Anthropology

The University of California offers a comprehensive Anthropology undergraduate program designed to provide students with a broad understanding of human behavior, societies, and cultures across time and space. This degree program emphasizes the scientific study of humans, integrating perspectives from biological anthropology, cultural anthropology, archaeological anthropology, and linguistic anthropology. Students will explore the diversity of human experiences, examining topics such as human evolution, cultural practices, social structures, language development, and archaeological findings. Through a combination of lecture courses, laboratory work, field studies, and research projects, students gain critical analytical skills and a global perspective that prepares them for diverse careers or advanced study. The program encourages interdisciplinary approaches, fostering a deep appreciation of how biological and cultural factors influence human life. Students have access to state-of-the-art laboratories, museum collections, and fieldwork opportunities, allowing hands-on experience in research methods, data analysis, and ethnographic techniques. The curriculum is designed to cultivate an understanding of the complexities of human societies, their histories, and their contemporary challenges, emphasizing ethical considerations and cultural sensitivity. Graduates of the program are equipped to pursue careers in areas such as cultural resource management, public policy, education, international development, archaeology, and health sciences, or to continue on to graduate studies in anthropology or related fields. The university’s vibrant academic community and diverse student body create an enriching environment for learning and collaboration. Dedicated faculty members are engaged in cutting-edge research, adding a dynamic and current perspective to the educational experience. Overall, the Anthropology program at the University of California aims to produce informed, empathetic, and skilled individuals who are ready to contribute to understanding and solving complex social and biological issues facing our world today.

To receive a B.A. degree with a major in anthropology, the student must meet the requirements of Revelle, John Muir, Thurgood Marshall, Earl Warren, Eleanor Roosevelt College, or Sixth College. Additionally, the student must meet the following requirements of the Department of Anthropology:

1. A minimum of twelve four-unit upper-division courses in the Department of Anthropology must be completed.
2. The undergraduate core ANTH 101, 102, and 103 must be completed (included as three of the twelve courses required under No. 1, above). All or some of the courses in this sequence are prerequisites for some other upper-division courses. This sequence consists of: 
   • ANTH 101: Foundations of Social Complexity
   • ANTH 102: Humans Are Cultural Animals
   • ANTH 103: Sociocultural Anthropology
3. No courses taken in fulfillment of the above requirements may be taken on a Pass/Not Pass (P/NP) basis. [An exception is made for some courses accepted from other schools and for one independent study course (199), or one directed group study course (198), and a combination of one internship seminar (ANBI 187A, C or ANTH 187B) with the corresponding academic internship project (AIP 197). However, this exception does not extend to ANTH 101, 102, or 103, or to transfer credits accepted in lieu of them. These must be taken for a letter grade.]
4. For the B.A. degree, a minimum average of 2.0 is required, both as an overall average in all anthropology courses and in the ANTH 101, 102, and 103 sequence considered separately.
5. At least seven of the upper-division courses submitted for the major must be taken at the University of California, San Diego. The seven normally must include ANTH 101, 102, and 103. A transfer course may be accepted in lieu of one of these core courses, if, in the opinion of the director of Undergraduate Studies, the content is substantially the same. In no case will transfer credit be accepted in lieu of more than one of these courses.
6. All undergraduate majors in anthropology must select and satisfy the requirments of at least one of the three concentrations—Anthropological Archaeology, Biological Anthropology, and Sociocultural Anthropology. Course work is specific to each concentration and described below.

The Major in Anthropology with a Concentration in Archaeology

The department offers a B.A. degree in anthropology with concentration in archaeology. A minimum of at least twelve upper-division courses in anthropology are required. Specifically, this degree requires:

1. The Anthropology Core Sequence: ANTH 101, 102 and 103. .
2. Three additional four-unit upper-division courses with the prefix ANAR
3. Six additional four-unit, upper-divisional elective courses within the Department of Anthropology

Some students may elect to take field-school courses such as ANAR 194 or study-abroad courses in archaeology that are more than four units. In these cases, the total number of units for such courses will be applied to the satisfaction of archaeology requirements #2 and #3. For example, a twelve-unit field school course with the ANAR prefix may be used to satisfy requirement #2 or to partially satisfy requirement #3.
Students majoring in anthropological archaeology are encouraged to take the field school ANAR 190 or ANAR 119

The Major in Anthropology with a Concentration in Biological Anthropology

The department offers a B.A. degree in anthropology with concentration in biological anthropology. A minimum of at least twelve upper-division courses within and beyond anthropology are required. Specifically, this degree requires:

1. The Anthropology Core Sequence: ANTH 101, 102, 103.
2. The Biological Anthropology Concentration Requirement: ANBI 111
3. Three additional four-unit upper-division courses with the prefix ANBI
4. Five additional four-unit, upper-divisional elective courses. At least one of these five electives must be taken from an approved list of biology courses. This list is available from the undergraduate coordinator in the Department of Anthropology. Each of the remaining four electives is to be drawn from that list or must be an upper-division anthropology course.

