Undergraduate Program

College of Arts and Sciences and Department of Anthropology Undergraduate Admission Requirements

A minimum of 26 credit hours; 23 credit hours must be in courses acceptable toward graduation.

A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00 on all work.

  • Transfer students must have a 2.00 transfer GPA.
  • Continuing UNM students must have a 2.00 institutional GPA.

Demonstrated academic achievement by satisfying the following:

  • Completion of General Education Curriculum: Communication.
  • Completion of General Education Curriculum: Mathematics and Statistics.
  • Completion of General Education Curriculum: Second Language.

Completion of Department of Anthropology admission coursework with grade(s) of "C" or better:

  • ANTH 1115 or 1155 or (1211 and 1211L) or 1135 or 1140 or 1170 or 2175.

Degrees Offered

  • Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology (B.A.)
    Concentrations: Archaeology; Ethnology; Evolutionary Anthropology.
  • Bachelor of Science in Anthropology (B.S.)
    Concentrations: Archaeology; Evolutionary Anthropology; Human Biology.

Introduction

Anthropology, more than any other discipline, provides insights into who we are, how we became this way, and what our future might be. As a result, anthropology majors are well prepared to understand and solve today’s complex social and scientific problems. Anthropology at UNM is divided into three subfields: Archaeology, Ethnology, and Evolutionary Anthropology. Whether undergraduates choose to pursue graduate training in anthropology or some other field, or move directly into the workforce, the Anthropology Department seeks to provide them with a broad education by offering a variety of lecture, laboratory and field classes in these subfields. The department's graduate degrees prepare students to follow either academic or applied careers in Anthropology.


Major Study Requirements (36 credit hours)

Students who choose to major in Anthropology should consult with an undergraduate advisor in the Anthropology Department as early as possible. The advisors for each subfield are listed on the Anthropology Department Web site.

Students with a particular interest in linguistic anthropology should combine one of the core curriculum sequences with a minor in Linguistics. Both ANTH 310 and LING 301 should be included in their programs. It is highly recommended that such students consult with an advisor in linguistic anthropology early in their program.

Courses with identical content to 310 and *318 are also offered by the Department of Linguistics. Students may obtain credit for these courses in only one department; credit hours from either department may be applied toward the Anthropology major degree requirements.

All majors are required to fulfill either a subfield concentration or the general Anthropology requirements listed below.

Concentration Requirements (B.A. or B.S. degree)

Students choosing this option must concentrate in one of the three subfields of anthropology: Archaeology, Ethnology, Evolutionary Anthropology, or Human Biology.

The general requirements for the B.A. with concentration option are:

  • the core curriculum sequence in the desired subfield (listed below);
  • the core curriculum sequence for one of the two remaining subfields;
  • one 200-, 300-, or 400-level course level course in the remaining subfield;
  • at least 18 total credit hours of upper-division courses;
  • 6-12 credit hours of upper-division courses in your selected subfield. The number of upper-division courses required for each subfield differs. The subfield requirements are listed below;
  • electives at any level in any subfield to make a total of 36 credit hours.

The general requirements for the B.S. with concentration option are the same as those listed above for the B.A. options, AND:

  • concentration in Archaeology, Evolutionary Anthropology, or Human Biology;
  • an advanced anthropology laboratory course or summer field-school of 3 credit hours minimum. This course is in addition to any other subfield lab requirements (see below);
  • At least 6 credit hours of mathematics as approved for the College of Arts and Sciences group requirements. The mathematics courses must be taken for a letter grade (not Credit/No Credit);
  • a minor in, or distributed among, Astrophysics, Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth and Planetary Sciences, Geography, Mathematics, Physics, or Psychology.

General Anthropology Requirements (B.A. degree only)

As an alternative to choosing a concentration, students may choose the general major in Anthropology. The requirements for the general Anthropology option are:

  • the core curriculum sequence from two subfields;
  • one 200-, 300-, or 400-level course in the remaining subfield;
  • a minimum of 18 credit hours of upper-division courses;
  • electives at any level in any subfield to make a total of 36 credit hours.

