Bachelor of Science

Anthropology is the study of people in their cultural context and the examination of all aspects of patterned social behavior. The discipline is worldwide in scope and encompasses all aspects of human, biological, and social life from earliest times to the present. It is a broad, holistic field that seeks to understand human adaptation to natural and social environments.

About this Program

To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.

Department Information

Anthropology lies at the intersection of the multiple approaches to the study of humankind that characterize other disciplines – biological, social, cultural, historical, linguistic, cognitive, material, technological and aesthetic – because of its unique holistic perspective. These multiple approaches are encapsulated in the four traditional subfields that have composed the discipline since its establishment in the 19th century: cultural, archaeological, biological and linguistic anthropology.
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CONTACT

Email | 352.392.2253

P.O. BOX 117305
1112 TURLINGTON HALL
GAINESVILLE FL 32611-7305
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Curriculum

The BS in Anthropology provides students with a degree option that blends their interest in basic science with the holistic lens of anthropology. BS majors engage in anthropology through coursework, lab and field-based research, and outreach. A grounding in scientific-based research, community initiatives, and multicultural skillsets enable students to address pressing needs in both local and global contexts. For example, students often participate in independent and collaborative initiatives on and off campus and receive pre-graduate training in life sciences, health-related disciplines, natural history, and/or archaeological science fields. A BS in Anthropology encourages students to develop STEM-based skill sets and enhance scientific inquiry to address salient anthropological issues. This degree inevitably draws upon multidisciplinary fields including anatomy, biology, chemistry, ecology, engineering, genetics, geology, physics, mathematics, statistics, zoology, and botany. 

Anthropology includes four subfields: cultural anthropology, archaeology, biological anthropology, and linguistics. Undergraduates may concentrate their studies in one of these four subfields or pursue a focus in an interdisciplinary track with another major or minor. The anthropology major has two different programs: the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science. Coursework for the major will depend upon the program, both of which are flexible. Both degrees are earned in anthropology rather than in any one subfield.

Students who are uncertain of a program should contact the Department of Anthropology's undergraduate coordinator for information and curriculum planning.

Degrees

Anthropology | BA

Provides a broad-based liberal arts education and prepares students to work in an increasingly complex world. BA majors learn about different groups of people, their prehistory, and their biological and cultural diversity through disciplines that combine social science, natural science, and the humanities. Many undergraduate anthropology majors go on to graduate school in the social sciences, while others use anthropology to prepare themselves for professional careers in other disciplines. In a world of increasing globalization and need for effective international relations and understanding, anthropology is a highly relevant liberal arts and sciences major for students interested in pursuing careers in business, education, government, health, and law.

Anthropology | BS

Provides a degree option that blends their interest in basic science with the holistic lens of anthropology. BS majors engage in anthropology through coursework, lab and field-based research, and outreach. A grounding in scientific-based research, community initiatives, and multicultural skillsets enables students to address pressing needs in both local and global contexts. For example, students often participate in independent and collaborative initiatives on and off campus and receive pre-graduate training in life sciences, health-related disciplines, natural history, or archaeological science fields. A BS in Anthropology will encourage students to develop STEM-based skill sets and enhance scientific inquiry to address salient anthropological issues. This degree inevitably draws upon multidisciplinary fields including anatomy, biology, chemistry, ecology, engineering, genetics, geology, physics, mathematics, statistics, zoology, and botany.

Coursework for the Major

Both the BA and the BS require a minimum of 34 semester credits in anthropology and all coursework must be completed with minimum grades of C. A minimum of 18 credits of anthropology coursework must be completed at UF.

For the BS degree, all required anthropology, and required related coursework must be completed with a minimum GPA of 2.5.

Overseas Studies

Students concentrating in any subfield, particularly cultural anthropology and archaeology, are also encouraged to complete either an ethnographic study abroad program or an archaeological field school before their senior year.

Relevant Minors and Certificates

The department encourages students pursuing the BA to choose a minor or an interdisciplinary certificate option in African studies, Asian studies, environmental studies, Jewish studies, Latin American studies, Linguistics, or Women's Studies. Relevant courses in anthropology may be used to fulfill some requirements.

Required Coursework for the BS

Complete with a minimum 2.5 GPA.

