles and models.
5. Ancient DNA: Short History, Technical Challenges and Opportunities. Breakthroughs and critical studies.
6. Phenotypic variation in human populations, ethical principles and the history of race biology: A review of the current ethical framework for human studies and a historical overview that addresses the history of race biology.
7. Evolution and diseases: From simple diseases to complex traits. Relevance to human evolution.

Instruction

Teaching is given in the form of lectures, calculations, computer labs, seminars and project work. Participation in computing exercises, computer labs, seminars and project work is mandatory.

Assessment

Written exam (8 credits). Written and oral presentation of projects (4 credits). Written and oral presentations of laboratory practicals (3 credits).

If there are special reasons, the examiner may make exceptions to the specified examination method and allow for an individual student to be examined in another way. For example, special reasons may be given for special educational support from the university coordinator for students with disabilities.

Other directives

This course cannot be included in the same degree as 1BG512.