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Anthropology Pathways
Click on each anthropology pathway to see the recommended quarter-by-quarter classes and other recommendations.
These pathways assume:
- You will be a full-time student.
- You will start in the fall.
- You are ready to take 100- and 200-level classes.
If not, you can still complete the pathway! You will just need to make adjustments. Talk with your advisor to customize your plan.
ANTHROPOLOGY/ARCHAEOLOGY, ASSOCIATE IN ARTS & SCIENCES (AAS/DTA) (90 CREDITS)
Follow this recommended pathway to earn the AAS/DTA degree and prepare for a university major in cultural or linguistic anthropology or archaeology. Or you can customize your plan even more. Talk with your advisor about adapting it for your individual goals.
Scroll to the end for course suggestions.
Quarter 1
ANTH& 206 Cultural Anthropology (5 credits)
| Description | Study of culture and society with a cross-cultural perspective of human adaptation to the bio-cultural environment. Topics include technology, resource consumption and economics, medicine, family, social groups, political systems, religion, expressive arts, language, values, culture change, human impact on the environment, and globalization. (SSwdgs) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Placement in ENGL& 101 |
| Course Attributes |
|
MATH& 146 Introduction to Stats (5 credits)
| Description | Rigorous introduction to statistical methods and hypothesis testing. Includes descriptive and inferential statistics. Tabular and pictorialmethods for describing data; central tendencies; mean; modes; medians; variance; standard deviation; quartiles; regression; normal distribution; confidence intervals; hypothesis testing, one and two-tailed tests. Applications to business, social sciences, and sciences. (QSR,MS) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of MATH 088 or MATH 099 with a minimum grade of C. |
| Course Attributes |
|
ORAL COMMUNICATION click for list (5 credits)
Total credits this quarter: 15
Career exploration: Find your people! Attend area of study activities and connect with clubs related to your career goals.
Career exploration: Learn about anthropology careers as part of ANTH& 206.
Action item: Meet with your advisor to build your degree plan.
Action item: Have your transfer-in credits officially evaluated.
Quarter 2
ANTH& 200 Introduction to Language (5 credits)
| Description | Overview of the study of language. Includes the nature of human language, its social aspects, the psychology of language, and the grammatical aspects of language; phonetics, morphology, syntax, semantics, dialects, language diversity, and the biological basis of language. (SSw) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Placement in ENGL& 101 |
| Course Attributes |
|
ANTH& 215 Bioanthropology With Lab (5 credits)
| Description | An exploration of the evolution of the human species from a biological perspective, considering interrelationships of biology and culture, principles of genetics, primate behavior, primate and human fossils, early prehistoric cultures, and human variation/adaptation. Lab work included. Either ANTH& 205 or 215 may be taken for credit, not both. (MSls) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
ENGL& 101 English Composition I (5 credits)
| Description | This course helps students become more effective writers in academic and professional settings. Students learn to enter ongoing academic conversations, analyze and use secondary sources to formulate, develop, revise, and communicate ideas in writing, and shape their message to different purposes, audiences, and media. (CC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of ENGL 95 or placement in ENGL& 101. |
| Course Attributes |
|
Total credits this quarter: 15
Career exploration: Compare the different anthropology majors at universities you're interested in.
Quarter 3
ANTH& 204 Archaeology (5 credits)
| Description | Between the history of archaeology and the problems faced today, this course examines the theories and methods used to interpret what's left of the world's lost cultures. Topics include: how artifacts are dated, how people used technology to survive in different environments, how they organized their societies, and developed their ideologies. (SSs) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
SALI 201 Introduction to The Salish Sea (5 credits)
| Description | An introduction to the complex ecologies and human experiences of theSalish Sea region. This interdisciplinary course introduces students to content in the natural and social sciences, and integrates experiential learning through local regional field trips, including cross-border experiences. (SSdgs) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
or another SOCIAL SCIENCE from suggested list below or click for complete list (5 credits)
HUMANITIES from suggested list below or click for complete list (5 credits)
Total credits this quarter: 15
Course note: Choose this quarter's social science course from a subject other than ANTH.
Career exploration: Participate in original undergraduate research in ANTH& 204.
Career exploration: Look for a summer job or internship related to your career goals.
Action item: Check the GPA and other entry requirements for your future major. Are you on track?
Quarter 4
ENGL& 230 Technical Writing (3 credits)
| Description | This course helps students develop effective methods of research, organization and presentation of findings typical of professional, technical, and scientific writing. Students develop problem-solving and researching skills, including data collection, the critical analysis of sources, documentation, and document design. (CC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of ENGL& 101 with a minimum grade of C-. |
| Course Attributes |
|
or ENGL& 235 Technical Writing (5 credits )
| Description | This course helps students develop effective methods of research, organization and presentation of findings typical of professional, technical, and scientific writing. Students develop problem-solving and researching skills, including data collection, the critical analysis of sources, documentation, and document design. (CC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of ENGL& 101 with a minimum grade of C-. |
| Course Attributes |
|
GEOL 211 Physical Geology (5 credits)
| Description | Intended for science majors. Composition and structure of earth, identification of common rocks and minerals, formation of surface features of continents and ocean floor, and interpretation of land forms frommaps. Lab work and field trips included. (MSl) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
or another SCIENCE from suggested list below or click for complete list (5 credits)
ANTHROPOLOGY ELECTIVE from suggested list below (5 credits)
LEARNING CONTRACT (2 credits)
or INTERNSHIP (2 credits)
Total credits this quarter: 13-17
Course note: Take GEOL 211 if your interest is archaeology. Otherwise, feel free to choose another science. It should be from a subject other than ANTH.
