Biological Anthropology - BSc (Hons)

Course structure

Duration: 3 years full-time, 6 years part-time

Modules

The following modules are indicative of those offered on this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.  

On most programmes, you study a combination of compulsory and optional modules. You may also be able to take ‘elective’ modules from other programmes so you can customise your programme and explore other subjects that interest you.

Teaching and assessment

In our most recent national Teaching Excellence Framework, teaching at Kent was judged to be Gold rated. Based on the evidence available, the TEF Panel judged that the University of Kent delivers consistently outstanding teaching, learning and outcomes for its students. It is of the highest quality found in the UK.

Our teaching is research-led as all our staff are active in their fields. Social and biological anthropology staff have been awarded national teaching awards, reflecting the quality of the undergraduate programmes.

Anthropology at Kent uses a stimulating mix of teaching methods, including lectures, small seminar groups, field trips and laboratory sessions. For project work, you are assigned to a supervisor with whom you meet regularly. You also have access to a wide range of learning resources, including the Templeman Library, research laboratories and computer-based learning packages.

Many of the core modules have an end-of-year examination that accounts for 50% to 100% of your final mark for that module. The remaining percentage comes from practical or coursework marks. However, others, such as the Project in Anthropological Science and Human Osteology, are assessed entirely on coursework. Both Stage 2 and 3 marks count towards your final degree result.

Contact hours

For a student studying full time, each academic year of the programme will comprise 1200 learning hours which include both direct contact hours and private study hours.  The precise breakdown of hours will be subject dependent and will vary according to modules.  Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.

Methods of assessment will vary according to subject specialism and individual modules.  Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.

Programme aims

The programme aims to:

• develop students’ critical and analytical powers with respect to biological anthropology
• develop critical and analytical problem-based learning skills
• provide the skills to adapt and respond positively to changes in the discipline
• provide a broad range of knowledge in the discipline of anthropology, stressing the need for a biological approach to the subject, and showing how it is closely linked to other academic disciplines such as biology, psychology, archaeology and forensic sciences
• provide a grounding in human and primate biological variation and distinguish the links between biological and sociocultural processes
• ensure that the research by staff informs the design of modules, and their content and delivery in a manner that is efficient, reliable and enjoyable to students
• prepare graduates for employment and/or further study in their chosen careers through developing students’ transferable skills.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

You gain knowledge and understanding of:

• major aspects of human evolution, including significant fossil evidence and its contextual associations, and behavioural and ecological reconstructions based on these
• the similarities and contrasts between humans and other primates, and their significance for human adaptive success
• selected aspects of primate diversity, behaviour, and acquaintance with relevant concepts of primatology
• aspects of human genetic and/or phenotypic diversity, their evolutionary implications and significance for schemes categorising human variability
• the role of human osteology and forensic anthropology in understanding human variation, epidemiology, and forensic identification of human remains
• the range and flexibility of individual biological responses, and awareness of the distinction between such adaptability and population adaptation
• biosocial perspectives on human ecology; for example, subsistence and dietary diversity, and comparative study of health, wellbeing and disease across societies and/or over time
• consideration of human life history patterns, reproductive influences, population size and structure, and aspects of applied anthropology, including development studies
• awareness of the nature, complexity and richness of human biological diversity and an appreciation of its social and ethical implications
• an awareness of evolutionary principles relevant to the study of human evolution
• an in-depth understanding of current issues relating to biological anthropology.

Intellectual skills

You gain the following intellectual abilities:

• learning and study skills
• the capacity to express one's own ideas in writing, to summarise the arguments of others, and to distinguish between the two
• independence of thought and analytical, critical and synoptic skills
• scholarly skills such as the ability to make a structured argument, reference the works of others and assess historical evidence.

Subject-specific skills

You gain specific skills in the following:

• the knowledge and ability to interpret information on aspects of human biological diversity
• the ability to analyse and evaluate relevant qualitative and quantitative data utilising appropriate techniques
• to design and implement a project involving data collection on some aspect(s) of biological anthropology, and to display relevant investigative, analytical and communication skills
• an in-depth understanding of the subject, and qualities of mind associated with intellectual reflection, evaluation and synthesis
• the ability to understand how human beings are shaped by, and interact with, their social and physical environments, and an appreciation of their social and biological diversity
• the ability to formulate, investigate and discuss anthropologically informed questions
• competence in using major theoretical perspectives and concepts in biological anthropology
• the ability to apply anthropological knowledge to a variety of practical situations, personal and professional.

Transferable skills

You gain transferable skills in the following:

• information retrieval skills in relation to primary and secondary sources of information
• communication and presentation skills using oral and written materials and information technology
• time-planning and management skills
• the ability to engage in constructive discussion in group situations and group work skills
• statistical and computing methods.

Careers

Studying biological anthropology gives you an exciting range of career opportunities. We work with you to help direct your module choices to the career paths you are considering. Through your studies, you learn how to work independently, to analyse complex data and to present your work with clarity and flair.

Graduate destinations

Our recent graduates have gone into areas such as:

• professional biological anthropology
• science journalism
• curating
• forensic science
• rescue archaeology
• primate conservation
• work with non-government organisations
• work with development agencies such as the World Health Organisation
• business
• civil service
• further research in biological anthropology.

Help finding a job

The School offers an employability programme aimed at helping you develop the skills you'll need to look for a job.  This includes workshops, mentoring and an online blog featuring tips, advice from employers, job adverts, internship information and volunteering opportunities.

The University’s friendly Careers and Employability Service offers advice on how to:

• apply for jobs
• write a good CV
• perform well in interviews.

Career-enhancing skills

Through your studies you learn how to work independently, analyse complex data and present your work with clarity and flair. Alongside such specialist skills, you also develop the transferable skills graduate employers look for, including the ability to:

• think critically 
• communicate your ideas and opinions 
• work independently and as part of a team.

You can also gain extra skills by signing up for one of our Kent Extra activities, such as learning a language or volunteering.