Learning objectives
<br /> <br />The aim of this course is to give the student the ability to: <br />- understand the mechanisms of biological evolution and the unity and diversity of life.<br />- Acquire a biological perspective to environmental, medical and social problems<br />- Appraise the implication of human evolution for the bio-medical research
Prerequisites
<br />basic knowledge of genetics and cellular biology
Course unit content
<br />Evolution. The Darwinian theory. Evidence from many fields validates the evolution theory. Evolution, consequences and adaptive significance of sexual reproduction. Sexual selection. The modern evolutionary synthesis. The Hardy-Weinberg Theorem. Microevolution and its causes. The origin of species. Macroevolution and Phylogeny.. Darwinian Medicine.<br />Evolution of Vertebrates. Chordate characteristics and the vertebrate genealogy. Vertebrate diversity and phylogeny: an overview. Evolutionary trends in Primates.<br />Human evolution. Early Anthropoids, Australopitecines and the genus Homo. Bipedal posture, brain and the masticatory apparatus in Hominids evolution. <br />Sociobiology. cooperation and conflicts in social interactions. Sociecology of parental cares in Primates. Imprinting and the concepte of critical periods in development. The Biological theory of Attachment by Bowlby
Full programme
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Bibliography
<br />Campbell N. Principi di Biologia. Zanichelli; oppure Purves et al., volumi vari, Zanichelli.<br />- Nesse RM, Williams G. Perchè ci ammaliamo. Einaudi<br />- CD-Rom: Human Evolution <br />http://biol.unipr.it/%7epalanza
Teaching methods
<br />classes and multimedial experiences<br />written and oral exam
Assessment methods and criteria
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Other information
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