Bachelor of Science in Anthropology - Biological Anthropology

Humboldt State University (California State University, CSU)

Biological anthropology investigates human and nonhuman primate biological evolution and variation by studying biology (especially the skeleton), evolutionary theory, inheritance, the fossil record, and living primates. It looks at interrelationships between behavior, ecology, and biology.Biological anthropologists study human biology and evolution and work in very diverse fields. One field, primatology, studies nonhuman primates (including lemurs, monkeys, and apes) to learn about their behavior and evolution, to place human evolution in context, and to aid conservation efforts. Paleoanthropologists study the fossil record of humans and other bipedal primates (''hominins'') like Neanderthals and ''Lucy'' to understand how humans evolved. Forensic anthropologists apply their knowledge of anatomy to help identify human skeletal remains and work in medical and legal fields. Forensic anthropologists also work internationally in human rights cases, helping to give justice to the victims and closure to their families. Evolutionary medicine seeks to answer questions about why we get the diseases we get, what health issues are more common in certain areas, and what health, nutritional, medical strategies are used in different cultures.