
Primatology
Code: 100748Credits: 3
| Degree programme | Type | Course |
|---|---|---|
| Biology | OP | 4 |
Contact lecturer
- Name :
- Aurora Ruiz-Herrera Moreno
- Email :
- aurora.ruizherrera@uab.cat
Teaching staff
- Yasmina Avia Garcia
- Aurora Ruiz-Herrera Moreno
Group languages
You can consult this information at the end of the document.
Prerequisites
It is recommended that the basic concepts of Paleoanthropology, Genetics, Evolution and Molecular Genetics be considered.
Objectives
The course of Primatology shows the panorama of current primates in their biological aspects in general, and in taxonomic and ethological in particular. It also analyzes the phylogeny and evolution of primates and the aspects that affects their conservation. In addition, we analyze the importance of models in biomedical research and paleoanthropological research, to understand ourselves.
Learning outcomes
- Be able to analyse and synthesise.
- Be able to organise and plan.
- Develop a sensibility towards environmental issues.
- Students must have and understand knowledge of an area of study built on the basis of general secondary education, and while it relies on some advanced textbooks it also includes some aspects coming from the forefront of its field of study.
- Students must be capable of applying their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional way and they should have building arguments and problem resolution skills within their area of study.
- Students must be capable of collecting and interpreting relevant data (usually within their area of study) in order to make statements that reflect social, scientific or ethical relevant issues.
- Students must be capable of communicating information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialised and non-specialised audiences.
- Students must develop the necessary learning skills to undertake further training with a high degree of autonomy.
- Analyse a situation and identify its points for improvement.
- Propose new methods or well-founded alternative solutions.
- Critically analyse the principles, values and procedures that govern the exercise of the profession.
- Analyse the sex- or gender-based inequalities and the gender biases present in one's own area of knowledge.
- Propose projects and actions that incorporate the gender perspective.
- Interpret human variability as a source of individualisation.
- Define the role of the primates in the identification of disease-causing agents.
- Identify the principal natural factors that have intervened in the distribution of human populations.
- Interact with and advise government institutions operating in the field of social policy and population and public health policy.
- Interpret phylogeographic analyses of the human species.
- Summarise and interpret the biology, evolution and behaviour of the order Primates.
- Explain the underlying biological causes of human social behaviour.
- Analyse the sustainability indicators of the academic and professional activities within the area, integrating the social, economic and environmental dimensions.
- Propose ways to evaluate projects and actions for improving sustainability.
Contents
Block 1:
- Definition and evolutionary tendencies. Evolution of Primates.
- Diversification in current primates.
- Biogeography, ecology, and adaptations to the environment.
Block 2:
- Chromosomal characteristics, karyotype, and intraspecific variability.
- Mechanisms of chromosomal speciation, breakpoints and synthetic groups.
- Databases and analysis of Primates genomes
Block 3:
- Methods for studying primates behavior
- Socio-sexual behavior in primates.
- Primate Cognition. Animal cultures
- Communication in primates.
Learning activities and methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 19 | 0.76 | 1, 2, 15, 19 |
| Tutorials | 2 | 0.08 | |
| Computer practices | 2 | 0.08 | 1, 2, 8, 18 |
| Seminars | 2 | 0.08 | 1, 2, 15, 19 |
| Laboratory practices | 1 | 0.04 | 1, 2, 19 |
| Personal study | 45 | 1.8 | 11, 17 |
| Fieldwork | 2 | 0.08 | 1, 2, 6, 7, 9, 10, 19 |
Lectures are divided into three blocks: 1) Taxonomy and Morphological Evolution 2) Genetic evolution and specific diversification and 3) Ethology. In each one there will be a practice that will be developed within the same block.
At the end of the course, there will be a global seminar with all the students where different topics will be discussed directed by the three teachers.
Assessment
Continuous assessment activities
| Title | Weight | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exam | 50% | 2 | 0.08 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 |
| Seminars | 20% | 0 | 0 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 |
| Practice assessment | 30% | 0 | 0 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20, 22 |
As it is a continuous evaluation, the course will consider the different activities of the student in the classroom, as well as the practices and seminars. It will be evaluated by means of a written test that includes the three parts of the subject, a test answered by the working group of the seminar, and the practices of each of the 3 sections that the subject consists of. The final result will be the weighted sum of each of the parts.
- There will be a written test to evaluate the theoretical part of the subject (50%).
- The practices will measure 30% of the final mark (10% for each of the 3 practical sessions). Assessment will take into account both the attitude of the students as well as the work carried out in the laboratory itself and the questionnaires required.
-The seminar will have a group assessment that will equal 20% of the final grade. All students in the same group will have the same grade in this test
To be eligible for the retake process, the student should have been previously evaluated in a set of activities equaling at least two-thirds of the final score of the course or module. Thus, the student will be graded as \"No Avaluable\" if the weight in of all conducted evaluation activities is less than 67% of the final score.
Attendance to practical or field sessions is mandatory. Students missing more than 20% of programmed sessions will be graded as \"No Avaluable\".
This subject foresees the single assessment system. The single assessment consists of a single summary test in which the contents of the entire theory program of the subject will be assessed. The grade obtained in this synthesis test will account for 50% of the final grade of the subject. The single assessment test will take place on the same day, time and place as the last continuous assessment test of the subject. The single assessment can be recovered on the day set for the recovery of the subject. The practical classes and the seminar will be assessed in the same way as the continuous assessment.
For this course, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is permitted exclusively for support tasks, such as literature and information searches, text editing, or translation in the preparation of support materials. Students must clearly identify which parts have been generated using these technologies, specify the tools employed, and include a critical reflection on how these tools have influenced both the process and the final outcome of the activity. Failure to transparently disclose the use of AI in this assessed activity will be considered a breach of academic integrity and may result in a partial or total reduction of the activity grade, or more severe sanctions in serious cases.
Any irregularity committed during an assessment activity (academic misconduct, plagiarism, or improper use of AI, unless such use is expressly authorized in the course syllabus) that may lead to a significant alteration of the grade will result in that activity being graded as 0. If the course syllabus stipulates that obtaining a minimum mark in this assessment is an essential requirement to pass the course, or if multiple irregularities occur in the assessment activities of the same course, the final grade for the course will be 0. Furthermore, disciplinary proceedings may be initiated against any student who incurs any of these irregularities.
Bibliography
BASIC BIBLIOGRAPHY:
FLEAGLE JG.- Primate adaptation and evolution. Academic Press
BOYD R & SILK JB. Como evolucionaron los humanos. Ariel Ciencia
SPECIFIC LITERATURE:
It will be given during the course.
Software
Ensembl (https://www.ensembl.org/Homo_sapiens/Info/Index) and UCSC (http://genome.ucsc.edu/).
Course groups and languages
The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE
| Type of teaching | Group | Language | Semester | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (TE) Theory | 14 | Catalan/Spanish | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (PLAB) Practical laboratories | 141 | Catalan/Spanish | first semester | afternoon |
| (SEM) Seminars | 141 | Catalan/Spanish | first semester | afternoon |
| (PCAM) Field practices | 141 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (PLAB) Practical laboratories | 142 | Catalan/Spanish | first semester | afternoon |
| (PCAM) Field practices | 142 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (PLAB) Practical laboratories | 143 | Catalan | first semester | afternoon |
| (PCAM) Field practices | 143 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |