Biological Anthropology

Over the past half century biological anthropology has undergone tremendous change from a discipline that was defined by a descriptive, typological approach to human morphology to one that includes both experimental and comparative analyses in a population based framework.

Biological anthropologists continue to cross traditional disciplinary boundaries and interact with both the physical and natural sciences, including biology, anatomy, genetics, chemistry, biometry, or endocrinology as well as the social sciences.

Two broad themes exist within biological anthropology. The first emphasizes evolutionary theory and morphological transformations and the second is concerned with adaptations that are the product of the interaction between human biology and culture. Current faculty research addresses both of these themes. Ongoing research in biological anthropology at CSU includes analyses of the health, growth, and adaptation of Maasai pastoralists of Tanzania, bioarchaeological and skeletal biological research focused on diet, health, and adaptation among the ancient Maya, and an expedition in search of new Middle Paleolithic cave sites with human fossil material in the Republic of Uzbekistan, Central Asia.

Biological anthropology at CSU focuses on human adaptation and evolution. Areas of expertise among the bioanthropology faculty include:

paleoanthropology
modern human origins
human adaptability
human ecology
bioarchaeology
skeletal biology and anatomy
dental anthropology

Biological Anthropology Courses at CSU

Undergraduate Courses

Human Origins and Variation (APCC120)

Human Origins and Variation Lab (APCC121)

Human Ecology (AP330)

Human Osteology (AP372)

Human Evolution (AP373)

Human Biological Variation (AP374)

Evolution of Primate Behavior (AP375)

Evolution of Human Adaptation (AP376)

Human Adaptability (AP472)

Methods of Analysis in Paleoanthropology (AP475)

Graduate Courses

Current Issues in Biological Anthropology (AP570)

Advanced Human Evolution (AP572)

Anthropology and International Health (AP571)

The bioanthropology program emphasizes a broad anthropological perspective. At both the undergraduate and graduate level, students are expected to take courses in archaeology and sociocultural anthropology as well as biological anthropology. Students are also encouraged to take additional training outside the department in areas that complement their specific interests such as genetics, evolutionary biology, physiology, pathology, nutrition, anatomy, and statistics.

The biological anthropology faculty include Galvin, Glantz, and Magennis.

The Center for Public History and Archaeology (CPHA)

promotes the ethical, professional production and dissemination of knowledge about human culture and society in the past to enable problem solving in the present.