- Docente: Paola Gueresi
- Credits: 10
- SSD: BIO/08
- Language: Italian
- Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
- Campus: Bologna
- Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in STATISTICAL SCIENCES (cod. 8055)
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course, the student will have the theoretical and methodological grounding for the analysis of the variability and biological evolution of human populations. In particular, the student will be able to measure and explain the variability of anthropological characters; to reconstruct the biological history of human populations on the basis of sources of historical demography; to treat surnames as genetic markers.
Course contents
Basic principles of classical genetics. Mendelian populations. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Assortative mating and inbreeding. Genetic drift. Subdivided populations and Wahlund's principle. Mutation. Gene flow and migration models. Natural selection. The neutral theory and the molecular clock hypothesis.
Genetic polymorphisms. Genetic variability within and among populations: methods of analysis. Reconstruction of the human peopling history through molecular data.
Bio-demographic approach to the study of human population genetic structure. Evaluation of reproductive isolation. Surnames as genetic markers: theory, methods and applications.
Key concepts in human ecology. Human adaptations to climate. Food requirements and nutritional stress. Adaptations to infectious diseases. Modernization processes and human biological responses.
Readings/Bibliography
Material from lessons and scientific papers provided by the lecturer.
Stinson S., Bogin, B., Huss-Ashmore R., and O'Rourke D. (eds) Human Biology: An Evolutionary and Biocultural Perspective. New York: Wiley-Liss, 2000. Chapters 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9.
Assessment methods
Final oral examination
Teaching tools
PC and video projector, "Biodem" package
Office hours
See the website of Paola Gueresi