Human Evolutionary Biology

Human Evolutionary Biology (HEB) addresses why humans and other primates are the way they are from an evolutionary perspective. In addition to providing a general foundation in human biology, HEB focuses on questions such as what selective forces acted on humans and other primates during their evolution, how genotypes and phenotypes are related, how environmental forces such as infectious disease and climate influenced human biology and evolution, how natural selection has affected social cognition and behavior, and what role culture has played in human evolution.

REQUIREMENTS 5 half-courses

1. Life Sciences 1b.
2. Four additional HEB courses. These include courses from one or more of the following categories, and may include courses cross-listed at the end of the Human Evolutionary Biology chapter of Courses of Instruction. One of these 4 courses can be a general course in organismic and evolutionary biology (e.g., OEB 53).
1. Human evolution (e.g., Science B-27)
2. Human anatomy/physiology (e.g., HEB 1420)
3. Human reproductive biology (e.g., HEB 1310)
4. Human/primate behavioral ecology (e.g., Science B-29)
5. Human genetics (e.g., HEB 1463)

OTHER INFORMATION

1. Freshman Seminars: One Freshman Seminar may be counted for the secondary field in HEB.
2. Study Abroad/Summer School: Study abroad and summer school courses will be counted with approval of the Head Tutor.
3. Pass/Fail: All courses must be taken for a letter grade, except relevant Freshman Seminars, which are graded SAT/UNS.

ADVISING RESOURCES AND EXPECTATIONS

Students interested in pursuing a secondary field in Human Evolutionary Biology should contact the one of the co-Head Tutors-Daniel Lieberman ( danlieb@fas.harvard.edu) and David Pilbeam (pilbeam@fas.harvard.edu)-or secondary field adviser Dr. Carole Hooven (hooven@fas.harvard.edu) for more information.