Program Overview
The anthropology major provides students with an understanding of the cultural and biological variation of past and present human groups. In particular, anthropology examines the cultures and societies people create, how language influences your worldview, evidence of the human past in the archaeological record, human biological evolution, and the interaction of biology and culture in shaping our health and medical practices across the globe. Students learn and apply the research methods and theories used by anthropologists to investigate peoples and their social worlds.
Students may pursue either a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree which allows for considerable flexibility in selecting courses, or a Bachelor of Science (BS) track which integrates scientific training into their curriculum. Both the BA and BS combine study in each of the four sub-fields of anthropology: archaeology, biological anthropology, linguistic anthropology and sociocultural anthropology.
Degrees Offered
- BS in Anthropology
- BA in Anthropology
Minors
- Anthropology
- Linguistics Anthropology
- Archaeology
- Biological Anthropology
- Sociocultural Anthropology
Internships, Research Opportunities and More
The department offers courses on field- and lab-based research methods that give students hands-on experience in how to conduct anthropological research. In particular, the department has just developed a Freshman Research Immersion (FRI) stream in molecular and biomedical anthropology, a research program for high-achieving freshmen which provides hands-on research experience in a laboratory setting. The department also offers a six week archaeology field school in upstate New York each summer and additional fieldwork opportunities are available in North and South America and Europe. Students are also encouraged to participate in study-abroad programs, as well as workshops on research skills, and internships can be arranged for anthropology credit. The Undergraduate Anthropology Organization is a student group on campus that sponsors field trips to museums, arranges career seminars and organizes social events and academic forums to examine issues in anthropology.
Coursework
Some courses to consider in your first year:
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After You Graduate
A student who earns a degree in anthropology gains a wide range of practical skills that are applicable in many career areas. While many anthropology students go on to pursue graduate study in anthropology or other fields, others move directly into the workforce. Anthropology students develop an understanding of global social and cultural change, and, in the process, develop important analytical, observational and critical-thinking skills that provide an excellent foundation for careers in such fields as government and law, education, library science, environmental fields, cultural resource management, computer science, publishing and advertising.
The Anthropology Department has a number of resources to help undergraduates gain a sense of life after graduation, including a Career Resource Library that is maintained in the department office. The department also offers periodic workshops and seminars on career opportunities.
Accelerated/4+1 Degrees
You may also be interested in our accelerated/4+1 degree programs which allow students to complete their bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in just 5 years!