Core Curriculum Sequences

As described above, anthropology majors are required to complete core curriculum sequences from two of the three subfields. The core curriculum sequences for each concentration are as follows:

Archaeology

Credit
Hours
ANTH 1211 Archaeological Method and Theory 3
ANTH 1211L Archaeological Method and Theory Laboratory 1
ANTH 2175 World Archaeology 3
ANTH 320 Strategy of Archaeology 3
Subtotal 10
Students must also take one additional course from Group A, B, and C for a total of at least 9 credit hours:  
Group A: Technical
ANTH *373 Technical Studies in Archaeology 3
ANTH 375 Archaeology Field Session 2-6
ANTH 480 Ceramic Analysis 3
ANTH 482L Geoarchaeology 3
Subtotal 3
Group B: Europe, SW Asia, Africa
ANTH 325 Stone Age Europe 3
ANTH 327 African Prehistory 3
ANTH 328 Near Eastern Archaeology 3
Subtotal 3
Group C: North and South America and Pacific
ANTH 321 Southwest Archaeology 3
ANTH 324 South American Archaeology 3
ANTH *371 Pre-Columbian Cultures of Ancient Mexico 3
ANTH *376 Maya Prehistory and Archaeology 3
Subtotal 3
ANTH *420 may also be applied to the above groups depending on subject matter; this requires department approval.  
In addition, the student must complete one additional core sequence within Anthropology, plus an elective from a third concentration, plus electives to complete the minimum credit hours.  
Total 36


All other requirements for students who choose Archaeology as their concentration are listed in the Major Study Requirements section above.

Ethnology

Credit
Hours
ANTH 1140 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology  3
ANTH 310 Language and Culture 3
ANTH 330 Principles of Cultural Anthropology 3
Subtotal 9
Four topics courses (300-400 level), 3 credit hours each:
ANTH *318 Grammatical Analysis
ANTH 332 Indigenous Peoples of South America
ANTH 333 Ritual Symbols and Behavior
ANTH *337 Anthropology of New Mexico
ANTH 340 Topics in Cultural Anthropology (advisor approval required)
ANTH 378 Indigenous Mexico
ANTH 381 The Anthropology of Heritage
ANTH 383 Ethnology Field School
ANTH 401 Native American Art I
ANTH 402 Native American Art II
ANTH 410 Topics in Linguistic Anthropology
ANTH 445 Country Music and Cultural Politics
ANTH 448 The Anthropology of Music and Sound
ANTH 468 Navajo Expressive Culture
Subtotal 12
Core curriculum sequence for Archaeology (7 cr.) or Evolutionary Anthropology (6 cr.) 7 or 6
One 2000-499 level course in the remaining subfield 3
Electives at any level in any subfield to make a total of 36 hours
Total 36


All other requirements for students who choose Ethnology as their concentration are listed in the Major Study Requirements section above.

Evolutionary Anthropology 

Credit
Hours
ANTH 1135 Introduction to Biological Anthropology 3
ANTH 1135L Introduction to Biological Anthropology Lab 1
ANTH 2135 Human Biology: Evolution, Life History, and Health 3
ANTH 350 Human Genetics (pre-req: ANTH 1135 or BIOL 2110C 3
ANTH 357 Human Evolution (pre-req: ANTH 1135 or ANTH 2135) 3
Subtotal 13
One Course from the following list:
ANTH 360 Human Behavioral Ecology (pre-req: ANTH 1135 or BIOL 1110) 3
ANTH 363 Primate Social Behavior 3
Subtotal 3
One course from the following list:
ANTH 351L Anthropology of the Skeleton 4
ANTH 390L Human Evolutionary Physiology and Anatomy 4
Subtotal 4
Additional requirements:
A 400-level class in Evolutionary Anthropology 3
Two courses from other subfields 6
Elective credits to complete a minimum of 36 credit hours in Anthropology 7
Subtotal 16
Total credits 36


Human Biology

Human Biology is a dynamic, multidisciplinary program that provides students with an introduction to biological, behavioral, and health sciences. It is essentially an organismal biology program that focuses on humans. Through a combination of coursework in Anthropology, Biology, Psychology, and Population Health, students will gain skillsets that will prepare them for future careers in STEM, including medical tracks and allied health fields.

