This course offers students training in the anatomy of the human skeleton and techniques used in the individuation of skeletal remains. Students will learn a range of osteological techniques for estimating age-at-death, biological sex, stature, ‘health’ and behaviour from human skeletal remains. We will cover the development, form, and function of human hard tissues (bones and teeth). Through research case studies, laboratory exercises, and interactive in-class activities, students will critically interrogate topical issues in the field of human skeletal analysis; they will also reflect on ethical considerations surrounding the analysis and interpretation of human remains. Acquired skills will be of value to any students interested in skeletal studies including vertebrate biology, comparative skeletal anatomy, medicine, palaeontology, human and primate evolution, forensic sciences and archaeology.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- develop foundational practical skills in the identification and analysis of human skeletal tissues;
- describe the fundamentals of human skeletal growth and metabolic processes in a developmental and functional context;
- interpret skeletal data and communicate your findings;
- provide critical perspectives on topical issues in human skeletal analysis;
- develop an awareness of the diverse ways of engaging ethically with human remains through practice, reflection, and discussion.
Indicative Assessment
- 4 x online tests, 15 minutes each (10% each for a total of 40%) (40) [LO 1,2,3]
- 2 x critical reflections, 400 words each (10% each for a total of 20%) (20) [LO 4,5]
- Creative presentation (20) [LO 2,3,5]
- Hands-on practical test (20) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
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Workload
130 hours of total student learning time made up from:a) 36 hours of contact over 12 weeks: 18 hours of lectures and 18 hours of laboratory practicals; and
b) 94 hours of independent student research, reading and writing.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
White, TD, and Folkens, PA. 2005. The Human Bone Manual. San Diego, CA: Elsevier Academic Press. [Available in Library as an e book]
Minors
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $4680 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $6720 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2291 | 17 Feb 2025 | 24 Feb 2025 | 31 Mar 2025 | 23 May 2025 | In Person | View |