DPA 557 - Building Bones: Bone Development and Evolution

An overview of the evolution, development, and growth of the skeleton, with a focus on mammals, primates, and humans. Students will review fundamental bone biology concepts, then read and discuss classic and current research on the evolution of bone development and the developmental basis for specific evolutionary changes in bone morphology. While much bone biology research has been completed in animal models, this course specifically builds a foundation for students to understand and critique current studies on the evolution and development of primate and human skeletal morphology. Within this context, students independently complete a literature review of the potential developmental and genetic basis for evolutionarily relevant variation of a skeletal phenotype, then propose research to help test these hypothetical relationships.

3 credits

Prerequisite(s): Instructor Consent

Grading Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)