Course note: A learning contract is an independent study with a faculty mentor. This quarter's learning contract / internship credits are optional, but if you choose ENGL& 230, you may want the extra credits so you don't get behind.
Action item: Meet with your advisor about applying to universities. Start your transfer applications.
Action item: Apply for next year's financial aid.
Quarter 5
ANTHROPOLOGY ELECTIVE from suggested list below (5 credits)
ANTHROPOLOGY ELECTIVE from suggested list below (5 credits)
HUMANITIES from suggested list below or click for complete list (5 credits)
Total credits this quarter: 15
Action item: Apply to graduate by week 3 of this quarter.
Quarter 6
ANTHROPOLOGY ELECTIVE from suggested list below (5 credits)
HUMANITIES from suggested list below or click for complete list (5 credits)
MATH/SCIENCE from suggested list below or click for complete list (5 credits)
Total credits this quarter: 15
Course note: If your interest is archaeology and GEOL 212 is being offered this quarter, take it. Otherwise, feel free to choose another math/science course. It should be in a subject other than ANTH.
Action item: Attend the spring job fair.
Course Suggestions
As you're choosing your classes, think about what interests you, think about what might complement your anthropology interests, and consider exploring and trying something completely new.
Anthropology electives
- For archaeology, ANTH& 104 World prehistory
- For American Indian studies, ANTH& 210 Indigenous peoples of North America
or ANTH& 216 Indigenous peoples of the northwest coast - For healthcare and related interests, ANTH 235 Cross-cultural medicine
- For traditional uses of local plants, ANTH 150 Northwest coast ethnobotany
- For the relationship between mind and culture, ANTH 225 Psychological anthropology
Humanities
- For American Indian or indigenous studies
- ART 106 Art of the Pacific Northwest Native Americans (3 credits)
- ENGL 267 Native American literature
- For archaeology
- ART 130 Ceramics I
- ART 131 Beginning throwing
- To prepare for fieldwork in a setting where English is not spoken
- CHIN& 121 Chinese I
- FRCH& 121 French I
- GERM& 121 German I
- JAPN& 121 Japanese I
- SPAN& 121 Spanish I
- Courses with cross-cultural themes or topics that overlap with anthropological study
- CMST 225 Intercultural communication
- DRMA& 101 Intro to theatre
- ENGL 124 Environmental literature
- ENGL 136 Science fiction and fantasy
- ENGL 238 Gender and literature
- ENGL 286 Mythology
- FILM 240 Documentary film
- FILM 265 American LGBTQ+ cinema
- HUM& 101 Intro to the humanities (6 credits)
- IDS 161 Literature, science and gender
- IDS 180 Visual media and culture
- MUSC 110 Intro to world music
- PHIL 132 Environmental ethics
- PHIL 140 Intro to world religions
Social Sciences
- To prepare for a Salish Sea minor at Western Washington University, or if you want to experience a place-based multidisciplinary course looking at the region we call home
- SALI 201 Intro to the Salish Sea
- Courses that introduce you to other social sciences that may overlap with anthropology
- ECON 100 Survey of economic principles
- GEOG& 100 Intro to geography
- PSYC& 100 General psychology
- SOC& 101 Intro to sociology
- Courses with cross-cultural themes or topics that overlap with anthropological study
- CMST 225 Intercultural communication
- GEOG& 102 World regional geography
- GEOG& 200 Human geography
- GEOG 243 Urban geography
- GEOG& 250 Geography of the Pacific Northwest
- HIST& 126 World civilizations I
- HIST& 127 World civilizations II
- HIST& 128 World civilizations III
- HIST 158 Religions of the Far East
- HIST& 214 Pacific Northwest history
- HIST 225 History of the modern Middle East
- IDS 112 Ethnomathematics
- IDS 113 Quantitative methods in the social sciences
- IDS 161 Literature, science and gender
- IDS 170 Intro to sustainability
- IDS 180 Visual media and culture
- IDS 210 Science, economics and politics of sustainable resources
- POLS& 203 International relations
- SOC 120 Marriage and family
- SOC& 201 Social problems
- SOC 220 Contemporary social issues
- SOC 250 Multicultural issues
Sciences and Math
- For archaeology, majors geology is strongly recommended
- GEOL 211 Physical geology
- GEOL 212 Historical geology (offered every two years in the spring)
- Courses that introduce you to various science disciplines
- ASTR& 100 Survey of astronomy
- BIOL& 100 Survey of biology (lab)
- CHEM& 121 Intro to chemistry (lab)
- GEOL 100 Intro to earth science (lab)
- GEOL& 101 Intro to physical geology (lab)
- OCEA& 101 Intro to oceanography (lab)
- PHYS& 110 Physics for non-science majors (lab)
- PHYSC 104 Finding things out: energy (lab)
- Courses that touch on human interactions with the natural world
- BIOL 159 Marine biology (lab)
- ENVS& 100 Survey of environmental science
- ENVS& 101 Intro to environmental science (lab)
- GEOL 110 Environmental geology
- GEOL 140 Natural disasters (lab)
- NUTR& 101 Nutrition
- Courses in math, statistics and computer science.
