Biological anthropology is about understanding humans as organisms.
Biological anthropologists conduct research in the following fields:
What unites these diverse fields is not only a focus on the human species but also a strong emphasis on understanding human characteristics as a product of evolution.
Focuses include:
Biological anthropology is a 60 ECTS minor that can be taken alongside a 120 ECTS major in another subject. You must complete 180 ECTS to graduate with a BA/BS degree.
See more about majors and minors under ‘Helpful information’ at the bottom of this page.
The admission requirement for the major subject (120 ECTS) has to be fulfilled. After a year of studies students can register for the minor (60 ECTS).
60 ECTS credits have to be completed for the minor.
Check below to see how the programme is structured.
This programme does not offer specialisations.
The main topics of this course are descriptive statistics and exploratory data analysis. Measures of central tendency and spread will be covered as well as Pearson's correlation and simple linear regression. The use of graphs to display distributions and relationships is emphasised. Sampling designs, probability theory and sampling distributions are also addressed.
Distance learning is not an option for this course. Students are expected to attend all lectures.
Lectures: Mendelian inheritance. Sex chromosomes. Cytoplasmic inheritance. Chromosomes. Cell division (mitosis and meiosis). Life cycles. Linkage and recombination in eukaryotes. Bacterial genetics. Gene mapping and tetrad analysis. Genotype and phenotype. Chromosomal changes. DNA: Structure and replication. RNA: Transcription. Rgulation of gene transcription. Gene isolation and manipulation. Genomics. Transposons. Mutations. Repair and recombination. Model organisms. Laboratory work: : I. The fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster. II. Mitosis in onions. III. Plasmids and restriction enzymes. IV. PCR. V. Analysis of asci from Sordaria fimicola.
Exam: Laboratory and problems 25%, written 75%. Minimum mark needed for each part.
Introduction to the studies of human origin, the evolution of humans and their place in nature. Some aspects of human genetics are discussed. The prehistory of Homo Sapiens and the most important theories about human evolution and the living human groups are the central subject of the course, including a discussion of the Ice Age, the beginnings of cultivation and animal husbandry,the different living conditions in the world, the formation of cities and the beginning of states. The anthropology of Iceland also forms an important part of the course.
Lectures: Mendelian genetics, organization of the human genome, structure of chromosomes, chromosomal changes and syndromes, gene mapping via association and whole genome sequencing methods, genetic analysis, genetic screening, genetics of simple and complex traits, genes and environment, cancer genetics, gene therapy, human and primate evolution, ethical issues concerning human genetics, informed consent and private information. Students are expected to have prior knowledge of the principles genetics.
Practical: Analyses of genetic data, study of chromosomal labelling, analyses of genetic associations and transcriptomes.
Independent assignment.
At the beginning of the course some main statistical concepts are introduced, such as population, sample, variable and randomness. Various descriptive statistics are introduced, as well as basic graphical representations. Fundamentals of probability theory are introduced, as well as the most common probability distributions. The rest of the course deals with inferential statistics where hypotheses tests and confidence intervals for means, variance and proportions are covered as well a analysis of variance (ANOVA) and simple linear regression. Students will learn how to apply the above mentioned methods in the statistical software R.
Evolutionary biology: Darwin and evolution of the evolutionary theory. The tree of life, natural selection and adaptation. How evolution works: The origin of variation, the raw material for evolution. The genetical theory of natural selection. Evolution of phenotypic traits. Genetic drift: Evolution at random and in space. Species and speciation. Products of evolution: Conflict and cooperation. Life-history evolution. Coevolution among species. Evolution of genes and genomes. Evolution and development. Macroevolution and the history of life: Phylogeny, the history of life, geography of evolution and the evolution of biological diversity. Evolution above the species level. Human evolution and human society.
Please note, this course is a reading course only
This course deals in more detail with a subset of the topics covered in the course Introduction to Archaeology and Biological Anthropology. The geographical, ecological and social context of hominin evolution is explored. We examine contrasting hypotheses about the origin of anatomically modern humans, based on research in paleoanthropology and genetics. Particular attention is given to recent genetic studies that shed light on the origin and dispersal history of our species and its evolutionary relationships to other extant and extinct species. The topics covered include the isolation and analysis of DNA from ancient remains and studies in comparative linguistics and the light they can shed on human migration history. We review theories about the origin of culture and social behaviour and the extent to which the behaviour of humans is shaped by their evolutionary history.
Prehistory deals with the cultural history of humankind from the persepctive of material culture, from the first tools of around 2,5 million years ago up to the end of the Iron Age (c. 0-800 AD), i.e. the period for which there are no written sources. This course will cover the basic aspects of prehistory, including chronology and definitions of prehistoric society. In addition, the course will look at different aspects of prehistoric social life such as subsistence patterns, burial customs, craft and technology, trade and livelihood. Emphasis will be placed on human evolution in a global context and on later prehistoric Europe (c. 10.000 BC-800 AD). By the end of the course, the students will be expected to have collated a glossary of terms for prehistoric archaeology and understand the main outlines of prehistoric chronology and European prehistory.
