Western Washington University · Bellingham, Washington
Anthropology/Biology, BA
What Is the Study of Anthropology/Biology?
Biological or Physical Anthropology is the study of both present and past human variation relative to local ecologies and cultures. Biological Anthropologists specialize in Human or Primate Anatomy, Genetics, Disease Ecology, Growth and Development, Forensic Anthropology and Osteology, Medical Anthropology or Primate Behavior and Primatology.
Why Should I Consider this 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 the applied health careers and graduate programs in Biological or Physical Anthropology. Check the course requirements for your postgraduate applied health programs to make sure you take all the appropriate prerequisites.
How to Declare:
Declare your Anthropology/Biology major as soon as you discover you are interested. Contact the Anthropology department and Maren Brinson in the Biology Department Office, BI 315 for details. Freshmen, your first quarter is not too soon!
This degree has a two-step process for admission. Phase I students are students who have declared their intent to major in biology, and are in the process of completing the introductory biology and general chemistry series. Admission to Phase II is based on academic performance in the introductory courses. Students must have achieved an average grade of 2.9 or higher in their introductory biology and general chemistry courses before they can advance to Phase II and begin taking upper-division coursework.
Consult Department advisors in Biology and Anthropology as early as possible. Early advisement will ensure appropriateness and proper sequencing of courses. Anthropology/Biology BA majors need to begin the chemistry/biology sequences required prior to declaring the major. This will assist them in shortening considerably the many quarters necessary for the anthropology/biology major.
Coursework
- ANTH 201 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (5 cr)
- ANTH 210 Introduction to Archaeology (5 cr)
- ANTH 215 Introductory Biological Anthropology (5 cr)
- ANTH 496 Portfolio Assembly (1 cr)
- BIOL 204 Introduction to Evolution, Ecology and Biodiversity (4 cr)
- BIOL 205 Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology (5 cr)
- BIOL 206 Introduction to Organismal Biology (5 cr)
- BIOL 321 Genetics (4 cr)
- BIOL 348 Human Anatomy and Physiology (5 cr)
- BIOL 349 Human Physiology (5 cr)
- Choose from:
- CHEM 121 General Chemistry I (5 cr)
- CHEM 122 General Chemistry II (5 cr)
- CHEM 123 General Chemistry III (4 cr)
- or
- CHEM 125 General Chemistry I, Honors (5 cr)
- CHEM 126 General Chemistry II, Honors (5 cr)
- CHEM 225 General Chemistry III, Honors (5 cr)
- Choose either:
- CHEM 251 Elementary Organic Chemistry (5 cr)
- or
- All three of the following:
- CHEM 351 Organic Chemistry (4 cr)
- CHEM 352 Organic Chemistry (4 cr)
- CHEM 353 Organic Chemistry (3 cr)
- One course from:
- PHYS 101 Physics Analysis (0 or 4 cr)
- PHYS 114 Principles of Physics I (5 cr)
(PHYS 115 Principles of Physics II recommended)
- One course from:
- ANTH 335 Quantitative Methods in Anthropology (5 cr)
- BIOL 340 Biometrics (5 cr)
- MATH 240 Introduction to Statistics (4 cr)
- 10 credits in anthropology under advisement
- ANTH 308 - Hunter-Gatherer Societies in World Prehistory
- ANTH 422 - Nutritional Anthropology
- ANTH 424 - Medical Anthropology
- ANTH 466 - Reproductive Ecology
- 8 credits of biology under advisement
- BIOL 322 - Genetics Lab
- BIOL 323 - Cell and Molecular Biology
- BIOL 324 - Methods in Molecular Biology
- BIOL 345 - Fundamentals of Microbiology
- BIOL 410 - Animal Behavior
- BIOL 465 - Vertebrate Zoology
- BIOL 467 - Comparative Vertebrate Physiology
GURs:
These courses are offered within this major and may be used to satisfy GUR or Writing Proficiency Requirements.
- QSR: ANTH 335, Math 240
- SSC: ANTH 201, 210
- LSCI: ANTH 215; BIOL 204, 205, 206; CHEM 121, 122, 123, 125, 126, 225, 251; PHYS 101, 115
- SCI: PHYS 114
- WP: Three Writing Proficiency points are required for graduation (they are noted as WP1, 2, and 3). Check Classfinder or Online Timetable for departmental offerings each quarter.
Sample Careers
- Applied Health Tracks
- Physical Anthropology Graduate Programs
Department
Contact
Anthropology Dept. Advisors:
Joan Stevenson
AH 316, (360) 650-4787
Joan.Stevenson@wwu.edu
MJ Mosher
AH 324, (360) 650-3614
M.J.Mosher@wwu.edu
Anthropology Office:
AH 315
360-650-3620
Biology Dept. Advisor:
Roger Anderson
BI 311, (360) 650-3992
roger.anderson@wwu.edu
Biology Program Coordinator:
Maren Brinson
BI 315, (360) 650-6165
Maren.Brinson@wwu.edu