Anthropology, Bachelor of Science College of Letters & Science
Anthropology is the systematic study of humans. The student of anthropology learns about human biology, ecology, and social life—past & present—and gains a broad understanding of humans and societies. The Bachelor of Science degree in Anthropology is interdisciplinary in nature since it requires lower division coursework in math & science and upper division coursework in biological anthropology and closely related disciplines.
The Program
Evolutionary anthropologists are united by their common application of science and evolutionary theory to understand the behavior, ecology, history, and evolution of humans & non-human primates, as individuals and as societies. These topics may be approached through archaeology, human behavioral ecology, paleoanthropology, primatology, genetics, and conservation biology. Archaeology is the study of history or prehistory by analysis of a people's artifacts, or their material culture, with the goal of reconstructing culture history and human behavior. Human behavioral ecology is the study of how variation in ecology and social organization can help us understand variation in human behavior. Paleoanthropology is the study of human evolution through the fossil and archaeological records, drawing on relevant studies in biological anthropology, Paleolithic archaeology, genetics, and geology. Primatology is the study of behavior, ecology, and morphology of primates to address questions about the evolution and function of behavioral & morphological patterns in nonhuman primates and to test models of the origins of human morphology and behavior. Genetic anthropology uses DNA to address anthropological questions about population histories, migrations, mixing, and adaptations to local contexts. Conservation biology explores the causes of loss of biological diversity—in this department, it focuses on threatened non-human primates and the conservation of natural resources by a rapidly growing population. A Bachelor of Science degree, in addition to core evolutionary anthropology courses, includes the introductory sequences of biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, and calculus, as well as genetics and ecology.
Students are encouraged to gain practical experience through undergraduate research or internships performed for credit (under ANT 192, ANT 198, or ANT 199 units provided by the advising office). Students showing exceptional ability are welcome to seek permission from instructors to participate in graduate seminars offered by the department.
Career Opportunities
A Bachelor of Science degree in Anthropology combines a solid liberal arts education with training in the life and physical sciences. Through its interdisciplinary nature, a Bachelor of Science degree in Anthropology provides the educational background for careers in the biological sciences and a variety of health professions including pre-medical, pre-dental, and pre-veterinary, fields which increasingly need professionals with training in the social and behavioral sciences. In addition, students will be well prepared to enter fields such as medical or health anthropology, forensic sciences, museum studies, cultural resource management, and wildlife conservation. A Bachelor of Science degree in Anthropology with appropriate courses in education is good preparation for high school teaching in social, biological, and physical sciences. It also provides the foundation for advanced study leading to careers in college-level teaching and research.
Major Advisor
Connect with our advising office.
Honors Program
Candidates for high or highest honors in Anthropology must write a senior thesis under the direction of a faculty member. The thesis project will have a minimum duration of two quarters. Honors candidates must take at least 6 units of Anthropology ANT 194H. Only students who, at the end of their junior year (135 units), have attained a cumulative grade point average of 3.500 in Anthropology courses will be eligible for the honors program. The quality of the thesis work will be the primary determinant for designating high or highest honors at graduation.
Teaching Credential Subject Representative
See the Teaching Credential/M.A. Program.
Graduate Study
The Department offers a program of study leading to M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Anthropology. Further information regarding graduate study may be obtained at the Department office and at Graduate Studies.
The major requirements below are in addition to meeting University Requirements & College Requirements; unless otherwise noted. The minimum number of units required for the Anthropology Bachelor of Science major is 90.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Preparatory Subject Matter | ||
| Anthropology | ||
| ANT 001 | Human Evolutionary Biology | 4 |
| or ANT 001Y (DISCONTINUED) | ||
| ANT 002 | Cultural Anthropology | 5 |
| ANT 003 | Introduction to Archaeology | 4 |
| Biological Science | ||
| BIS 002A | Introduction to Biology: Essentials of Life on Earth | 5 |
| BIS 002B | Introduction to Biology: Principles of Ecology & Evolution | 5 |
| BIS 002C | Introduction to Biology: Biodiversity & the Tree of Life | 5 |
| General Chemistry | ||
| CHE 002A | General Chemistry | 5 |
| CHE 002B | General Chemistry | 5 |
| Mathematics | ||
| Choose a series: | 9-12 | |
| Short Calculus (Discontinued) | ||
| Short Calculus (Discontinued) | ||