Note: only one can count in the science category, and it can't be the same one you took in Quarter 1 for a math course.- CS& 141 Computer science I - Java
- MATH& 107 Math in society
- MATH& 146 Intro to statistics
BIOCULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY, ASSOCIATE IN ARTS & SCIENCES (AAS/DTA) (90 CREDITS)
Follow this recommended pathway to earn the AAS/DTA degree and prepare for a university major in biocultural anthropology. Or you can customize your plan even more. Talk with your advisor about adapting it for your individual goals.
Scroll to the end for course suggestions.
Quarter 1
ANTH& 215 Bioanthropology With Lab (5 credits)
| Description | An exploration of the evolution of the human species from a biological perspective, considering interrelationships of biology and culture, principles of genetics, primate behavior, primate and human fossils, early prehistoric cultures, and human variation/adaptation. Lab work included. Either ANTH& 205 or 215 may be taken for credit, not both. (MSls) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
ENGL& 101 English Composition I (5 credits)
| Description | This course helps students become more effective writers in academic and professional settings. Students learn to enter ongoing academic conversations, analyze and use secondary sources to formulate, develop, revise, and communicate ideas in writing, and shape their message to different purposes, audiences, and media. (CC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of ENGL 95 or placement in ENGL& 101. |
| Course Attributes |
|
MATH& 141 Precalculus I (5 credits)
| Description | The basic properties and graphs of functions and inverses of functions, operations on functions, compositions; various specific functions and their properties including polynomial, absolute value, rational, exponential and logarithmic functions; applications of various functions; conics. A graphing calculator is required. (QSR,MS) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of MATH 099 or MATH 132 with a minimum grade of C. |
| Course Attributes |
|
Total credits this quarter: 15
Career exploration: Find your people! Attend area-of-study activities and connect with clubs related to your career goals.
Action item: Meet with your advisor to build your degree plan.
Action item: Have your transfer-in credits officially evaluated.
Quarter 2
ANTH& 206 Cultural Anthropology (5 credits)
| Description | Study of culture and society with a cross-cultural perspective of human adaptation to the bio-cultural environment. Topics include technology, resource consumption and economics, medicine, family, social groups, political systems, religion, expressive arts, language, values, culture change, human impact on the environment, and globalization. (SSwdgs) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Placement in ENGL& 101 |
| Course Attributes |
|
CHEM& 161 General Chemistry With Lab I (5 credits)
| Description | First of a three-course sequence designed for science, engineering, and other majors needing a full year general chemistry sequence. Covers basic principles of modern chemistry, structure of atoms, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, bonding, and molecular geometry. Lab work included. Recommended preparation CHEM& 121 or one year of High School Chemistry. (MSl) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of MATH& 141 with minimum grade of C |
| Course Attributes |
|
HUMANITIES from suggested list below or click for complete list (5 credits)
Total credits this quarter: 15
Career exploration: Compare the different anthropology majors at universities you're interested in.
Quarter 3
CHEM& 162 General Chemistry With Lab II (5 credits)
| Description | Second of a three-course sequence designed for science, engineering, and other majors needing a full year general chemistry sequence. Covers gases, thermochemistry, states of matter, solution chemistry, kinetics, and chemical equilibrium. Lab work included. (MSl) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of CHEM& 161 with minimum grade of C |
| Course Attributes |
|
SALI 201 Introduction to The Salish Sea (5 credits)
| Description | An introduction to the complex ecologies and human experiences of theSalish Sea region. This interdisciplinary course introduces students to content in the natural and social sciences, and integrates experiential learning through local regional field trips, including cross-border experiences. (SSdgs) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
or another SOCIAL SCIENCE from suggested list below or click for complete list (5 credits)
ORAL COMMUNICATION click for list (5 credits)
Total credits this quarter: 15
Course note: Choose this quarter's social science from a subject other than ANTH.
Career exploration: Look for a summer job or internship related to your career goals.
Action item: Check the GPA and other entry requirements for your future major. Are you on track?
Quarter 4
CHEM& 163 General Chemistry With Lab III (5 credits)
| Description | Third of a three-course sequence designed for science, engineering, and other majors needing a full-year general chemistry sequence. Coversacids, bases, acid-base equilibria, solubility and complex-ion equilibria, thermodynamics and equilibrium, electrochemistry, and special topics. Lab work included. (MSl) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of CHEM& 162 with minimum grade of C |
| Course Attributes |
|
BIOL& 221 Majors Ecology/Evolution (5 credits)
| Description | This course is designed to prepare the student for further studies inthe field of biology or related fields. Basic information about evolution, genetics, biodiversity of life forms, and ecology will be taught and assessed. This is the first in a three-quarter sequence for biology majors. (MSwl) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Prior or concurrent enrollment in CHEM& 161 and placement in ENGL& 101 |
| Course Attributes |
|
HUMANITIES from suggested list below or click for complete list (5 credits)
Total credits this quarter: 15
Career exploration: Participate in original undergraduate research in CHEM& 163.
Action item: Meet with your advisor about applying to universities. Start your transfer applications.
Action item: Apply for next year's financial aid.
