Apr 26, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog

Biomedical Anthropology B.S.


TOTAL DEGREE HOURS: 120
Plans of Study

The Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Anthropology will ground students in key concepts in anthropology, health and illness, and human biology. Students will learn to use biological, cultural, and medical anthropology to approach human health from a holistic, cross-cultural perspective.  Students will learn how to examine human health and well-being in the context of human biological and cultural diversity, understand the connections between health and disease and human social and evolutionary contexts, and apply these anthropological perspectives to human illness, treatment, and healthcare systems

The Biomedical Anthropology major provides 1) an understanding of the core anthropological theories and methods used to study human health and illness, 2) an introduction to the basics of biological science, 3) an awareness of social inequalities and how they are manifested in human bodies, 4) an introduction to the ethics of human research, and 5) research, critical thinking, and writing skills that can be used in a wide variety of professional settings and graduate work, including professional school for allied health careers.  Alongside their coursework, students will learn through community-based, applied research that is holistic and interdisciplinary.

Anthropology examines culture, race, ethnicity, class, gender, and inequality and emphasizes effective cross-cultural communication.  Students will learn how to work with diverse populations and how to better understand local and global diversity.  Biomedical Anthropology (BAN) majors will be able to identify inequalities in health outcomes (including race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexuality, dis/ability, and others) and apply anthropological concepts to explain these outcomes and identify potential solutions.  BAN majors will be ready for success in health careers that address complex health problems and provide effective services to the varied populations in the state of Florida and across the United States. 

University Admissions - College of Arts and Sciences


Admission to the University is based on the University’s Undergraduate Admission Requirements that may be found by clicking on the following urls:

For Admission information specific to the College of Arts and Sciences, see the information at College of Arts and Sciences .

Graduation Requirements - College of Arts and Sciences


Satisfactory completion of the following requirements:

  • Students must complete all State and University level graduation requirements.
  •  Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 in USF coursework. Note: Some Departments/program/major require a higher GPA. Students should refer to Department/program/major specific catalog requirements.
    • The College may approve an exception when a student has successfully earned the minimum grade required for all courses applied in the major but does not have a major GPA of 2.0.
  • Physical Education coursework is limited to two (2) semester hours.
  • ROTC courses that are primarily physical training and field experiences will not be applied to College of Arts and Sciences degree programs. All other military Science coursework will apply, in particular, coursework utilized toward completing an established ROTC minor will be applied to the total hours toward degree. 
  • When earning a second degree, double major or concurrent degree, the Major Core and Major Elective/Concentration areas of the degree audit must not overlap for both degrees.  All other areas of the degree audit may have overlapping credit hours applied.
  • Maximum of 20 hours of S/U option. S/U contracts must be negotiated in writing within the first three (3) weeks of the term. None of the 20 credits may be taken in the student’s major unless S/U is the only grading option. Coursework fulfilling the General Education Core Curriculum Requirements and the State Communication Requirement (formerly known as Gordon Rule Writing) and State Computation Requirement (formerly known as Gordon Rule Math) may not be taken S/U.
  • The Audit option is available only during the first 5 days of classes.
  • Complete all major course requirements.
  • College of Arts and Sciences students are expected to complete a minimum of 50% of their major and/or minor coursework in residence at USF. Some College of Arts and Sciences Departments/programs/majors have established additional major course hours to be taken in residency at USF. See the major or program section of the catalog for these credit-hour requirements.

State Mandated Common Course Prerequisites - Biomedical Anthropology B.S.


Following Florida BOG Regulation 8.010, state mandated common course prerequisites are lower-division courses that are required for progression into the upper division of a particular baccalaureate degree program. 

Transfer students should complete the State Mandated Common Course Prerequisites at the lower level prior to entering the university. If these courses are not taken at a Florida College System institution, they must be completed before the degree is granted. Successful completion of the common prerequisites alone does not guarantee a student admission into the degree program. 

Unless stated otherwise, a grade of C- is the minimum acceptable grade in prerequisite courses.

  • ANT X000-X999 Two Introductory Courses in Anthropology (ANT prefix) - 3 credit hours each (6 total credit hours)

Required Courses: (19 credit hours)


Students need to complete both the major core (10 credit hours) and the other required courses (9 credit hours).

Major Core Courses: 4 courses: 10 credit hours


Students need to successfully complete ANT 2410, ANT 2511 and 2511L, and ANT 4701 for the Major Core.

Other Required Courses: 3 courses; 9 credit hours


Students need to take ANT 4516 and ANT 4462, as well as a 3 credit course in statistics. STA 2023 or STA 2122 are recommended for fullfilling the statistics requirement.

Science Elective Courses: 6 courses; 12 credit hours


Students need to fulfill 12 credit hours in basic science electives by successfully completing a basic science elective with its accompanying lab.  Students may take any combination of the class plus lab classes listed below.