The major requires one of the following minors: Biology, Population Health, Psychology, or Distributed Minor comprising classes among the three disciplines. Please review the minor requirements on the appropriate departmental page or, for Distributed Minors, the requirements listed in the Minors section of this page.

Credit
Hours
ANTH 1135 Introduction to Biological Anthropology 3
ANTH 1135L Introduction to Biological Anthropology Lab 1
ANTH 2135 Human Biology: Evolution, Life History, and Health 3
ANTH 350 Human Genetics (pre-req: ANTH 1135 or BIOL 2110C 3
ANTH 357 Human Evolution (pre-req: ANTH 1135 or ANTH 2135) 3
One 400-level Elective in Evolutionary Anthropology (student choice) 3
Subtotal 16
One Course from the following list:
ANTH 360 Human Behavioral Ecology (pre-req: ANTH 1135 or BIOL 1110) 3
ANTH 363 Primate Social Behavior 3
Subtotal 3
One Lecture-Lab from the following list:
ANTH 351L Anthropology of the Skeleton 4
ANTH 390L Human Evolutionary Physiology and Anatomy 4
Subtotal 4
Four to Five Anthropology Electives (suggested courses listed below):
ANTH 2190C Forensic Anthropology 4
ANTH 362 Great Apes: Mind and Behavior 3
ANTH 450 T: Hormones and Behavior 3
ANTH 450 T: Human Physical Activity 3
ANTH 452 Primate Evolution 3
ANTH 453L Paleoecology Lab 3
ANTH 454 Human Paleopathology (pre-req: ANTH 351L) 4
ANTH 455 Anthropological Genetics (pre-req: ANTH 1135 or BIOL2 110C) 3
ANTH 457 Paleoanthropology (pre-req: ANTH 357) 3
ANTH 458 Dental Anthropology (pre-req: ANTH 1135) 4
ANTH 459 Advanced Osteology (pre-req: ANTH 351L) 3
ANTH 464 Human Behavioral Evolution (pre-req: ANTH 357) 3
ANTH 491 Population Genetics 3
ANTH 561 Reproductive Ecology (level-restriction permission required) 3
ANTH 567 Human Behavioral Ecology and Life History (level-restriction permission required) 3
ANTH 645  Evolution of Primate Behavior (level-restriction permission required) 3
Subtotal 13-14
Total Credits 36-37

 


Minor Study Requirements (21 credit hours)

Minor in Anthropology

The requirements for a minor in Anthropology are:

  • ANTH 1115;
  • at least one of the following core curriculum sequences: 1135 and 350; 1140 and 330; 1170 and 360; ((1211 and 1211L) or 2175) and 320;
  • no more than 3 credit hours of field or problem courses (399, 497, 499);
  • at least 9 credit hours of upper-division courses. 300-level core sequence courses, field courses, and problems courses count as part this upper-division requirement.

Alternatively, a student may select a distributed minor focusing on anthropology.

Minor in Forensic Anthropology

The requirements for a minor in Forensic Anthropology are:

Credit
Hours
ANTH 1135 Introduction to Biological Anthropology  3
ANTH 1135L Introduction to Biological Anthropology Lab 1
ANTH 2190C Forensic Anthropology 4
ANTH 351L Anthropology of the Skeleton 4
ANTH 450 Human Variation and the Concept of Race 3
ANTH 455 Anthropological Genetics 3
One of the following:
ANTH 454 Paleopathology 4
ANTH 458 Dental Anthropology 4
ANTH 459 Advanced Osteology 4
Total 22


Minor in Forensic Sciences

The requirements for a minor in Forensic Sciences are:

Credit
Hours
ANTH 1135 Introduction to Biological Anthropology  3
ANTH 2190C Forensic Anthropology 4
ANTH 450 Human Variation and the Concept of Race 3
SOCI 2120 Introduction to Criminal Justice Systems 3
Two of the following:
ANTH 351L Anthropology of the Skeleton 4
BIOL 1140/1140L Biology for Health Sciences 4
PSYC 332 Abnormal Behavior 3
SOCI 424 Race, Class and Crime 3
Total 19-20

Note that that some of these courses have prerequisites; completing the Minor could involve completing more coursework than explicitly listed.

