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Classes in High School to Prepare for Forensic Anthropology?
Question by 0b@m@ H8R: Classes in High School to Prepare for Forensic Anthropology?
I want to be a Forensic Anthropologist when I’m an adult. I’m currently in the 8th grade, and need to know what classes I need to take to prepare for this. I go to a smaller public school, so we don’t have an Anthropology class, our Psychology class is a joke (this is what I want to minor in in college), among a hundred other things, so those are out. Any information at all would be great. And also, I need to know what classes I should take in college, and which ones offer Forensic Anthropology. Also, it’s required for 9th graders to take Intro to Biology (1st semester) and Biology (2nd semester) because that’s the only science available for us. Is there anything I can do during the summer before next year and every summer after that to help prepare? Thanks in advance.
Also, are there any jobs available in D.C. with the government or possibly New York for a Forensic Anthropologist? And what is an average salary for one? Thanks again.
Best answer:
Answer by Turkish guy
First off, you shouldn’t even be worrying about classes in high school for a career in forensic anthropology. Anything that you will need to learn for the discipline will be in college and graduate school. The only thing that I can recommend for you to do at this age is to take plenty of science courses and keep your grades up (aim for at least a 3.7 GPA).
Most of the forensic anthropologists that I know just studied anthropology, usually physical/biological anthropology in their undergrad. If you are interested in pursuing a career in forensic anthropology, I would just recommend studying physical anthropology or archaeology as a specialization in your undergrad and then enter a physical anthropology program in your graduate school. The whole process should take about 4 years for your undergraduate, and then another 6-8 years on top of that for a PhD, though it could take an additional two years if you decide to get a MA in a field that deals with the forensic portion of the field. It is highly recommended for you to get that MA. The whole process will require 10-14 years of higher level education after your graduate high school.
Should you decide to commit yourself to studying forensic anthropology I must warn you that I have been told by forensic anthropologists that it is extremely difficult to find a job in the field. There are a lot of people trained in forensic anthropology, yet there is not a large demand for them. Law enforcement agencies usually just use a professor of anthropology at a local university rather than hire a forensic anthropologist full time for any cases that they need help with. I can only think of a handful of forensic anthropologists who work full-time in the field, and they typically work in places that most people don’t want to go to (Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo, Bosnia, Colombia, etc), most often in the aftermath of some atrocity that resulted in a huge loss of human life in a horrendous manner (if the list above was any indication). A similar field with much better employment opportunities that you might be interested in is pathology. You may be able to get a steady job in a big city as a pathologist, but you will need to go to medical school, get an internship and a residency, specialize in anatomical pathology and then sub-specialize in forensic pathology. It should take about the same amount of time as it would for you to become a forensic anthropologist, maybe a year or two longer.
P.S. If you are getting your ideas of the field of forensic anthropology from television, I would urge you to reconsider it as a career choice. The way that the discipline is portrayed on television and in movies is nowhere near an accurate portrayal of the work that real forensic anthropologists do. If you are really interested in the forensic anthropology and you want to get a more accurate picture of the life of a forensic anthropologist, I recommend that you read any material you can find on the subject. Start with “Death’s Acre” by Dr. William Bass. He is considered the father of forensic anthropology and his book is a wonderful synopsis on the evolution of the discipline.
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What kind of educational degree do you have to have to be a Forensic anthropology expert?
Question by Little Muffin Bites 2007: What kind of educational degree do you have to have to be a Forensic anthropology expert?
How many years of schooling do you have to have also?
Best answer:
Answer by sisyphus_stumbled
Well an M.A. or M.S. will be your minimum. On average this can take between 6 to 8 years (this includes going through your undergraduate work). If you choose to go on for a Ph.D., this can take another 3 to 5 years depending on how much time you devote to finishing. In order to become Board Certified, you’ll need the Ph.D. and several years practical experience.
If you you go on be a forensic anthropologist, here are a few suggestions
1) Taking classes outside of your major can be beneficial. Archaeology field schools will teach you about excavation and survey. These are two big skills that should be mastered as they are crucial to the recovery phase. Cultural anthropology and sociology classes, especially those dealing with mortuary practices, can help you learn about how people bury their dead. Statistics will help you to be read and understand the lierature. Anatomy (especially gross anatomy) will help you familarize yourself with the soft tissue. In my experience, it is equally important to know what goes through a foramen (hole) as it is to be able to idenitfy the structure. Other helpful classes: biology, chemistry, geology (this should include soil sciences), zooarchaeology (learn to id animal remains), kinesiology/biomechanics
2)Join the applicable associations. The American Academy of Forensic Sciences and the American Association of Physical Anthropologists have yearly meetings where posters and presentations are given. Presenting at these conferences will help to get your name out there and will allow you to network.
3)Get working in the lab early. Your university will have a physical anthropology lab. Volunteer there. This will help you get to know the other students and allow you to practice your osteology
4)Make friends with the local medical examiner’s office. If you prove yourself to be a competent student, they might be able to use your help in body recoveries
5)When you get your M.A. or M.S. apply to be a volunteer at Disaster Relief groups like Kenyon, Forensic Archaeology Recovery (FAR), Physicians for World Peace, and the United Nations. Sometimes you might be given the option to head to places like Iraq, Rwanda, Croatia, Serbia to work on mass graves. As thrilling as these places might be, give it a good long think before you agree. A single body can be traumatic; a mass grave can be devestating.
