Description
This module introduces human genetics and human evolution. We will introduce the key concepts of human genetics, including Mendelian genetics and inheritance, population genetics, human genetic diversity and genetic mutations. Basic concepts in evolutionary biology, including Darwinian natural selection, variation, adaptation, speciation and the history of life on Earth will be discussed in lectures and in interactive online resources. We will focus on human pre-history and the evolution of primates and hominins, citing evidence from palaeoanthropology and modern genetics. We will also discuss genetic susceptibility to human diseases during in-class tutorials, the underlying genetics of common human diseases and introduce modern advances in genetic analysis, including the human and panhuman genome projects. Finally, we will explore the concept of evolutionary medicine as an explanation of human disease, using key case studies and advances in this area to explain this concept and apply your understanding to real-world problems.
Module deliveries for 2024/25 academic year
Last updated
This module description was last updated on 19th August 2024.
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