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The Department of Anthropology is one of the largest in New England with 20 full-time faculty members, about 150 undergraduate majors, and 65 graduate students. Four subdivisions of anthropology – archaeological, biological, cultural, and linguistic – are represented in the faculty and in their research and course offerings. The department offers more than 50 courses for undergraduates, comprising a full complement for each of the subdisciplines.

Majors have a flexible set of requirements, reflecting the very broad scope of the field. Students develop depth and breadth, and select specific programs of study to suit their individual interests and requirements. The advising system encourages students to consult frequently with their faculty advisers about their course selections and their educational and career goals. Undergraduate majors are represented on all administrative committees of the department, are formally organized as the Undergraduate Caucus, and sponsor social and educational events during the year.

The department has large research and study collections in archaeology and biological anthropology, video recording equipment, an extensive collection of anthropological films, and several laboratories for biological anthropology and archaeology. Field work opportunities are provided by the departmental Field Schools in Archaeology and Primatology (summers), by the departmental Field Program in European Anthropology (spring semesters), and through student participation in other ongoing research. Extensive opportunities exist for internships, study abroad, and community service learning.

Access to the major in anthropology is not restricted, but students must meet with the Undergraduate Program Director or the Chief Undergraduate Advisor to be admitted to the major. Details of the major and minor requirements are spelled out in the Guide to Undergraduate Studies in Anthropology, available at the department's website and in paper upon request from the department’s main office in 217 Machmer Hall. The Guide also provides information about the departmental Honors track, individual faculty interests, careers in the field, and special programs. The department publishes a weekly online newsletter, AnthroCentral, with news of meetings, lectures, and research and career opportunities.

The Anthropology major requires a minimum of 36 credits in anthropology, of which at least 30 must be in courses numbered at the 200 level or higher. These must include: 1) at least one course in three of the four subfields of anthropology at the 300 level or higher; 2) at least one “hands-on” course or project (e.g., a laboratory course, an internship, an honors thesis); and 3) two required courses: ANTHRO 364 Problems in Anthropology 1 and ANTHRO 281 Research Methods in Anthropology. ANTHRO 104 and ANTHRO 106 cannot both be counted toward the major.