Biological Anthropology

Introduction

The master's degree Biological Anthropology is intended to provide holders of degrees in experimental sciences and the humanities with up-to-date training in human biodiversity, its origin, evolution and the biomedical implications. The program responds to the growing demand for specialists in the area of human biology and physical anthropology, contributing knowledge and methodologies pertaining to this area of specialization and related areas (e.g., physiology, genetics, zoology, medicine, archaeology).

The program focuses primarily on research and offers students the opportunity both to collaborate with businesses working in this field and to complete their final project in collaboration with outside institutions. Students are offered two specializations: Physical and Forensic Anthropology, and Molecular Anthropology and Biomedical Applications.

These studies are aimed at people who are interested in the following areas:

• Forensic anthropology and the osteological and molecular techniques used in individual identification.
• Anthropology applied to archaeology, including taphonomy, demographics and the reconstruction of ancient populations.
• Human evolution, primatology and prehistory.
• Molecular anthropology.
• Biomedical applications of human molecular diversity in cytogenetics, complex diseases and genetic epidemiology.

This master's degree addresses all of these areas in an in-depth and interrelated manner. More than 50% of the content will be applied work in osteology, molecular biology and computer laboratories.

Learning objectives

The master's degree Human Biology has the following general objectives:

• To train scientists in the area of anthropology who can foster cross-disciplinary work between experimental sciences and the humanities.
• To provide and update knowledge for future professionals in the areas of human evolution, individual variation and human molecular diversity.
• To provide in-depth skills in the use of basic techniques and tools (laboratory and statistical) applied to anthropology.

In the pursuit of these general and specific objectives in each subject, students will acquire generic competences related to the biological and cultural mechanisms of human diversity and their relationship to the problems of our society and their resolution.