| Short Calculus (Discontinued) | ||
| Calculus for Biology & Medicine | ||
| Calculus for Biology & Medicine | ||
| Calculus for Biology & Medicine | ||
| Calculus for Data-Driven Applications | ||
| Calculus for Data-Driven Applications | ||
| Calculus for Data-Driven Applications | ||
| Calculus | ||
| Calculus | ||
| Calculus | ||
| Statistics | ||
| Choose one: | 4-5 | |
| Scientific Method in Physical Anthropology | ||
| Introduction to Social Statistics | ||
or SOC 056Y | Introduction to Social Statistics | |
| Elementary Statistics | ||
or STA 013Y | Elementary Statistics | |
| Gateway to Statistical Data Science | ||
| Applied Statistics for Biological Sciences | ||
| Preparatory Subject Matter Subtotal | 51-55 | |
| Depth Subject Matter | ||
| Choose one: | 4-5 | |
| Primate Evolution | ||
| Human Evolution | ||
| Neandertals & Modern Human Origins | ||
| Choose one: | 3-5 | |
| Human Genetics: Mutation & Migration | ||
| Human Genetic Variation & Evolution | ||
| Choose one: | 5 | |
| The Evolution of Primate Behavior | ||
| Primate Evolutionary Ecology | ||
| Primate Conservation Biology | ||
| Disease Outbreaks in Humans and Other Primates | ||
| Three additional upper division ANT courses. | 9-12 | |
| Biological Science | ||
| BIS 101 | Genes & Gene Expression | 4 |
| Evolution & Ecology | ||
| EVE 100 | Introduction to Evolution | 4 |
| Additional Units | ||
| Additional units from the list below to achieve a minimum of 45 upper division units. | 10-16 | |
| Depth Subject Matter Subtotal | 39-51 | |
| Total Units | 90-106 | |
Additional Units
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ANT 128A | Kinship & Social Organization: From Clans to Countries | 4 |
| ANT 151 | Primate Evolution | 4 |
| ANT 152 | Human Evolution | 5 |
| ANT 153 | Human Genetics: Mutation & Migration | 5 |
| ANT 154A | The Evolution of Primate Behavior | 5 |
| ANT 154B | Primate Evolutionary Ecology | 5 |
| ANT 154C | Primate Behavior: Methods & Experimental Design | 2 |
| ANT 154CL | Laboratory in Primate Behavior | 4 |
| ANT 155 | Primate Conservation Biology | 4 |
| ANT 156A | Human Osteology | 4 |
| ANT 156B | Advanced Human Osteology | 4 |
| ANT 157 | Advanced Human Genetics | 2 |
| ANT 157L | Advanced Human Genetics Lab | 4 |
| ANT 158 | The Evolution of Sex: A Biological Perspective | 4 |
| ANT 159 | Disease Outbreaks in Humans and Other Primates | 4 |
| ANT 160 | Neandertals & Modern Human Origins | 4 |
| ANT 180 | Zooarchaeology | 4 |
| ANT 182 | Archaeometry | 4 |
| ANT 185 | Lithic Analysis | 4 |
| ABI 102 | Animal Biochemistry & Metabolism | 5 |
| ABI 103 | Animal Biochemistry & Metabolism | 5 |
| APC 100/NPB 123 | Comparative Vertebrate Organology | 4 |
| BIS 102 | Structure & Function of Biomolecules | 3 |
| BIS 103 | Bioenergetics & Metabolism | 3 |
| CHA 101/EXB 106 | Human Gross Anatomy | 4 |
| CHA 101L/EXB 106L | Human Gross Anatomy Laboratory | 3 |
| ESP 100 | General Ecology | 4 |
| EVE 101 | Introduction to Ecology | 4 |
| EVE 102 | Population & Quantitative Genetics | 4 |
| EVE 103 | Phylogeny, Speciation & Macroevolution | 4 |
| EVE 104 | Community Ecology | 4 |
| EVE 105 | Phylogenetic Analysis of Vertebrate Structure | 4 |
| EVE 138 | Ecology of Tropical Latitudes | 5 |
| EVE 141 | Principles of Systematics | 3 |
| EVE 147 | Biogeography | 4 |
| EVE 149 | Evolution of Ecological Systems | 4 |
| EVE 175 | Computational Genetics | 3 |
| GEL 107 | Earth History: Paleobiology | 3 |
| GEL 107L | Earth History: Paleobiology Laboratory | 2 |
| GEL 108 | Earth History: Paleoclimates | 3 |
| GEL 144 | Historical Ecology | 3 |
| GEL 146 | Radiogenic Isotope Geochemistry & Cosmochemistry | 3 |
| HDE/ENT 117 | Longevity | 4 |
| MIC 102 | Introductory Microbiology | 3 |
| MIC 103L | Introductory Microbiology Laboratory | 2 |
| MCB 120 | Molecular Biology & Biochemistry Laboratory Associated Lecture | 3 |
| MCB 120L | Molecular Biology & Biochemistry Laboratory | 3 |
| MCB 121 | Advanced Molecular Biology | 3 |
| MCB 150 | Developmental Biology | 4 |
| MCB 160L | Principles of Genetics Laboratory | 5 |
| MCB 162 | Human Genetics & Genomics | 3 |
| MCB 163 | Developmental Genetics | 3 |
| MCB 164 | Advanced Eukaryotic Genetics (Discontinued) | 3 |
| MCB 182 | Principles of Genomics | 3 |
| NPB 101 | Systemic Physiology | 5 |
| NPB 101L | Systemic Physiology Laboratory | 3 |
| NPB 102 | Animal Behavior | 3 |
| NPB 123/APC 100 | Comparative Vertebrate Organology | 4 |
| NPB/PSC 124 | Comparative Neuroanatomy | 3 |
| NPB 150/PSC 122 | Advanced Animal Behavior | 4 |
| NPB 152/PSC 123 | Hormones & Behavior | 3 |
| PSC 101 | Introduction to Biological Psychology | 4 |
| PSC 113 | Developmental Psychobiology | 4 |
| PSC 121 | Physiological Psychology | 4 |
| PSC 122/NPB 150 | Advanced Animal Behavior | 4 |
| PSC 123/NPB 152 | Hormones & Behavior | 3 |
| PSC/NPB 124 | Comparative Neuroanatomy | 3 |
| SPH 101 | Introduction to Public Health | 3 |
| SPH 102 | Introduction to Human Epidemiology | 4 |
| STA 100 | Applied Statistics for Biological Sciences | 4 |
| STA 104 | Applied Statistical Methods: Nonparametric Statistics | 4 |
| STA 106 | Applied Statistical Methods: Analysis of Variance | 4 |
| STA 108 | Applied Statistical Methods: Regression Analysis | 4 |
| STA 130A | Mathematical Statistics: Brief Course | 4 |
| STA 130B | Mathematical Statistics: Brief Course | 4 |
| STS 131 | Darwin | 4 |
| WFC 141 | Behavioral Ecology | 4 |
| WFC 154 | Conservation Biology | 4 |