Computer Science & Anthropology
Interested in how technology can be responsive to social challenges? This is a flexible program for students who plan to pursue technical or professional careers in areas requiring a sound grounding in computer science, but want to distinguish themselves with nuanced understanding of culture and communication across different societies.
CS+Anthropology teaches students to analyze complex social and biological processes with a view to making a real difference in the world. Coursework explores areas such as: Cross-cultural to human-machine interaction; technological potential for improving social life and organization, and the ethical challenges and limits of new technologies.
Subfields may include biological anthropology, sociocultural, linguistic anthropology, and archaeology.
- CS 124—Intro to Computer Science 1
- CS 128—Intro to Computer Science 2
- CS 173 - Discrete Structures
- MATH 220/221, 231, 241 - Calculus sequence
- ANTH 101 - Intro to Anthropology
- ANTH 220-Intro to Archaeology (or ANTH 105)
- ANTH 230-Sociocultural Anthropology (or ANTH 103)
- ANTH 240-Biological Anthropology (or ANTH 102)
- ANTH 270-Language in Culture (or ANTH 104)
- ANTH 374-Anth of Science and Technology (or ANTH 372)
Students should consult with an academic advisor regarding course selection prior to the advanced registration period.
CS & Anthropology majors can apply their skills to a variety of roles.
- Ability to analyze & interpret data
- Advanced quantitative skills
- Computer literacy
- Critical thinking
- Efficient
- Logical thinking
- Numerical computation
- Organizational skills
- Problem solving
- Systemizing skills
- Team skills
- Testing skills
- Experience Researcher
- Human Factors Design
- Human Geographer
- Data Scientist
- Archaeological Field Technician
- Museum Specialist
- Behavioral/Social Scientist
- Ethnographic/Qualitative Researcher
Some careers may require education beyond an undergraduate degree.
- Participating in undergraduate research
- Applying for a study abroad experience
- Utilizing resources of The Career Center
- Join a Registered Student Organization (RSO) related to this major, such as:
- iRobotics: A community of students interested in competing in CARD and other robotics competitions, as well as spreading the word of science and technology to the community.
- Women in Computer Scinece (WCS): Women in Computer Science is a non-profit, educational, service organization dedicated to supporting the efforts of young women who are considering pursuit of a career in computer science or show an overall interest in computers.
- Anthropology Club/Lambda Alpha (ACLA): We are a group of fun, friendly, dedicated students who love Anthropology! We offer academic guidance and opportunities, form professional networks and organize social events to enrich the experience of students interested in Anthropology.
There are several professional organizations dedicated to Computer Science and Anthropology. Their websites might be able to provide a glimpse in the world of Computer Science & Anthropology. These organizations include American Anthropological Society and American Association for Artificial Intelligence.