Anthropology Core Courses
ANT 2140Introduction to World Archaeology3
ANT 2410Cultural Anthropology3
ANT 3514CIntroduction to Biological Anthropology4
ANT 3620Language and Culture3
ANT 4931Capstone in Anthropology3
Anthropology BS Electives
Select 18 credits:18
Introduction to Zooarchaeology
Consumer Culture
Human Evolutionary Anatomy
Skeleton Keys: Forensic Identification
The Primates
Junior Topics Class in Anthropology (Biological or Archaeological Sciences) 1
Experimental Archaeology
Principles of Archaeology
Environmental Archaeology
Culture and Medicine
Health and Disease in Human Evolution
Human Osteology and Osteometry
Genetic Perspectives on Human Diversity
Molecular Genetics of Disease
Evolutionary Medicine
Primate Behavior
Primate Evolution
Human Evolution
Introduction to Forensic Science
Field Sessions in Archaeology (Max. 6 credits)
Individual Work 1
Research Projects in Anthropology 1
Undergraduate Research in Anthropology 1
Department Honors in Anthropology 1
Special Topics in Anthropology (Biological or Archaeological Sciences) 1
Related Coursework for the BS 2
Related Foundation Coursework
STA 2023Introduction to Statistics 13
Select three of four sequences:19-24
Biology
Integrated Principles of Biology 1
and Integrated Principles of Biology Laboratory 1
Integrated Principles of Biology 2
and Integrated Principles of Biology Laboratory 2
Chemistry
General Chemistry 1
and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory
General Chemistry 2
and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory
Physics
Select one option:
Option A
Physics 1
and Laboratory for Physics 1
Physics 2
and Laboratory for Physics 2
Option B
Physics with Calculus 1
and Laboratory for Physics with Calculus 1
Physics with Calculus 2
and Laboratory for Physics with Calculus 2
Mathematics
Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1
Introduction to Statistics 2
Related Science Core Coursework
Select 6-8 credits:6-8
General Ecology
Evolution
Genetics
Genetics
Critical Analysis of Biological Research
Dynamic Planet Earth
and Dynamic Planet Earth Laboratory
Physical Geology
Historical Geology
Evolution of Earth and Life
Introduction to Soils in the Environment
and Introduction to Soils in the Environment Laboratory
Total Credits62-69
1

Students should consult with the Undergraduate Coordinator.

2

Complete with a minimum 2.5 GPA.

Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for progress toward each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.

For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements: Structure of a CLAS Degree.

Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.

Semester 1

  • 2.5 UF GPA required

Semester 2

  • Complete 1 anthropology course and 1 related foundation course
  • 2.5 UF GPA required

Semester 3

  • Complete 1 additional anthropology course or STA 2023, and 1 additional related foundation course
  • 2.5 UF GPA required

Semester 4

  • Complete 1 additional anthropology course and 1 additional related foundation course
  • 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
  • 2.5 UF GPA required

Semester 5

  • Complete 2 additional anthropology courses and 1 related foundation course
  • 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
  • 2.5 UF GPA required

Semester 6

  • Complete 2 additional anthropology courses
  • Complete related science core course
  • 2.5 UF GPA required

Semester 7

  • Complete 2 additional anthropology courses
  • Complete related science core course
  • 2.5 UF GPA required

Semester 8

  • Complete ANT 4931
  • Complete 1 additional anthropology course
  • 2.5 UF GPA required

Students are expected to complete the Writing Requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are also expected to complete the General Education International (GE-N) and Diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another General Education requirement (typically, GE-C, H, or S).

PHY 2049, PHY 2049L, PHY 2054, PHY 2054L, STA 3024, and 3000 level or above related science core coursework outside of the Anthropology department may count towards the 3000 level or above electives outside of the major if taken.

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.

