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Unit of study_

ANAT2009: Comparative Primate Anatomy

2025 unit information

This unit of student covers the musculo-skeletal anatomy of the human body with particular emphasis on human evolution and comparisons with apes and fossil hominids. The topics covered include the versatility of the human hand, in manipulation and locomotion, bipedalism, climbing and brachiation in apes, and the change in pelvic anatomy associated with bipedalism and obstetric consequences.

Unit details and rules

Managing faculty or University school:

Medicine and Health

Study level Undergraduate
Academic unit Department of Medical Sciences
Credit points 6
Prerequisites:
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6 credit points from BIOL1XXX or MEDS1X01 or PSYC1XXX or ARCA1XXX
Corequisites:
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None
Prohibitions:
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None
Assumed knowledge:
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A knowledge of human biology

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. To display your ability to think critically.
  • LO2. To identify human, ape and fossil bones, teeth and joints To identify detailed features on all bones covered.
  • LO3. To identify and classify the muscles covered (according to function) moving joints
  • LO4. To identify major structures of the brain
  • LO5. To use anatomical terminology to describe wet and dry specimens
  • LO6. To show an understanding of the theories of human evolution.
  • LO7. To consider the similarities and differences between the human and ape bones and joints and relate these to differences in forms of locomotion and in manipulation.
  • LO8. To list the major evolutionary changes in the upper limb, lower limb, vertebral column, skull and pelvis during hominin evolution
  • LO9. o discuss how the functions of bones and joints in fossil hominins might be interpreted from their structure
  • LO10. To use the above knowledge obtained to understand the unique physical adaptations of modern humans.
  • LO11. To encourage critical thinking - especially with regard to human origins

Unit availability

This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.

The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.

Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 2 2024
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 2 2025
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Outline unavailable
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 2 2020
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 2 2021
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 2 2021
Normal day Remote
Semester 2 2022
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 2 2022
Normal day Remote
Semester 2 2023
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

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Modes of attendance (MoA)

This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.