The Major in Anthropology with a Concentration in Sociocultural Anthropology

The department offers a B.A. degree in anthropology with concentration in sociocultural anthropology. A minimum of at least twelve upper-division courses in anthropology are required. Specifically, this degree requires:

1. The Anthropology Core Sequence: ANTH 101, 102, 103.
2. The Sociocultural Concentration Requirement:
   Any three of the following seven courses:
   • ANSC 118 Language and Culture
   • ANSC 120 Anthropology of Religion (previously ANGN 120)
   • ANSC 121 Psychological Anthropology (previously ANPR 107)
   • ANSC 122 Language in Society (previously ANGN 149)
   • ANSC 123 Political Anthropology (previously ANGN 151)
   • ANSC 124 Cultural Anthropology (previously ANPR 106)
   • ANSC 125 Gender, Sexuality, and Society (previously ANGN 125)
3. One additional ANSC course focusing on a particular region, country, or religion (e.g., Indigenous Peoples of Latin America; Modernity in Brazil; Global Islam).
4. Five additional four-unit upper-division elective courses within the Department of Anthropology.

Requirements

UC College Preparatory Courses ("a-g" courses)

• Must be completed with a C grade or better.
• Complete at least 11 of the 15 courses before your senior year of high school.
• California residents: courses must be on your high school's UC-approved course list.
• There is no pre-approved course list for schools outside of California.
• International applicants: read the Freshman Admission for International Students webpage for additional information.

Scholarship Requirement (GPA you must earn)

• California residents: You must earn a GPA of 3.0 or better with no grade lower than C.
• Non-California residents: You must earn a GPA of 3.4 or better with no grade lower than C.

GPA is based on “a-g” courses taken during 10th and 11th grades. See Subject Requirement for “a-g” course explanation.

You must submit scores from either:

• ACT Plus Writing OR
• SAT Reasoning Test with critical reading, math and writing; scores must be from same sitting
• 2 SAT Subject Tests closely related to your major are recommended for engineering, biological or physical sciences majors. If taking math subject test, Math Level 2 is required. All tests must be taken by December of your senior year (the year before you plan to enroll).
• Only your highest scores from a single sitting will be considered.
• When you report your ACT or SAT scores to one campus they will be shared with every UC campus to which you've applied.
• Official test scores must be reported no later than January for students applying for the fall term.

Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate

• If you complete Advanced Placement courses, we recommend that you complete the related AP examination to demonstrate subject mastery.
• Similarly, International Baccalaureate scores can be used to showcase academic mastery.
• To receive unit credit toward the baccalaureate degree, you must submit an official copy of your AP or IB scores directly from the testing agency. This can be done in the summer following high school graduation.

Other Entrance Exams

• Entrance exams taken after high school graduation are not considered.

International Students

• If your native language is not English and your secondary/high school education was in a country where English is not the language of instruction, you must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination (academic modules) and have the scores reported to the UC San Diego Office of Admissions. A minimum score of 83 is required for the TOEFL, or a minimum score of 7 is required for the IELTS.

• Attestat/Certificate of (complete) General Secondary Education

Scholarships

• Regents Scholarship
• UCSD Athletic Scholarship
• Merit-based Scholarships

The University of California offers an undergraduate program in Anthropology designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the biological, archaeological, and cultural aspects of human societies. The program aims to equip students with the skills necessary for critical analysis, research, and a broad understanding of human diversity across time and space. The curriculum typically includes core courses in physical anthropology, cultural anthropology, archaeology, and ethnography, alongside specialized electives that explore topics such as linguistic diversity, human evolution, and contemporary social issues. Students can expect to engage in rigorous fieldwork, laboratory research, and theoretical studies, fostering a multidisciplinary perspective on human life. The program also emphasizes the development of skills in data collection, analysis, and interpretation, preparing graduates for careers in research, education, museums, public policy, or further graduate studies. The university often encourages student participation in internships, study abroad programs, and research projects to enhance experiential learning. Dedicated faculty members are experts in their fields, contributing to ongoing research in human origins, cultural change, and globalization. The program is designed to promote an understanding of cultural diversity, scientific processes behind human evolution, and the importance of preserving cultural heritage. Graduates of the Anthropology program at UC are well-positioned to pursue advanced degrees or careers in anthropology, archaeology, forensic science, cultural resource management, and related disciplines. The program prides itself on fostering an inclusive academic environment that values diversity in perspectives and promotes critical thinking about human societies past and present.