Anyway, that’s my advice. In my opinion, it’s a wonderful field. If you work hard at it and diversify you studies, you’ll be better off than most.
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Q&A: What is the difference between sociology, anthropology and archeology?
Question by Betty: What is the difference between sociology, anthropology and archeology?
What is the difference between sociology, anthropology and archeology? What type of careers do these degrees lead to? Do people usually have to get a phd or masters if they pursue these fields?
Best answer:
Answer by araktsu
If you plan to study any of these then you had better plan to read a lot. I have left links to Wikipedia for overall descriptions of the subjects of interest: sociology, anthropology and archeology. If you are not willing to read that much to find out, college is not for you because you will have a lot of required reading in college! School is supposed to supply you with the opportunity to gain knowledge, some basic academic skills, and critical thinking; a career, maybe.
The degree vs. salary curve applies almost exclusively to academic environments and government work. No degrees lead to a career; some careers require a degree as far as employers are concerned. There exists in some academic and government bureaucracies the belief that the higher the degree one has, and the more exclusive or prestigious university it came from, the more status and authority one deserves, as well as a higher salary. That is driven by the propensity for a bureaucracy to perpetuate itself, not practical or rational factors.
The reader does not know what your circumstances are or why you would choose any of these fields. Also the reader does not know what your resources are or if you wrote your question because you were looking for fill for a commercial blog or actually have interest in learning more.
No degree in social science leads to insight and knowledge unless you plan to study and reason a lot while you are pursuing the degree. You are likely to acquire a bit of knowledge just from doing the absolute minimum amount of study to pass tests.
If you want to read about career opportunities, search for a college site that offers instruction in any of these subjects. They will have brochures or information online from their career center to guide you in hopes of acquiring more paying customers.
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Q&A: What qualifies someone with an anthropology degree to work in a zoo?
Question by B1ujay: What qualifies someone with an anthropology degree to work in a zoo?
When I look at potential careers in anthropology, I consistently see “zoo” as a potential place to work. Is this based strictly on primatology or are there other reasons zoos might hire an anthropologist?
Best answer:
Answer by Ryu
Primatology is a large part of it, but many people who study anthropology also become familiar with animal anatomy through learning about zooarchaeology. In connection to zooarchaeology, an individual can learn about the skeletal structures and features of various species and how they evolved, as well as things such as predation/feeding practices of specific species.
It is, however, a little odd to suggest that someone who primarily studies bones should work with live animals, but it’s not completely illogical even if at first it seems that way.
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Q&A: What are some current events that relate to Anthropology and how?
Question by : What are some current events that relate to Anthropology and how?
I need help with finding current events that relate to anthropology. If anyone could tell me some current events that you believe relate to Anthropology, and how… I would really appreciate it. Thanks in advance!
Best answer:
Answer by Vitki
there is a near infinite number of answers here-
Anthropology studies how our ancestors coped with changing climates, interrelations with other species their environment, religion, interpersonal disputes…the list is literally endless.
One good example you can find at http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070621140809.htm
wherein they discuss why certain people are more suseptible to HIV
and http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090927145354.htm
helps us to understand the source of the virus, while
http://eprints.ucl.ac.uk/127801/
seems to offer a cure for this current event.
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Q&A: Requirements to study forensic anthropology?
Question by Clandestine: Requirements to study forensic anthropology?
All I have is a high school diploma. What do I have to have or achieve to simply BEGIN studying forensic anthropology? Can I begin studying it without a basic 4-year education from a university? Also, I was homeschooled through high school, would this have any effect?
Any help would be appreciated.
Best answer:
Answer by bettymomjeans
You would need an undergraduate degree and probably a graduate degree. The University of Montana has a pretty good program so applying there would be a good start. Also check out collegeboard.com for more information.
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Q&A: What is the difference between forensic anthropology and forensic science?
Question by : What is the difference between forensic anthropology and forensic science?
I want to work with bones and figure out the cause of death. Yet i am nor sure which one is the best option for me. Or what i should major in, if anyone could help i would highly appreciate it. I would also like to know which one pays more assuming i get a PHD on either on.
Best answer:
Answer by OwlBones
Double major, Anthropology and Bio-Chem. Then you can get a PHD in Anthropology and do whatever you want. The Bio-Chem will help you SO much.
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I want to study Forensic anthropology?
Question by samamtha nicole: I want to study Forensic anthropology?
what college offers studys in Forensic anthropology. I want to not have to transfor school i want to get it done in one place.I NEED details! Please anything that would help.
Best answer:
Answer by Queen of the Nerds
Many schools offer degrees programs for BA in Anthropology and a Master’s and PhD in Forensics. Try University of Montana, CalState Los Angeles, University of Tennessee, Knoxville. These are among a few. It’s going to be really tough and a lot of science, but if you love it, nothing will stop you.
Good luck. 
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