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Anthropology - B.S.

Anthropology - B.S.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Anthropology is for students who wish to acquire in-depth training in archaeology and biological anthropology. The program is more structured in terms of course requirements than the B.A. degree in Anthropology and provides students with methods and theory that will prepare them for graduate school and future careers in the discipline.

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Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology

Kent State University’s Bachelor of Science Degree in Anthropology provides students with a strong scientific foundation in the study of human evolution, biology, and behavior. The program emphasizes biological anthropology, archaeology, and forensic anthropology, offering hands-on training in research methods, lab techniques, and fieldwork. Students explore the biological aspects of humanity, from genetics to human fossils, while developing analytical and problem-solving skills. Graduates are well-prepared for careers in forensic science, archaeological research, healthcare, and environmental studies, or for pursuing advanced studies in anthropology, medicine, or related scientific fields.

Program Information for Anthropology - B.S.

Program Description

Full Description

The Bachelor of Science degree in Anthropology is for students who wish to acquire in-depth training in archaeology and biological anthropology. The program is more structured in terms of course requirements than the B.A. degree in Anthropology and provides students with methods and theory that will prepare them for graduate school and future careers in the discipline.

The Anthropology major comprises the following concentrations:

  • The Archaeology concentration provides students with in-depth training in analysis and field opportunities, as well as coursework in archeological theory and cultural ecology. The program emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of archaeology. Students take courses in geography, geology and mathematics; and have the option of chemistry or physics courses, depending on interests and aspirations. The program features hands-on training using the latest technologies, including morphometric analysis, material properties testing, artifact replication, digital recording and mapping equipment. Areas of specialization include experimental archaeology, Old World Paleolithic archaeology and North American archaeology.
  • The Biological Anthropology concentration trains students in aspects of evolutionary theory, human evolution and human variation. Coursework includes studies of living primates, their anatomy, behavior, ecology and conservation. Laboratory work for genetics, endocrinology, bone biology and neurobiology are available for undergraduate training. Additionally, the freshmen human evolution laboratory enhances the learning process in the biological aspects of human nature.
Admissions for Anthropology - B.S.

Admission Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.

First-Year Students on the Kent Campus: First-year admission policy on the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon cumulative grade point average, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends. Students not admissible to the Kent Campus may be administratively referred to one of the seven regional campuses to begin their college coursework. For more information, visit the admissions website for first-year students.

First-Year Students on the Regional Campuses: First-year admission to Kent State’s campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, as well as the Twinsburg Academic Center, is open to anyone with a high school diploma or its equivalent. For more information on admissions, contact the Regional Campuses admissions offices.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning a minimum 525 TOEFL score (71 on the Internet-based version), minimum 75 MELAB score, minimum 6.0 IELTS score or minimum 48 PTE Academic score, or by completing the ELS level 112 Intensive Program. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.

Transfer Students: Students who have attended any other educational institution after graduating from high school must apply as undergraduate transfer students. For more information, visit the admissions website for transfer students.

Former Students: Former Kent State students or graduates who have not attended another college or university since Kent State may complete the reenrollment or reinstatement form on the University Registrar’s website.

Admission policies for undergraduate students may be found in the University Catalog's Academic Policies.

Some programs may require that students meet certain requirements before progressing through the program. For programs with progression requirements, the information is shown on the program's Coursework tab.

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Acquire a foundational view of human cultures and an extensive knowledge base of diverse human behavior.
  2. Demonstrate broad skills in social, physical and biological sciences.
  3. Understand how social scientists think and apply their findings.

Graduates of the Archaeology concentration will be able to:

  1. Learn how anthropologists investigate the past combining the methods of social and natural scientists.
  2. Demonstrate comprehension of anthropology’s special role in making archaeology (particularly the study of the ancient Americas) come to life and become relevant for them.
  3. Gain a special appreciation of archaeology’s other mandate—the need to conserve the precious heritage of the archaeological record, both in the New World and the Old World.
  4. Demonstrate thorough knowledge of general chemistry and/or physics,  fundamental mathematics, as well as specific areas of geology and geography.

