Phd in biological anthropology?

Question

I'm currently at UCLA double majoring in Anthropology (B.A.) and Comparative Literature. I'm considering getting a phd in Biological Anthropology. I have not been able to take much science coursework outside of the Anthropology department, but I have taken several bio anthro courses within the department and done research (and hopefully a senior thesis) in biological anthropology. My gpa is 3.98. Will all this be enough to get me into a good graduate school for Biological Anthropology or will I have to take more science classes at city college or something (if I take more classes here, I won't have enough units left to do a thesis, which I think would probably be more impressive...) Thanks!

Answer 1

Well, it depends highly upon which aspect of biological anthropology that you wish to pursue.  If you want to do forensic anthropology or medical anthropology, you will need some of the hard sciences to get accepted into this program.  These may be as minimal as chemistry and physics, and other core sciences such as the life sciences.  Surely, you would have some kind of physiology or anatomy or osteology course as an undergraduate to prepare you for such a venture.

However, if you have a goal of studying primates, you may have the opportunity to utilize some of the psychological and behavioral sciences to boost your application to graduate school.

Your extremely high grade point average should get you in, perhaps regardless of your paucity of some of the sciences.

I think your background in anthropology and comparative literature would prepare you more for cultural anthropology, with a cross cultural perspective.  But your double degrees do not preclude you from doing what you want to do.

My advice is to apply and see what you get based on your wonderful and diverse background.

Cheers from a would be bioarchaeologist/actual anthropologist in action/archaeologist and english teacher in Asia.

James