School of Arts and Sciences
Department of Anthropology

Minor in Biological Anthropology

The Minor in Biological Anthropology provides students with a basic understanding of how evolutionary principles can be applied to answer the question of why humans are the way we are. It allows students to explore basic concepts in evolution, human biology, primatology, behavioral ecology and paleoanthropology. This minor is especially relevant for students with an interest in both science and social science and is also attractive for those on a pre-health track.

Advisor: Assistant Professor Zarin Machanda

Program Requirements and Policies

Five courses are required for the Minor in Biological Anthropology (at least 15 credits).

Course Requirements

Gateway Course

One required gateway course that all students must take (ANTH 40.)

  • ANTH 40 Introduction to Biological Anthropology

Related Courses

Three courses related to biological anthropology, one of which may be taken in another department but must be approved by the Department of Anthropology.

  • ANTH 44 Primate Social Behavior w/ Lab
  • ANTH 49 Gateway Course in Biological Anthropology (varies by semester-refer to course guide)
  • ANTH 126 Food, Nutrition, and Culture 
  • ANTH 149-52 (CSHD 143-06) Selected Topics: Why We Do the Things We Do: Evolutionary Perspectives on Human Development
  • ANTH 150 Human Evolution
  • ANTH 177 Chimpanzee Behavioral Ecology
  • ANTH 179 Building Babies and the Evolution of Childhood
  • ANTH 180 Primate Conservation (formerly ANTH 185-09)
  • ANTH 182 Human Physique
  • ANTH 185-01 Current Topics In Anthropology: Evolutionary Medicine
     
  • BIO 110 Endocrinology
  • BIO 183 Darwinian Medicine Seminar
  • PSY 09 Introduction To Cognitive & Brain Sciences
  • PSY 13 Social Psychology
  • PSY 25 Animal Learning

Capstone Project

Capstone project in biological anthropology.

There are two options for a capstone project. First, students can opt to take an upper level seminar for which the final product is a research paper of 20+ pages. Second, students can pursue an independent study (this can either be in the Anthropology department or approved research in a lab in a different department; the project must be rooted in biological anthropology). This project must be approved by both the Anthropology department and the PI of the lab where research is being conducted. In order for the independent study to be counted towards the minor, the final paper will be evaluated by a member of the Anthropology faculty.