Biological Anthropology

What if you could...

What if you could get to know some of the permanent residents of Faulkner House, home of the anthropology department...

Biological anthropology works to understand the “why” of human biology and behavior

Why do we have big brains and walk upright?

Why and how did we develop to be the creatures we are, including our colossal craniums and bipedalism? How do we compare to other primates? What does fossil and genetic evidence reveal about how we used to be?
Drew is the only liberal arts university with a biological anthropology major. You usually only find it at large places like Duke or Harvard. It’s rare to have even one biological anthropology faculty member at smaller places.
Biological anthropology is 100 years older than cultural anthropology. Currently it’s burgeoning with exciting advances in biology, primate studies and human evolution. Recent work in genetics and ancient DNA, as well as interesting new fossil discoveries, make it a fascinating time to be a biological anthropologist.
There is great camaraderie among the biologists and anthropologists at Drew. It’s not at all the usual story: feuding scientists and social scientists. We have a lot of respect for each other and what we’re building in this field.

**bye classroom. hello summer.**
Do fieldwork in Poland with archaeologists Intern at New York City’s American Museum of Natural History Study primates in Peru or Uganda Learn forensics in a New Jersey medical examiner’s office.

Careers Made easy

Make no bones about it

This is a crucial area to study given all the stresses on human society. Primate studies alone tell us so much about the biological underpinnings of human nature. We do research that feeds into decision-making in medicine, sociology, government and business.

The field also informs such debates as the biological validity of race or to what extent humans are innately violent.

We’re experts in skeletal remains, no matter how old they are. Biological anthropologists work with archaeologists and historians as well as with law enforcement agencies or the government as forensic scientists.

Full-Impact Students

Gus Baxter

Biological anthropology has made me adventurous. I’m not as afraid to go out for a position, or just put my neck out. I’ll apply for an internship and feel, “maybe I’ll get it, or maybe I won’t.” I’m definitely more confident.

Check out Gus’ audio slideshow.

Passionate Faculty

Jill Rhodes

Assistant professor of anthropology

I am a biological anthropologist working in West Mexico where I integrate students into my work on the bioarchaeology of Late Formative Period shaft and chamber tomb sites.

Ph.D., University of Bradford

Passionate Faculty

Linda Van Blerkom

Professor of anthropology

I’m a biological and medical anthropologist specializing in human evolution and the co-evolution of humans and their infectious diseases.

Ph.D., University of Colorado

Passionate Faculty

Tammy Windfelder

Professor of biology

I’ve studied primate behavior in Peru and Uganda, and recently started research on small mammal population dynamics here in New Jersey. When I’m in the field, what I miss most are hot showers, McDonald’s and not having to wake up before dawn.

Ph.D., Duke University

Successful Alumni

Co-director, Jane Goodall Research Center
University of Southern California
Cancer research technician
Columbia Medical Center
Biology instructor
Peace Corps, Uganda

Learn more about when you graduate

anthro club potluck dinner + midnight swim in Tipple Pond = Drew legends

My Favorite Course

“We got to come together and present on the areas that we specialized in over four years. It was a great way to relearn the intricacies of the major, while still being able to understand everything.”

Gus Baxter on Senior Seminar

View the catalog for details

Major

Major

Requirements for the Major (64 credits)

I. Introductory Level (24 credits)

ANTH 103 - Human Evolution: Biological Anthropology and Archaeology (4)

An introduction to the study of human biological and cultural evolution using the methods and theories of biological anthropology and archaeology. The course surveys some basic principles of evolutionary theory, primatology, the hominid fossil record, origins of modern humans, their physical variation, and archaeological evidence for the evolution of symbolic behavior, agriculture, and civilization.

Offered: every semester.

ANTH 104 - Cultural Diversity: Cultural Anthropology and Linguistics (4)

A comparative examination of the cultural diversity of humanity. Using case studies of peoples in differing contexts, the course presents theories and data on a range of topics for understanding contemporary human conditions, including subsistence strategies, political and economic systems, religion and expressive behavior, language, culture change, and the interdependence of cultures throughout the planet.

Offered: every semester.

BIOL 150 - Ecology and Evolution (4)

An exploration of evolutionary and ecological processes and consequences, with close examination of population dynamics, population genetics, principles of heredity, the evolution of adaptations, community interactions, ecosystems, and biodiversity. Laboratory includes field-based investigations of upland and wetland ecosystems, as well as simulations and laboratory experiments.

Offered: fall semester.

