Mountain Laboratory of Anthropological Genetics

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Dr. Joanna Mountain's Course Offerings in Anthropological Sciences and Anthropological Genetics

2A. Introduction to Anthropological Sciences (Enroll in Human Biology 2A.) For more information, please visit the Human Biology Core home page for course-specific details or, for more general information, the Human Biology Program home page.
5 units, Aut 2002 (Durham, Mountain)

8. Introduction to Anthropological Genetics
Anthropological genetics and the extent, origins, and impact of variation among human genomes. A virtual tour through the human genome. Processes that lead to modification of the genome. Genomes in human populations. The effects of culture and disease on genetic variation. Assessing variation among human genomes; reconstructing human history from current and ancient variation. The extent of correspondence between genomic variation and other measures of human diversity. The impact of knowledge of human genetic diversity. The future of human genetic diversity.
GER: 2a 5 units, Win 2003 (Degusta)

180. Human Evolutionary Genetics (Graduate students register for 280.)
The evolution of modern humans as inferred from available genetic data. Quantitative methods used to analyze mitochondrial DNA and allele frequencies. Inference of human migrations and expansion. Genetic support for models of the evolution of modern humans. Comparison of genetic data with archaeological and linguistic data. Emphasis is on critical reading of the literature. Prerequisite: 2A, 2B; or equivalents. Recommended: introductory statistics.
(HEF II, III) 4-5 units (Mountain) not given 2001-02

181. Genes and People through Time and Space
Exploration, through the use of computer modeling, of the parallels and interactions between human history, genes, and culture. When do we observe similarities between genetic and cultural patterns? What are the uses of models? Does greater complexity always improve a model? What are the advantages and disadvantages of simulation? Is it easier to predict genetic or cultural patterns? When do they influence one another? Students generate hypotheses, run simulations necessary to test these hypotheses, and analyze the output of the simulations. Prerequisites: 2A, 2B; or consent of instructor.
(HEF III, V) 5 units (Mountain) not given 2001-02

189. Research Methods in Anthropological Genetics (Graduate students register for 289.)
Practical training and experience in the molecular biology and data analysis techniques currently applied in anthropological genetics. Collection of samples; DNA extractions; polymerase chain reaction (PCR); gel electrophoresis; DNA sequencing. Basic techniques in the analysis of population genetic data. Prerequisites: 2A, 2B; or consent of instructor.
(HEF V) 5 units, Aut (Mountain)

230. Genetics and Modern Human Origins
Graduate seminar focusing on when and where modern humans originated. Did the most recent common ancestors of modern humans exist 1 million or 50,000 years ago? Where did they live, and what other hominid groups existed? Does the available genetic data enable us to distinguish between the competing theories of the origin of modern humans? What kinds of data are necessary for testing these hypotheses? How much can genetic data tell us about our origins? What is the impact of conclusions regarding our origins? Emphasis is on critical reading and discussion of recent literature.
5 units (Mountain) not given 2001-02

280. Human Evolutionary Genetics (Graduate section; see 180.)
4-5 units (Mountain) not given 2001-02

281. Genes and Human Behavior
Graduate seminar focusing on the extent to which genes have been linked to human behavior. The methods used for inferring a genetic basis of human behavior: primate studies; twin studies; medical research. Emphasis is on critical evaluation of research in this area.
5 units (Mountain) not given 2001-02

289. Research Methods in Anthropological Genetics (Graduate section; see 189.) 5 units, Aut (Mountain) 12

293. First-Year Paper/ M. A. Paper Writing Seminar
Provides students with assistance and guidance with first-year paper and masters thesis.
2-3 units, Win, Spr (Mountain)

Other Stanford University Courses Relevant to Anthropological Genetics

Modern Human Origins (Anthropological Sciences, Klein)
Linguistic Evolution (Anthropological Sciences, Ruhlen)
Theoretical Population Genetics (Biological Sciences, Feldman)
Molecular Evolution (Biological Sciences, Petrov)
Evolutionary Paleobiology (Biological Sciences, Hadly)
Computational Biology (Statistics, Holmes)
Theoretical Population Biology (Biological Sciences, Tuljapurkar)

For More Information

	Department of Anthropological Sciences, from the Stanford Bulletin (PDF)
	Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader