Biological anthropology

How humans evolved and why variation matters

Biological anthropology explores human evolution, biological diversity and primate behavior. Research in this area examines how humans emerged as a species, how we vary today and how biology interacts with environment and culture. From fossil evidence to living populations, biological anthropology connects deep history to present-day questions about health and adaptation.

Great for students interested in human evolution, primatology, bioarchaeology, anatomy, medicine, public health or evolutionary science.

Big questions biological anthropology helps answer

Biological anthropology research addresses questions such as:

  • How did humans evolve over time?
  • What explains biological variation within and across human populations?
  • How do primates behave and adapt to their environments?
  • How do biology and culture interact to shape health and survival?
  • What can skeletal and fossil evidence tell us about past lives?

These questions help students understand human biology in ways that support careers in research, health-related fields and graduate study.

How biological anthropology research works

Research combines evolutionary theory, comparative anatomy and experimental approaches to study both living and past populations. Projects may involve skeletal analysis, primate observation, evolutionary modeling or laboratory-based investigation.

Students work with tools such as virtual anthropology, geometric morphometrics and experimental methods to analyze form, function and variation.

Key areas of focus

Biological anthropology research commonly explores:

  • Human evolution and fossil interpretation
  • Primate behavior and ecology
  • Human biological variation
  • Skeletal biology and bioarchaeology
  • Evolutionary approaches to health and disease

Together, these approaches explain how humans evolved and continue to adapt.

Connects naturally to

Biology, medicine, public health, anatomy, archaeology and evolutionary science.

Get involved in archaeology research

Students can join faculty-guided lab research, independent projects and interdisciplinary collaborations. Many students begin with general curiosity about humans and discover a passion for biological research along the way.