Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology: Human Biology Concentration

The Human Biology concentration in Anthropology prepares students for careers in medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, optometry, podiatry, and other allied health fields. Human Biology students major in Anthropology but take departmental courses primarily in biological anthropology. These courses deal in human genetics, human paleontology, human physiology, and human reproductive biology and behavior. They stress an evolutionary perspective on humans and integrate molecular, whole-organism, population, and species-level data on humans. The Human Biology concentration also includes required courses in biology, and elective options in human anatomy, physiology, and public health. This program also encourages students to take courses in other disciplines to fulfill admission requirements to professional schools in the health sciences. As a result, our students have the broad, liberal arts background that many professional schools find attractive.

Interested students should contact the Human Biology Concentration advisor, Dr. Charles Weitz, at 215-204-7330 or weitz@temple.edu or the pre-med advisor at 1810 Liacouras Walk, 1st Floor. A brochure describing the Human Biology Concentration can be obtained in the Anthropology Department, room 209, Gladfelter Hall. 

Summary of Degree Requirements

University Requirements:

• MATH 0701 (4 s.h.) and/or ENG 0701 (4 s.h.), if required by placement testing.
• All Temple students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses as part of the major. All students majoring in the Anthropology Human Biology concentration must take ANTH 3796 and ANTH 4897.
• Students must complete requirements of the General Education (GenEd) Program. See the General Education section of the Undergraduate Bulletin for more details.

College of Liberal Arts Requirements:

• Completion of a minimum of 123 credits, including:
  • 90 credits in CLA/CST courses;
  • 45 credits of which must be at the upper level (numbered 2000-4999).
    • For Social Science majors, 6 upper level credits (numbered 2000-4999) must be taken in Humanities Subject Areas: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Greek (Ancient), Greek and Roman Classics, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Philosophy, Religion, Russian, and Spanish in the College of Liberal Arts, Art History in the Tyler School of Art and Architecture, or any department in the College of Science and Technology.
  • A minimum GPA of 2.0, cumulatively, in CLA/CST coursework, and in the major.
  • Only courses in which a student receives a grade of at least C- can satisfy GenEd, major, minor, or CLA Foreign Language and Global Studies requirements.
  • Professional Development Requirement
    • All students in the College of Liberal Arts are required to take a 1 credit seminar in professional development. CLA 1002 Professional Development for Liberal Arts Majors is the appropriate course option for this major. Other courses that fulfill this requirement may be found on the CLA College Requirements page. Only one course in this category may count towards graduation.
  • Foreign Language/Global Studies Requirements:
    • All students must complete or test out of the first and second levels of a foreign language - these courses are numbered 1001 and 1002;
    • All students must complete at least one course from the GenEd Global/World Society category; and
    • All Bachelor of Arts students must complete one of the following options:
      • Third semester of a foreign language;
      • Demonstrated proficiency beyond the third semester in a foreign language (placement exam or certification from the language department);
      • Take one Global Studies course from the list on the CLA College Requirements page;
      • Study Abroad at an approved program; or
      • Take a second General Education Global/World Society course.
    • Notes on Foreign Language Study
      • The third level of language is numbered 1003 in French, German, Spanish, and Portuguese and numbered 2001 in all other foreign language subjects.
      • Students are strongly encouraged to take the third level of a foreign language as it is the minimum required for election to the prestigious honor society Phi Beta Kappa. (Taking the course does not guarantee admission but not taking it guarantees exclusion.)
      • See the College of Liberal Arts Policies section of this Bulletin for more information on the Foreign Language Placement, Regression in Coursework, and guidelines for students' other experiences with language.

General Electives are typically one-third of a student's program of study and can be focused on a second major, a minor, or towards some other personal enrichment or professional goals. See an academic advisor for assistance in developing an academic plan for these courses.

Major Requirements (39 credits):

Distinction in Major

Anthropology majors may graduate with distinction in the major if they have earned a GPA of 3.5 or higher.

Suggested Academic Plan

Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology: Human Biology Concentration

Requirements for New Students starting in the 2019-2020 Academic Year