2025-2026 General Catalog
Source: https://catalog.ucdavis.edu/departments-programs-degrees/anthropology/anthropology-bs/ Parent: https://catalog.ucdavis.edu/departments-programs-degrees/#programsanddegreestext
Anthropology is the systematic study of humans. The student of anthropology learns about human biology, ecology, and social life—past & present—and gains a broad understanding of humans and societies. The Bachelor of Science degree in Anthropology is interdisciplinary in nature since it requires lower division coursework in math & science and upper division coursework in biological anthropology and closely related disciplines.
The Program
Evolutionary anthropologists are united by their common application of science and evolutionary theory to understand the behavior, ecology, history, and evolution of humans & non-human primates, as individuals and as societies. These topics may be approached through archaeology, human behavioral ecology, paleoanthropology, primatology, genetics, and conservation biology. Archaeology is the study of history or prehistory by analysis of a people's artifacts, or their material culture, with the goal of reconstructing culture history and human behavior. Human behavioral ecology is the study of how variation in ecology and social organization can help us understand variation in human behavior. Paleoanthropology is the study of human evolution through the fossil and archaeological records, drawing on relevant studies in biological anthropology, Paleolithic archaeology, genetics, and geology. Primatology is the study of behavior, ecology, and morphology of primates to address questions about the evolution and function of behavioral & morphological patterns in nonhuman primates and to test models of the origins of human morphology and behavior. Genetic anthropology uses DNA to address anthropological questions about population histories, migrations, mixing, and adaptations to local contexts. Conservation biology explores the causes of loss of biological diversity—in this department, it focuses on threatened non-human primates and the conservation of natural resources by a rapidly growing population. A Bachelor of Science degree, in addition to core evolutionary anthropology courses, includes the introductory sequences of biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, and calculus, as well as genetics and ecology.
Students are encouraged to gain practical experience through undergraduate research or internships performed for credit (under ANT 192, ANT 198, or ANT 199 units provided by the advising office). Students showing exceptional ability are welcome to seek permission from instructors to participate in graduate seminars offered by the department.
Career Opportunities
A Bachelor of Science degree in Anthropology combines a solid liberal arts education with training in the life and physical sciences. Through its interdisciplinary nature, a Bachelor of Science degree in Anthropology provides the educational background for careers in the biological sciences and a variety of health professions including pre-medical, pre-dental, and pre-veterinary, fields which increasingly need professionals with training in the social and behavioral sciences. In addition, students will be well prepared to enter fields such as medical or health anthropology, forensic sciences, museum studies, cultural resource management, and wildlife conservation. A Bachelor of Science degree in Anthropology with appropriate courses in education is good preparation for high school teaching in social, biological, and physical sciences. It also provides the foundation for advanced study leading to careers in college-level teaching and research.
Major Advisor
Connect with our advising office for staff and peer advising about the Anthropology Bachelor of Science requirements and curriculum.
Honors Program
The Department of Anthropology offers undergraduate students an opportunity to demonstrate their scholarly potential by conducting original research and writing an honors thesis or conducting an honors project under the one-on-one guidance of a faculty mentor.
The honors thesis or project will have a minimum duration of two quarters. Honors candidates must take at least 6 units of Anthropology ANT 194H. The quality of the thesis work will be the primary determinant for designating high or highest honors at graduation. See more information about the Anthropology Honors program, see Honors Program.
Teaching Credential Subject Representative
See the Teaching Credential/M.A. Program.
Graduate Study
The Department offers a program of study leading to M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Anthropology. Further information regarding graduate study may be obtained at the Department office and at Graduate Studies.
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