Anthropology (Primatology)

Bachelor of Arts (also available as a Bachelor of Science)

(Faculty of Arts)

Students in the BSc Primatology program study the mammalian order Primates, which includes prosimians, monkeys, apes and humans. Primatology compares different species of primates (including humans) in its aim to describe and understand the biological and behavioural characteristics of primates. The discipline illustrates how humans differ from, or are similar to, other primates and offers insights into what it means to be human. Like anthropologists, primatologists try to gauge the plasticity of primate nature and understand the conditions under which certain traits evolved and that explain those variations.

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission applicants are required to present appropriate high school subjects and a competitive average.

Application/Document Deadlines 

Why take this program?

• Understanding primate behaviour: The Department of Anthropology administers the best-developed Primatology program in Canada, with course offerings in all aspects of behavioral evolution, method, theory, currents issues and independent research. Primatology students can look forward to an exciting and challenging program that includes opportunities for discovery and travel. They receive extensive training in data collection and have the opportunity to conduct original research at our primatology field schools in Belize and Ghana. With the burgeoning research in primate behaviour and behaviour ecology, along with the public’s growing interest in primates and primate conservation, students can also look forward to exciting careers producing media materials (e.g., film, popular literature, Web content), managing environmental resources, teaching, and much more.
• Honours program: Honours programs in Anthropology offer students the opportunity to participate in more extensive studies than those undertaken by Majors. Honours program is contingent upon maintenance of at least 3.30 cumulative GPA.
• Credit Travel Studies (Courtesy of Groups Program Office): Primatology Students have the opportunity to take part in credit travel studies in both Belize and Ghana. In Belize, participants of this long-standing program learn the fundamentals of Primatological research design and data collection through the first hand experience of studying the behaviour of howler monkeys.

What will I study in my first year?

First year Primatology students take Introduction to Primatology & Human Evolution (ANTH 201), an introduction to evolutionary theory and processes, with particular reference to the primates. Students also take Archaeology 203, Intro to Physical Anthropology, a survey of the major subfields of physical anthropology including evolution, human paleontology, genetics, osteology and variation, and techniques of data collection.

What will I study in later years?

All upper-year Primatology students are required to take Anthropology 311, Primate Behaviour, and Statistics (either Anthropology 307 or Statistics 333). Outside of this requirement, the courses available for Primatology students fall into either the area of primate evolution or physical anthropology.

What can I do with this degree? (Courtesy of Career Services)

Graduates of the BSc in Primatology can add to the Social and Cultural Anthropology BA program marketable skills of adaptability, analytic skills, knowledge of field studies, cross-cultural understandings, communication skills, data gathering and data analysis skills their specialized knowledge in primatology which would allow them to pursue careers in forensic sciences, health sciences, epidemiology, museums of natural history, zoological gardens, ethology (naturalistic study of animal behaviour).  Academic Specialists in primatology can also find opportunities in primate conservation, rehabilitation, conservation education, biomedical research, and in these sectors:

Possible careers include:

• Animal Care Worker
• Animal Technician
• Animal Welfare Worker
• Biomedical Research Assistant
• Conservationist
• Field Technician
• Naturalist
• Paleontologist
• Veterinarian
• Zoo Keeper

For a more comprehensive list of careers, visit the Career Services website or click here for the Anthropology careers PDF.

Additional Information

Department of Anthropology