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Anthropology

What Is Anthropology?

Anthropology is the study of human diversity across time and space. At McMaster, it’s a dynamic discipline that explores how people live, think, communicate, and evolve – past, present, and future.

Students engage with cultural, biological, archaeological, and health-related perspectives to understand the human experience in all its complexity.

What Might You Study?

Anthropology at McMaster is organized into four key subfields:

Archaeology

Investigating past societies through material remains and excavation.

Biological Anthropology

Exploring human evolution, genetics, and skeletal biology.

Sociocultural Anthropology

Examining cultural practices, social justice, and global diversity.

Anthropology Of Health

Understanding health, illness, and healthcare systems through cultural and biocultural lenses.

Program Options

Program Type

Description
Honours Anthropology BA A comprehensive 4-year program with advanced coursework and research opportunities
Honours Anthropology BA with Co-op
 A 4-year program combining academic study with paid work experience in anthropological settings
Combined Honours BA Pair Anthropology with another discipline for interdisciplinary study
Minor in Anthropology Add depth to another major with anthropological insight
Interdisciplinary Minor in Archaeology Focused study of archaeological methods and theory
Interdisciplinary Minor in Food, Nutrition and Environmental Health Examine how food systems, nutrition, and environmental factors shape human health
Concurrent Certificate in Cultural Perceptions of Death
 Focused study of cultural beliefs and practices surrounding death

* Courses range from topics like Medical Anthropology, Archaeology of Death, Globalization and Human Rights, to Forensic Anthropology and Climate Change & Foodways

View Anthropology’s 2026-2027 Courses

Unique Opportunities

Anthropology students at McMaster benefit from a wide range of enriching experiences that extend learning beyond the lecture hall.

Field Schools

Anthropology Field Schools provide hands-on, immersive experiences, taking students out of traditional classrooms and into the heart of anthropological research.

The offered Field Schools:

Labs & Facilities

Anthropology students at McMaster have access to cutting-edge labs and research spaces that bring hands-on learning and discovery to life.

Mentorship Programs Connect with a graduate today!

Anthropology Skills and Knowledge (ASK) is a mentorship program where graduate students volunteer their time to answer questions that undergraduate students may have about anthropology.

ASK offers undergraduate students the opportunity to learn more about anthropology and its sub-disciplines.

This is a great opportunity to get involved in anthropology and explore if this is a career-path you would like to pursue.

Research Awards & Internships

Get hands-on with real research. Anthropology students can apply for the Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA), a competitive, paid opportunity to work alongside faculty on original research projects. These awards support 16-week research placements during spring/summer or fall/winter terms, with students devoting 10–20 hours per week. Projects culminate in a research poster presented at McMaster’s annual USRA symposium.

Internships are also available through platforms like OSCARplus and the Community Research Platform, offering placements with local organizations and research centres. These roles can include work in cultural resource management, health policy, or community-based research.

Study Abroad & Exchange Programs

Take your learning global. Through the McMaster Exchange Program, Anthropology students can study abroad for a semester or full year at one of over 100 partner universities worldwide – including institutions in the UK, Australia, Japan, France, and more.

Key features:

  • Earn McMaster credits while abroad
  • Pay McMaster tuition – no international fees
  • Immerse yourself in new cultures and academic settings

Special Programs:

  • McCall MacBain International Fellowship: A year-long experience combining language study, academics, and work abroad – with up to $30,000 in funding
  • Killam Fellowships: Exchange between Canadian and U.S. universities for top students

McMaster Anthropology Society (MAS) Learn more about MAS through our Facebook!

The McMaster Anthropology Society (MAS) is a student-led organization that fosters community, connection, and curiosity among undergraduate anthropology students.

Through academic events like the annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, career panels, and workshops, MAS brings anthropology beyond the classroom. The society also hosts social gatherings and creative contests to build friendships and celebrate student voices.

Whether you’re looking to network, share research, or just meet fellow anthro enthusiasts, MAS is your gateway to getting involved.