Description

Evolutionary thinking provides useful new insights into the origins of diseases and contemporary health problems. This course will explore the applications of the tools and concepts of evolutionary biology to human health and health related behaviour. Incorporating examples from the lecturer’s ongoing research on BaYakahunter-gatherers living in the Northern rainforests of Congo and current health problems, we will cover a range of topics including:

Evolution and human-microbe interactions
	Hunter-gatherers as models in public health
	Diet, exercise, evolutionary mismatches and non-communicable diseases
	Life-history theory and reproductive health
	Evolutionary perspectives on mental health and wellbeing
	Cultural evolution and health-related behaviour
	Applied evolutionary medicine: future of medicine and how evolutionary thinking can be applied to current health problems (preventative medicine for mental health and NCDs, individualized medicine, slowing aging, hormonal contraception design, cancer therapy, infectious outbreaks (e.g. COVID-19), evolutionary behaviour change (e.g. vaccine hesitancy) etc.).
The course will encourage students to gather and combine information from disciplines as diverse as evolutionary biology, anthropology, immunobiology, public health, psychology, and psychiatry, actively participate in discussions, and develop their own ideas.

 

Learning Outcomes for UG and PG students

After taking this module you should be able to:

describe key evolutionary concepts and theories;
	apply these concepts and theories to answer questions on our physical and mental health, and health related behaviour;
	be familiar with biological anthropology research on the health of small-scale populations, especially modern hunter-gatherers;
	gather, combine and critically assess information from disciplines as diverse as evolutionary biology; anthropology, immunobiology, public health and psychology;
In addition, PG students will have the following learning outcomes:

actively participate in discussions, and develop your own research questions and hypotheses; have experience in giving a presentation of your chosen topic;
	get a hands-on experience in writing a research proposal for a potential PhD project.
	develop group communication skills by discussing complex topics with peers
	develop time management skills and ability to learn independently
 

Delivery Method

UG: One 2 hour lecture and 1 hour tutorial per week.

PG: One 2 hour lecture and 2 hour seminar discussion per week.

 