Science is a process of understanding phenomena through systematic observation, experimentation and verification. There is an empirical approach to gaining information through the use of systematic and explicit techniques. Because physical anthropologists and archaeologists are engaged in scientific pursuits, they adhere to the principles of the scientific method, whereby a research problem is identified and information subsequently gathered to solve it. Consequently, physical anthropology and archaeology students learn that scientific knowledge is based on the scientific method, and that the scientific method leads to knowledge that is not static, but ever-changing. Students are taught that science consists of testable hypotheses and studies that are replicable. From course content, students learn that new paradigms come from challenging traditional paradigms through the collection of new data and the development of new methods and theories. The program requirements of increased upper division hours in physical anthropology and archaeology courses and a science minor will greatly enhance students' science training.

Physical Anthropology
Physical anthropology is the study of human biology within the framework of evolution, with an emphasis on the interaction between biology and culture. Physical anthropology is subdivided into areas of specialty including human biological variation and adaptation, molecular anthropology, primatology, medical primatology, growth and development, functional morphology, osteology, forensic anthropology, and paleoanthropology. The Department offers course work in many of these areas of specialty.

Archaeology
Archaeology is the study of earlier cultures and past human lifeways by anthropologists who specialize in the scientific recovery, analysis, and interpretation of the material remains of past societies. The science of archaeology is much more than digging up artifacts; rather, archaeology is a multidisciplinary approach to the study of human behavior as evidenced by cultural remains. The Department offers course work in archaeology concentrated in the geographic areas of Mesoamerica, South America and North America, as well as the Old World during the Paleolithic period.

Bachelor of Science with a Major in Anthropology  (2007-2009 Catalog)
(Minimum required: 128 semester hours) 

Degree requirements:

Students in the B.S. program will complete all General education core curriculum requirements, College of Liberal Arts requirements, and the requirements of the Department of Anthropology.

• The minimum number of hours required for a degree is 128 hours.
• Students must fulfill the 46-hour core block of general education courses required by Texas State.
• Students must complete a minimum of 39 advanced hours (3000- or 4000-level courses). Courses in the major, minor and electives must be selected to ensure a total of 39 advanced hours to satisfy University advanced hours requirements.
• Out of the 128 credit hours needed for graduation, a total of 38 credit hours are required in Anthropology. Required are the foundation courses: ANTH 1312 Cultural Anthropology, ANTH 2414 Physical Anthropology, ANTH 2415 General Archaeology, and the capstone course ANTH 4310 The History of Anthropological Thought. Students are strongly encouraged to take the foundation courses before taking 3000- or 4000-level anthropology courses, because material covered in upper division courses depends on knowledge gained in the foundation courses.
• Of the 39 required advanced hours, at least 24 advanced hours must be in anthropology, and 18 hours of the 24 hours in anthropology must come from physical anthropology and/or archaeology courses.
• Students must choose one methods course from the following: ANTH 3362 Forensic Techniques, ANTH 4363 Field Methods in Primate Behavior, or ANTH 4630 Archaeological Field School.
• Students must select from anthropology courses and throughout the curriculum to fulfill a writing intensive course requirement of 12 hours. Students are required to take the following writing intensive courses: ANTH 4310 History of Anthropological Thought, ENG 3303 Technical Writing, and PHIL 4355 Philosophical Theory of Science.
• Students are required to take one introductory statistics class to be chosen from the following courses: PSY 3301 Introduction to Statistics, SOCI 3307 Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences, CJ 3347 Statistics for Criminal Justice, or GEO 3301 Quantitative Methods in Geography.
• Students must take two courses in the same modern language 1410 and 1420.
• Students are required to achieve the following minimum GPA for graduation: Texas State GPA 2.00, major GPA 2.50, and minor GPA 2.00.

The number of elective hours students may take will vary between 9-12 hours depending on the chosen minor. Students must select a minor from the following:

Biology (21 hours total; 9 advanced hours)
Chemistry (23 hours total; 7-8 advanced hours)
Physics (21 hours total; 6 advanced hours)
Geology (19 hours total; 7 advanced hours)
Geography (19 hours total; 9-12 advanced hours)
Computer Science (28 hours total; 6 advanced hours)
Mathematics (17 hours total; 9 advanced hours)