Bachelor of Science in Anthropology

Anthropology is the holistic, comparative study of human diversity. The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Anthropology provides students with a solid foundation in the contemporary theory, practice and application of the discipline and an understanding of global human diversity with a special emphasis on the cultures, lifeways and contemporary social issues of Alaska and the Circumpolar North. The program prepares students in intercultural fluency, critical thinking and research skills through coursework, applied research experiences and fieldwork. Graduates find opportunities in laboratory sciences, international development agencies, governmental agencies, museums, non-profit organizations, publishing and many other fields. Many graduates also pursue graduate degrees in anthropology, medicine, public health, behavioral sciences, forensics and other fields.

Admission Requirements

Graduation Requirements

Core Courses
ANTH A202Cultural Anthropology3
ANTH A205
A205L
Biological Anthropology
and Biological Anthropology Laboratory
4
ANTH A210Linguistic Anthropology3
ANTH A211
A211L
Archaeology
and Archaeology Laboratory
4
ANTH A410Anthropological Theory3
ANTH A458Applied Ethics in Anthropology 13
Ethnographic Courses
ANTH A200Alaska Native Cultures3
ANTH A390AArctic and Subarctic Cultures 13
ANTH A390BWorld Cultures 13
or ANTH A390C Comparative Culture Studies
Methodology Courses
Complete six credits from at least two the following: 26
Applied Anthropology
Social Science Research Methods
Field Methods in Archaeology and Bioanthropology 3
Cultural Resource Management
Analytical Techniques in Archaeology and Bioanthropology 1
Field Methods in Cultural Anthropology
Environmental Policy and Regulation in Alaska
Geospatial and Cartographic Techniques for the Sciences
Topical/Theoretical Courses
Complete six credits from at least two of the following: 26
Archaeological Theory
Culture and Human Biodiversity
Culture and Ecology
Culture and Health
Culture and Globalization
Health, Ritual and Science 1
Historical Engagements 1
Belief and Identity 1
Topics in the Contemporary North 1
Culture, Environment, Place 1
Program Electives
Complete any additional 3 credits in ANTH or GEOG.3
Statistics Course
STAT A253Applied Statistics for the Sciences4
or STAT A307 Probability and Statistics
Upper-Division Natural Sciences Electives
Complete six upper-division credits in BIOL, CHEM, GEOL, or PHYS.6
Total54
1

Specific topical emphases for these courses vary by offering. See catalog course descriptions for details.

2

Other upper-division selected topics (ANTH A490), practicum (ANTH A495), independent study (ANTH A497), or individual research (ANTH A498), or thesis (ANTH A499) courses may be applied to satisfy methodological or topical/theoretical course requirements with department approval, depending on course content.

3

ANTH A431 is infrequently offered, typically as a summer field school. Please check with the Department of Anthropology for schedule.

A minimum of 120 credits is required for the degree, of which 39 credits must be upper-division.

Honors in Anthropology

The Bachelor of Science in Anthropology recognizes distinguished achievement by undergraduate majors in the study of anthropology by conferring programmatic honors in anthropology. In order to receive honors in anthropology, a student must meet the following requirements:

  • Be a declared anthropology major;
  • Satisfy all of the requirements for a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Anthropology;
  • Meet the requirements for Graduation with Honors as outlined in the catalog;
  • Earn a minimum GPA of 3.50 in courses specific to the anthropology major;
  • Complete a senior thesis project (taken as ANTH A499), based on library, laboratory or field research resulting in a substantial, thesis-quality paper defended before the anthropology faculty. The course may be taken on a one-semester (3-credit) or two-semester (6-credit) basis.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Anthropology, the holistic, comparative study of human diversity, consists of four subfields: archaeology, biological anthropology, cultural anthropology, and linguistic anthropology. The BA/BS degrees develop student knowledge of these four subfields, their theories, methods, applications, and relevance to understanding  global human diversity with an emphasis on the cultures, people, and social issues of Alaska and the Circumpolar North.

Students graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Anthropology will be able to:

  • Demonstrate a familiarity with the development of anthropological thought and the contemporary concepts, theories, and application of the four subfields.
  • Use anthropological perspectives to describe the past and present cultural diversity of Alaska and analyze contemporary social topics in the Circumpolar North.
  • Identify ethical principles that guide anthropological practice and ethical issues encountered in anthropological research.
  • Exhibit proficiency in documenting, evaluating, and communicating anthropological information.
  • Explain how to apply anthropological methods and techniques to research questions and practical social problems.

Sample Plan

The academic plan below is one pathway through the degree/certificate. It includes all requirements, taking into account recommendations from program faculty. Each student’s plan may vary according to their initial course placement, intended course load, additional majors and/or minors, and their placement into required prerequisite courses. Any change in the plan below can have an unforeseen impact on the rest of the plan. Therefore, it is very important to meet with your academic advisor to verify your personal academic plan.

Please review the following terms, definitions, and resources associated with the sample academic plan below.

  • Each course in the far left column links to a pop-up bubble with a course description, prerequisite requirements, and associations with university requirements. For example, if a course fulfills a general education requirement, you will see that in the pop-up bubble.
  • GER: indicates a General Education Requirement. GERs that also count toward degree/certificate requirements appear as a specific course in the plan. For these courses, "GER" is not indicated explicitly in the table, but if you click on the course, you will see the course's GER status in the pop-up bubble.
  • Program Elective: indicates a specific course selection determined by program faculty to fulfill a degree/certificate requirement. Students should seek assistance from their academic advisor.
  • Elective: indicates an open selection of 100-400 level university courses to fulfill elective credits needed to meet the minimum total credits toward the degree/certificate.
  • Upper Division Program Elective: indicates a specific 300-400 level course selection determined by the program faculty to fulfill a degree/certificate requirement. Students should seek assistance from their academic advisor.
  • Upper Division Elective: indicates an open selection of 300-400 level courses to fulfill elective credits needed to meet the minimum total credits toward the degree/certificate. These courses must be upper division in order to meet General University Requirements for the particular degree/certificate type.
Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
ANTH A200 Alaska Native Cultures 3
WRTG A111 Writing Across Contexts 3
GER Fine Arts 3
GER Oral Communication Skills 3
GER Quantitative Skills 3
 Credits15
Spring
ANTH A205
A205L
Biological Anthropology
and Biological Anthropology Laboratory
4
WRTG A213 Writing and the Sciences 3
GER Humanities 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
 Credits16
Second Year
Fall
ANTH A202 Cultural Anthropology 3
ANTH A211
A211L
Archaeology
and Archaeology Laboratory
4
STAT A253
Applied Statistics for the Sciences
or Probability and Statistics
4
GER Humanities 3
 Credits14
Spring
ANTH A210 Linguistic Anthropology 3
ANTH A390B
World Cultures
or Comparative Culture Studies
3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
 Credits15
Third Year
Fall
ANTH A390A Arctic and Subarctic Cultures 3
Elective 3
Program Elective (Methodology) 3
Program Elective (Topical/Theoretical) 3
Upper Division Elective 3
 Credits15
Spring
ANTH A458 Applied Ethics in Anthropology 3
Elective 3
Program Elective (Methodology) 3
Program Elective (Topical/Theoretical) 3
Upper Division Program Elective (Natural Sciences) 3
 Credits15
Fourth Year
Fall
ANTH A410 Anthropological Theory 3
GER Integrative Capstone 3
Elective 3
Upper Division Elective 3
Upper Division Program Elective (Natural Sciences) 3
 Credits15
Spring
Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Program Elective (ANTH, GEOG) 3
 Credits15
 Total Credits120