This course provides an overview of the biomolecular techniques used by archaeologists and anthropologists to understand the past. These methods now form the basis for some of the highest impact research in our field. The course will explore the ethics of biomolecular research, and the principles underlying the main stable isotope, DNA, proteomic and lipid residue methods used within these fields. It will discuss how these are used to investigate questions about our past. For example, how stable isotopes have been used to understand early farming practices and how aDNA has revealed interbreeding between different species of hominins. Where possible students will be given the opportunity to visit laboratories at the ANU, and will be taught the fundamentals of data analysis. The course will focus on evaluating the quality of a dataset and whether it can answer specific archaeological/ anthropological questions.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. understand the principles underpinning the biomolecular techniques used by archaeologists and anthropologists;
2. explain how these methods are used to answer questions in archaeology and biological anthropology;
3. construct scientific hypotheses in archaeological/ anthropological biomolecular research;
4. critically assess whether published datasets can answer archaeological or anthropological research questions; and
5. communicate this critical assessment to the student's peer group.

Research-Led Teaching

This course is taught by experts in their fields in biomolecular analysis, both through lectures, guest lectures and lab visits. It gives students hands on experience, and the ability to interpret and critique these key methods in archaeological science.

Field Trips

N/A

Additional Course Costs

N/A

Examination Material or equipment

N/A

Required Resources

N/A

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying online, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction to Biomolecules and Biochemistry Basics	NA
2	Isotopes: Isotopes, earth systems and life cycles	Lab Practical: Stable isotopes and animal diet
3	Isotopes: Isotopes in Archaeology: Diet and environment	Analysis Session: Stable isotopes and animal diet
4	Isotopes: Isotopes in Archaeology: Studying mobility	Assessment: Poster and Poster Presentation
5	DNA: Intro to DNA and aDNA	Lab Practical: mtDNA
6	DNA: Ethics and Archaeological Interpretations	Analysis Session: mtDNA
7	DNA: DNA and the Peopling of Wallacea and Sahul	Assessment: Poster and Poster Presentation
8	Proteomics: Proteomics and Archaeology	Lab Visit: Joint Mass Spectrometry Facility
9	Proteomics: ZooMS	Assessment: Poster and Poster Presentation
10	Lipids: Lipids Analysis and Archaeology	Lab Visit: Geochemistry Lab
11	Lipids: Doing Lipid Analysis	Assessment: Poster and Poster Presentation
12	Consolidation	Assessment: In-class Quiz

Tutorial Registration

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.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Poster	20 %	1,2,3,4
Poster Presentation and Discussion	15 %	1,2,3,4,5
In-class Quiz	30 %	1,2
Research Essay	35 %	1,2,3,4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Canvas’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

NA

Examination(s)

NA

Assessment Task 1

Poster

Assessment Task 1: Poster (20%)

The Poster is due at the beginning of class on: Thursday 14th August; Thursday 18th September; Thursday 2nd October; and, Thursday 16th October, depending on which topic you choose.

 

Choose from one of the papers listed below. Make a scientific poster for your chosen paper, which both communicates the published research, and critically evaluates the researchers’ approach and interpretation. Your poster should include the following sections:

· Aim

· Methods

· Results and interpretation

· Discussion

The first three sections of your poster (Aims, Methods, Results and interpretation) should clearly communicate the research published in your chosen paper.

The Discussion section of your poster should be used to critically evaluate the paper, presenting its strength and weaknesses, and suggesting avenues for future research. It may help to ask the following questions when critically evaluating your chosen paper:

· What is the scale of the study?

· How do the methods relate to the research question?

· Is the dataset sufficient to address the study’s aims?

· What do we know now that we did not know before?

· Is the interpretation justified, or are there other ways to interpret the data?

· What else could have been done to better/further answer the aim(s)?

Use a PowerPoint (PPT) template (https://www.posternerd.com/sciposters-templates) to create your poster (your PPT slide should be 48x36, using either portrait or landscape form). Posters will NOT be printed but presented as a PPT slide in class.

Assessment Task 2

Poster Presentation and Discussion

Assessment Task 2: Poster Presentation and Discussion (15%)

The Poster Presentations will be held in class on: Thursday 14th August; Thursday 18th September; Thursday 2nd October; and, Thursday 16th October, depending on which topic you choose.

 

Your Poster Presentation and Discussion will be 15 mins long, with ~10 mins for presenting and ~5 mins for questions. Present your Poster explaining the Aims, Methods, Results and interpretation, and Discussion of your chosen paper (see above). You will be marked on both your presentation, your ability to field questions, and your engagement and contributions in leading and participating in the discussions following other presentations.

Assessment Task 3

In-class Quiz

Assessment Task 3: In-class Quiz (30%)

The In-class Quiz will be held in-class on Tuesday 21st October at 11am. You will have 60 mins to complete it. The quiz will consist of 20 multiple choice questions, and 5 short answer questions. The material examined will come directly from the Lectures and Tutorials, and will assess your knowledge of the four biomolecular methods.

Assessment Task 4

Research Essay

Assessment Task 4: Research Essay (35%)

Your research essay is due Friday 31st October 5pm.

           

Your research essay should address the role of recent archaeological biomolecular studies in answering archaeological or anthropological research questions.

 

Question: For one of the following papers, how have recent biomolecular studies contributed to illuminating the original theme or research question? Your answer must contain evidence from at least three different recent biomolecular studies (published since 2010), with an assessment of the merits (strengths and weaknesses) of these contributions to the theme or research question.

Papers:

· Richards, M. P., Pettitt, P. B., Trinkaus, E., Smith, F. H., Paunovic, M., & Karavanic, I. (2000). Neanderthal diet at Vindija and Neanderthal predation: the evidence from stable isotopes. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science USA, 97(13), 7663-7666. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.120178997

· Sherratt, A. (1983). The secondary exploitation of animals in the Old World. 15(1), 90-104. https://doi.org/10.1080/00438243.1983.9979887

· Allen, W. L., & Richardson III, J. B. (1971). The reconstruction of kinship from archaeological data: The concepts, the methods, and the feasibility. American Antiquity, 36, 41-53. https://doi.org/10.2307/278021

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Accessibility for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students