Course Form
I. Summary of Proposed Changes
Dept / Program
Anthropology
Prefix and Course #
Course Title
Introduction to Physical Anthropology Lab
Short Title (max. 26 characters incl. spaces)
Intro Phys Anth Lab
Summarize the change(s) proposed
New course
II. Endorsement/Approvals
Complete the form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office
Please type / print name Signature
Requestor:
Ashley McKeown
Phone/ email :
2145
ashley.mckeown@umontana.edu
Program Chair/Director: John Douglas
Other affected programs
Dean:
ANTH 215
Date
Christopher Comer
Are other departments/programs affected by this
Please obtain signature(s) from the
modification because of
Chair/Director of any such department/
(a) required courses incl. prerequisites or corequisites,
program (above) before submission
(b) perceived overlap in content areas
(c) cross-listing of coursework
III: To Add a New Course Syllabus and assessment information is required (paste syllabus into
section V or attach). Course should have internal coherence and clear focus.
NO
Common Course Numbering Review: Does an equivalent course exist elsewhere YES
X
in the MUS? Do the proposed abbreviation, number, title and credits align with
existing course(s)? Please indicate equivalent course/campus 
http://mus.edu/transfer/CCN/ccn_default.asp
Exact entry to appear in the next catalog (Specify course abbreviation, level, number, title, credits,
repeatability (if applicable), frequency of offering, prerequisites, and a brief description.) 
ANTH 215 Introduction to Physical Anthropology Lab 1cr. Coreq ANTH 210N. Offered
autumn. This lab course allows students to more deeply explore the concepts and materials covered
in Introduction to Physical Anthropology. Students will engage in lab based activities involving
human genetics and processes of evolution, biology and behavior of non-human primates, human
evolution, and modern human adaptation and variation.
Justification: How does the course fit with the existing curriculum? Why is it needed?
This course will provide a Natural Science Lab course that will be taken in conjunction with Anth
210N Introduction to Physical Anthropology. This lab (Anth 215) will allow students to explore the
concepts and materials discussed in Anth 210 in a lab setting which will reinforce the information
covered in the large lecture section and satisfy the General Education Natural Science lab
requirements. Anth 210N Introduction to Physical Anthropology introduces the major subfields of
physical anthropology, including human genetics and processes of evolution, biology and behavior
of non-human primates, human evolution, and modern human adaptation and variation. As
Anth210N provides students with information regarding the biological history and current condition
of Homo sapiens within a biocultural and evolutionary framework, the lab section (Anth 215) will
allow students to acquire a deeper understanding through hands on applications, hypothesis
generation and testing, and the production of scientific reports.
Are there curricular adjustments to accommodate teaching this course?
No, I will absorb this 1cr increase in my teaching load.
Complete for UG courses. (UG courses should be assigned a 400 number).
Describe graduate increment (Reference guidelines: http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/Grad/UG.htm)
Fees may be requested only for courses meeting specific conditions determined by the
Board of Regents. Please indicate whether this course will be considered for a fee.
If YES, what is the proposed amount of the fee?
Justification:
IV. To Delete or Change an Existing Course – check X all that apply
Deletion
Title
Course Number
From:
Level U, UG, G
Change
To:
Description Change
Change in Credits
From:
To:
Prerequisites
1. Current course information at it appears in catalog
(http://www.umt.edu/catalog) 
YES
NO
X
From:
To:
Repeatability
Cross Listing
(primary program
initiates form)
Is there a fee associated with the course?
2. Full and exact entry (as proposed) 
3. If cross-listed course: secondary program & course
number
4. Is this a course with MUS Common Course Numbering? If yes, then will this change eliminate the
course’s common course status? Please explain below.
5. Graduate increment if level of course is changed to UG.
Reference guidelines at:
http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/Grad/UG.htm
(syllabus required in section V)
Have you reviewed the graduate increment
guidelines? Please check (X) space provided.
