Majors, Concentrations & Requirements

Degree Options

We offer a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree, as well as three Concentration areas where students may want to focus their studies. Our students receive hands-on laboratory experiences and will investigate and critically review the techniques used in the study of evolutionary theory, paleontology, functional morphology and behavior. All students will also apply their knowledge in at least one advanced-level capstone courses.

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree

This degree is intended to prepare you for careers in the sciences, including advanced degrees in anthropology, medicine, dentistry, physical therapy and veterinary medicine. Students who earn a B.S. are also well placed to work in science-related research and education positions at museums, government offices, NGOs and private industry. Students seeking a B.S. degree will acquire a strong knowledge of the basic sciences (math, chemistry, physics, and biology) in addition to core knowledge in evolutionary anthropology in preparation for a career in the sciences.

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree

This degree is intended as a broader liberal arts exposure to evolutionary anthropology. The requirements are similar in depth to the B.S., but fewer courses in the basic sciences are required. Students seeking a B.A. degree in evolutionary anthropology will gain strong core knowledge in the discipline as a whole in preparation for a variety of possible careers within or outside the sciences.
 

Formal Concentrations

You may customize your B.S. or B.A. studies further by earning a formal concentration. Concentrations require 3 courses within a given area. These can overlap with other major requirements detailed above. Concentrations are declared with the registrar and will be listed on your transcript. Concentration options are:

skulls
Anatomy &
Paleoanthropology
lemurs
Behavior, Ecology
& Cognition
three men running - formed, muscled, skeleton
Human
Biology

 

Or, you may opt not to pursue a concentration and select courses from several informal subdisciplines based on your personal interests. Options include:


Course Requirements

B.S. Degree Requirements B.A. Degree Requirements
Core Requirements
  • EVANTH 101 or 101D, Introduction to Evolutionary Anthropology
  • 1 course from the Behavior, Ecology and Cognition area (200-level or higher course)
  • 1 course from the Anatomy and Paleoanthropology area (200-level or higher course)
  • 3 EvAnth electives
  • 3 additional electives in EvAnth or from our pre-approved list of courses in other departments. (See list below)
    • Of the above courses (overlapping)
      • 1 capstone course (must be 400-level or higher course) in EvAnth
      • 1 field/lab experience course (must be 200-level or higher course or research independent study) in EvAnth

Note: No more than two independent studies can be used towards requirements for the major.
Core Requirements
  • EVANTH 101 or 101D, Introduction to Evolutionary Anthropology
  • 1 course from the Behavior, Ecology and Cognition area (200-level or higher course)
  • 1 course from the Anatomy and Paleoanthropology area (200-level or higher course)
  • 3 EvAnth electives
  • 4 additional electives in EvAnth or from our pre-approved list of courses in other departments. (See list below) 
    • ​Of the above courses (overlapping)
      • ​1 capstone course (must be 400-level or higher course) in EvAnth
      • 1 field/lab experience course (must be 200-level or higher course or research independent study) in EvAnth

Note: No more than two independent studies can be used towards requirements for the major.
B.S. Co-Requisites
  • BIO 201L, Gateway to Biology: Molecular Biology (or Bio 203L)
  • BIO 202L, Gateway to Biology: Genetics and Evolution (or Bio 203L)
  • CHEM 101DL, Core Concepts of Chemistry
  • CHEM 201DL, Organic Chemistry
  • MATH 111, Laboratory Calculus I
  • PHYSICS 141L, General Physics: Mechanics
  • STATISTICS (introductory level)*

 

NOTE: Co-requisite courses can be replaced by equivalent courses/AP credit; contact our Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) for details.
B.A. Co-Requisites
  • BIO 202L, Gateway to Biology, Genetics and Evolution (or Bio 203L)


Tracking Worksheets

Track your progress with your advisor using our evolutionary anthropology worksheet (both B.S. and B.A.):

Download Major Worksheet (docx - 12.88 KB)

 

Approved Electives

There may be other courses, especially “special topics” courses and/or study abroad courses, that would be appropriate as electives. To have a course considered as an elective that is not on this list, you will need to petition the Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) in writing. Be sure to include a detailed explanation of how the course relates to Evolutionary Anthropology and your particular line of study in the department. Both your advisor and the DUS must approve the petition.

NOTE: Several courses listed are cross-listed with other departments.

