Student Stories: Experience of an Earth Sciences/Anthropology Combined Major 


Alyssa Hermelin is a transfer student and 2024 graduate in the Earth Sciences/Anthropology Combined Major. 


The Earth Sciences/Anthropology combined major is intended for students with interests in Earth sciences and the laboratory-based aspect of anthropology. Students interested in this major mostly work with Earth & Planetary Sciences Advising to discuss major requirements and plan out courses. 


Why did you choose to do the Earth sciences/anthropology (EART/ANTH) combined major? 

I chose EART/ANTH because I already had a big interest in the two; it felt like the best of both worlds. Before deciding on this major I was actually planning on majoring in psychology. I always knew I loved learning about human societies and culture. This part of me never changed, and yet I wanted to expand my knowledge within the natural sciences. My interest in the two within this major felt like I can accomplish one criteria of my interest while also doing another. While anthropology is different from psychology,  it still has many similarities that I love. 


How did you hear about the combined major? 

I’m a transfer student from a community college in SoCal, and I just dove into the search of different majors that were offered. From my community college experience I had done electives that showed me parts of Earth science so I had that kept in my mind. While I was searching I saw this combined major. I have always had many interests and found it hard just choosing one so this seemed like such a good opportunity.


What future career goals do you hope to use the combined major towards?

Personally, as much as I love Earth sciences, I really do love anthropology. I feel moving forward I will do research within archaeology as it really does combine both in one way or another. Expanding in research opportunities is my path at the moment. I don’t quite feel like my road within academia is yet done. 


What type of student would you recommend the combined major to? What academic interests do you think it's most helpful for?

I would recommend the combined major for anyone that is interested in a partial stem major. Even though Earth Sciences/Anthropology is a BA, many of the classes you take are in Earth sciences so it is nice to be able to really have the best of both worlds in that aspect. I would also say it is for anyone who has a high interest in archeology and in anthropology careers that are focused outside of these areas. 


Do you have any advice or additional information you would like to share about the EART/ANTH combined major?

I loved having the opportunity to be able to have a combined major because I feel that it really expanded my knowledge within two different majors while also getting vital skills from each within the field. I love academia and being able to expand my knowledge in any way I found to be very beneficial as well as fulfilling. 


Interview questions created by Kira Klonel, a third year undergraduate student and a Peer Advisor in the Anthropology Department.