MA Program- Biological Emphasis
In Biological Anthropology, the Department concentrates on human osteology and evolution. Bioarchaeology has been the primary focus in the emphasis and there are close ties between this part of the program and the Cultural Resource Management part of the Archaeology emphasis. Courses covering the human fossil record, contemporary human variation, human osteology, and quantitative methods are integral parts of the program. The regional interests of the Faculty include the Southeast US and California. Students are involved in field and laboratory projects with local law enforcement and coroner's offices and with Bay Area contract archaeology firms. An integral part of the program is the Bioanthropology Laboratory which provides laboratory services for both NAGPRA and NHPA Section 106 compliance projects.
The Bioanthropology Emphasis offers two course tracks designed to prepare students for doctoral work in Bioanthropology or professional employment.
Evolution and Human Variation Track
Applicants to the Evolution and Human Variation track in the Anthropology M.A. program must meet the University Graduate Admission Requirements and the Anthropology Department Graduate Admission Requirements. In addition to these requirements, applicants are expected to have significant field and laboratory experience in anthropology and/or biology. Field and laboratory projects form an integral part of the program and prior experience is an absolute necessity to participate in these projects. In addition, we strongly recommend a campus visit and interview prior to the submission of the application.
The Evolution and Human Variation MA Track is comprised of 42 units of courses. The courses expected to be included in the program are:
Semester 1
ANTH 710: Proseminar in Anthropology (3 units)
ANTH 730: Human Osteology Practicum (4 units)
BIOL 337: Evolution (3 units)
Semester 2
ANTH 740: Seminar in Archaeological Anthropology (3 units)
ANTH 770: Seminar in Cultural Anthropology (3 units)
ANTH 652: Anthropological Statistics (3 units)
Semester 3
BIOL 328: Human Anatomy (4 units)
ANTH 760: Seminar in Biological Anthropology (3 units)
ANTH 899: Special Study: Thesis Literature Review (3 units)
Semester 4*
ANTH 897: Directed Thesis Advising and Support (3 units)
ANTH 731: Fossil Humans Practicum (4 units)
BIOL 612: Human Physiology (3 units)
Semester 5
ANTH 898: Thesis (3 units)
*While it is possible to complete the MA in two and a half years, most thesis projects will require considerably more time to research and complete. Students should expect that they will spend at least three years in the program.
Bioarchaeology Track
Applicants to the Bioarchaeology Track in the Anthropology M.A. program must meet the University Graduate Admission Requirements and the Anthropology Department Graduate Admission Requirements. In addition to these requirements, applicants are expected to have significant field and laboratory experience in archaeology and/or bioarchaeology. Field and laboratory projects form an integral part of the program and prior experience is an absolute necessity to participate in these projects. In addition, we strongly recommend a campus visit and interview prior to the submission of the application.
The Bioarchaeology track is comprised of 42 units of courses. The courses expected to be included in the program are:
Semester 1
ANTH 710: Proseminar in Anthropology (3 units)
ANTH 730: Human Osteology Practicum (4 units)
ANTH 735: Paleopathology (3 units)
Semester 2
ANTH 740: Seminar in Archaeological Anthropology (3 units)
ANTH 770: Seminar in Cultural Anthropology (3 units)
ANTH 652: Anthropological Statistics (3 units)
Semester 3
ANTH 592: Archaeological Methods (4 units)
ANTH 760: Seminar in Biological Anthropology (3 units)
ANTH 899: Special Study: Thesis Literature Review (3 units)
Semester 4*
ANTH 897: Directed Thesis Advising and Support (3 units)
ANTH 731: Fossil Humans Practicum (4 units)
ANTH 545: Bioarchaeology (3 units)
Semester 5
ANTH 898: Thesis (3 units)
*While it is possible to complete the MA in two and a half years, most thesis projects will require considerably more time to research and complete. Students should expect that they will spend at least three years in the program.
MA students at work Tina Berglund (above) & Silvie Cohen (below).
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