Graduates of the Biological Anthropology concentration will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of biological anthropology as the most relevant evolution science, the one which gives them an appreciation of their place in nature.
  2. See the two dimensions of human evolution and adaptation: a global one (modern human variation) and a deep temporal one (human origins). Both dimensions require an appreciation of the neo-Darwinian theory of evolution, which includes both the process of natural selection and the roles which genetics and developmental biology play.
  3. Demonstrate thorough knowledge of general chemistry and fundamental mathematics, as well as specific areas in the biological sciences.
Coursework

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements (courses count in major GPA)
ANTH 18210INTRODUCTION TO CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY (DIVG) (KSS) 3
ANTH 18420INTRODUCTION TO ARCHAEOLOGY (DIVG) (KSS) 3
ANTH 18630HUMAN EVOLUTION (KBS) 3
ANTH 18631ISSUES IN HUMAN EVOLUTION (KBS) (KLAB) 1
ANTH 38480ARCHAEOLOGICAL ANALYSIS (ELR) (WIC) 13
ANTH 38490QUANTITATIVE ANTHROPOLOGY 3
MATH 11022TRIGONOMETRY (KMCR) 3
MATH 12002ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS I (KMCR) 5
Anthropology (ANTH) Upper-Division Electives (30000 or 40000 level)15
Archaeology Elective, choose from the following:3
ANTH 48010
NORTH AMERICA'S ICE AGE HUNTERS
ANTH 48225
ARCHAEOLOGY OF DEATH (ELR) (WIC) 1
ANTH 48242
ARCHAEOLOGICAL CERAMICS
ANTH 48440
ARCHAEOLOGY OF ANCIENT OHIO
ANTH 48450
ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS
Biological Anthropology Elective, choose from the following:3
ANTH 38680
PRIMATE SOCIETIES
ANTH 48330
PRIMATE ENDOCRINOLOGY
ANTH 48623
HUMAN VARIATION
ANTH 48820
HUMAN MUSCULO-SKELETAL SYSTEM
ANTH 48835
PRIMATE ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
Cultural Anthropology Elective, choose from the following:3
ANTH 48214
POLITICS OF CULTURE (ELR) (WIC) 1
ANTH 48220
CULTURAL ECOLOGY AND SUSTAINABILITY
ANTH 48245
PSYCHOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY (DIVG)
ANTH 48250
MEDICAL ANTHROPOLOGY (DIVG)
Additional Requirements (course do not count in major GPA)
UC 10001FLASHES 101 1
Foreign Language (see Foreign Language College Requirement below)8
Kent Core Composition6
Kent Core Humanities and Fine Arts (minimum one course from each)9
Kent Core Social Sciences (must be from two disciplines) (cannot be ANTH)3
General Electives (total credit hours depends on earning 120 credit hours, including 39 upper-division credit hours)18
Concentrations
Choose from the following:27
Minimum Total Credit Hours:120
1

A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

Archaeology Concentration Requirements

Concentration Requirements (courses count in major GPA)
CHEM 10060GENERAL CHEMISTRY I (KBS) 14
or PHY 13001 GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS I (KBS)
CHEM 10061GENERAL CHEMISTRY II (KBS) 14
or PHY 13002 GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS II (KBS)
CHEM 10062GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) 11
or PHY 13021 GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS LABORATORY I (KBS) (KLAB)
CHEM 10063GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) 11
or PHY 13022 GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS LABORATORY II (KBS) (KLAB)
ESCI 11040HOW THE EARTH WORKS (KBS) 3
ESCI 11041HOW THE EARTH WORKS LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) 1
ESCI 23063EARTH MATERIALS I 4
or ESCI 32066 GEOMORPHOLOGY
GEOG 10160INTRODUCTION TO GEOGRAPHY 3
Concentration Electives, choose from the following:6-7
GEOG 22061
HUMAN GEOGRAPHY (DIVG) (KSS)
GEOG 49070
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE
GEOG 49080
ADVANCED GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE
GEOG 49230
REMOTE SENSING
Minimum Total Credit Hours:27
1

Students take the lectures and associated labs in either chemistry or physics.