Quarter 5
ANTH& 200 Introduction to Language (5 credits)
| Description | Overview of the study of language. Includes the nature of human language, its social aspects, the psychology of language, and the grammatical aspects of language; phonetics, morphology, syntax, semantics, dialects, language diversity, and the biological basis of language. (SSw) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Placement in ENGL& 101 |
| Course Attributes |
|
BIOL& 222 Majors Cell Biology/Molecular (5 credits)
| Description | This course is designed to prepare the student for further studies inthe field of biology or related fields. It covers basic information about cell metabolism, biological molecules, structure and function of cells, gene regulation, and development in plants and animals. (MSwl) |
| Enrollment Requirements | BIOL& 222 |
| Course Attributes |
|
HUMANITIES from suggested list below or click for complete list (5 credits)
Total credits this quarter: 15
Course note: If your two previous humanities courses were both in the same subject, choose a different department for this one.
Career exploration: Participate in original undergraduate research in BIOL& 222.
Action item: Apply to graduate by week 3 of this quarter.
Quarter 6
ANTH& 204 Archaeology (5 credits)
| Description | Between the history of archaeology and the problems faced today, this course examines the theories and methods used to interpret what's left of the world's lost cultures. Topics include: how artifacts are dated, how people used technology to survive in different environments, how they organized their societies, and developed their ideologies. (SSs) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
BIOL& 223 Majors Organismal Physiology (5 credits)
| Description | This course is designed to prepare the student for further studies in the field of biology or related fields. Basic information about the structure and functions of living organisms will be taught and assessed. This is the third in a three-quarter sequence for biology majors. (MSwl) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of BIOL& 222 with minimum grade of B- |
| Course Attributes |
|
ENGL& 230 Technical Writing (3 credits)
| Description | This course helps students develop effective methods of research, organization and presentation of findings typical of professional, technical, and scientific writing. Students develop problem-solving and researching skills, including data collection, the critical analysis of sources, documentation, and document design. (CC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of ENGL& 101 with a minimum grade of C-. |
| Course Attributes |
|
or ENGL& 235 Technical Writing (5 credits )
| Description | This course helps students develop effective methods of research, organization and presentation of findings typical of professional, technical, and scientific writing. Students develop problem-solving and researching skills, including data collection, the critical analysis of sources, documentation, and document design. (CC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of ENGL& 101 with a minimum grade of C-. |
| Course Attributes |
|
LEARNING CONTRACT (2 credits)
or INTERNSHIP (2 credits)
or INTERNSHIP (2 credits)
Total credits this quarter: 15
Course note: A learning contract is an independent study with a faculty mentor. This quarter's learning contract / internship credits are optional, but if you choose ENGL& 230, you may want the extra credits so you don't get behind.
Career exploration: Participate in original undergraduate research in ANTH& 204.
Action item: Attend the spring job fair.
Course Suggestions
As you're choosing your classes, think about what interests you, think about what might complement your anthropology interests, and consider exploring and trying something completely new.
Anthropology electives
- For archaeology, ANTH& 104 World prehistory
- For American Indian studies, ANTH& 210 Indigenous peoples of North America
or ANTH& 216 Indigenous peoples of the northwest coast - For healthcare and related interests, ANTH 235 Cross-cultural medicine
- For traditional uses of local plants, ANTH 150 Northwest coast ethnobotany
- For the relationship between mind and culture, ANTH 225 Psychological anthropology
Humanities
- For American Indian or indigenous studies
- ART 106 Art of the Pacific Northwest Native Americans (3 credits)
- ENGL 267 Native American literature
- For archaeology
- ART 130 Ceramics I
- ART 131 Beginning throwing
- To prepare for fieldwork in a setting where English is not spoken
- CHIN& 121 Chinese I
- FRCH& 121 French I
- GERM& 121 German I
- JAPN& 121 Japanese I
- SPAN& 121 Spanish I
- Courses with cross-cultural themes or topics that overlap with anthropological study
- CMST 225 Intercultural communication
- DRMA& 101 Intro to theatre
- ENGL 124 Environmental literature
- ENGL 136 Science fiction and fantasy
- ENGL 238 Gender and literature
- ENGL 286 Mythology
- FILM 240 Documentary film
- FILM 265 American LGBTQ+ cinema
- HUM& 101 Intro to the humanities (6 credits)
- IDS 161 Literature, science and gender
- IDS 180 Visual media and culture
- MUSC 110 Intro to world music
- PHIL 132 Environmental ethics
- PHIL 140 Intro to world religions
Social Sciences
- To prepare for a Salish Sea minor at Western Washington University, or if you want to experience a place-based multidisciplinary course looking at the region we call home
- SALI 201 Intro to the Salish Sea
- Courses that introduce you to other social sciences that may overlap with anthropology
- ECON 100 Survey of economic principles
- GEOG& 100 Intro to geography
- PSYC& 100 General psychology
- SOC& 101 Intro to sociology
- Courses with cross-cultural themes or topics that overlap with anthropological study
- CMST 225 Intercultural communication
- GEOG& 102 World regional geography
- GEOG& 200 Human geography
- GEOG 243 Urban geography
- GEOG& 250 Geography of the Pacific Northwest
- HIST& 126 World civilizations I
- HIST& 127 World civilizations II
- HIST& 128 World civilizations III
- HIST 158 Religions of the Far East
- HIST& 214 Pacific Northwest history
- HIST 225 History of the modern Middle East
- IDS 112 Ethnomathematics
- IDS 113 Quantitative methods in the social sciences
- IDS 161 Literature, science and gender
- IDS 170 Intro to sustainability
- IDS 180 Visual media and culture
- IDS 210 Science, economics and politics of sustainable resources
- POLS& 203 International relations
- SOC 120 Marriage and family
- SOC& 201 Social problems
- SOC 220 Contemporary social issues
- SOC 250 Multicultural issues
Sciences and Math
- For archaeology, majors geology is strongly recommended
- GEOL 211 Physical geology
- GEOL 212 Historical geology (offered every two years in the spring)
- Courses that introduce you to various science disciplines
- ASTR& 100 Survey of astronomy
- BIOL& 100 Survey of biology (lab)
- CHEM& 121 Intro to chemistry (lab)
- GEOL 100 Intro to earth science (lab)
- GEOL& 101 Intro to physical geology (lab)
- OCEA& 101 Intro to oceanography (lab)
- PHYS& 110 Physics for non-science majors (lab)
- PHYSC 104 Finding things out: energy (lab)
- Courses that touch on human interactions with the natural world
- BIOL 159 Marine biology (lab)
- ENVS& 100 Survey of environmental science
- ENVS& 101 Intro to environmental science (lab)
- GEOL 110 Environmental geology
- GEOL 140 Natural disasters (lab)
- NUTR& 101 Nutrition
- Courses in math, statistics and computer science.
