Anthropology
Academic Department
Anthropology is the study of people, both in the past and today. UNC anthropology students build research skills that connect with many fields. They also learn about human behavior and why it changes over time. At UNC, students focus on community and civic engagement. This helps them gain hands-on experience in their local areas and around the world.
Study the Story of Cultures
Why Study Anthropology
When people hear the word, Anthropology they often think of Indiana Jones or imagine studying faraway cultures. In reality, Anthropology is about studying and understanding human life and experiences from the past to today. In our Anthropology program, you’ll learn the skills to help you analyze and address real world problems.
Three Anthropology Students presenting their research at a professional conference.
Join the Anthropology Family
You’ll find that the Department feels like a small community within a larger university. Our classes for upper-level students are small, making it easier for you and your professors to get to know each other and work together.
Department News
Alumni Spotlights
Class of 2024
Anita Patane graduated UNC in 2024 with a bachelor's degree in Anthropology with focus in Biology. While she was a student at UNC, she had the chance to do an 8-week summer internship with at the National Museum of Natural History in D.C. Currently, she is completing her master's degree
Anita Patane
B.A in Anthropology
Class of 2022
Kehaulani Lagunero graduated UNC in 2022 with a bachelor's degree in Anthropology with a focus for Cultural Anthropology. Currently she is finishing up her MA, and pursuing her PHD.
Kehaulani Lagunero
Class of 2022
Anthropology has greatly assisted me with remaining objective in stressful situations and allowing me to see other's perspectives on the great variety of situations that I handle. Anthropology also inspires me to learn more and ask deeper questions of the people around me
Cydnie O'Brien
Anthropology, minors in Chemistry and Criminal Justice & Criminology
Medicolegal Death Investigator at the Weld County Coroner's Office.
Class of 2020
Ruqyah Sweidan graduated in 2020 with a Bachelors in Anthropology and minors in Art History and Criminal Justice. She completed a master's degree in International Relations at the University of Leicester. She currently works in the non-profit sector.
Ruqyah Sweidan
Anthropology Exhibit
Highlights from the Anthropology Program
Medical Anthropology
Different cultures have different ideas about health and sickness. Many factors - like society, culture, the environment, and money - can affect people's health around the world. Medical Anthropology studies questions like: What happens when different types of medicines come together and don't agree? At UNCO, students studying medical anthropology take part in research and community projects, such as Project HealthViews.
Forensic Anthropology
The Forensic Anthropology course gives you hands-on experience where you'll learn how to identify and understand information from human skeletons. Students who have taken this class now work in medical examiner and coroner's offices across Colorado. Some have even traveled with Dr. Kyle to Italy, Greece, and Albania to study field research on human remains.
Anthropology Club
Our Anthropology Club is for every anthropologist of every level. It's a place to explore ideas, gain valuable experience, and take part in the community. Our goal is to give students a way to learn more about people and cultures, both in their own lives, and in the community. We want to help our students get more involved in the community as well as help students and teachers get to know each other. We invite to everyone to help guide the club's direction this year by sharing your ideas and feedback. Students, professors, and staff are always welcome to come and join all club events and meetings.
Field Work
Anthropology students have the opportunity to join professors on real-life research projects. If you’re interested in archaeology, your professors will help you find suitable opportunities for field research both locally and in other states or countries Dr. Whitney Duncan, a medical anthropologist, works with students to support the health and well-being of migrant and to help create programs and policies between two countries.
Campus, Communities, and Internship Opportunities
Engagement and intern opportunities: City of Greeley Museums Volunteer with Greeley's refugee community Women2Women Global Refugee Center Click here to learn more In Addition, The Anthropology department gives students the chances to get involved in the community. 300 Applied Anthropology let's students work with businesses, neighborhoods, and local projects to use what they learned in anthropology. 355 Medical Anthropology students will learn how to research health problems in different cultures and communities that need more support in Northern Colorado.