BIOL 160 - Diversity of Life: Animals, Plants, and Microbes (4)

A survey of the animals, plants, fungi, protista, and bacteria of Planet Earth, with comparative analysis of adaptations for survival, reproduction, development, and metabolism. Laboratory emphasizes experimental methods of science as well as morphology and physiology of the major phyla.

Offered: spring semester.

CHEM 150 - Principles of Chemistry I (4)

An introduction to the fundamental principles of chemistry as a quantitative science, including inorganic reactions, properties of gases, liquids, and solids, thermochemistry, atomic theory, and nuclear chemistry. Appropriate for those with little or no background in chemistry.

Offered: fall semester.

CHEM 160 - Principles of Chemistry II (4)

A continuation of CHEM 150/CHEM 151 covering the structure of solids, kinetics, thermodynamics, equilibria, electrochemistry, and the principles of descriptive inorganic chemistry, including the transition metals.

Offered: spring semester.

Prerequisite: CHEM 150/CHEM 151.

II. Intermediate Level (12 credits)

ANTH 202 - Ecological Anthropology (4)

An interdisciplinary course that draws on data and theory from cultural and biological perspectives in anthropology and from environmental studies to question and examine the relationship of humans and the environment. Through comparisons of human cultural and biological adaptations to physical environments of the past and present, students gain a unique perspective on our impact on, relationship with, and place within the natural world.

Offered: fall semester.

BIOL 250 - Molecular and Cellular Biology (4)

An introduction to composition, structure, and function of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, using themes of energy and reproduction. Topics include DNA replication, transcription, and translation, mutations, gene regulation, membrane function, cellular communication, motility, absorption, and secretion. Laboratory includes current research techniques such as cell culture nucleic acid characterization, cloning, and restriction mapping.

Offered: fall semester.

Prerequisite: BIOL 150, BIOL 160 and CHEM 160.

BIOL 254 - Vertebrate Anatomy and Physiology (4)

An examination of the structure and function of various physiological systems, such as circulation, respiration, and reproduction. How organs and organ systems evolved, how they function at a biochemical and biophysical level, how they are regulated, and how the functions of multiple systems are interconnected and coordinated within the whole organism. Laboratory will include the exploration of the dynamic function and regulation of human physiological systems and the study of anatomy through dissection of animal specimens.

Offered: spring semester.

Prerequisite: BIOL 160, BIOL 250 and CHEM 160.

III. Methods (8 credits)

ANTH 311 - Archaeological Method and Theory (4)

Archaeology relies on a body of theories and methods for reading human prehistory from the incomplete record left by past cultures. This course offers a counterpoint to ANTH 230 - Ancient Societies in examining how questions asked by archaeologists are addressed. Topics include techniques of excavation and artifact analysis and the major theoretical approaches to archaeological inference. The course is divided between lecture and laboratory sessions in which students analyze archaeological data.

Offered: fall semester.

Prerequisite: ANTH 103.

ANTH 312 - Human Osteology (4)

A study of human skeletal biology and bioarcheology. The purpose of the course is to familiarize students with the bones and anatomical landmarks of the human skeleton and how stress, disease, injury, and lifestyle affect them. The course includes some instruction in paleopathology and forensic anthropology, with laboratory exercises providing direct examination of skeletal material.

Offered: fall semester.

Prerequisite: ANTH 103 or permission of instructor.

MATH 117 - Introductory Statistics (4) (Same as: MAT+861.)

This course is designed to enable you to use statistics for data analysis and to understand the use of statistics in the media. The course makes use of SPSS, a widely-used statistics package for the computer. Course topics include graphical and tabular presentation of data, measures of central tendency, dispersion, and shape, linear transformations of data, correlation, regression, basic probability and the normal probability model, sampling, t-tests, and one-way analysis of variance.

Offered: every semester.

IV. Additional (16 credits)

ANTH 301 - Medical Anthropology (4)

The cross-cultural study of health and healing in ecological, evolutionary, and political-economic perspectives. Surveys cultural differences in health, reproduction, nutrition, disease ecology, medical systems, and mortality. Also considers the evolution of human disease and the efficacy of different medical systems.

Offered: fall semester.

Prerequisite: ANTH 104 or permission of instructor.

ANTH 320 - Selected Topics in Biological Anthropology (4)

An investigation of one or more major subject areas in biological anthropology. Topics vary in accordance with student interest and faculty expertise and may include intensive courses in primatology, human adaptability, osteology, anthropological genetics or other aspects of human biology.

May be repeated for credit as topic changes.

Offered: Offering to be determined.

Prerequisite: ANTH 103.

