Anthropology is the global social science. It is the study of the human condition everywhere; its cultural, linguistic, and biological diversity; and how it evolved and developed from the prehistoric past into the globalizing present. Anthropology is an interdisciplinary 14 credit major that intersects with programs and departments across the University. Students may major in anthropology as a whole (General Anthropology), or choose to concentrate in Biological Anthropology, Archaeology, Cultural and Linguistic Anthropology, or specialize in two thematic concentrations: Medical Anthropology and Environmental Anthropology.
Biological Anthropology is the study of human evolution and the biology of modern populations. Areas of study include genetics, osteology, and forensics. Students have the opportunity to work in laboratory settings, as well as in the Penn Museum's Physical Anthropology section or its Center for the Analysis of Archaeological Materials (CAAM). Biological Anthropology majors take introductory courses in all sub-fields of Anthropology, and complete the remainder of their coursework primarily in Biological Anthropology.
The minimum total course units for graduation in this major is 34. Double majors may entail more course units.