CAS: Anthropology – Specialization in Biological Anthropology
Sample Pathway
Below is an example of a four-year plan of a College of General Studies student pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology with a Specialization in Biological Anthropology at the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS). Students will work with their CGS academic advisors and the CAS anthropology department to plan their own pathway to an anthropology degree.
| Term 1 | Term 2 | |
| First Year | CGS RH 103 CGS SS 103 CGS HU 103 CAS AN 101 |
(London or New England summer semester) CGS HU 104 CGS RH 104 CGS SS 104 |
| Sophomore Year | CGS SS 201 CAS AN 102 Any archaeology course (excluding CAS AR 100) Elective* |
CGS HU 202 CGS NS 202 Linguistics (CAS AN 351, AN 521, or LX 250) One additional 2xx or above course in Biological Anthropology (2xx or 3xx recommended at this level): CAS AN 233, 234, 263, 330, 331, 333, 335, 336, 337, 339, 534, 550, 551, 552, 553, 554, 555, 556, 558, 559, 588, 595, 597, 598 |
| Junior Year | One 200-level or higher course in Biological Anthropology or Biology: see the Bulletin for a detailed list of courses. One additional 2xx or above course in Sociocultural Anthropology (2xx or 3xx recommended at this level): see the Bulletin for a detailed list of courses. Elective* Second Language (if needed) |
One 200-level or higher course in Biological Anthropology or Biology: see the Bulletin for a detailed list of courses. One course in Biological Anthropology at 300-level or above: CAS AN 321, 330, 331, 333, 335, 336, 337, 339, 534, 550, 551, 552, 553, 554, 555, 556, 558, 559, 562, 574, 588, 595, 597, 598 Elective* Second Language (if needed) |
| Senior Year | One course in Biological Anthropology at 300-level or above: CAS AN 321, 330, 331, 333, 335, 336, 337, 339, 534, 550, 551, 552, 553, 554, 555, 556, 562, 558, 559, 574, 588, 595, 597, 598 One course in Biological Anthropology at 500-level or above: CAS AN 534, 550, 551, 552, 553, 554, 555, 556, 558, 559, 562, 588, 595, 597, 598 Elective* Second Language (if needed) |
One course in Biological Anthropology at 500-level or above: CAS AN 534, 550, 551, 552, 553, 554, 555, 556, 558, 559, 562, 574, 588, 595, 597, 598 One additional course in Archaeology or Biology: see the Bulletin for a detailed list of courses. Elective* Second Language (if needed) |
Students planning to attend medical school should consult with advisors in the Pre-Professional Advising Office (100 Bay State Road, Room 428) for information on the selection and sequencing of courses.
*Choose your electives carefully to fulfill any remaining BU Hub requirements. You will find a list of all of the courses that carry Hub units on the University’s BU Hub website. External courses are not eligible for Hub general education credit. Anthropology courses by HUB Unit can be found on the Anthropology Department webpage.
Note that no more than 3 courses for the Biological Anthropology Specialization may be from outside of CAS Anthropology.
Academic Advising
CGS Requirements
Major Requirements
Continuation Requirements
Graduation Requirements
This is a sample pathway to be used in consultation with your CGS Academic Advisor.
It is subject to change according to course availability and individual circumstances.
Last revised: 07/22/2025