Graduate Study - Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences
3+2 Genetics and Bioengineering

Code Name Level Year Semester
GBE 520 Molecular Anthropology Graduate 1 Spring
Area Elective 6 3 150 English

Instructor Assistant Coordinator
Damir Marjanović, Prof. Dr. Prof. Dr. Damir Marjanovic Damir Marjanović, Prof. Dr.
[email protected] [email protected] no email

This course is introducing graduates to the concept of human and primate evolution through the study of genetic data, that is, DNA and proteins. Introductory lectures are dealing with the basic concepts in evolution, such as drift and selection, as well as with differences in genome structure and organization among primate taxa. The rest of the course is mainly based upon the study of primates, differences between them, and how they relate to human species on molecular level. The course is concluded with concise study of human population: its evolution, differentiation, and dispersal throughout the world.

The cognitive, affective and behavioral objectives of this course are following:
 Providing basic concepts of molecular anthropology.
 Explaining the evolution of primates in the molecular sense.
 Teaching the molecular systematic of the primates.

  1. What is molecular anthropology
  2. The human genome and its diversity. Discovering and assaying genome diversity
  3. Patterns and functional significance of differences in genomes across different primate taxa
  4. Genetic diversity: Drift, neutral theory, and molecular clock
  5. Genetic diversity: Selection
  6. Homology at the genetic level
  7. The fossil record of primate phylogeny
  9. Relationships among and between major groups based mainly on molecular data
  10. Investigating the adaptive significance of patterns of molecular diversity within and between primate taxa
  11. Molecular primatology: Examining kinship behavior, dispersal patterns, and social organization in wild primates using genetic data
  12. Conservation genetics: Applying molecular techniques to primate conservation biology
  13. The origin and dispersal patterns of human populations using genetic data
  14. Peopling of the Old World. Peopling of the Pacific and expansion into the New World
  15. Health implications: Genetic and infectious diseases


    • Interactive Lectures
    • Presentation
    • Discussions and group work
    Description (%)
    Method Quantity Percentage (%)
    Midterm Exam(s)130
    Class Deliverables130
    Final Exam140
    Total: 100
    Learning outcomes
    • Recall basic terminology in molecular anthropology
    • Explain evolution rates in primates
    • Clarify the molecular clock concept
    • Describe primate phyologeny
    • Illustrate the comparative aspects of DNA in higher primates
    • Goodman, M. (Ed.). (2012). Molecular anthropology: Genes and proteins in the evolutionary ascent of the primates (Vol. 62). Berlin: Springer Science & Business Media.

    ECTS (Allocated based on student) WORKLOAD
    Activities Quantity Duration (Hour) Total Work Load
    Lecture (14 weeks x Lecture hours per week)15345
    Laboratory / Practice (14 weeks x Laboratory/Practice hours per week)15230
    Midterm Examination (1 week)122
    Final Examination(1 week)122
    Preparation for Midterm Examination11010
    Preparation for Final Examination12020
    Assignment / Homework/ Project12121
    Seminar / Presentation12020
    Total Workload: 150
    ECTS Credit (Total workload/25): 6