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BS Anthropology Forensics Emphasis

Forensic Anthropologists analyze skeletal, decomposed, or otherwise unidentified human remains to aid in death investigations. Forensic Anthropologists should possess good analytical skills, critical thinking abilities, and logical reasoning. They need to have good mathematical skills, attention to detail, and what might be called “3-D imagination”, in order to visualize the reconstruction of a shattered skull, process a crime scene, or understand how the forces in trauma affect bone.

Required Courses

Take at least 37 credits from University Foundations. Must Include:

  • ANTH 104 – Biological Anthropology (FN) (3)
  • ANTH 104L – Biological Anthropology Lab (FN) (1)
  • ANTH 102 – Cultural Anthropology (3) OR
  • ANTH 216 – Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion (3)

Forensic Requirements

Take the following:

  • ANTH 103 – Introduction to Archaeology (3)
  • ANTH 155 – Introduction to R Programming (1)
  • ANTH 312 – Archaeology of North America (3)
  • ANTH 330 – Osteology (3)
  • ANTH 444 – Forensic Anthropology (3)
  • ANTH 492 – Senior Practicum-Portfolio (FF) (1)
  • CJ 101 – Introduction to Criminal Justice (3)
  • CJ 375 – Criminal Procedure (3)
  • BIOL 191 – Biology 1: Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology (FN) (4)

Data Analysis Courses

Complete 1 of the following:

  • DATA-R 322 – Principles of Data Science (3)
  • DATA-R 485 – Statistical Modeling (3)

OR

  • GEOG 360 – Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (3)
  • GEOG 430 – GIS Data and Communication (3)

Biological Anthropology Elective Courses

Take at least 2 of the following:

  • ANTH 325 – Human Variation (3)
  • ANTH 401 – Human Evolution and Paleoanthropology (3)
  • ANTH 417 – Bioarchaeology (3)

Archaeology Elective Courses

Take at least 2 of the following:

  • ANTH 314 – Environmental Anthropology (3)
  • ANTH 400 – Hunter-Gatherers (3)
  • ANTH 402 – Quaternary Environments and Geoarchaeology (3)
  • ANTH 415 – Archaeological Science (3)
  • ANTH 416 – Evolution of Human Technology (3)
  • ANTH 424 – Introduction to Cultural Resource Management (3)

Cultural Anthropology Elective Courses

Take at least 2 of the following:

  • ANTH 307 – Anthropology of Native North America (3)
  • ANTH 350 – Human Behavioral Ecology (3)
  • ANTH 352 – Evolution of the Human Lifecycle (3)
  • ANTH 418 – Research Methods for Social Scientists (3)
  • ANTH 425 – Medical Anthropology: Disease, Culture, and Healing (3)

Statistical Methods Courses

Take at least 1 of the following:

  • MATH 153 – Statistical Reasoning (FM) (3)
  • MATH 254 – Statistical Methods (FM) (3)
  • POLS 301 – Advanced Political Science Methods (3)
  • PSYC 295 – Statistical Methods (3)
  • SOC 310 – Elementary Social Statistics (3)

Take at least 3 credits from the following:

  • Upper-division electives. See your advisor for recommended electives.

Take at least 33 credits from the following:

  • Electives to total 120 credits.

See the Undergraduate Catalog for a complete list of Forensics emphasis requirements

Career Outlook

  • Forensic Technician
  • Law Enforcement
  • Military