MSc in Human Anatomy and Evolution

This module will provide you with an advanced understanding of the ecology and evolution of the group of mammals to which we belong.

It will give a broad overview of primate evolution, from the origins of the order around 65 million years ago to the present days. The module will look at genetic and fossil evidence for primate evolution, and competing hypotheses of primate phylogeny.

As evolution and ecology are interlinked, you will study principles of primate ecology and behaviour, including size, diet, habitat exploitation, activity pattern, socioecology, sensory biology, life history, and community structure, with reference to the extant families of primates. You will also consider the hominin radiation in the context of the evolution and ecology of other primate groups.

The module will start with a general introduction to the mammalian and primate radiation before focusing on the specific topics mentioned above. The material will be presented via an hour-long lecture and seven two-hour seminars, supported by pre-recorded online lectures.

Tutor: Dr Phil Cox
Term: Autumn
Credits: 20
Assessment: Poster 30%, timed exam 70%

The hard tissue biology module will allow you to develop an advanced knowledge and understanding of skeletal and dental tissues. It will focus on the structure and development of these tissues and, by introducing you to biomechanics, their function.

Weekly topics include tooth development and function, including enamel, dentine, cementum, periodontal ligament; cartilage and bone development, growth and remodelling, the structure and function of muscle, tendon and ligament; the mechanical properties of skeletal and dental tissues; the interface of tendons and ligaments with bone.

Each week a topic is introduced in a lecture and, using a combination of self-directed learning and presentations and discussions in the seminar, you will critically assess the literature to broaden and deepen your learning around the topic. The practical class will cover comparative anatomy and histology.

Tutor: Dr Sam Cobb
Term: Autumn
Credits: 20
Assessment: Written assignment 60%, timed exam 40% 

This module provides the opportunity to develop an advanced knowledge and understanding of the hominin fossil record. It focuses particularly on the interpretation of anatomical material and current methods. The module will begin with an overview of the hominin fossil record and in subsequent weeks will focus on different anatomical regions.

Each week a topic is explored using a combination of self-directed learning, and presentations and discussion in the seminar, you will critically assess the literature to broaden and deepen your learning around the topic. Practical sessions will expose you to casts of the major fossil specimens as well as comparative material.

Tutor: Dr Laura Fitton
Term: Spring
Credits: 20
Assessment: Written assignment (open book) 60%, timed exam 40%

This module will allow you to undertake an in-depth project in a topic related to human anatomy and evolution. You will be encouraged to choose a subject from the research areas of members of tutorial staff (currently including mammalian hard tissue biology, development and ontogeny, geometric morphometrics, functional morphology, imaging techniques).

With the support of a tutor, you will review the recent and significant literature, formulate a research question, write a detailed project proposal, undertake original research (which can include projects based on systematic review of the current literature / reanalysis of existing datasets), present your aims and preliminary results in a 15-minute presentation, and write up your research in a 15000-word dissertation.

Tutor: Dr Phil Cox
Term: Spring-Summer
Credits: 80
Assessment: Oral presentation 20%, dissertation 70%

This module provides an overview of geometric morphometrics (GM). During the course the basics of GM will be covered and including a review of key multivariate morphometric methods. We will present examples using GMM software. You will gain experience in using different software tools during the course of the practical sessions.

Tutor: Professor Paul O'Higgins
Term: Autumn
Credits: 5
Assessment: Laboratory workbook 100%

This module introduces you to the theory and practice of virtual anatomies and provides you with the basic skills needed to create 3D virtual musculoskeletal models.

Weekly topics include: musculoskeletal imaging modalities, model manipulation, image segmentation and 3D model visualization.

Tutor: Dr Laura Fitton
Term: Autumn
Credits: 5
Assessment: Laboratory workbook 100%

In this module, we consider the fascinating question of what it means to be ‘human’. We ask if there are critical characteristics of humans which mark us as different from other species, and how, when and where we might identify them in the archaeological record.

This module is run via the Department of Archaeology. It addresses human societies, from those of our common ancestors with chimpanzees, to early human activities 2 million years ago in East Africa, Homo ergaster and Homo heidelbergensis and lastly Neanderthals. You will question the key changes taking place in each period and in each consider what defining patterns of humanity we might identify emerging within the archaeological record.

This module is run via the Department of Archaeology at the University of York and subject to availability.

Tutor: Andrew Needham
Term: Autumn
Credits: 20
Assessment: Essay 100%

This module provides the opportunity to develop your knowledge of the human muscloskeletal system from the perspective of function and evolution through dissection. Weekly topics include general limb anatomy, the anatomy of limb functions, skull form and varability, and evolution of the masticatory system.

The module comprises weekly lectures, practical dissections and seminars on each of three key areas: limbs, spine and head.

Tutor: Professor Paul O'Higgins
Term: Spring
Credits: 20
Assessment: Oral presentation 50%, oral examination (viva) 50%

This module provides the opportunity to deepen your knowledge of the human musculoskeletal system from the perspective of function and evolution through dissection. Weekly topics include general limb anatomy, the anatomy of limb functions, skull form and variability, evolution of the masticatory system, the anatomy of chewing and dissections.

Tutor: Dr Sam Cobb
Term: Spring
Credits: 20
Assessment: Oral presentation 50%, dissection 20% and oral examination (viva) 30%

Studies of ancient biomolecules will dominate all forms of bioarchaeological research over the next decade. This module is principally targeted at osteoarchaeologists, with a focus on the analysis of skeletal materials, but will more broadly appeal to anyone who is likely to encounter biomolecular data sets in the course of their research or professional career. The series of lectures will describe how biomolecules are preserved, extracted and analysed from ancient skeletal tissues in order to complement and enhance information gained from macro to microscopic techniques.

This module is run via the Department of Archaeology at the University of York and subject to availability.

Tutor: Dr Nathan Wales
Term: Spring
Credits: 20
Assessment: Research essay (100%)

This module provides an overview of Geometric Morphometrics (GM). During the course the statistical tests in GM will be covered together with key multivariate morphometric methods for the study of covariations with form. Frequent examples will be presented using available GMM software and students will gain experience in using different software tools during the course of the practical sessions.

Tutor: Professor Paul O'Higgins
Term: Autumn
Credits: 5
Assessment: Laboratory workbook 100%

This module will provide you with the skills and knowledge for advanced virtual model creation. Each week builds on the previous, allowing you to develop a virtual reconstruction in relation to particular theme. Weekly topics include scan artifacts and effects, mirror imaging and transformations, warping and scaling, quantification and advanced visualisation and biomchanical modelling.

Tutor: Dr Laura Fitton
Term: Spring
Credits: 5
Assessment: Laboratory workbook 100%