6. Other programs affected by the change
7. Justification for proposed change
V. Syllabus/Assessment Information
Required for new courses and course change from U to UG. Paste syllabus in field below or attach and send
digital copy with form.
ANTH 215 PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY LAB
co-requisite Anth 210N Introduction to Physical Anthropology
COURSE INFORMATION
Professor Ashley McKeown
Office: 225 Social Science Bldg
Office Hours: MWF 10:00 - 11:00 am and by appointment
Office Phone: 243-2145
Email: ashley.mckeown@umontana.edu
Teaching Assistant:
Phone: 243-5865 (leave message)
Office: 254a Social Sciences Bldg
Email:
Lab section meets once a week for 1 class period (day and time TBA)
Required Text: Hens, Samantha (2008) Method and Practice in Biological Anthropology: A
workbook and laboratory manual for introductory courses. Pearson/Prentice Hall.
COURSE GOALS AND PURPOSE
This lab course allows students to more deeply explore the concepts and materials covered in the corequisite large lecture section (Anth 210N). Students will engage in lab based activities involving
human genetics and processes of evolution, biology and behavior of non-human primates, human
evolution, and modern human adaptation and variation.
Upon successful completion of this course, you will
! understand the scientific method and how it is applied in physical anthropology
! understand the theoretical foundations of physical anthropology
! be able to produce a scientific report with the appropriate sections and content
! understand the principles of human genetics and the process and mechanisms of evolution
! be able to observe and evaluate data regarding the biology and behavior of non-human primates
! be able to observe and evaluate data regarding human evolution and modern human adaptation
and variation
COURSE STRUCTURE AND GRADING
There are 14 lab sessions each with an in-lab exercise and an assignment that is due the following
lab meeting. It is expected that you will attend and participate in the lab exercise and submit
assignments from all 14 labs; nevertheless your final grade will be based on performance on your
best 12 lab exercises and 12 assignments. The grading structure is as follows:
Item
Lab exercises (12 total)
Lab assignments (12 total)
Value
Total Points Possible
25 points each 300 points
25 points each
300 points
600 points
LAB SCHEDULE AND READINGS
Meeting
Lab 1 (date) The scientific method in Physical Anthropology
Chap 1
Lab exercise: Based on empirical observation, class will develop a hypothesis and a way to test the
hypothesis. Class will develop a protocol for data collection that can be used to test
the hypothesis.
Assignment: Student will randomly choose 10 individuals to anonymously collect data necessary
for hypothesis testing. Sealed data collection forms will be returned to Prof.
McKeown before next lab meeting.
Lab 2 (date) Hypothesis testing, theory building and analytic uncertainty Chap 1
Lab exercise: Using data from anonymous survey, hypothesis from Lab 1 will be tested by
presenting data frequencies/distributions and statistical tests for significance. The
issue of analytical uncertainty will be discussed.
Assignment: Student will produce a report on the study from Labs 1 & 2 including the following
sections: Introduction, Rationale for Study, Research Design, Results and
Conclusions.
Lab 3 (date) Human Genetics
Chaps 2 & 3
Lab Exercise: Anonymously collected phenotypic data for Mendelian traits (ear wax consistency,
tongue rolling, etc.) and published pedigree data will be used to illustrate patterns of
genetic inheritance in humans.
Assignment: Each student will be assigned a particular phenotype and will produce a short report
on the genetics of the trait, the phenotypic expressions, distribution in human
populations, and possible reasons (evolutionary and/or cultural) for the observed
distribution.
Lab 4 (date) Population Genetics and Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium
Chap 5
Lab Exercise: Use genetic data to demonstrate the use of HWE for assessing change in allele
frequencies at a locus. Use a chi-square test to assess results.
Assignment: In light of lab exercise, student will prepare a short report on the factors that could
have caused deviation from HWE for a particular allele system.
