Program Overview

Anthropology/Biology, BA

Introduction

The Anthropology/Biology major is a combined program offered by the Department of Anthropology, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, and the Department of Biology, College of Science and Engineering. This major focuses on the study of human variation relative to local ecologies and cultures, examining the integrated effects of human behavior, ecology, culture, physiology, and genetics/epigenetics on human adaptation, biological variation, and evolution.

Why Consider an Anthropology/Biology Major?

The Biology/Anthropology major is a concentration on Human Biology and Behavioral Science. This major is more flexible than the Biology/Anthropology B.S. but is also excellent preparation for applied health careers and graduate programs in Biological Anthropology. The importance of a strong biology background is reflected in the dual Anthropology/Biology Combined Major.

Student Resources

• Department website: Anthropology
• Department advising: Visit the advising for Anthropology combined majors.
• Degree Works: Current students should also log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.
• Career Services Center: Connect major to a career
• Sample Careers: Teaching, Nursing, Nutritionist, Public Health, International Nutrition, Biomedical research, Biomechanics, Medical Genetics Research, Kinesiology and Human Biology, Healthcare Fields, Forensic science, Museums (collections, education, and research), Science Journalism, Science Communication, Zoos (collections and captive breeding), Forensic Anthropologist, Biocultural Anthropologist

Mid-Program Checkpoint

Western Washington University undergraduates seeking to complete a BA degree in Anthropology/Biology (human biology emphasis) within a four-year time span should have completed the following courses by the start of their junior year:

• ANTH 201, ANTH 210, ANTH 215
• CHEM 161, CHEM 162, CHEM 163 (or CHEM 175, CHEM 176, CHEM 225)
• BIOL 204, BIOL 205, BIOL 206

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process)

Declare your Anthropology/Biology major as soon as you discover you are interested. The Anthropology Department has a two-step process for admission into this degree program. Anthropology/Biology BA pre-majors are students who have declared their intent to pursue a Anthropology/Biology BA, and are in the process of completing the introductory biology (BIOL 204, BIOL 205, BIOL 206) and general chemistry (CHEM 161, CHEM 162, CHEM 163) series (CHEM 175, CHEM 176, and CHEM 225 is a suitable alternative).

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 (93-99 credits)

• ANTH 201 - Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (5 credits)
• ANTH 210 - Introduction to Archaeology (5 credits)
• ANTH 215 - Introductory Biological Anthropology (5 credits)
• ANTH 325 - Reproduction and Physiology (5 credits)
• ANTH 420 - Human Osteology and Forensic Anthropology (5 credits)
• ANTH 423 - Human Evolution (5 credits)
• ANTH 426 - Human Genetics and Epigenetics for the 21st Century (5 credits)
• ANTH 490 - Senior Seminar in Anthropology (5 credits)
• ANTH 496 - Portfolio Assembly (1 credit)
• BIOL 204 - Introduction to Evolution, Ecology and Biodiversity w/lab (5 credits)
• BIOL 205 - Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology w/lab (5 credits)
• BIOL 206 - Introduction to Organismal Biology w/lab (5 credits)
• Choose one of the following series:
  • CHEM 161 - General Chemistry I (5 credits)
  • CHEM 162 - General Chemistry II (5 credits)
  • CHEM 163 - General Chemistry III (5 credits)
  • or
  • CHEM 175 - General Chemistry I, Honors (5 credits)
  • CHEM 176 - General Chemistry II, Honors (5 credits)
  • CHEM 225 - General Chemistry III, Honors (5 credits)
• One course from:
  • ANTH 335 - Quantitative Methods in Anthropology (5 credits)
  • BIOL 340 - Biostatistics (5 credits)
  • MATH 240 - Introduction to Statistics (4 credits)
• 10-15 credits in anthropology under advisement
  • ANTH 308 - Hunter-Gatherer Societies in World Prehistory (4 credits)
  • ANTH 320 - Skeletons and the Occult (5 credits)
  • ANTH 350 - The Ecology of Human Variation (5 credits)
  • ANTH 361 - Indigeneity and Colonialism (5 credits)
  • ANTH 362 - Anthropological Perspectives on Asia (5 credits)
  • ANTH 365 - Latin American Perspectives (5 credits)
  • ANTH 422 - Nutritional Anthropology (5 credits)
  • ANTH 424 - Medical Anthropology (5 credits)
  • ANTH 431 - Methods in Nutritional Research (5 credits)
  • ANTH 440 - Science and Technology Studies (5 credits)
  • ANTH 454 - Collaborative and Community-Based Research (5 credits)
  • ANTH 456 - Anthropology of War and Human Rights (4 credits)
  • ANTH 457 - The Anthropology of Death and Dying (5 credits)
• 8 credits of biology under advisement
  • BIOL 345 - Fundamentals of Microbiology (4 credits)
  • BIOL 348 - Human Anatomy and Physiology w/lab (5 credits)
  • BIOL 349 - Human Physiology w/lab (5 credits)
  • BIOL 404 - Evolution and Development (3 credits)
  • BIOL 410 - Animal Behavior (4 credits)
  • BIOL 412 - Animal Communication w/lab (5 credits)
  • BIOL 464 - Biology of Marine Mammals (4 credits)
  • or any other 300- or 400-level biology course under advisement
  • Note: BIOL 245 may not be counted toward this major.

University Graduation Requirements

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