Anthropology Elective Courses: 3 courses; 9 credit hours


Students need to complete 9 credit hours in anthropology electives.  Note that students can take either ANT 3101 Archaeology or ANT 3610 Linguistic Anthropology, but not have both count towards filling these 9 credit hours.  Also note that for ANT 4930 Special Topics to count towards this requirement, the Special Topic class must be related to biomedical anthropology.  ANT 4930 courses that are related to biomedical anthropology include Nutritional Anthropology, Paleopathology, Global Health, Human Reproductive Ecology, Human Growth and Development, Human Sexuality, Research in Physician-Patient Interaction, Brain and Culture, and Research Methods in Human Biology.

Additional Information - Biomedical Anthropology B.S.


Other Requirements


Biomedical Anthropology majors are urged to become competent readers and speakers of a relevant foreign language (which may include American Sign Language, Latin, or Greek, depending on their interests). They are also urged to enhance their English reading, writing, speaking and critical thinking capabilities and develop their skills in computational, statistical and other forms of quantitative analysis at every opportunity. Students are encouraged to fulfill General Education and Exit requirements with courses relevant to their interests in biomedical anthropology whenever possible. In pursuit of all these goals, they should meet with the department’s undergraduate advisor at least once each semester to discuss such topics as academic progress, future course plans, the Department of Anthropology’s Honors Program, summer field schools, job opportunities, graduate education and professional careers in anthropology.

GPA Requirements


Major GPA (All USF courses which are applied to major requirements): 2.5 

General Education GPA (All USF courses which are applied to General Education requirements): 2.0

USF GPA: 2.0

Overall GPA: 2.0

Grading Requirements


C- or better to meet major course requirements unless specified elsewhere. Will vary by area.

Note:  Some USF courses have higher grade criteria to meet prerequisite knowledge necessary for progression into higher level courses.

Residency Requirement


Department and College of Arts & Sciences Major Academic Residency Requirement - 50% of major must be completed at USF

USF Academic Residency Requirement - 30 of the last 60 hours earned must be from USF

Internship Opportunities


Through the internship program, anthropology students have the opportunity to receive educational, hands-on training from various organizations, agencies, companies or institutions for credit. The course includes an exploration of the ethics of applied anthropology and careers in applied settings, such as community organizing, forensics, public/community health, or cultural resource management. Students will complete field journals and receive feedback from advisers throughout. This course fulfills selective credits required for the completion of the anthropology program. For more information, please visit: http://anthropology.usf.edu/internships/.

Optional Honors Program


The purpose of the Honors Program is to provide outstanding Anthropology undergraduates with advanced, individually tailored training in areas of anthropology of interest to them. The program, operating independently of the major itself, involves a year of coursework and research culminating in the writing of an Honors thesis. Students in the first semester of their junior year, prior to completion of 90 semester hours, may apply to the program.

Admission is competitive, based on the student’s overall academic record:

  • Minimum overall 3.25 GPA,
  • 3.5 GPA for USF Anthropology coursework,
  • A two-page, personal statement indicating research interests, and
  • A letter of recommendation and commitment from a faculty member of the Department of Anthropology.

Successful completion of the program requires:

  • Maintenance of an overall 3.25 GPA,
  • Maintenance of a 3.5 GPA in the major,
  • Completion of ANT 4932   Honors Seminar, with a grade of B or better,
  • Completion of ANT 4970   (3) (Honors Thesis) with a grade of “S,”
  • Presentation of the research at the Department’s Honors Colloquium, and
  • Completion of all other requirements for graduation.

Please see the Anthropology Department undergraduate advisor for further information and application forms.

Research Opportunities


All undergraduate students in any degree program can participate in undergraduate research. There are a number of options to receive academic credit for a mentored research experience and to have the experience show on the official transcript. Students who wish to enroll in an undergraduate research course should consult with their academic advisor to understand how the credit will apply towards the degree requirements. If no credit is needed, students may be eligible to enroll in the 0-credit IDS 2912 , IDS 4914  or IDS 4910  courses. These courses will not impact degree credits or GPA but will show on an official transcript and document the experience. The Office of Undergraduate Research will assist students in understanding the various course options.

Advising Information - College of Arts and Sciences


Undergraduate Advising Information

The College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) Advising Team provides students with support to create timely graduation plans that will integrate both their academic and professional goals.  Each of our undergraduate programs has dedicated professional advisors with specialized knowledge and understanding of the major requirements, course offerings, undergraduate research, and career opportunities in their field.  Additionally, we have dedicated pre-health and prelaw advisors to help students prepare for admission to professional graduate programs.

 

CAS Academic Advisor Contact information can be found here: CAS Advisors

To schedule an advising appointment: Advising Appointments