Note: only one can count in the science category, and it can't be the same one you took in Quarter 1 for a math course.- CS& 141 Computer science I - Java
- MATH& 107 Math in society
- MATH& 146 Intro to statistics
ANTH/BIOL OR BIOL/ANTH, ASSOCIATE IN SCIENCE-TRANSFER (AS-T) (90 CREDITS), START AT PRECALCULUS I OR II
Follow this recommended pathway to earn the AS-T degree for biology and prepare for a major in Anthropology/Biology (BA) or Biology/Anthropology (BS) at Western Washington University. Or you can customize your plan even more. Talk with your advisor about adapting it for your individual goals.
This is the pathway to follow if your math placement is MATH& 141 Precalculus I or MATH& 142 Precalculus II.
Quarter 1
ANTH& 215 Bioanthropology With Lab (5 credits)
| Description | An exploration of the evolution of the human species from a biological perspective, considering interrelationships of biology and culture, principles of genetics, primate behavior, primate and human fossils, early prehistoric cultures, and human variation/adaptation. Lab work included. Either ANTH& 205 or 215 may be taken for credit, not both. (MSls) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
ENGL& 101 English Composition I (5 credits)
| Description | This course helps students become more effective writers in academic and professional settings. Students learn to enter ongoing academic conversations, analyze and use secondary sources to formulate, develop, revise, and communicate ideas in writing, and shape their message to different purposes, audiences, and media. (CC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of ENGL 95 or placement in ENGL& 101. |
| Course Attributes |
|
MATH& 141 Precalculus I (5 credits)
| Description | The basic properties and graphs of functions and inverses of functions, operations on functions, compositions; various specific functions and their properties including polynomial, absolute value, rational, exponential and logarithmic functions; applications of various functions; conics. A graphing calculator is required. (QSR,MS) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of MATH 099 or MATH 132 with a minimum grade of C. |
| Course Attributes |
|
Total credits this quarter: 15
Course note: If your placement is in MATH& 142, take that this quarter and talk to your advisor about adjusting the rest of the pathway.
Career exploration: Find your people! Attend area-of-study activities and connect with clubs related to your career goals.
Action item: Meet with your advisor to build your degree plan.
Action item: Have your transfer-in credits officially evaluated.
Quarter 2
ANTH& 206 Cultural Anthropology (5 credits)
| Description | Study of culture and society with a cross-cultural perspective of human adaptation to the bio-cultural environment. Topics include technology, resource consumption and economics, medicine, family, social groups, political systems, religion, expressive arts, language, values, culture change, human impact on the environment, and globalization. (SSwdgs) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Placement in ENGL& 101 |
| Course Attributes |
|
CHEM& 161 General Chemistry With Lab I (5 credits)
| Description | First of a three-course sequence designed for science, engineering, and other majors needing a full year general chemistry sequence. Covers basic principles of modern chemistry, structure of atoms, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, bonding, and molecular geometry. Lab work included. Recommended preparation CHEM& 121 or one year of High School Chemistry. (MSl) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of MATH& 141 with minimum grade of C |
| Course Attributes |
|
MATH& 142 Precalculus II (5 credits)
| Description | Second in a two-course sequence designed to prepare students for the study of Calculus. Intended for students planning to major in math and/or science. Course to include right triangle trigonometry; trigonometric functions and their graphs; trigonometric identities and formulae;applications of trigonometry; parametric equations; and polar coordinates. A graphing calculator is required. A graphing calculator is required. (QSR,MS) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of MATH& 141 with a minimum grade of C. |
| Course Attributes |
|
Total credits this quarter: 15
Career exploration: Compare the different majors that combine anthropology and biology at universities you're interested in.
