BS in Anthropology
As an anthropology BS major, you will take courses that examine humans from evolutionary, historical, and cultural perspectives and you will develop critical thinking in areas as diverse as globalization, biology, the state, the human body, politics, evolution, colonialism, race, language, health and illness, and cultural diversity. In order to gain the maximum benefit from Anthropology’s breadth of topical and critical perspectives, we encourage students to take courses in cultural, biological, archaeological, and linguistic anthropologies.
Major requirements include courses from the introductory to the advanced level, as well as a capstone experience. The anthropology BS requires students to take 20-24 credits outside the anthropology department in the quantitative and natural sciences (QNS) in order to learn how to ask scientific questions, design research methodologies, collect and analyze data, and use the results to refine research questions.
Students planning to continue to a graduate program in anthropology generally concentrate on a specialty within the field, such as medical anthropology, human evolution, or North American historical archaeology. Students with career interests in other fields (e.g., healthcare, scientific research, forensics) are encouraged to consult with their advisors to put together a course of study in their QNS course requirements that would best support their career goals.
Is the BA or the BS Right for Me?
Interested in applying?
Review the major requirements and schedule a meeting with one of our advisors to declare your major.
Transfer Guide
If you are exploring or planning to transfer to CLA, learning more about your intended major is important.
Click on the ” Full Requirements” button above to see all of the major requirements, and any limits or restrictions on certain kinds of courses or credits. Every major has a requirement of a minimum number of upper level credits or courses that must be taken through their department. Some departments also have limits to the number of 1xxx or 2xxx level courses that can count towards major requirements.
Courses to Prepare for the Major
There are two introductory courses required for the BA and the BS Anthropology majors:
- ANTH 1001 - Human Evolution
- ANTH 1003W - Understanding Cultures
While these courses are not required to declare the major, taking one of these courses early will introduce you to concepts within Anthropology and help you explore your interests.
A grade of C- or better is required in all courses approved to satisfy major requirements.
BS Anthropology Quantitative and Natural Science courses - For the BS Anthropology major, students must complete 6 or more course totaling 18-24 credits, with at least two upper division (3xxx-level or higher) courses, from the following categories: Math; Computer Science; Statistics; Geographic Information Sciences; Chemistry; Physics, Earth Sciences; Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior; Biochemistry; Neuroscience; Anatomy; Nursing; Physiology; Genetic, Cellular, & Developmental Biology; Microbial Biology. Go to the full requirements for the BS Anthropology major to see the complete lists of approved courses within each category.
Some of the approved courses have prerequisites. For example, MATH 1151 Precalculus II is an approved Math course for the major; however, depending on your math skills, you may need a prerequisite math course before you can take MATH 1151.
Transferring Courses and Credits
Use Transferology to help you plan your courses for the major. Remember, when using Transferology, look for courses that transfer as direct equivalents to UMTC major courses.
Check Transferology to see if an evaluation already exists for courses you would like to use towards the major. If you find a course that has not been evaluated, you can submit an evaluation request to find out if your course is equivalent to a specific UMTC course. A copy of the course syllabus is required for the evaluation.
Declaring the Major
Transfer students must apply and be admitted to the College of Liberal Arts in order to declare a major. Check out the information on the Anthropology declaration process on the Advising page.
Who Can Help as You Plan Your Transfer
- CLA Transfer Advising - CLA Transfer Advisors are ready to assist you as you plan your transfer to CLA. The Transfer to CLA website provides additional information to help you in your transfer exploration and planning.
- Anthropology Department Advising- The departmental advisor can answer questions that are specific to the major.
- Office of Admissions - Requirements for admission to CLA are not the same as the requirements to declare a major. Read through the CLA Transfer Admissions requirements to learn more, and contact the Office of Admissions with any questions.
If you are a current UMTC student or a UM-Rochester student, you will use the
Change of College application process.