Biological Anthropology
Biological anthropology is the study of human and non-human primates, from 55 million years ago to the present, with the aim of understanding how and why we came to look and behave the way we do. Biological anthropology combines expertise in human and non-human primate behaviour, biology, adaptation and disease with methods and theories from other disciplines such as medicine, evolutionary biology, sociology, ecology, and genetics to name a few. The biological anthropology specialization recognizes students who have a strong practical skill set in the identification and study of human skeletal remains in addition to a broad-based understanding of human and non-human biology, evolution and behaviour such that they are uniquely poised to conduct, oversee and design research or fieldwork in this area.
Courses
Students who have fulfilled the requirements for a single- or joint-major Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree in Anthropology may graduate with a Specialization in Biological anthropology if they have successfully completed the following 4.0 credits:
- 2.0 ANTH credit consisting of:
- ANTH 2410H: Biological Anthropology: Darwin, Death, and Disease (Sc)
- ANTH-BIOL-FRSC 3404H: Human Osteology (Sc)
- ANTH-FRSC 3405H: Forensic Anthropology (Sc)
- ANTH 4430H: Advanced Skeletal Biology (Sc)
- 2.0 ANTH credits from:
- ANTH 2450H: Plagues and People (Sc)
- ANTH 2123H: Archaeology II: Methods of Analysis (Sc)
- ANTH 2470H: Primate Behaviour (Sc)
- ANTH 3160H: Peoples of Pacific Oceania
- ANTH 3151H: Lab Methods: Lithics and Bone (Sc)
- ANTH 3260H: Culture and Mortality
- ANTH 3333H: Ecological Anthropology (Sc)
- ANTH-BIOL 3460H: Biocultural Explorations of the Human Life Course (Sc)
- ANTH 3540H: Mortuary Archaeology (Sc)
- ANTH 3731H: Archaeozoology (Sc)
- ANTH 4260H: Advanced Topics in Culture and Mortality
- ANTH 4420H: Palaeopathology (Sc)
- ANTH 4440H: Nutritional Anthropology (Sc)
- ANTH-IDST-INDG 4770H: Anthropology of Colonialism
Resume Boosters:
- Hands-on experience studying real and cast human and primate skeletal remains from modern, medical and archaeological contexts to hone your skills in the identification and analysis of human and non-human primate skeletal materials
- Original research opportunities and practical lab experiences that develop your ability to work safely and effectively in a laboratory setting, manage and interpret scientific data.
- Diversify your skill set and increase your knowledge about the various methods, theories, materials and types of analysis that can be used to study human and non-human primates from both modern and archaeological contexts
- Build knowledge about the complex nature of human and non-human primate biology; in particular, how evolution, ecology, culture, social organization and biology interconnect.
- Hone your communication and research skills by disseminating and translating information gained through course readings, course work and original research into a variety of mediums for both a general and specialized audience.
Career Paths:
Career Opportunities
- Public Health Officer
- Forensic Anthropologist
- Law enforcement
- Medicine (e.g., doctor, nurse)
- World Health Organization Health Assembly
- Biomedicine
- Ethnographer
- Research Technologist
- Teacher
Admission Requirements
Ontario Secondary School Requirements:
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
- A minimum of six Grade 12 4U or 4M courses, including program specific prerequisites
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