Essay
Lectures: Mendelian inheritance. Sex chromosomes. Cytoplasmic inheritance. Chromosomes. Cell division (mitosis and meiosis). Life cycles. Linkage and recombination in eukaryotes. Bacterial genetics. Gene mapping and tetrad analysis. Genotype and phenotype. Chromosomal changes. DNA: Structure and replication. RNA: Transcription. Rgulation of gene transcription. Gene isolation and manipulation. Genomics. Transposons. Mutations. Repair and recombination. Model organisms. Laboratory work: : I. The fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster. II. Mitosis in onions. III. Plasmids and restriction enzymes. IV. PCR. V. Analysis of asci from Sordaria fimicola.
Exam: Laboratory and problems 25%, written 75%. Minimum mark needed for each part.
Introduction to the studies of human origin, the evolution of humans and their place in nature. Some aspects of human genetics are discussed. The prehistory of Homo Sapiens and the most important theories about human evolution and the living human groups are the central subject of the course, including a discussion of the Ice Age, the beginnings of cultivation and animal husbandry,the different living conditions in the world, the formation of cities and the beginning of states. The anthropology of Iceland also forms an important part of the course.
Lectures: Mendelian genetics, organization of the human genome, structure of chromosomes, chromosomal changes and syndromes, gene mapping via association and whole genome sequencing methods, genetic analysis, genetic screening, genetics of simple and complex traits, genes and environment, cancer genetics, gene therapy, human and primate evolution, ethical issues concerning human genetics, informed consent and private information. Students are expected to have prior knowledge of the principles genetics.
Practical: Analyses of genetic data, study of chromosomal labelling, analyses of genetic associations and transcriptomes.
Independent assignment.
At the beginning of the course some main statistical concepts are introduced, such as population, sample, variable and randomness. Various descriptive statistics are introduced, as well as basic graphical representations. Fundamentals of probability theory are introduced, as well as the most common probability distributions. The rest of the course deals with inferential statistics where hypotheses tests and confidence intervals for means, variance and proportions are covered as well a analysis of variance (ANOVA) and simple linear regression. Students will learn how to apply the above mentioned methods in the statistical software R.
Evolutionary biology: Darwin and evolution of the evolutionary theory. The tree of life, natural selection and adaptation. How evolution works: The origin of variation, the raw material for evolution. The genetical theory of natural selection. Evolution of phenotypic traits. Genetic drift: Evolution at random and in space. Species and speciation. Products of evolution: Conflict and cooperation. Life-history evolution. Coevolution among species. Evolution of genes and genomes. Evolution and development. Macroevolution and the history of life: Phylogeny, the history of life, geography of evolution and the evolution of biological diversity. Evolution above the species level. Human evolution and human society.
Please note, this course is a reading course only
This course deals in more detail with a subset of the topics covered in the course Introduction to Archaeology and Biological Anthropology. The geographical, ecological and social context of hominin evolution is explored. We examine contrasting hypotheses about the origin of anatomically modern humans, based on research in paleoanthropology and genetics. Particular attention is given to recent genetic studies that shed light on the origin and dispersal history of our species and its evolutionary relationships to other extant and extinct species. The topics covered include the isolation and analysis of DNA from ancient remains and studies in comparative linguistics and the light they can shed on human migration history. We review theories about the origin of culture and social behaviour and the extent to which the behaviour of humans is shaped by their evolutionary history.
Prehistory deals with the cultural history of humankind from the persepctive of material culture, from the first tools of around 2,5 million years ago up to the end of the Iron Age (c. 0-800 AD), i.e. the period for which there are no written sources. This course will cover the basic aspects of prehistory, including chronology and definitions of prehistoric society. In addition, the course will look at different aspects of prehistoric social life such as subsistence patterns, burial customs, craft and technology, trade and livelihood. Emphasis will be placed on human evolution in a global context and on later prehistoric Europe (c. 10.000 BC-800 AD). By the end of the course, the students will be expected to have collated a glossary of terms for prehistoric archaeology and understand the main outlines of prehistoric chronology and European prehistory.
Essay
Changes may occur for the autumn semester in August and September and for the spring semester in December and January. You will find your final timetable in Ugla when the studies start.
Note! This timetable is not suitable for planning your work schedule if you are a part-time employee.
The University of Iceland collaborates with over 400 universities worldwide. This provides a unique opportunity to pursue part of your studies at an international university thus gaining added experience and fresh insight into your field of study.
Students generally have the opportunity to join an exchange programme, internship, or summer courses. However, exchanges are always subject to faculty approval.
Students have the opportunity to have courses evaluated as part of their studies at the University of Iceland, so their stay does not have to affect the duration of their studies.
A degree in anthropology is an asset in any career requiring a thorough understanding of human diversity, the nature and significance of human relations and activity, and the biological characteristics and traits of our species.
An education in this area can open up opportunities in:
This list is not exhaustive.
What interests you?
Follow the path
If you still have questions, feel free to contact us.
The School office offers support to students and lecturers, providing guidance, counselling, and assistance with various matters.
You are welcome to drop by at the office in Gimli or you can book an online meeting in Teams with the staff.