Biological Anthropology Concentration Requirements

Concentration Requirements (courses count in major GPA)
ANTH 28300INTRODUCTION TO FORENSIC GENETICS 3
or BSCI 30050 HUMAN GENETICS
or BSCI 30156 ELEMENTS OF GENETICS
BSCI 10120BIOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS (ELR) (KBS) (KLAB) 4
BSCI 30140CELL BIOLOGY 4
CHEM 10060GENERAL CHEMISTRY I (KBS) 4
CHEM 10061GENERAL CHEMISTRY II (KBS) 4
CHEM 10062GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) 1
CHEM 10063GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) 1
Biology Electives, choose from the following:6-7
BSCI 30360
GENERAL ECOLOGY
BSCI 30518
VERTEBRATE ANATOMY
BSCI 40163
EVOLUTION
BSCI 40430
ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY
BSCI 40520
BEHAVIORAL EVOLUTION (WIC) 1
BSCI 40558
MAMMALOGY
Minimum Total Credit Hours:27
1

A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

Graduation Requirements

Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
2.00 2.00
  • To fulfill the diversity requirement, students must take a domestic diversity course that is not an ANTH course.

Foreign Language College Requirement, B.S.

  • Students pursuing the Bachelor of Science degree in the College of Arts and Sciences must complete 8 credit hours of foreign language.
  • The following programs are exempt from this requirement: The Bachelor of Science in Cybercriminology and the Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science.2
  • Minimum Elementary I and II of the same language
1

All students with prior foreign language experience should take the foreign language placement test to determine the appropriate level at which to start. Some students may start beyond the Elementary I level and will complete the requirement with fewer credit hours and courses. This may be accomplished by (1) passing a course beyond Elementary I through Intermediate II level; (2) receiving credit through one of the alternative credit programs offered by Kent State University; or (3) demonstrating language proficiency comparable to Elementary II of a foreign language. When students complete the requirement with fewer than 8 credit hours and two courses, they will complete remaining credit hours with general electives.

2
The Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science exemption exists under another college policy (Three-Plus-One Programs). The Bachelor of Science in Cybercriminology exemption is due to its extensive collaboration with and contribution from the Information Technology program in the College of Applied and Technical Studies, which does not have a foreign language requirement.
Roadmap

Roadmaps

Archaeology Concentration

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
!ANTH 18210
or ANTH 18420
INTRODUCTION TO CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY (DIVG) (KSS)
or INTRODUCTION TO ARCHAEOLOGY (DIVG) (KSS)
3
CHEM 10060
or PHY 13001
GENERAL CHEMISTRY I (KBS)
or GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS I (KBS)
4
CHEM 10062
or PHY 13021
GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB)
or GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS LABORATORY I (KBS) (KLAB)
1
ESCI 11040 HOW THE EARTH WORKS (KBS) 3
ESCI 11041 HOW THE EARTH WORKS LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) 1
UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours16
Semester Two
!ANTH 18210
or ANTH 18420
INTRODUCTION TO CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY (DIVG) (KSS)
or INTRODUCTION TO ARCHAEOLOGY (DIVG) (KSS)
3
CHEM 10061
or PHY 13002
GENERAL CHEMISTRY II (KBS)
or GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS II (KBS)
4
CHEM 10063
or PHY 13022
GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB)
or GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS LABORATORY II (KBS) (KLAB)
1
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours17
Semester Three
MATH 11022 TRIGONOMETRY (KMCR) 3
Anthropology (ANTH) Upper-Division Elective (30000 or 40000 level) 3
Foreign Language 4
Kent Core Requirement 3
General Elective 3
 Credit Hours16
Semester Four
!ANTH 18630 HUMAN EVOLUTION (KBS) 3
ANTH 18631 ISSUES IN HUMAN EVOLUTION (KBS) (KLAB) 1
MATH 12002 ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS I (KMCR) 5
Foreign Language 4
General Elective 3
 Credit Hours16
Semester Five
!ANTH 38480
or ANTH 38490
ARCHAEOLOGICAL ANALYSIS (ELR) (WIC)
or QUANTITATIVE ANTHROPOLOGY
3
GEOG 10160 INTRODUCTION TO GEOGRAPHY 3
!Archaeology Elective 3
General Electives 6
 Credit Hours15
Semester Six
!ANTH 38480
or ANTH 38490
ARCHAEOLOGICAL ANALYSIS (ELR) (WIC)
or QUANTITATIVE ANTHROPOLOGY
3
!Biological Anthropology Elective 3
Concentration Elective 3-4
Cultural Anthropology Elective 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Seven
Anthropology (ANTH) Upper-Division Electives (30000 or 40000 level) 6
Concentration Elective 3-4
General Elective 3
 Credit Hours12
Semester Eight
ESCI 23063
or ESCI 32066
EARTH MATERIALS I
or GEOMORPHOLOGY
4
Anthropology (ANTH) Upper-Division Electives (30000 or 40000 level) 6
General Elective 3
 Credit Hours13
 Minimum Total Credit Hours:120

