Academic Catalogs

ANTH A185L: Biological Anthropology Laboratory

Course Outline of Record
Item Value
Eff Term Fall 2026
Curriculum Committee Approval Date 11/12/2025
Top Code 220200 - Anthropology
Units 1 Total Units (;  Lab/Other Units 1)
Hours 54 Total Hours (Lab Hours 54)
Total Outside of Class Hours 0
Total Student Learning Hours 54
Course Credit Status Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee No
Basic Skills Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable No
Open Entry/Open Exit No
Grading Policy Standard Letter (S), 
  • Pass/No Pass (B)
Associate Arts Local General Education (GE)
  • Area 5 Physical and Biological Sciences, Scientific Inquiry, Life Science (OB)
Associate Science Local General Education (GE)
  • Area 5 Physical and Biological Sciences, Scientific Inquiry, Life (OSB)
California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC)
  • Cal-GETC 5C Laboratory Activity (5C)
Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)
  • IGETC 5C Laboratory Activity (5C)
California State University General Education Breadth (CSU GE-Breadth)
  • CSU B3 Laboratory Activity (B3)

Course Description

Formerly: ANTH A185L. Part 1: In this laboratory course, students investigate the anatomy, genetics, behavior, variation, and evolution of humans and other primates. Students apply the scientific method and use interactive exercises in this course supplement to the Introduction to Biological Anthropology lecture course. Part 2: Laboratory exercises are designed to introduce students to the scientific method and explore genetics, human variation, human and non-human primate anatomy and behavior, the primate/hominin fossil record and other resources to investigate processes that affect human evolution. PREREQUISITE: ANTH C1001 or ANTH C1001H, or concurrent enrollment. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC. C-ID: ANTH 115 L.C-ID: ANTH 115 L.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

  1. Apply key concepts (e.g., genetic, evolutionary theory, etc..) to explain human biological variation and adaptations.
  2. Utilize evolutionary theory and fossil evidence to explain human evolution.
  3. Demonstrate methods and techniques used when analyzing fossil and skeletal remains.

Course Objectives

  • 1. Demonstrate an understanding of the scientific method and an ability to interpret data to arrive at reasoned conclusions.
  • 2. Describe the principles of human inheritance, genetics, and evolutionary processes.
  • 3. Identify and compare primate and hominin species in terms of their osteological, morphological, and/or behavioral adaptations.
  • Part 2: Local Objectives
  • 1. Apply the scientific method.
  • 2. Identify the mechanisms of evolution and the outcomes of these processes.
  • 3. Describe basic concepts of genetics (structure and function of DNA and RNA).
  • 4. Demonstrate inheritance of traits using human examples.
  • 5. Identify anatomical features of various nonhuman primate groups.
  • 6. Describe behavioral patterns observed in nonhuman primates groups.
  • 7. Compare the morphology of primates and early hominins from the genus Australopithecus and Homo.
  • 8. Compare the morphology of hominin fossils in the genus Homo.
  • 9. Identify defining features of anatomically modern humans.
  • 10. Describe the behavioral adaptations of the genus Homo.
  • 11. Identify basic techniques used in Forensic Anthropology.

Lab Content

Part 1

Utilize laboratory activities related to lecture content in ANTH C1001. Laboratory activities will include but are not limited to:
1. Application of the scientific method
2. Investigation of cellular biology and DNA
3. Examination of the inheritance of human traits
4. Exploration of evolutionary mechanisms
5. Investigation of human osteology and forensic anthropological methods
6. Comparative analysis of anatomical and behavioral traits of non-human primates
7. Comparative analysis of hominin fossils
8. Analysis of evidence for hominin evolution
9. Investigation into human biological variation

Part 2

  1. Application of scientific methods
  2. Investigation of cell biology
  3. Solve genetics problems using principles of inheritance
  4. Exploration of evolutionary mechanisms
  5. Identify the major bones of the human skeleton
  6. Use forensic and anthropometric basic methods and techinques to analyze skeletal remains
  7. Observe nonhuman primates to compare behavioral patterns.
  8. Compare anatomical traits of non-human primates groups
  9. Identify and compare key features of fossil hominins.
  10. Explore morphological trends in human evolution
  11. Explore evidence of behavior traits that emerge in human evolution
  12. Investigation into modern human variation and bio-cultural adaptations

Method(s) of Instruction

  • Lab (04)
  • DE Live Online Lab (04S)
  • DE Online Lab (04X)

Instructional Techniques

Audio and/or Visual Presentations (Power points, videos, animations, 3D images, etc...) used to help deliver content, techniques, and methodology Demonstrate measuring techniques Collaborative Group Work Skill-building Exercises Small group or directed class activities and discussions. Feedback provided verbally or in writing for lab activities.

Reading Assignments

Students may spend 1 hour per week reading the assigned text to prepare for the week s lab activity.

Writing Assignments

Students may spend 1 hour per week writing responses for the lab activities.

Out-of-class Assignments

Students may spend 1 hour per week reviewing lab notes and activities and practicing measuring techniques in preparation for lab examinations. This occurs during lab hours.

Study Non-Contact Hours Recommended

0

Methods of Student Evaluation

  • Midterm Exam
  • Final Exam
  • Short Quizzes
  • Written Assignments
  • Essay Examinations
  • Objective Examinations
  • Report
  • Projects (Individual/Group)
  • Problem Solving Exercises
  • Skills Demonstration

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

Students may use evolutionary theory to explain human variation. Students may compare hominin fossils to investigate trends that occurred in human evolution.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Students may participate in small group discussions and complete lab activities to solve genetics problems. Students may demonstrate basic techniques used to analyze skeletal remains and complete a written report outlining their findings.

Resources Subscreen

  • Manual: Shook, B., Braff, L., Nelson, K., & Aguilera, K. (Eds.). Explorations Biological Anthropology Lab and Activities Manual. 1st ed.. LibreTexts / American Anthropological Association. (2021).
  • Open Education Resource: Taylor-Hill, L.. Calculations and Palpations: An Open Invitation to Biological Anthropology Laboratory.. (2025).
  • Manual: Soluri, K. E., & Agarwal, S. C.. Laboratory Manual and Workbook for Biological Anthropology. 2nd ed.. Norton (2019).
  • Manual: Hens, S.. Method and Practice in Biological Anthropology: A Workbook and Lab Manual for Introductory Courses. 2nd ed.. Pearson (2022).
  • Manual: Walker-Pacheco, S.. Exploring Physical Anthropology: A Lab Manual and Workbook. 4th ed.. Morton (2022).
  • Other: . . ().

Eligible Discipline(s)

  • Anthropology: Master’s degree in anthropology or archaeology OR bachelor’s degree in either of the above AND master’s degree in sociology, biological sciences, forensic sciences, genetics or paleontology OR the equivalent. Master's degree required.