Quarter 3
ANTH& 204 Archaeology (5 credits)
| Description | Between the history of archaeology and the problems faced today, this course examines the theories and methods used to interpret what's left of the world's lost cultures. Topics include: how artifacts are dated, how people used technology to survive in different environments, how they organized their societies, and developed their ideologies. (SSs) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
CHEM& 162 General Chemistry With Lab II (5 credits)
| Description | Second of a three-course sequence designed for science, engineering, and other majors needing a full year general chemistry sequence. Covers gases, thermochemistry, states of matter, solution chemistry, kinetics, and chemical equilibrium. Lab work included. (MSl) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of CHEM& 161 with minimum grade of C |
| Course Attributes |
|
MATH& 151 Calculus I (5 credits)
| Description | This course looks at the study of functions, limits, continuity, limits at infinity, differentiation of algebraic, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions and their inverses, and applications. Graphing calculator required. (QSR,MS) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of MATH 133 or MATH& 142 with a minimum grade of C. |
| Course Attributes |
|
Total credits this quarter: 15
Career exploration: Participate in original undergraduate research in ANTH& 204.
Career exploration: Look for a summer job or internship related to your career goals.
Action item: Check the GPA and other entry requirements for your future major. Are you on track?
Quarter 4
CHEM& 163 General Chemistry With Lab III (5 credits)
| Description | Third of a three-course sequence designed for science, engineering, and other majors needing a full-year general chemistry sequence. Coversacids, bases, acid-base equilibria, solubility and complex-ion equilibria, thermodynamics and equilibrium, electrochemistry, and special topics. Lab work included. (MSl) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of CHEM& 162 with minimum grade of C |
| Course Attributes |
|
BIOL& 221 Majors Ecology/Evolution (5 credits)
| Description | This course is designed to prepare the student for further studies inthe field of biology or related fields. Basic information about evolution, genetics, biodiversity of life forms, and ecology will be taught and assessed. This is the first in a three-quarter sequence for biology majors. (MSwl) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Prior or concurrent enrollment in CHEM& 161 and placement in ENGL& 101 |
| Course Attributes |
|
MATH& 152 Calculus II (5 credits)
| Description | The study of Riemann Sums, methods of integration, numerical methods, polar and rectangular forms, fundamental theorem of Calculus, areas of regions, volumes of solids, centroids, length of curves, surface area, and an introduction to differential equations. Graphing calculator required. (QSR,MS) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of MATH& 151 with a minimum grade of C. |
| Course Attributes |
|
Total credits this quarter: 15
Career exploration: Participate in original undergraduate research in CHEM& 163.
Action item: Meet with your advisor about applying to universities. Start your transfer applications.
Action item: Apply for next year's financial aid.
Quarter 5
ANTH& 235 Cross Cultural Medicine (5 credits)
| Description | Introduction to medical anthropology. Explores the occurrence of disease, illness concepts and approaches to healing in other cultures, and considers health care options in the United States including ethnic traditions and newer alternatives. (SSg) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
BIOL& 222 Majors Cell Biology/Molecular (5 credits)
| Description | This course is designed to prepare the student for further studies inthe field of biology or related fields. It covers basic information about cell metabolism, biological molecules, structure and function of cells, gene regulation, and development in plants and animals. (MSwl) |
| Enrollment Requirements | BIOL& 222 |
| Course Attributes |
|
HUMANITIES from suggested list below or click for complete list (5 credits)
Total credits this quarter: 15
Career exploration: Participate in original undergraduate research in BIOL& 222.
Action item: Apply to graduate by week 3 of this quarter.
Quarter 6
BIOL& 223 Majors Organismal Physiology (5 credits)
| Description | This course is designed to prepare the student for further studies in the field of biology or related fields. Basic information about the structure and functions of living organisms will be taught and assessed. This is the third in a three-quarter sequence for biology majors. (MSwl) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of BIOL& 222 with minimum grade of B- |
| Course Attributes |
|
MATH& 146 Introduction to Stats (5 credits)
| Description | Rigorous introduction to statistical methods and hypothesis testing. Includes descriptive and inferential statistics. Tabular and pictorialmethods for describing data; central tendencies; mean; modes; medians; variance; standard deviation; quartiles; regression; normal distribution; confidence intervals; hypothesis testing, one and two-tailed tests. Applications to business, social sciences, and sciences. (QSR,MS) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of MATH 088 or MATH 099 with a minimum grade of C. |
| Course Attributes |
|
PHYS& 114 General Physics I (5 credits)
| Description | Introduction to mechanics and physical reasoning strategies and investigation methods for students majoring in technically oriented fields not requiring a calculus based physics course. Newton's laws, work andenergy, kinematics conservation principles. Computer interfaced laboratory investigations, technical writing, problem solving, mathematical reasoning and scientific method of inquiry skills will be emphasized. (MSl) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of MATH& 142 with a minimum grade of C. |
| Course Attributes |
|
Total credits this quarter: 15
Action item: Attend the spring job fair.
Course suggestions
As you're choosing your classes, think about what interests you, think about what might complement your anthropology interests, and consider exploring and trying something completely new.