B.S. Degree A.B. Degree
  • BIO 207   Organismal Evolution
  • BIO 209-1 Ecology of Human Health
  • BIO 209 D2 Ecology for a Crowded Planet
  • BIO 212L General Microbiology
  • BIO 248 Evol of Animal Form
  • BIO 250   Population Genetics
  • BIO 251L Molecular Evolution
  • BIO 260 Genetics of Human Variation
  • BIO 268D: Mechanisms of Animal Behavior
  • BIO 270A Conservation Biology / Policy
  • BIO 271 Marine Bio & Ecology
  • BIO 273LA  Marine Ecology
  • BIO 278LA  Physiology of Marine Animals
  • BIO 288A Biogeography Australia
  • BIO 304*   Biological Data Analysis
  • BIO 329L Principles of Animal Physiology
  • BIO 361LS Field Ecology
  • BIO 373LA  Sen Phys/ Bhv Marine Animals
  • Bio 450S – Genomics of Adapation
  • BIO 546S Biology of Mammals
  • BIO 556(L) Systematic Biology
  • BIO 557L Microbial Ecology and Evolution
  • BIO 559S Foundations of Behavior Ecology
  • BIO 561D  Tropical Ecology
  • BIO 565L  Biodiversity Science and App
  • BIO 650   Molecular Population Genetics
  • BIO 665   Models for Environmental Data
  • BIO 668   Population Ecology
  • Biochemistry 301 Introduction to Biochemistry
  • BIO 201L Molecular Biology
  • BIO 207   Organismal Evolution
  • BIO 209-1 Ecology of Human Health
  • BIO 209 D2 Ecology for a Crowded Planet
  • BIO 212L General Microbiology
  • BIO 248 Evol of Animal Form
  • BIO 250   Population Genetics
  • BIO 251L Molecular Evolution
  • BIO 260 Genetics of Human Variation
  • BIO 268D: Mechanisms of Animal Behavior
  • BIO 270A Conservation Biology / Policy
  • BIO 271 Marine Bio & Ecology
  • BIO 273LA  Marine Ecology
  • BIO 278LA  Physiology of Marine Animals
  • BIO 288A Biogeography Australia
  • BIO 304*   Biological Data Analysis
  • BIO 329L Principles of Animal Physiology
  • BIO 361LS Field Ecology
  • BIO 373LA  Sen Phys/ Bhv Marine Animals
  • Bio 450S – Genomics of Adapation
  • BIO 546S Biology of Mammals
  • BIO 556(L) Systematic Biology
  • BIO 557L Microbial Ecology and Evolution
  • BIO 559S Foundations of Behavior Ecology
  • BIO 561D  Tropical Ecology
  • BIO 565L  Biodiversity Science and App
  • BIO 650   Molecular Population Genetics
  • BIO 665   Models for Environmental Data
  • BIO 668   Population Ecology
  • Biochemistry 301 Introduction to Biochemistry
Cell Biology
  • CELLBIO 503 Intro to Physiology
    • currently on hiatus
  • CELLBIO 503 Intro to Physiology
    • currently on hiatus
Chemistry
  • CHEM 202L Organic Chemistry
  • CHEM 202L Organic Chemistry, or Chem 201DL may count toward AB
Cultural Anthropology
  • CULANTH 208 Anthropology of Race
  • CULANTH 208 Anthropology of Race
Earth Science
  • EOS 226S Field Methods Env/Earth Science (counts as field/lab)
  • EOS 509S Paleoclimate
  • EOS 226S Field Methods Env/Earth Science (counts as field/lab)
  • EOS 509S Paleoclimate
Economics
Students studying the evolution/ecology of behavior may be interested in some advanced level courses in economics (e.g., game theory, models of cooperation and conflict). See your advisor or the DUS about prereqs and appropriate courses.
Environmental Science
  • ENVIRON 210D Conserving the Variety of Life on Earth
  • ENVIRON 226S Field Methods Env/Earth Science (counts as field/lab)
  • ENVIRON 210D Conserving the Variety of Life on Earth
  • ENVIRON 226S Field Methods Env/Earth Science (counts as field/lab)
Philosophy
  • PHIL 314 Philosophy of Biology
  • PHIL 314 Philosophy of Biology
Psychology
  • PSY 257 Introduction to Cog Neurosc
  • PSY 273 Behavior / Neurochemistry
  • PSY 275 Fund of Neuroscience
  • PSY 575 Brain and Language
  • PSY 257 Introduction to Cog Neurosc
  • PSY 273 Behavior / Neurochemistry
  • PSY 275 Fund of Neuroscience
  • PSY 575 Brain and Language
Neuroscience

see cross-listings

see cross-listings
Statistics
B.S. students will use statistics as a co-requisite rather than an elective. Any introductory level stats course (typically 101 or 102) can be used as an elective for the B.A. degree.