What is Evolutionary Biology of the Human Species (EBHS)?
It is the study of human and non-human primates, their behavior, ecology, morphology, variation, growth, and adaptation.
Using the framework of evolution and with attention to the interplay between biology and culture, research in these areas is applied to our own species and to our closest relatives to understand who we are and where we came from. This integrated biological study of the humans and non-human primates is also known as biological anthropology.
Dr. Jill Shapiro is the Director of Undergraduate Studies for this program. You should always feel free to contact her, but you may find some answers to your questions through links to the Bulletin, FAQs, Research Opportunities, and Careers.
As an interdisciplinary major students are encouraged to draw on courses in related fields including biology, anthropology, geology and psychology as part of their studies. Roughly half of EBHS students come from the natural sciences and half from the social sciences, with an occasional humanities focused student as well.
Program Pathways
There is a considerable flexibility with this major. This document summarizes the structure and requirements of the major.
There are two required introductory courses but the rest--breadth distribution, archaeology, conservation and seminar--can be fulfilled with classes from a range of departments. See courses from related spheres.
The only stipulation is that 20 of the 36 points (that includes the two intro classes) must come from a list of bioanthro oriented courses. Some students fulfill most of their requirements with us while others explore and either approach is welcome.
We recommend that you take at least one of the two introductory courses—UN1010 Human Origins and Evolution (HO&E) or UN1011 Behavioral Biology of Living Primates by the end of your second year so that you get a sense of the main spheres of field.
You may want to explore multiple aspects in greater depth, great, or you may have a narrower focus in mind. Speak with Dr. Shapiro, who can help guide the design of your individual program and course selection.
Some examples:
- I’m interested in how humans became human:
After taking HO&E students interested in paleoanthropology would take courses focusing on the specifics of human evolution and morphology (e.g., Dynamics of Human Evolution or the Neandertals, Primate Anatomy, Human Skeletal Biology, the Evolution of Human Growth and Development), as well broader courses in evolution, archaeology, geology, genetics, and statistics.
- I’m planning on a career in the health profession:
Students with an interest in the health professions might take E3B courses such as Forensic Osteology, Disease Ecology, Human Skeletal Biology, Human Adaptation) as well as courses in the Departments of Biology (Physiology), Anthropology (Body and Society, Trauma or Corpse Life) or Public Health (Global Public Health) or even Dance (Human Anatomy and Movement).
- I’m fascinated by primate behavior:
Those with an interest in primate behavior would complement their explorations on primates (Current Controversies in Primate Behavior, Animal Communication, A Primate Lens, Parenting Like a Primate, Primate Sexuality) with broader explorations of animal behavior within E3B ( Introduction to Mammals, Ecology, Behavior and Conservation of Mammals, Ethology and the Evolution of Behavior, Tropical Field Biology in Kenya) as well courses from the department of Psychology (Animal Behavior, Epigenetics) or Barnard Biology (Animal Behavior.)
- I have my own interdisciplinary focus:
We also have student who are interested in delving deeper into subjects such as the evolution of language or religion and they have a place with us as well.
- I’m planning on a career in the health professions:
See handout.