The Bachelor of Science in Anthropology will provide advanced training for undergraduates who are interested in careers in archaeology, forensics, health services, or similar fields that rely on scientific methods to analyze human biological and cultural diversity. Anthropology is a diverse discipline, which includes biological, linguistic, cultural and archaeological fields. For this reason, anthropology graduate programs do not outline specific undergraduate courses that applicants should take. Nevertheless, students are expected to take coursework to prepare them for specific fields. While our BA prepares students for graduate programs in cultural anthropology, it is not as effective at guiding those students who will go on to pursue fields in archaeology, medicine, forensics, and biological anthropology. The BS in Anthropology will fill this need, as well as catering to anthropology majors who are completing a pre-medicine curriculum or pursuing other career paths in lieu of graduate school. The degree will emphasis analytical training, including laboratory analysis and field research, quantitative methods, and advanced coursework on data collection, management, and interpretation. The intensive curriculum that emphasizes analytical training combined with exposure to advanced topics in theory, research ethics, and the history of the discipline. Many upper-level courses are on par with the fist-year curricula of major graduate programs in anthropology.
The proposed BS program responds to call within the wider discipline to provide a stronger foundation of “transferrable skills” and intensive methodological training for undergraduates. The prospect of a BS degree has received strong endorsement from recent and current anthropology majors. Students who graduate with a BS in Anthropology from our department would be better-positioned to compete for several local and regional career paths, including archaeological research, museums, forensics, and health services fields. The degree would also provide a strong foundation for students seeking graduate training in anthropology. Most important, the BS program aligns with the department’s broader objective to provide students the skills and knowledge act as engaged citizens for the common good.