This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
ANT 2410 Cultural Anthropology (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences with Diversity) 3
CHM 2045
2045L
General Chemistry 1
and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Physical Sciences) 1
4
State Core Gen Ed Composition 1 3
State Core Gen Ed Mathematics 3-4
 Credits13-14
Semester Two
Quest 1 (Gen Ed Humanities) 3
ANT 3514C Introduction to Biological Anthropology (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Biological Sciences) 4
CHM 2046
2046L
General Chemistry 2
and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Physical Sciences) 2
4
STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1 (Gen Ed Mathematics) 3
 Credits14
Semester Three
Quest 2 (Gen Ed Biological, Physical Sciences, or Social and Behavioral Science; area not taken in Semester One) 3
ANT 2140 Introduction to World Archaeology (Critical Tracking) 3
MAC 2311
Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 (if not taken semester one) 1
or Introduction to Statistics 2
3-4
Foreign language 3-5
 Credits12-15
Semester Four
ANT 3620 Language and Culture (Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences and International) 3
BSC 2010
2010L
Integrated Principles of Biology 1
and Integrated Principles of Biology Laboratory 1 1
4
State Core Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences 2 3
Foreign language 3-5
 Credits13-15
Semester Five
BSC 2011
2011L
Integrated Principles of Biology 2
and Integrated Principles of Biology Laboratory 2
4
Composition course (recommended): 3
Writing in Anthropology (Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement)
Professional Writing in the Discipline (Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement)
Anthropology BS electives 6
Electives (if needed, or foreign language, if 4-3-3 option) 5
 Credits18
Semester Six
Anthropology BS electives 6
State Core Gen Ed Humanities 3
Elective (3000 level or above, not in major) 3
Electives 5
 Credits17
Semester Seven
Anthropology BS electives 6
Related science core course 3-4
Gen Ed Humanities 3
Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) 5
 Credits17-18
Semester Eight
ANT 4931 Capstone in Anthropology (Critical Tracking) 3
Related science core course 3-4
Electives (3000 level or above, not in major, if needed) 10
 Credits16-17
 Total Credits120
1

One of three required foundation coursework sequences (BSC 2010, BSC 2010L and BSC 2011, BSC 2011L; CHM 2045, CHM 2045L and CHM 2046, CHM 2046L; and MAC 2311 or STA 3024) can be substituted with either Physics 1 and 2 and Laboratories (PHY 2053, PHY 2053L and PHY 2054 and PHY 2054L) or Physics with Calculus 1 and 2 and Laboratories (PHY 2048, PHY 2048L and PHY 2049, PHY 2049L)

2

General Education option taken this term must be a Quest 2 course, if not taken in Semester Three.


Students will develop critical thinking, problem solving and communication skills in the social sciences and in studies of natural history pertaining to human and non-human primates. Through study of human biological and cultural history and diversity, students will learn holistic, comparative and relative perspectives of anthropology, both scientific and humanistic. Emphasis is on critical thinking skills in the evaluation of alternative knowledge claims. Students will learn to identify western cultural biases, to integrate diverse sources of information into holistic perspectives and to apply anthropological knowledge and perspectives to solve problems of broad human relevance in contemporary contexts.

Before Graduating Students Must

  • Achieve satisfactory evaluation of a term paper written for an upper-division course or senior honors thesis.
  • Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.

Students in the Major Will Learn to

Student Learning Outcomes | SLOs

Content

  1. Identify, describe, explain and apply factual, conceptual and procedural knowledge in the four subfields of anthropology (cultural anthropology, archaeology, biological anthropology, linguistics).

Critical Thinking

  1. Apply scientific and humanistic approaches to investigate human variation in its biological, social, and cultural dimensions, and identify and evaluate disparate knowledge claims culturally and historically.

Communication

  1. Articulate anthropological knowledge professionally in written and verbal form.

Curriculum Map

I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

Courses SLO 1 SLO 2 SLO 3
ANT 2000 I, R, A
ANT 2140 I, R, A I
ANT 2410 I, R, A I I
ANT 3126 R R R
ANT 3141 I R R
ANT 3153 R R R
ANT 3162 R R R
ANT 3164 R R R
ANT 3181 R R R
ANT 3241 R R R
ANT 3302 R R R
ANT 3390 R R R
ANT 3451 R R R
ANT 3514C I, R, A I
ANT 3515 R R R
ANT 3520 R R R
ANT 3620 I, R, A I
ANT 4110 R R R
ANT 4114 R R R
ANT 4266 R R R
ANT 4274 R R R
ANT 4336 R R R
ANT 4340 R R R
ANT 4352 R R R
ANT 4354 R R R
ANT 4403 R R R
ANT 4468 R R R
ANT 4525 R R R
ANT 4550 R R R
ANT 4552 R R R
ANT 4554 R R R
ANT 4586 R R R
ANT 4740 R R R
ANT 4823 R R R
ANT 4824 R R R
ANT 4956 R R R
ANT Capstone I, R, A A A

Assessment Types

  • Exams