Biological Anthropology allows students with interests in evolutionary biology, human biology, or human health to add an anthropological perspective to their studies. Many students are interested in specific topics covered by Biological Anthropology, such as Human Evolution, the Evolution of Human Behavior, Primate Behavior and Ecology, Nutrition and Adaptation, and Human Genetics.
Biological Anthropology is a scientific discipline that seeks to answer fundamental biological questions about humans, our close primate relatives, and our ancestors. At Michigan, biological anthropologists conduct research on 1) human biology, behavior, and genetics; 2) paleoanthropology; and 3) primatology at field sites around the globe and in state-of-the-art laboratories on campus. Our diverse research projects share the common goal of advancing biological understanding of humans and are unified by their firm rooting in evolutionary theory.
Evolutionary Anthropology Major
Evolutionary Anthropology is a joint major, with LSA courses in Anthropology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Geological Sciences, Molecular and Cellular, and Developmental Biology, and Psychology Departments and additional courses taken through the School of Natural Resources and the Environment (SEAS). This major combines anthropological and biological perspectives in the study of humans and related species. It is particularly appropriate for students planning to continue in the health sciences and for students interested in “whole organism” biology and ecology. Thus, many Evolutionary Anthropology concentrators are training for medical school, while others are planning to pursue careers in Natural Resource Management, Conservation, Animal Behavior, and a variety of other fields. Because evolutionary biology forms its primary theoretical basis, the major does not require courses in other subdisciplines of anthropology. Students who are interested in biological anthropology and seek broader training in anthropological archaeology, linguistic anthropology, and sociocultural anthropology may pursue a degree as an Anthropology concentrator.
