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Unit outline_

ANAT2009: Comparative Primate Anatomy

Semester 2, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

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

Academic unit Department of Medical Sciences
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
6 credit points from BIOL1XXX OR MEDS1X01 OR PSYC1XXX OR ARCA1XXX
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

A knowledge of human biology

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Denise Donlon, denise.donlon@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Paul Austin, paul.austin@sydney.edu.au
Richard Ward, richard.ward@sydney.edu.au
Denise Donlon, denise.donlon@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Jennifer Menzies, jennifer.menzies@sydney.edu.au
Joshua Holley, joshua.holley@sydney.edu.au
Sarah Croker, sarah.croker@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Practical exam
? 
Practical Exam
Spot test practical exam
40% Formal exam period 30 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3
Supervised exam
? 
Theory exam
Multiple choice and extended answers
30% Formal exam period 1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
Tutorial quiz Quiz 1
Multiple choice and short answer
10% Week 04 20 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
Tutorial quiz Quiz 2
Multiple choice and short answer
10% Week 07 20 mins
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
Tutorial quiz Quiz 3
multiple choice and short answer
10% Week 11 20 mins
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11

Assessment summary

2 final exams and 3 online semester quizzes

 

 

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Quizzes - 5% per day late

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 L1. Introduction to anatomy; L2. Introduction to primates: apes PRAC. Introduction to anatomy and apes Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
Week 02 L1. Human evolution 1: Australopithecines; L2. Human evolution 2: Homo PRAC. Australopithecines and Homo Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
Week 03 L1. The skull L2. Comparative anatomy and evolution of the skull PRAC. the skull Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
Week 04 L1. Neuroanatomy L2. Comparative neuroanatomy and brain PRAC. Neuroanatomy Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO9 LO10 LO11
Week 05 L1. Vertebral column and back muscles; L2. Comparative anatomy and evolution of the vertebral column PRAC. The Vertebral column Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
Week 06 L1. The pelvis; L2. Comparative anatomy and evolution of the pelvis PRAC. The pelvis Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
Week 07 L1. The Hip and Thigh; L2. Comparative anatomy and evolution of the hip and thigh PRAC. The Hip and Thigh Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
Week 08 L1. The knee and Leg; L2.Comparative anatomy and evolution of the knee and leg PRAC. The knee and leg Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
Week 09 Monday public holiday - no lectures . Tuesday - practice spot test Practical (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 10 L1. Anatomy of Ankle and Foot. L2. Comparative anatomy and evolution of the ankle and foot PRAC. The ankle and foot Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
Week 11 L1. Anatomy of Pectoral Girdle and Shoulder. L2. Comparative anatomy and evolution of pectoral girdle and shoulder. PRAC. Pectoral girdle and shoulder Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
Week 12 L1. Anatomy of Elbow and Forearm. L2. Comparative anatomy and evolution of elbow and forearm. PRAC. Elbow and forearm Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
Week 13 L1. Anatomy of Wrist and Hand L2. Comparative anatomy and evolution of wrist and hand. PRAC. Wrist and hand Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11

Attendance and class requirements

Students must attend at least 80% of practical classes

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Kapit, W. and Elson, L.M. 2013 The anatomy coloring book. 4th edition. Harper and Collins, New York.

 

All readings will be in the Canvas site

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

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

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Some unit learning outcomes have been added. All classes are in person

Site visit guidelines

Canvas site

Work, health and safety

Immunisations as required by their doctor.

Covered shoes and lab coat and gloves to be work in all practical classes.

Masks are recommended

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.