Anthropology electives
- For archaeology, ANTH& 104 World prehistory
- For American Indian studies, ANTH& 210 Indigenous peoples of North America
or ANTH& 216 Indigenous peoples of the northwest coast - For healthcare and related interests, ANTH 235 Cross-cultural medicine
- For traditional uses of local plants, ANTH 150 Northwest coast ethnobotany
- For the relationship between mind and culture, ANTH 225 Psychological anthropology
Humanities
- For American Indian or indigenous studies
- ART 106 Art of the Pacific Northwest Native Americans (3 credits, must supplement with 2-credit humanities learning contract)
- ENGL 267 Native American literature
- For archaeology
- ART 130 Ceramics I
- ART 131 Beginning throwing
- To prepare for fieldwork in a setting where English is not spoken
- CHIN& 121 Chinese I
- FRCH& 121 French I
- GERM& 121 German I
- JAPN& 121 Japanese I
- SPAN& 121 Spanish I
- Courses with cross-cultural themes or topics that overlap with anthropological study
- DRMA& 101 Intro to theatre
- ENGL 124 Environmental literature
- ENGL 136 Science fiction and fantasy
- ENGL 238 Gender and literature
- ENGL 286 Mythology
- FILM 240 Documentary film
- FILM 265 American LGBTQ+ cinema
- HUM& 101 Intro to the humanities (6 credits)
- IDS 161 Literature, science and gender
- IDS 180 Visual media and culture
- MUSC 110 Intro to world music
- PHIL 132 Environmental ethics
- PHIL 140 Intro to world religions
ANTH/BIOL OR BIOL/ANTH, ASSOCIATE IN SCIENCE-TRANSFER (AS-T) (90 CREDITS), START AT CALCULUS I
Follow this recommended pathway to earn the AS-T degree for biology and prepare for a major in Anthropology/Biology (BA) or Biology/Anthropology (BS) at Western Washington University. Or you can customize your plan even more. Talk with your advisor about adapting it for your individual goals.
This is the pathway to follow if your math placement is MATH& 151 Calculus I.
Quarter 1
ANTH& 215 Bioanthropology With Lab (5 credits)
| Description | An exploration of the evolution of the human species from a biological perspective, considering interrelationships of biology and culture, principles of genetics, primate behavior, primate and human fossils, early prehistoric cultures, and human variation/adaptation. Lab work included. Either ANTH& 205 or 215 may be taken for credit, not both. (MSls) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
CHEM& 161 General Chemistry With Lab I (5 credits)
| Description | First of a three-course sequence designed for science, engineering, and other majors needing a full year general chemistry sequence. Covers basic principles of modern chemistry, structure of atoms, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, bonding, and molecular geometry. Lab work included. Recommended preparation CHEM& 121 or one year of High School Chemistry. (MSl) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of MATH& 141 with minimum grade of C |
| Course Attributes |
|
MATH& 151 Calculus I (5 credits)
| Description | This course looks at the study of functions, limits, continuity, limits at infinity, differentiation of algebraic, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions and their inverses, and applications. Graphing calculator required. (QSR,MS) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of MATH 133 or MATH& 142 with a minimum grade of C. |
| Course Attributes |
|
Total credits this quarter: 15
Career exploration: Find your people! Attend area-of-study activities and connect with clubs related to your career goals.
Action item: Meet with your advisor to build your degree plan.
Action item: Have your transfer-in credits officially evaluated.
Quarter 2
ENGL& 101 English Composition I (5 credits)
| Description | This course helps students become more effective writers in academic and professional settings. Students learn to enter ongoing academic conversations, analyze and use secondary sources to formulate, develop, revise, and communicate ideas in writing, and shape their message to different purposes, audiences, and media. (CC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of ENGL 95 or placement in ENGL& 101. |
| Course Attributes |
|
CHEM& 162 General Chemistry With Lab II (5 credits)
| Description | Second of a three-course sequence designed for science, engineering, and other majors needing a full year general chemistry sequence. Covers gases, thermochemistry, states of matter, solution chemistry, kinetics, and chemical equilibrium. Lab work included. (MSl) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of CHEM& 161 with minimum grade of C |
| Course Attributes |
|
MATH& 152 Calculus II (5 credits)
| Description | The study of Riemann Sums, methods of integration, numerical methods, polar and rectangular forms, fundamental theorem of Calculus, areas of regions, volumes of solids, centroids, length of curves, surface area, and an introduction to differential equations. Graphing calculator required. (QSR,MS) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of MATH& 151 with a minimum grade of C. |
| Course Attributes |
|
Total credits this quarter: 15
Career exploration: Compare the different majors that combine anthropology and biology at universities you're interested in.
Quarter 3
ANTH& 204 Archaeology (5 credits)
| Description | Between the history of archaeology and the problems faced today, this course examines the theories and methods used to interpret what's left of the world's lost cultures. Topics include: how artifacts are dated, how people used technology to survive in different environments, how they organized their societies, and developed their ideologies. (SSs) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
CHEM& 163 General Chemistry With Lab III (5 credits)
| Description | Third of a three-course sequence designed for science, engineering, and other majors needing a full-year general chemistry sequence. Coversacids, bases, acid-base equilibria, solubility and complex-ion equilibria, thermodynamics and equilibrium, electrochemistry, and special topics. Lab work included. (MSl) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of CHEM& 162 with minimum grade of C |
| Course Attributes |
|
HUMANITIES from suggested list below or click for complete list (5 credits)
Total credits this quarter: 15
Career exploration: Participate in original undergraduate research in ANTH& 204 and CHEM& 163.
Career exploration: Look for a summer job or internship related to your career goals.
Action item: Check the GPA and other entry requirements for your future major. Are you on track?
