Combined Major - Anthropology/Biology BA & BS

Advisors: Dr. Joan Stevenson and Dr. MJ Mosher

The consideration of human biology is a necessary part of the holistic view of human beings. Physical anthropologists try to understand the nature of human variation in body size and shape, disease resistance, nutritional needs, and other medically relevant variables. The interaction of culture and environment with human health has given rise to the rapidly expanding field of medical anthropology. The success of this endeavor was highlighted by the work of Blumberg, a physical anthropologist who was awarded the Nobel prize in 1976 for his work with hepatitis.

The best models for the human body are our closest relatives, the primates; hence the interest in the ecological and historical variables influencing monkey and ape anatomy and physiology. The human fossil record is given much attention by the popular press, but physical anthropologists are most likely to be employed because of their expertise in human anatomy, genetics, growth and/or physiology.

The importance of a strong biology background is reflected in the dual Anthropology/Biology Combined Major. Undergraduate training in Biological Anthropology provides the requisite background for some entry-level technical positions in disease control, at population centers, blood centers, forensic laboratories, medical schools and universities; and can serve as the basis for more advanced studies in the health-related professions (e.g. doctor, physician's assistant).

Transfer students interested in the Anthropology/Biology major are advised to complete a year of chemistry and biology before entering the the program. Fulfilling these courses prior to entering Western may considerably shorten the many quarters necessary to complete the major. Students are welcome to contact our Department Office at (360) 650-3620 or the Biology Department for more information and advisement.

Mid-Program Checkpoint
Western Washington University undergraduates seeking to complete a BA or BS degree in biology/anthropology (human biology emphasis) within a four-year time span should have completed the following courses by the start of their junior year. Major omissions from this list will make it difficult or impossible to complete this degree within two additional years.

ANTH 201, 210, 215
CHEM 121, 122, 123 (or CHEM 125, 126, 225)
BIOL 204, 205, 206
Physics and calculus

Note that a 2.9 average in both the Biology 200 series and Chemistry 100 series are necessary to be admitted to Phase II of the Anthro/Bio major. In addition, the chemistry and biology classes must be completed during the first two years or by the completion of 75 credits.

DEGREE COURSEWORK & REQUIREMENTS
Combined Major - Anthropology/Biology BA
89 Credits
89 credits including 23 in supporting courses; Biology Phase II status required for admission into 300- and 400-level biology courses for biology majors.

	Chem 121, 122, 123 (or Chem 125, 126, 225)
	Chem 251 (or 351, 352, 353)
	Phys 101 or 114 (Phys 115 recommended)
	Biol 204, 205, 206, 321, 348, 349
	Anth 335 or Biol 340 or Math 240
	Anth 201, 210, 215
	10 credits in anthropology under advisement
	8 credits of biology under advisement
	Anth 496

Program Advisers:
Joann Otto, Biology:
MJ Mosher & Joan Stevenson, Anthropology

Combined Major - Biology/Anthropology BS
102-105 credits.
Major requirements include 79-85 credits of foundational courses in anthropology, biology, chemistry, physics and math, 19-22 depth and elective credits and 1 completion credit. Biology Phase II status required for admission into 300- and 400-level biology courses for biology majors.

	Chem 121, 122, 123 (or Chem 125, 126, 225)
	Chem 351 and 352 (or Chem 251 only with approval of advisor); Chem 353 and 354 recommended
	Physics 114, 115; Phys 116 recommended (or Physics 121, 122, 123)
	Math 124, 134 or 138

A grade of C- or better is required for a student's major courses.
Basic requirements:

ANTH	201	Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
	210	Introduction to Archaeology
	215	Introductory Biological Anthropology
BIOL	204	Introduction to Evolution, Ecology and Biodiversity
	205	Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
	206	Introduction to Organismal Biology
	321	Genetics
One course from:
BIOL	325	Ecology
ANTH	350	The Ecology of Human Variation
One course from:
BIOL	340	Biometrics
ANTH	335	Quantiative Methods in Anthropology
One course from:
BIOL	432	Evolutionary Biology
ANTH	423	Human Evolution
One course from:
CHEM	121	General Chemistry I
	122	General Chemistry II
	123	General Chemistry III
or
CHEM	125	General Chemistry I, Honors
	126	General Chemistry II, Honors
	225	General Chemistry III, Honors
Choose from:
CHEM	351	Organic Chemistry
	352	Organic Chemistry
or
CHEM	251	(only with advisor's approval)
One course from:
MATH	124	Calculus and Analytic Geometry I
	134	Calculus I, Honors
	138	Accelerated Calculus
Choose one of the following series
PHYS	114	Principals of Physics I
	115	Principals of Physics II
or
PHYS	121	Physics with Calculus I
	122	Physics with Calculus II
	123	Electricity and Magnetism
Depth requirements
BIOL	348	Human Anatomy and Physiology
One course from:
BIOL	349	Human Physiology
	467	Comparative Verebrate Physiology
One of the following:
ANTH	308	Hunter-Gatherer Societies in World Prehistory
	422	Nutritional Anthropology
	424	Medical Anthropology
BIOL	410	Animal Behavior
Completion requirement
ANTH	496	Portfolio Assembly

Electives: 3-9 credits to make 102-105 total
One course from:
BIOL	322	Genetics Lab
	325	Methodsa in Molecular Biology
	323	Cell and Moecular Biology
	345	Fundamentals of Microbiology
	410	Animal Behaivor
	465	Vertebrate Zoology
	467	Comparative Verebrate Physiology
ANTH	308	Hunter-Gatherer Societies in World Prehistory
	422	Nutritional Anthropology
	424	Medical Anthropology
	466	Reproductive Ecology
Other electives under advisement

Program Advisers:

MJ Mosher & Joan Stevenson, Anthropology
Joann Otto, Biology: