Anthropology — Biocultural Concentration, BA

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Department of Anthropology, College of Humanities and Social Sciences

96-102 Credits

Introduction

Anthropology explores what it means to be human. Anthropology is the scientific study of humankind in all the cultures of the world, past and present. This study includes humankind’s physical development and creation of diverse lifestyles. The cross-cultural approach of Anthropology provides a framework for understanding all the diverse facets of what it means to be human.

Why Consider a Biocultural Concentration in the Anthropology Major?

The Biocultural Anthropology Concentration is the most flexible of the biology anthropology combined majors and allows for students to gain a broad interdisciplinary training relevant for many of the professions confronting the challenges of modern society. Students can supplement their studies with related coursework from other departments given the requirements of specific training or post-baccalaureate programs.

Contact Information

Anthropology
Department Chair
Todd Koetje
Arntzen Hall 334
360-650-4791
Todd.Koetje@wwu.edu

Anthropology Office
Arntzen Hall 315
360-650-3620

Anthropology Undergraduate Advisor
Tesla Monson
Arntzen Hall 320
360-650-4787
Tesla.Monson@wwu.edu

Anthropology Undergraduate Advisor
MJ Mosher
Arntzen Hall 324
360-650-3614
M.J.Mosher@wwu.edu

Sample Careers

Major/Career Resources

www.wwu.edu/careers/students_choosingamajor.shtml

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):

To declare, a student must have completed any one of the following core courses:

ANTH 201 and ANTH 301 and either ANTH 210 or ANTH 215 or ANTH 247 (ANTH 247 may be substituted with LING 201, LING 204, ENG 370 or HNRS 217).

Contact the Department of Anthropology at (360) 650-3620 or visit their office in Arntzen Hall 315 to declare the major and connect with a departmental advisor.

Advising Tips: Students are advised to declare their major early in their academic career. Anthropology advisors will provide information about the program, help develop a plan of study and answer any questions.

Grade Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors.

Requirements

❑ ANTH 201 - Introduction to Cultural Anthropology Credits: 5
❑ ANTH 210 - Introduction to Archaeology Credits: 5
❑ ANTH 215 - Introductory Biological Anthropology Credits: 5
❑ ANTH 247 - Intro to Linguistic Anthropology Credits: 5 (LING 201 or LING 204 or ENG 370 or HNRS 217 may be substituted)
❑ ANTH 301 - Anthropological Theory Credits: 5
❑ ANTH 303 - Qualitative Methods in Anthropology Credits: 5 (optional)
❑ ANTH 335 - Quantitative Methods in Anthropology Credits: 5
❑ ANTH 350 - The Ecology of Human Variation Credits: 5
❑ ANTH 424 - Medical Anthropology Credits: 5
❑ ANTH 490 - Senior Seminar in Anthropology Credits: 5 (optional)
❑ ANTH 496 - Portfolio Assembly Credits: 1
❑ BIOL 204 - Introduction to Evolution, Ecology and Biodiversity Credits: 5
❑ BIOL 205 - Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology Credits: 5
❑ BIOL 206 - Introduction to Organismal Biology Credits: 5
❑ BIOL 348 - Human Anatomy and Physiology Credits: 5
❑ BIOL 349 - Human Physiology Credits: 5
❑ Two courses from:
ANTH 361 - American Indian Perspectives Credits: 5
ANTH 362 - Anthropological Perspectives on Asia Credits: 5
ANTH 365 - Latin American Perspectives Credits: 5
ANTH 422 - Nutritional Anthropology Credits: 5
ANTH 423 - Human Evolution Credits: 5
ANTH 426 - Human Genetics and Epigenetics for the 21st Century Credits: 5
ANTH 457 - The Anthropology of Death and Dying Credits: 5
ANTH 462 - Critical Issues in Indigenous Northwest Studies Credits: 5
ANTH 463 - Critical Issues in East and Southeast Asia Credits: 5
ANTH 465 - Critical Issues in Mexico and Central America Credits: 5
ANTH 476 - Borderlands Credits: 5
❑ Choose one of the following series:
CHEM 161 - General Chemistry I Credits: 5
CHEM 162 - General Chemistry II Credits: 5
CHEM 163 - General Chemistry III Credits: 5
OR
CHEM 175 - General Chemistry I, Honors Credits: 5
CHEM 176 - General Chemistry II, Honors Credits: 5
CHEM 225 - General Chemistry III, Honors Credits: 5
❑ Choose either:
CHEM 251 - Elementary Organic Chemistry Credits: 5
or all three of the following:
CHEM 351 - Organic Chemistry Credits: 4
CHEM 352 - Organic Chemistry Credits: 4
CHEM 353 - Organic Chemistry Credits: 3
Students are encouraged to further specialize according to their interests by pursuing appropriate course sequences and/or minors outside of the anthropology department, e.g., mathematics with an emphasis on statistics if pursuing epidemiology. Please confer with your advisor to tailor your training to meet your post-baccalaureate plans.

Program advisors: MJ Mosher and Tesla Monson (ADD)

University Graduation Requirements

General University Requirements 2020-21
Writing Proficiency Requirement (WP)
180 Minimum Total Credits
60 Minimum Upper Division Credits
Residency Requirement
Minimum Grade Requirements
Final Quarter Requirement