B200 is an introductory course in bioanthropology. It is required for
the undergraduate major in anthropology, and it is a prerequisite for
many advanced courses in bioanthropology. B200 carries NMNS credit
toward the COAS distribution requirements. You will NOT be able to
count this course toward the S & H requirement.

We recommend B301, a three credit lab course that also carries NMNS
credit, concurrent with or following B200 for anyone who plans a
career in anthropology.   In B200 we will survey the field of
bioanthropology,  emphasizing the ways in which ideas about human
evolution are tested using evidence from the fossil record, from
living prosimians, monkeys and apes, and from contemporary human
groups. There will be an emphasis on understanding the underlying
principles and science of evolution. Grades are based on two objective
exams (each worth 25% of the final grade), as well as several short
essays, laboratories and other hands-on activities, making up the
remainder of your grade (a total of 50%).

Exams and essay questions will be based on lectures, videos,
assignments from your textbook, and on short, article-length readings.
Our objective in the essay assignments is to build skills in reading
and assessing scientific articles. Labs will emphasize hands-on
experience with fossil casts and bones, analysis of research videotape
taken by primatologists observing wild chimpanzees, and observations
of physical and biochemical features of living humans. THERE WILL BE
NO MAKE-UP LABS. Exams are multiple choice. The exams are NOT
cumulative, and are similar in length and structure. Make-up exams are
short-answer in format. Please contact me before ANY exam you must miss.