Biological Anthropology Plan of Study
Important Note: Capacity in the Biological Anthropology PhD track at UCSC is low, and interested applicants should contact potential PIs prior to submitting an application. At this time, we do not have faculty working specifically on forensic anthropology or osteology.
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Biological anthropology traces the human journey from its beginnings in Africa over five million years ago. Biological anthropology courses look at fossil evidence, evolutionary theory, human variation, and the behavior of primate relatives in order to analyze biological, social, and cultural changes over time. Biological anthropology at UCSC has a methodological emphasis in innovative approaches to human and non-human primate ecology and diversity founded on our expertise in genomics and isotope biochemistry.
Each track within the Anthropology P.h.D program at UCSC requires students to take certain coursework for the first three years of study, prior to advancing to candidacy. In order to advance to candidacy in biological anthropology, students must complete:
Core Course
Must be completed in Fall/Winter of first year in program.
295A Scientific Method
Ecology and Evolutionary Theory Requirement
Students in the biological anthropology Ph.D. track must demonstrate competency in ecology and evolutionary theory appropriate to their specific dissertation research projects and professional goals. Plans for gaining and demonstrating this competency should be developed during the first quarter in the program, in consultation with their adviser. This competency must be demonstrated and approved by the department by the end of the first year.
One Advanced Anthropological Methods and Research Course
Must be completed during first year.
202A Human Skeletal Biology
203B Forensics and Bioarchaeology
207A Methods and Research in Molecular Anthropology
207B Methods and Research in Isotopic Analysis
One Additional Advanced Methods and Research Course
Must be completed by the end of the second year. Student may substitute courses in another department with adviser approval.
One Graduate Seminar in Archaeology or Cultural Anthropology
Tutorials that are taught in conjunction with undergraduate courses do not count toward this requirement.
Must be completed by the end of the second year.
Quantitative or Computational Requirement
Students in the biological anthropology Ph.D. track must demonstrate competency in statistical or computational analysis techniques appropriate to their specific dissertation research projects and professional goals. Plans for gaining and demonstrating this competency should be developed as part of the first year review for each student, in consultation with their adviser and first-year committee and with the approval of the department. This competency must be demonstrated and approved by the department prior to taking the qualifying exam and advancing to candidacy.
Nine Quarters of Advanced Reading in Biological Anthropology
Students are expected to enroll in ANTH 294R, Advanced Readings in Biological Anthropology, every quarter prior to advancing to candidacy.
Two Laboratory Apprenticeships
Students are required to enroll in ANTH 298, Advanced Laboratory Apprenticeship, or equivalent in another department.
Six Quarters of Methods in Biological Anthropology
Students are expected to enroll in ANTH 216, Methods in Biological Anthropology, in every quarter prior to advancing to candidacy starting their second year.
Nine Quarters of Seminar Series
Students are required to attend at least 8 talks per quarter in the Anthropology Colloquia, Arch-BioAnth Lunch Series, EEB Seminar Series, or EPS Seminar Series.
Comprehensive Exam
This must be completed prior to the end of the second year. Students must demonstrate knowledge in Ecological and Evolutionary Theory, expertise in at least two subfields of Biological Anthropology, and sufficient background in either Archaeology or Cultural Anthropology, especially Medical or Environmental Anthropology. The exam format is a written essay and a two-hour oral exam.
Students may satisfy both the oral and written requirement with a manuscript (worthy of submission to a professional journal) based on a research project undertaken in the second year with adviser approval. They have to be first author of this manuscript in order to satisfy the requirement.
Two Quarters as Teaching Assistant
Presentation of a Seminar on Proposed Research
Complete the Language Requirement
Pass the Qualifying Exam