Quarter 4
ANTH& 206 Cultural Anthropology (5 credits)
| Description | Study of culture and society with a cross-cultural perspective of human adaptation to the bio-cultural environment. Topics include technology, resource consumption and economics, medicine, family, social groups, political systems, religion, expressive arts, language, values, culture change, human impact on the environment, and globalization. (SSwdgs) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Placement in ENGL& 101 |
| Course Attributes |
|
BIOL& 221 Majors Ecology/Evolution (5 credits)
| Description | This course is designed to prepare the student for further studies inthe field of biology or related fields. Basic information about evolution, genetics, biodiversity of life forms, and ecology will be taught and assessed. This is the first in a three-quarter sequence for biology majors. (MSwl) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Prior or concurrent enrollment in CHEM& 161 and placement in ENGL& 101 |
| Course Attributes |
|
MATH& 146 Introduction to Stats (5 credits)
| Description | Rigorous introduction to statistical methods and hypothesis testing. Includes descriptive and inferential statistics. Tabular and pictorialmethods for describing data; central tendencies; mean; modes; medians; variance; standard deviation; quartiles; regression; normal distribution; confidence intervals; hypothesis testing, one and two-tailed tests. Applications to business, social sciences, and sciences. (QSR,MS) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of MATH 088 or MATH 099 with a minimum grade of C. |
| Course Attributes |
|
Total credits this quarter: 15
Action item: Meet with your advisor about applying to universities. Start your transfer applications.
Action item: Apply for next year's financial aid.
Quarter 5
ANTH& 235 Cross Cultural Medicine (5 credits)
| Description | Introduction to medical anthropology. Explores the occurrence of disease, illness concepts and approaches to healing in other cultures, and considers health care options in the United States including ethnic traditions and newer alternatives. (SSg) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
BIOL& 222 Majors Cell Biology/Molecular (5 credits)
| Description | This course is designed to prepare the student for further studies inthe field of biology or related fields. It covers basic information about cell metabolism, biological molecules, structure and function of cells, gene regulation, and development in plants and animals. (MSwl) |
| Enrollment Requirements | BIOL& 222 |
| Course Attributes |
|
PHYS& 114 General Physics I (5 credits)
| Description | Introduction to mechanics and physical reasoning strategies and investigation methods for students majoring in technically oriented fields not requiring a calculus based physics course. Newton's laws, work andenergy, kinematics conservation principles. Computer interfaced laboratory investigations, technical writing, problem solving, mathematical reasoning and scientific method of inquiry skills will be emphasized. (MSl) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of MATH& 142 with a minimum grade of C. |
| Course Attributes |
|
Total credits this quarter: 15
Career exploration: Participate in original undergraduate research in BIOL& 222.
Action item: Apply to graduate by week 3 of this quarter.
Quarter 6
BIOL& 223 Majors Organismal Physiology (5 credits)
| Description | This course is designed to prepare the student for further studies in the field of biology or related fields. Basic information about the structure and functions of living organisms will be taught and assessed. This is the third in a three-quarter sequence for biology majors. (MSwl) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of BIOL& 222 with minimum grade of B- |
| Course Attributes |
|
CHEM& 131 Introduction to Organic/Biochemistry (5 credits)
| Description | Survey of organic and introduction to biochemistry satisfying allied health program requirements. Study of structure, nomenclature and reactions of organic and biological compounds with applications to living systems. Lab work included. (MSl) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of CHEM& 121 or CHEM& 161; and completion of Prior Biology Course |
| Course Attributes |
|
ANTHROPOLOGY ELECTIVE from suggested list below (5 credits)
Total credits this quarter: 15
Action item: Attend the spring job fair.
Course suggestions
As you're choosing your classes, think about what interests you, think about what might complement your anthropology interests, and consider exploring and trying something completely new.
Anthropology electives
- For archaeology, ANTH& 104 World prehistory
- For American Indian studies, ANTH& 210 Indigenous peoples of North America
or ANTH& 216 Indigenous peoples of the northwest coast - For healthcare and related interests, ANTH 235 Cross-cultural medicine
- For traditional uses of local plants, ANTH 150 Northwest coast ethnobotany
- For the relationship between mind and culture, ANTH 225 Psychological anthropology
Humanities
- For American Indian or indigenous studies
- ART 106 Art of the Pacific Northwest Native Americans (3 credits, must supplement with 2-credit humanities learning contract)
- ENGL 267 Native American literature
- For archaeology
- ART 130 Ceramics I
- ART 131 Beginning throwing
- To prepare for fieldwork in a setting where English is not spoken
- CHIN& 121 Chinese I
- FRCH& 121 French I
- GERM& 121 German I
- JAPN& 121 Japanese I
- SPAN& 121 Spanish I
- Courses with cross-cultural themes or topics that overlap with anthropological study
- DRMA& 101 Intro to theatre
- ENGL 124 Environmental literature
- ENGL 136 Science fiction and fantasy
- ENGL 238 Gender and literature
- ENGL 286 Mythology
- FILM 240 Documentary film
- FILM 265 American LGBTQ+ cinema
- HUM& 101 Intro to the humanities (6 credits)
- IDS 161 Literature, science and gender
- IDS 180 Visual media and culture
- MUSC 110 Intro to world music
- PHIL 132 Environmental ethics
- PHIL 140 Intro to world religions