Undergraduate Studies
Biological Anthropology and Anatomy (Evolutionary Anthropology):
Biological anthropology is the study of humankind's place in nature. The central questions of this unique discipline revolve around how humans arose from our primate ancestors, how our distinctive attributes - such as enhanced cognitive abilities, striding bipedal locomotion, and our extraordinary connections with culture and technology - came to be, and why, from an evolutionary perspective, we behave the way we do. Our focus on these questions connects us with our colleagues in the other natural and social sciences and in the humanities - with everyone who is working at some level on what it means to be human. To address questions of human nature and human evolution, biological anthropology focuses on morphology, physiology, behavior and cognition of humans and non-human primates, as viewed from an evolutionary perspective. Central areas of research include the phylogenetic relationships among living and extinct groups of primates, the functional and adaptive significance of morphological variation in primates and humans, and the socioecological underpinnings of behavioral variation in humans and other animals.
Mission Statement (Undergraduate Programs):
For undergraduates majoring or minoring in Biological Anthropology and Anatomy (BAA) we aim to empower students with knowledge of our species’ place in nature, including a solid understanding of evolutionary processes and how they have shaped the history of the human lineage. BAA seeks to train students to be critical thinkers (an important skill in a discipline where the base knowledge changes with every new fossil discovery), independent learners and collaborative problem solvers. We seek to develop life long learners who can apply the techniques and knowledge of biological anthropology to the ever-changing landscape of evolutionary theory, human evolution and the broader scope of the natural sciences.
The Undergraduate Program in BAA:
Students in Biological Anthropology and Anatomy can choose whether they would like a broad exposure to the discipline or, after an initial exposure to the two major areas (paleontology/anatomy and behavior/ecology) a more specialized, self-designed concentration. Students are encouraged to develop an inter-disciplinary fluency by using approved electives from a number of natural science, social science and humanities departments as a part of their study. All 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 also apply their knowledge in at least two advanced-level capstone courses. There are two majors within BAA: the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and the Bachelor of the Arts (A.B.). 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 BAA in preparation for a career in the sciences. Students seeking an A.B. degree in BAA will gain strong core knowledge in the discipline as a whole in preparation for a variety of possible careers within or outside the sciences.
Students graduating with a degree in BAA will be well prepared to pursue careers in the sciences (including advanced degrees in anthropology), health professions, advocates for science and evolution in the schools, or other natural science related fields
Goals and Learning Objectives for the BAA Major (B.S. and A.B.)
Goal 1: Majors should master a core knowledge base in Biological Anthropology including a mastery of topics within evolutionary theory, paleontology, morphology, and primate behavior/ecology. Students should develop an understanding of what fields of study are encompassed by the discipline.
Goal 2: Majors should have a solid understanding of the scientific method and have experience in hands-on evaluation of paleontological specimens, morphological materials and/or methods associated with animal behavior/ecology.
Goal 3: Majors should have a clear understanding of evolutionary processes and their implications for studying biological anthropology.
Goal 4: Majors should develop critical thinking skills along with the ability to apply their knowledge base to new information and data.
Goal 5: Using all of the skills above, majors should be able to effectively communicate to others their knowledge of humankind’s place in nature.