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ANTH 204Biological Anthropology

Units
0.50
Faculty
Arts
Subject
Anthropology

When it runs

  1. F24
  2. W25
  3. S25
  4. F25
  5. W26
  6. S26
  7. F26
  8. W27
  9. S27

Ran in 5 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

This course surveys the lines of inquiry in biological anthropology including evolutionary theory, anthropological genetics, primatology, hominin fossil record, osteology and skeletal biology, and modern human biocultural adaptations. A laboratory component provides students an experiential approach to the material.

Prerequisites

None listed.

Antirequisites

None listed.

Leads to

Fall 2026 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
SectionClassEnrolledMeets
LEC 001341448 / 51TTh 13:00–14:20
LAB 101410316 / 17T 11:30–12:20
LAB 102410416 / 17Th 11:30–12:20
LAB 103410516 / 17F 10:30–11:20

Winter 2027 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
SectionClassEnrolledMeets
LEC 00133720 / 50MW 11:30–12:50
LEC 701128636 / 9999Online or by arrangement
LAB 10133730 / 16M 14:30–15:20
LAB 10236530 / 17W 14:30–15:20
LAB 10336540 / 17F 10:30–11:20

Reviewed on UW Flow

92% liked it76% easy72% useful

From 37 ratings and 15 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • First half is Grade 10/11 Biology review, second half covers monkeys and evolution. Content is easy, but may require a bit of memorization. Just weekly "labs" (quizzes basically), and two exams.

    Dec 2021 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Really interesting stuff. Talks about genetics, primates, and finally early humans. I'm in engineering but I took this as an elective and but not disappointed.

    Oct 2020 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • If you have taken any biology past grade 10 then the first part of this course will be really easy for you! If not, just follow along and study, and it shouldn't be too bad! The content can be a little boring at times but the class was very straightforward... two 25% midterms , 10% lab participation, and a 40% final (laura bolt). Both midterms were relatively easy but I found the final to be a bit more challenging because there was a lot to cover but it was fair nonetheless. If you pay attention in class, take good notes, and study then it's pretty easy to get 80+

    Nov 2015 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Super interesting, super cool, labs are fun and are completed in the lab period.
    Tests are relatively difficult though, and may not refer directly/in exact wording to lectures or your notes, so it's better to know stuff like chronology in approximate ranges than explicitly-defined as they are in lectures.
    Great elective to take, but not as a bird course and will not boost you grades. Take this only if you are genuinely interested in the subject matter, because otherwise you might not find it worth the work/engagement required to do well.

    May 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Half the stuff that I was told to study did not end up being on the test. The design of the test was poor which sucked because it was worth a lot. Be prepared to study lots of content and give lots of time to this course. Labs are fun but limited time makes it hard to actually think about the questions, making you more prone to guessing the answers (which leads to a lower grade). The TAs and Professor were both understanding and helpful. If you're well-versed in biology/science you'll do better than me.

    Mar 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

18 posts and comments in 16 threads mention ANTH 204, January 2016 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.

Fall 2024

Fall 2023

STAT 230 in 1B? 3 points, 8 comments

“How manageable is a courseload of MATH 136/138, CS 116, STAT 230, ECON 101 + co-op search for 1B? Want to take STAT 230 early because I'm planning to do Act Sci. …”

u/epic_waterman: “I took pretty much that schedule but CS 146 instead of 116 and ANTH 204 instead of ECON 101 and it was pretty doable - intense at times but not unreasonable. …”

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Spring 2021

Fall 2020

Good prof appreciation thread 61 points, 89 comments

“This term sucks a lot and a lot of people are having some shitty experiences, especially with certain profs/TAs/instructors. But there’s a lot of profs who are not that shitty. …”

u/liviapng: “… Prof Maria Liston, Anth204- very entertaining lectures, she shares facts about her week and cat to us sometimes, which makes me feel more connected to her. We have weekly labs to show our understanding, and then a final exam. …”

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Spring 2020

Winter 2020

Spring 2019

Incoming Biomedical Science Student 1 point, 6 comments

“Hey guys, I'm an incoming first year student and am wondering what are the top three electives you recommend for biomedical/life science students? Would you recommend ENGL/SPCOM 193? …”

u/YoSeanyBoii: “… ANTH 204 is more for science students. I recommend taking that. Pm me if you want to talk more on chat. …”

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Fall 2018

Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

Undergraduate Calendar