COURSE CURRICULUM

The Thesis Option in the Master’s program in Anthropology at University of Colorado Denver is a 30-credit-hour graduate pathway designed to provide students with advanced interdisciplinary training and independent research experience in anthropology. The curriculum begins with the required course Integrating Anthropology, taken during the first fall semester, which introduces students to interdisciplinary perspectives and connections across the field. Students must also complete coursework in Quantitative Methods in Anthropology or demonstrate competency in quantitative analysis, strengthening their ability to conduct and interpret anthropological research. The program allows students to specialize by selecting two core courses from two of the three main anthropology subdisciplines: Archaeology, Biological Anthropology, and Medical Anthropology. Archaeology courses focus on contemporary archaeological perspectives, research design, and analytical methods used to study past societies and material culture. Biological Anthropology coursework examines topics such as the fossil record, human evolution, and modern human variation, helping students understand biological diversity and evolutionary processes. Medical Anthropology courses emphasize ethnographic methods, research ethics, cultural analysis, and current theoretical approaches used to study human societies, health, and social interaction. In addition to core coursework, students complete research concentration credits that allow them to focus on specialized areas of interest aligned with their academic or career goals. The thesis component, requiring three to six credit hours, provides students with the opportunity to conduct original research under faculty supervision, develop advanced analytical and writing skills, and contribute scholarly work to the field of anthropology. The program combines theoretical study, methodological training, interdisciplinary learning, and independent research preparation to support careers in research, education, cultural resource management, public service, museums, nonprofit organizations, and doctoral-level graduate study in anthropology and related disciplines.