Human Evolutionary Biology (BA)

Journeying Through Human Origins

The Bachelor of Arts in Human Evolutionary Biology (HEB) offers a captivating exploration into our species' origins and evolutionary trajectory. While students also have the option to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Human Evolutionary Biology, this program immerses individuals in the rich tapestry of our evolutionary history.

Discovering Human Identity

Human Evolutionary Biology stands as one of five options within the Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology, inviting students into an extraordinary narrative spanning over 4 million years. This compelling story unfolds from our African origins where our ancestors took their first upright steps, evolving across millennia to populate diverse corners of the globe, culminating in the sole surviving species: modern Homo sapiens.

Unraveling Evolutionary Narratives

HEB delves into the core premise that our past elucidates our present, elucidating how the rich diversity of humanity is a culmination of millions of years of evolution. Science has unveiled an evolutionary journey that sculpted humans to adapt to the environments of our Paleolithic ancestors. However, rapid societal, lifestyle, and environmental changes might have outpaced evolution, impacting modern human biology. This option offers a profound exploration into these questions, investigating how contemporary health issues might stem from living in a world starkly different from that of our ancestors.

Ethical Inquiry and Scientific Rigor

Students in the HEB option engage in explicit training concerning the ethics of human subjects research and the nuanced applications of evolutionary theory. With courses like BIO A 101/348, ethical scientific research becomes a foundational aspect of their learning. By the culmination of their undergraduate coursework, students possess a robust understanding of ethical evaluation and conduct in scientific research, a vital attribute of responsible scientific practice.

Pathways and Career Trajectories

HEB graduates are well-prepared to pursue postgraduate training and careers in various health-related fields such as public health, epidemiology, nursing, medicine, and global health. The interdisciplinary nature of anthropology, intrinsic to this option, aligns with the evolving landscape of health-related disciplines.

Relevance and Recognition

Reports from Newsweek magazine highlight social science majors' increased success in medical school admissions over the past two decades. Humanities students demonstrate superior performance in the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), showcasing the interdisciplinary strengths necessary in the evolving field of medicine. Recommendations from prestigious associations emphasize the inclusion of evolutionary biology within premedical training, a core aspect systematically offered through this option.

Embark on an intellectual odyssey that navigates the vast expanse of human evolutionary biology, preparing you for a future at the intersection of scientific inquiry and health-related disciplines.

BA in Human Evolutionary Biology (HEB) option requirements

HEB students are asked to take the following courses to complete their 55 anthropology credits:

Core Coursework (Required):

Complete core anthropology courses: BIO A 201, any 5-credit 200-level ANTH course, and any 5-credit 200-level ARCHY course.
Complete one statistics course chosen from CS&SS/SOC/STAT 221, STAT 220, STAT 311, Q SCI 381, or ARCHY 495.

Specific Courses Required

Choose either BIO A 101 Human Biological Diversity or BIO A 348 Evolutionary Biology and Human Diversity.
Choose either BIO A 355 Evolutionary Medicine or BIO A 351 Principles of Evolutionary Medicine (only one can be taken for credit as they overlap).