Exploring Genetics & Evolution Through Physical Anthropology

What you'll learn

basic genetics, including: cells, DNA, chromosomes, meiosis, and mitosis
basic Mendelian genetics, including: homozygous, heterozygous, dominant, recessive, and sex-linked inheritance
how to create Punnet Squares and family pedigree charts
basic Non-Mendelian genetics, including: polygenic, pleiotropy, and mitochondrial inheritance
the history of evolutionary thought
microevolution, including: natural selection, mutation, gene flow, genetic drift, and founder effect
macroevolution, including: the concept of species, speciation, and the Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium

Description

Did we really evolve from monkeys? Isn’t evolution “just” a theory? Does believing in evolution mean there is no God?

The answer to all three of these questions is NO!!

Evolution. It’s such a hot topic! But do you really know what evolution is, and what it means? Take this course and find out what evolution really is, and how it works!

This is an introductory Physical/Biological Anthropology course focusing on genetics & evolution. It is actually TWO classes in one—you will learn both genetics and evolution! So, why is half the course about genetics? Well, to really understand evolution and the way it works, you HAVE to understand some genetics. In this course, I’m assuming that you don’t have any background in science, so I’ll teach you everything you need to know.

Please note: this course does not focus on proving evolution. If you are against the idea of evolution and don’t want to learn about it, then this course is not for you. But if you’re curious about evolution and how it works, then enroll in this course!

Here is what you’ll learn in each unit:

Unit 1: What Physical Anthropology is & the Scientific Method

Unit 2: Introduction to genetics: the cell, DNA, chromosomes, mitosis, & meiosis

Unit 3: Mendelian genetics: homozygous, heterozygous, dominant, recessive, sex-linked, Punnett Squares, & family pedigree charts

Unit 4: Non-Mendelian genetics: polygenic, mitochondrial inheritance, & pleiotropy

Unit 5: The history of evolutionary thought, Charles Darwin, & natural selection

Unit 6: Microevolution: mutation, gene flow, genetic drift, & founder effect

Unit 7: Macroevolution: species, speciation, gradualism, punctuated equilibrium, & the Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium

Unit 8: Real-World Connections, & Be Like an Anthropologist Activity

In this course, you will watch a combination of talking head videos and Powerpoint lectures. Lectures are followed by an article to read, a video to watch, and a short activity to do, to help you understand the concepts further. The activities don't need to be turned in, they are just to help you explore the course content. Then, at the end of each unit, there is a short quiz. At the end of the course, there is a final assignment where you can go out "in the field” to collect data and be like an Anthropologist!

Who this course is for:

someone who knows nothing (or only a little) about Anthropology, and wants to learn
someone who is taking a college Anthropology class and wants more information
someone who is interested in genetics and evolution