Biological Anthropology Concentration

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
!ANTH 18210
or ANTH 18420
INTRODUCTION TO CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY (DIVG) (KSS)
or INTRODUCTION TO ARCHAEOLOGY (DIVG) (KSS)
3
BSCI 10120 BIOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS (ELR) (KBS) (KLAB) 4
MATH 11022 TRIGONOMETRY (KMCR) 3
UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours17
Semester Two
!ANTH 18210
or ANTH 18420
INTRODUCTION TO CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY (DIVG) (KSS)
or INTRODUCTION TO ARCHAEOLOGY (DIVG) (KSS)
3
MATH 12002 ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS I (KMCR) 5
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours17
Semester Three
CHEM 10060 GENERAL CHEMISTRY I (KBS) 4
CHEM 10062 GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) 1
Foreign Language 4
Kent Core Requirement 3
General Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Four
!ANTH 18630 HUMAN EVOLUTION (KBS) 3
ANTH 18631 ISSUES IN HUMAN EVOLUTION (KBS) (KLAB) 1
CHEM 10061 GENERAL CHEMISTRY II (KBS) 4
CHEM 10063 GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) 1
Foreign Language 4
General Elective 3
 Credit Hours16
Semester Five
ANTH 38480
or ANTH 38490
ARCHAEOLOGICAL ANALYSIS (ELR) (WIC)
or QUANTITATIVE ANTHROPOLOGY
3
BSCI 30140 CELL BIOLOGY 4
Cultural Anthropology Elective 3
General Electives 4
 Credit Hours14
Semester Six
ANTH 28300
or BSCI 30050
or BSCI 30156
INTRODUCTION TO FORENSIC GENETICS
or HUMAN GENETICS
or ELEMENTS OF GENETICS
3
ANTH 38480
or ANTH 38490
ARCHAEOLOGICAL ANALYSIS (ELR) (WIC)
or QUANTITATIVE ANTHROPOLOGY
3
Archaeology Elective 3
General Electives 6
 Credit Hours15
Semester Seven
Anthropology (ANTH) Upper-Division Electives (30000 or 40000 level) 9
Biology Elective 3-4
General Elective 2
 Credit Hours14
Semester Eight
Anthropology (ANTH) Upper-Division Electives (30000 or 40000 level) 6
Biological Anthropology Elective 3
Biology Elective 3-4
 Credit Hours12
 Minimum Total Credit Hours:120
Program Delivery
  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Anthropology - B.S.

Graduates of Kent State University’s B.S. Degree in Anthropology are well-prepared for careers that emphasize scientific research and analysis in fields such as forensic anthropology, archaeology, and healthcare. They can work as forensic scientists, archaeological field technicians, museum specialists, or in roles related to environmental conservation and public health. The program's strong focus on biological anthropology and hands-on lab experience equips students with the skills needed for positions in research institutions, government agencies, and healthcare organizations. Additionally, this degree provides an excellent foundation for pursuing advanced studies in anthropology, medicine, or other related scientific disciplines.

Anthropologists and archeologists

5.2%

faster than the average

8,000

number of jobs

$66,130

potential earnings

Anthropology and archeology teachers, postsecondary

4.4%

about as fast as the average

7,200

number of jobs

$89,220

potential earnings

Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.