Students interested in pursuing a career in Forensic Science are encouraged to complete the Minor in Forensic Science in conjunction with a Major in Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, or Sociology.

Distributed Minors Outside Anthropology (21 credit hours)

For specific credit hour requirements please refer to the A&S Distributed Minor Requirements.  Students should design their distributed minor in consultation with the undergraduate advisor. All distributed minors require the approval of the Anthropology Undergraduate Committee. 


Departmental Honors

Students seeking departmental honors should identify a research project during their junior year in consultation with a professor in the Anthropology Department. The faculty and their research interests are listed on the departmental Web site. Honors students must enroll in the fall of their senior year in ANTH 498; after which, they must enroll in an appropriate section of ANTH 497. These 6 credit hours of honors work are in addition to the 36 credit hours required for the major.


Optional Medical School Prerequisites

Students planning to attend medical school after completing their undergraduate degree may benefit from taking the following courses:

  • PHYS1230 & 1230L Algebra-Based Physics I and Lab

  • PHYS1240 & 1240L Algebra-Based Physics II and Lab

  • CHEM1215 & 1215L General Chemistry I and Lab

  • CHEM1225 & 1225L General Chemistry II and Lab

  • CHEM301 & 303L Organic Chemistry I and Lab

  • CHEM302 & 304L Organic Chemistry II and Lab

  • BIOL2110C Principles of Biology: Cellular and Molecular Lecture and Lab             

  • BIOL2410C Principles of Biology: Genetics Lecture and Lab

  • BIOC423 Introductory Biochemistry
                 


Additional Information

The Department of Anthropology encourages anthropology majors to take a creative and self-motivated approach to their education. In close consultation with an advisor, majors are encouraged to take upper-division electives from different subfields to complete the elective requirements.

All students interested in majoring or minoring in anthropology should consult with one of the department undergraduate advisors as early in their academic careers as possible. The names and contact information for the advisors are listed on the Anthropology Department Web site.


Courses

ANTH 1115. Introduction to Anthropology. (3)



ANTH 1135. Introduction to Biological Anthropology. (3)



ANTH 1135L. Introduction to Biological Anthropology Laboratory. (1)



ANTH 1140. Introduction to Cultural Anthropology. (3)



ANTH 1155. Introduction to Linguistic Anthropology. (3)



ANTH 1170. Human Life. (3)



ANTH 1170L. Computer Laboratory in Human Evolutionary Ecology. (1)



ANTH 1211. Archaeology in Practice [Archaeological Method and Theory]. (3)



ANTH 1211L. Archaeology in Practice Laboratory [Archaeological Method and Theory Laboratory]. (1)



ANTH 1996. Topics. (1-6, no limit Δ)



ANTH 2135. Human Biology: Evolution, Life History, and Health. (3)



ANTH 2175. World Archaeology. (3)



ANTH 2190C. Forensic Anthropology. (3)



ANTH 2996. Topics. (1-6, no limit Δ)



ANTH 304. Current Research in Anthropology. (1-3)



ANTH 310. Language and Culture. (3)



ANTH *318. Grammatical Analysis. (3)



ANTH 320. Strategy of Archaeology. (3)



ANTH 321 / 521. Southwest Archaeology. (3)



ANTH 324 / 524. South American Archaeology. (3)



ANTH 325 / 525. Stone Age Europe. (3)



ANTH 327 / 527. African Prehistory. (3)



ANTH 328 / 528. Near Eastern Archaeology. (3)



ANTH 330. Principles of Cultural Anthropology. (3)



ANTH 332 / 532. Indigenous Peoples of South America. (3)



ANTH 333 / 533. Ritual Symbols and Behavior. (3)



ANTH 334 / 534. Colombia In War and Peace: Race, Class, and Gender at the Epicenter of Conflict and Peacemaking. (3)



ANTH 338 / 538. Environmental Conflict: Anthropological Perspectives. (3)