Lab 5 (date) Experiments in Evolution
Chap 5
Lab Exercise: A simulation program (such as Micro 3.0) will be used to illustrate how the forces of
evolution can affect allele frequencies over time as well as within and between
populations. Students will participate by proposing parameters such as starting allele
frequencies, effective population size, rates of mutation and/or gene flow, and
genotype fitness.
Assignment: Student will prepare a report on the ‘experiments in evolution’ for each of the
evolutionary forces.
Lab 6 (date) Human Variation: Anthropometrics and Dermatoglyphics
Chap 9
Lab Exercise: Class will develop hypotheses regarding variation in anthropometric and
dermatoglyphics based on empirical observation of the class. Students will then
construct data sets using each other as subjects.
Assignment: Analyze data from class data set (frequency tables/distributions) and generate a
scientific report of study.
Lab 7 (date) Human Variation: Blood Type and Lactose Intolerance
Chap 4
Lab exercise: Use data previously collected via anonymous survey and published data, students
will look at the distribution of these traits among UM students and on a world wide
level. Reasons for the modern distribution of these traits will be discussed.
Assignment: Student will prepare a report on the class findings.
Lab 8 (date) Human Variation: Race
Chap 9
Lab exercise: Observe anonymous individuals from across planet (via images) and try to evaluate
for presence or absence of “racial” traits. In small groups try to create racial
categories based on phenotypic and genetic data; then compare ‘racial categories’
developed by each group. The geographic origin of each individual observed will
then be revealed.
Assignment: Student will report on class findings and discuss why there was lack of agreement
among the racial classification schemes of the class groups and why the assigned
“race” of particular individuals observed does not match their geographic origin.
Lab 9 (date) Primate Osteology
Chaps 6, 7, 8
Lab exercise: Using skeletal specimens, student will learn hands-on skeletal anatomy of human and
non-human primate.
Assignment: Write report on similarities and differences in human and non-human primate skeletal
anatomy.
Lab 10 (date) Non-human Primates
Chaps 10, 11
Lab exercise: Using skeletal specimens, students will observe the morphological variation among
non-primates, prosimians, monkeys and apes. Morphological variables will be
observed on each group and used to discuss phylogeny and adaptations.
Assignment: Student will prepare report on data observed and findings.
Lab 11 (date) Early Hominins
Chap13
Lab exercise: Using fossil casts, students will observe morphological traits and patterns among the
australopithecines. Class will develop hypotheses regarding phylogeny and
adaptations based on empirical observations. Morphological variables will be
observed on each specimen and the hypothesis tested.
Assignment: Student will prepare report on data observed and findings.
Lab 12 (date) Early Homo
Chap 14
Lab exercise: Using fossil casts, students will observe morphological traits and patterns among the
genera of early Homo. Class will develop hypotheses regarding phylogeny and
adaptations based on empirical observations. Morphological variables will be
observed on each specimen and the hypothesis tested.
Assignment: Student will prepare report on data observed and findings.
Lab 13 (date) Modern Human Origins
Chap 15
Lab exercise: Using fossil casts, students will observe morphological traits and patterns among
early Homo.sapiens (archaic, Neandertal, and anatomically modern). Morphological
variables will be observed on each specimen to evaluate the three major theories
about modern human origins.
Assignment: Student will prepare report on data observed and discuss which theory is best
supported by the morphological evidence.
Lab 14 (date) Forensic Anthropology
Chap 9
Lab exercise: Using skeletal specimens, methods for estimating biological parameters necessary for
a biological profile will be described. Student will estimate sex, age, ancestry and
stature for a series of skeletal specimens.
Assignment: Student will prepare a report on the estimation process and results.
VI Department Summary (Required if several forms are submitted) In a separate document list course
number, title, and proposed change for all proposals.
VII Copies and Electronic Submission. After approval, submit original, one copy, summary of
proposals and electronic file to the Faculty Senate Office, UH 221, camie.foos@mso.umt.edu.
Revised 11-2009