ANTH 321 - Forensic Anthropology (4)

Forensic anthropology is a specialized field concerned with the application of the techniques of physical anthropology and human osteology to matters dealing with the law and the medico-legal professions. This course will provide students grounding in the specialist skills of a forensic anthropologist, including the identification and recovery of human remains, calculating the death interval, building a biological profile and identifying the cause and manner of death. The role of the forensic anthropologist in mass disasters, military service, and investigation of war crimes and other human rights violations will also be discussed. Labs will apply knowledge in practical scenarios such as identifying animal versus human remains, field search and recovery methods, determining age at death, sex, stature, ancestry, and identifying any antemortem conditions that may contribute towards a positive identification. Students will also learn how to identify any trauma or other pathological

Prerequisite: ANTH 312 - Human Osteology

ANTH 322 - Primatology (4)

The study of primate behavior, how it can be understood as environmental adaptation, its evolutionary significance, and how it compares to human behavior. Topics include primate ecology, social behavior, sociobiology, and cognition.

Offered: spring semester in even numbered years.

Prerequisite: ANTH 103 or permission of instructor.

ANTH 326 - Evolution and Human Behavior (4)

A study of the basic principles of evolutionary theory as applied to the study of human social behavior. The course examines competing views on the importance of biology for understanding human behavior and considers the relationship between genes and culture.

Offered: spring semester in even-numbered years.

Prerequisite: ANTH 103 or permission of instructor.

ANTH 327 - Human Evolutionary Genetics (4)

A study of human genetics in evolutionary perspective. Topics include the structure of the human genome, human-ape comparisons, human genetic diversity, interpreting that diversity, what it tells us about human origins and migrations, effects of population admixture, health implications, and forensic DNA analysis.

Offered: spring semester in odd-numbered years.

Prerequisite: ANTH 103 or BIOL 150.

BIOL 312 - Evolutionary Genetics (4)

An exploration of major concepts in evolutionary biology. Topics include population genetics, quantitative genetics, natural selection, molecular evolution, speciation, systematics, and paleobiology. Although the primary emphasis will be on theoretical concepts, students will be introduced to the methods used to test evolutionary hypotheses in both lecture and lab. Fulfills laboratory requirement for major.

Offered: spring semester in even-numbered years.

Prerequisite: BIOL 150, BIOL 160, and BIOL 250, or permission of instructor.

BIOL 314 - Animal Behavior (4)

An investigation of the behavior of animals from an evolutionary perspective Topics to be covered include foraging, vigilance, social behavior, mating strategies, animal communication, and more. Lectures and discussions will focus on theoretical principles supported by empirical examples from organisms such as dung beetles, striped plateau lizards, song sparrows, and various primate species. Laboratories will be focused on experimental design and learning the techniques of conducting animal behavior research. Fulfills laboratory requirement for major.

Offered: spring semester in odd-numbered years.

Prerequisite: BIOL 150 and BIOL 160, or permission of instructor.

BIOL 340 - Vertebrate Morphogenesis (4)

Vertebrate anatomy and embryology integrated into a single sequence relating adult morphology to embryological development and adaptation. Stresses basic principles of vertebrate organization, functional considerations of morphology, homologies among vertebrate structures, and evolutionary relations of vertebrate groups. Laboratory work includes comparative studies of various vertebrate types and field trips to the Bronx Zoo and American Museum of Natural History. Fulfills laboratory requirement for major.

Offered: fall semester.

Prerequisite: BIOL 150 and BIOL 160, or permission of instructor.

BIOL 366 - Developmental Biology (4)

Examination of the principles of development and mechanisms involved in the growth , shaping, and differentiation of organisms. Topics include gene regulation in multicellular organisms, cytoplasmic determination, interactions with extracellular matrix, organ morphogenesis, and mechanisms regulating the pattern of biological structures. In the laboratory, traditional and modern biological techniques and procedures are applied to the study of development.

Offered: Offering to be determined.

Prerequisite: BIOL 250 and CHEM 160.

V. Capstone/Research Experience (4 credits)

BIAN 400 - Senior Seminar in Biological Anthropology (4)

Capstone course in biological anthropology designed to deepen and consolidate students' knowledge and understanding of the field. Overview of biological anthropology as a profession and discussion of current major issues and research topics. Students are required to write a research paper demonstrating understanding and competence in biological anthropology, as well as ability to use the discourse of biological anthropology and make a competent survey of the published literature in the field. They share their research with the rest of the class in a way conducive to thoughtful discussion and analysis of key issues and methods in biological anthropology.

Offered: every spring semester.

Prerequisite: Senior standing in biological anthropology or anthropology.