Human Evolutionary Biology 2025
Teaching Unit HAB910B | 2 ECTS
UE proposed to M2 DARWIN students and PhD students
Prerequisite: the basics of evolutionary biology
Managers: Michel Raymond and Alexandra Alvergne
About the module
This module is an introduction to human evolutionary biology. The concepts presented allow us to take a different look at human behavior, offering explanations based on proven theoretical foundations. Human evolutionary biology, the extension of evolutionary biology to the human species, is relatively recent. In France, human sciences and biology are taught in separate universities, and the institutions governing these scientific fields are also distinct. But this separation has no scientific basis. Man is an animal, and biological aspects cannot be ignored. He is also a social animal, with a developed culture: cultural aspects are obviously paramount. But biological and cultural aspects are in constant interaction: it's only by considering both simultaneously that we can make progress in understanding human behavior. Human evolutionary biology involves using the tools and concepts of evolutionary biology to understand the adaptations present in the human species, whether genetic or cultural. It thus proposes a general framework to explain human behavior.
| Type | Schedule | Stakeholders | Theme | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, September 25 | 9h45-11h15 (1h30) | Michel Raymond | Introduction to Human Evolutionary Biology | TD12.05 |
| Thursday, September 25 | 11h30-13h00 (1h30) | Alexandra Alvergne | Evolutionary Medicine and Public Health | TD12.05 |
| Thursday, September 25 | 3:00-4:30 pm (1h30) | Max Derex | Cultural evolution | TD35.1.13 |
| Thursday, September 25 | 16h45-18h15 (1h30) | Jean-Baptiste André | Cooperative development | TD36.417 |
| Thursday, October 2 | 9h45-11h15 (1h30) | Allowen Evin | Long-term trends in domestic species | TD12.05 |
| Thursday, October 2 | 11h30-13h00 (1h30) | Elise Huchard | Socio-Ecology of Primates | TD12.05 |
| Thursday, October 2 | 3:00-4:30 pm (1h30) | Claire Berticat | Food evolution | TD12.05 |
| Thursday, October 2 | 16h45-18h15 (1h30) | Mélissa Barkat-Defradas | Language evolution | TD12.05 |
| Thursday, October 9 | 9h45-11h15 (1h30) | Charlotte Faurie | Childbirth trends and practices | TD12.05 |
| Thursday, October 9 | 11h30-13h00 (1h30) | Alex Alvergne | Reproductive Ecology | TD35.1.13 |
| Thursday, October 9 | 3:00-4:30 pm (1h30) | Denis Pierron | Genetics and Micro-Evolution of Human Populations | TD12.05 |
| Thursday, October 9 | 16h45-18h15 (1h30) | Olivier Morin | TBC | TD12.05 |
The exam takes place in class and lasts 3 hours. The day and time will be announced shortly.
- First part | written: 10 course questions (1.30 h)
- Part 2 : Oral presentation of articles (1.30 h)
Students form groups (of 2 or 3) and choose 2 articles corresponding to a theme from the list proposed here.
Each oral presentation (to be made with power point or equivalent) lasts 20 min: 10 min presentation followed by 10 min questions. The aim is to briefly and clearly present the articles (scientific background, question(s), hypothesis(es), methods, results, conclusion) to the class. The form is relatively free. The questions we (and the class) ask you will assess your understanding/analysis of the papers. It is possible to work on a different theme. You will need to contact Alex Alvergne(alexandra.alvergne-at-umontpellier.fr) or Charlotte Faurie(charlotte.faurie-at-umontpellier.fr) beforehand to check that the articles chosen are appropriate.
The courses will be made available in this folder (password given in class).