Anthropology (BS, BA, Minor)

The anthropology major provides students with an understanding of the cultural and biological variation of past and present human groups. In particular, anthropology examines the cultures and societies people create, how language influences your worldview, evidence of the human past in the archaeological record, human biological evolution, and the interaction of biology and culture in shaping our health and medical practices across the globe. Students learn and apply the research methods and theories used by anthropologists to investigate peoples and their social worlds.

Students may pursue either a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree which allows for considerable flexibility in selecting courses, or a Bachelor of Science (BS) track which integrates scientific training into their curriculum. Both the BA and BS combine study in each of the four sub-fields of anthropology: archaeology, biological anthropology, linguistic anthropology, and sociocultural anthropology.

Internships, Research Opportunities, and More

The department offers courses on field- and lab-based research methods that give students hands-on experience in how to conduct anthropological research. In particular, the department has just developed a Freshman Research Immersion (FRI) stream in molecular and biomedical anthropology, a research program for high-achieving freshmen that provides hands-on research experience in a laboratory setting.

The department also offers a six-week archaeology field school in upstate New York each summer and additional fieldwork opportunities are available in North and South America and Europe. Students are also encouraged to participate in study-abroad programs, as well as workshops on research skills, and internships can be arranged for anthropology credit. The Undergraduate Anthropology Organization is a student group on campus that sponsors field trips to museums, arranges career seminars, and organizes social events and academic forums to examine issues in anthropology.

Accelerated/4+1 Degrees

You may also be interested in our accelerated/4+1 degree programs which allow students to complete their bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in just 5 years!

Binghamton University, State University of New York (SUNY), is the #1 public university in New York. We are a mid-sized university of 18,000 undergraduate and graduate students, including over 1,500 international students from over 100 countries. Binghamton provides top tier education in six schools and 130+ academic programs, with several exclusive honors programs and world-class research opportunities for students in every major.

On campus, there’s always something to do, with 21 NCAA Division I teams and 450+ student-led clubs and organizations. Binghamton University is nestled in picturesque rolling hills just minutes from a vibrant downtown area where students can explore the arts, local restaurants, and professional sports. We are just a few hours from major urban centers such as New York City, Boston, and Toronto, and our award-winning career center connects students to opportunities around the country and around the world.

Binghamton offers countless resources to support students learning and excelling both within and outside of the classroom. Combined with an affordable price, Binghamton University consistently earns a best value ranking among US universities.