ANTH 340 / 540. Topics in Cultural Anthropology. (3, no limit Δ)



ANTH 343 / 543. Settler Colonialism in Palestine in the 21st Century. (3)



ANTH 350. Human Genetics and Genomics. (3)



ANTH *351L. Anthropology of the Skeleton. (4)



ANTH 357. Human Evolution . (3)



ANTH 360. Human Behavioral Ecology. (3)



ANTH 362 / 662. Great Apes: Mind and Behavior. (3)



ANTH 363. Primate Social Behavior. (3)



ANTH *371. Pre-Columbian Cultures of Ancient Mexico. (3)



ANTH *373. Technical Studies in Archaeology. (3, may be repeated twice Δ)



ANTH 375 / 575. Archaeology Field Session. (2-6 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



ANTH *376. Maya Prehistory and Archaeology. (3)



ANTH 378 / 578. Indigenous Mexico. (3)



ANTH 381 / 581. The Anthropology of Heritage. (3)



ANTH 383 / 583. Ethnology Field School. (3)



ANTH 390L / 590L. Human Evolutionary Physiology and Anatomy. (4)



ANTH 395 / 595. Paleoindians: Colonizing the Americas. (3)



ANTH 399. Introduction to Field and Laboratory Research. (1-6 to a maximum of 9 Δ)



ANTH 401 / 501. Native American Art I. (3)



ANTH 403 / 503. Native American Art II. (3)



ANTH 410 / 510. Topics in Linguistic Anthropology. (3, may be repeated four times Δ)



ANTH *420. Topics in Archaeology. (3, may be repeated four times Δ)



ANTH 444 / 544. Interdisciplinary Museum Science. (3, may be repeated once Δ)



ANTH 445 / 545. Country Music and Cultural Politics. (3)



ANTH 448 / 548. The Anthropology of Music and Sound. (3)



ANTH *450. Topics in Biological Anthropology. (3-4 to a maximum of 15 Δ)



ANTH 451 / 651. Bioarcheology. (3)



ANTH 452 / 552. Primate Evolution. (3)



ANTH 453L / 553L. Paleoecology Lab. (3)



ANTH 454 / 554. Human Paleopathology. (4)



ANTH 455. Anthropological Genetics. (3)



ANTH 457 / 557. Paleoanthropology. (3)



ANTH 458 / 558. Dental Anthropology. (4)



ANTH 464 / 564. Human Behavioral Evolution. (3)



ANTH 468 / 568. Navajo Expressive Culture. (3)



ANTH 473L / 573L. Archaeological Measurement and Laboratory Analysis. (4)



ANTH 480 / 580. Ceramic Analysis. (3)



ANTH 482L / 582L. Geoarchaeology. (3)



ANTH 484 / 584. Zooarchaeology. (3)



ANTH 485 / 585. Seminar in Museum Methods. (3, no limit Δ)



ANTH 486 / 586. Practicum: Museum Methods. (1-3, no limit Δ)



ANTH 491 / 591. Population Genetics. (3)



ANTH 497. Individual Study. (1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



ANTH 498. Honors Seminar. (3)



ANTH *499. Field Research. (2-6 to a maximum of 9 Δ)



ANTH 501 / 401. Native American Art I. (3)



ANTH 502. Center for Stable Isotopes Seminar. (1, may be repeated eight times Δ)



ANTH 503 / 403. Native American Art II. (3)



ANTH 509. Seminar in Native American Art. (3, no limit Δ)



ANTH 510 / 410. Topics in Linguistic Anthropology. (3, may be repeated four times Δ)



ANTH 514. Seminar: Linguistic Theory. (3, no limit Δ)



ANTH 521 / 321. Southwest Archaeology. (3)



ANTH 522. Lithic Analysis. (3)



ANTH 523. Quantitative Analysis in Archaeology. (3)



ANTH 524 / 324. South American Archaeology. (3)



ANTH 525 / 325. Stone Age Europe. (3)



ANTH 527 / 327. African Prehistory. (3)



ANTH 528 / 328. Near Eastern Archaeology. (3)



ANTH 529. Archaeology of Complex Societies. (3)



ANTH 530. Topics in Ethnology. (3, no limit Δ)



ANTH 532 / 332. Indigenous Peoples of South America. (3)



ANTH 533 / 333. Ritual Symbols and Behavior. (3)



ANTH 534 / 334. Colombia In War and Peace: Race, Class, and Gender at the Epicenter of Conflict and Peacemaking. (3)



ANTH 537. Seminar: Southwestern Ethnology. (3)



ANTH 538 / 338. Environmental Conflict: Anthropological Perspectives. (3)



ANTH 540 / 340. Topics in Cultural Anthropology. (3, no limit Δ)



ANTH 541. Problems and Practice in Ethnography. (3)



ANTH 543 / 343. Settler Colonialism in Palestine in the 21st Century. (3)



ANTH 544 / 444. Interdisciplinary Museum Science. (3, may be repeated once Δ)



ANTH 545 / 445. Country Music and Cultural Politics. (3)



ANTH 546. Theory in Ethnology I. (3)



ANTH 547. Theory in Ethnology II. (3)



ANTH 548 / 448. The Anthropology of Music and Sound. (3)



ANTH 550. Topics in Biological Anthropology. (3-4 to a maximum of 15 Δ)



ANTH 552 / 452. Primate Evolution. (3)



ANTH 553L / 453L. Paleoecology Lab. (3)



ANTH 554 / 454. Human Paleopathology. (4)



ANTH 555. Anthropological Genetics. (3)



ANTH 557 / 457. Paleoanthropology. (3)



ANTH 558 / 458. Dental Anthropology. (4)



ANTH 562. Human Life History. (3)



ANTH 564 / 464. Human Behavioral Evolution. (3)



ANTH 567. Human Behavioral Ecology and Life History. (3)



ANTH 568 / 468. Navajo Expressive Culture. (3)



ANTH 570. Advanced Topics in Archaeology. (3, may be repeated four times Δ)



ANTH 572. Science in Archaeology. (3)



ANTH 573. Topics in Advanced Technical Studies in Archaeology. (3, may be repeated three times Δ)



ANTH 573L / 473L. Archaeological Measurement and Laboratory Analysis. (4)



ANTH 574. History and Theory of Archaeology. (3)



ANTH 575 / 375. Archaeology Field Session. (2-6 to a maximum of 12 Δ)



ANTH 577. Seminar: European Prehistory. (3, may be repeated twice Δ)



ANTH 578 / 378. Indigenous Mexico. (3)



ANTH 579. Current Debates in Archaeology. (3)



ANTH 580 / 480. Ceramic Analysis. (3)



ANTH 581 / 381. The Anthropology of Heritage. (3)



ANTH 582L / 482L. Geoarchaeology. (3)



ANTH 583 / 383. Ethnology Field School. (3)



ANTH 584 / 484. Zooarchaeology. (3)



ANTH 585 / 485. Seminar in Museum Methods. (3, no limit Δ)



ANTH 586 / 486. Practicum: Museum Methods. (1-3, no limit Δ)



ANTH 590L / 390L. Human Evolutionary Physiology and Anatomy. (4)



ANTH 591 / 491. Population Genetics. (3)



ANTH 592. Managing Cultural Resources. (3)



ANTH 594. Professional Development. (1)



ANTH 595 / 395. Paleoindians: Colonizing the Americas. (3)



ANTH 597. Problems. (1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



ANTH 598. Advanced Research. (3, no limit Δ)



ANTH 599. Master's Thesis. (1-6, no limit Δ)



ANTH 620. Topics in Interdisciplinary Biological and Biomedical Sciences. (3, no limit Δ)



ANTH 645. Evolution of Primate Behavior. (3)



ANTH 651 / 451. Bioarcheology. (3)



ANTH 662 / 362. Great Apes: Mind and Behavior. (3)



ANTH 663. Human Evolutionary Ecology Research Methods and Design. (3)



ANTH 675. Anthropological Research Proposals. (3)



ANTH 697. Problems. (1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



ANTH 698. Advanced Research. (3, no limit Δ)



ANTH 699. Dissertation. (3-12, no limit Δ)



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