M.Sc in Anthropology Syllabus 2025, Electives and Core Courses

• Updated on  Jul 23, 2025, by Rajnandini Malladeb

The M.Sc Anthropology syllabus is structured to provide in-depth theoretical and practical understanding of cultural anthropology, linguistic anthropology, biological anthropology, archaeology, and applied anthropology. It is a two year postgraduate program, divided into four semesters. The M.Sc Anthropology syllabus is designed for students interested in critically examining climate change, artificial intelligence, and the impact of globalization on cultures

 

Students learn about topics such as linguistic theory, research methodology, religious institutions, and Indian society. Also, there are specialisations such as urban sociology, politics, religion, gender and society, and more.

 

At the end of the course, students have to submit a project work/ dissertation/thesis on any one social aspect they want to explore individually. This course also includes concepts on Research Methodology where students learn about sampling methods, data interpretation, survey analysis.

 

Interested students can learn more about: M.Sc Anthropology

 

Table of Contents
  1. M.Sc Anthropology Semester-Wise Syllabus
  2. M.Sc Anthropology Electives
  3. M.Sc Anthropology Dissertation
  4. M.Sc Anthropology Private College Syllabus
  5. M.Sc Anthropology Syllabus Exam Pattern
  6. M.Sc Anthropology Syllabus Frequently Asked Questions

 

M.Sc Anthropology Semester-Wise Syllabus

The in-depth syllabus of M.Sc Anthropology of Delhi University is discussed below:

Semester 1

Semester 2

Fundamentals of Physical Anthropology

Human Variation and Adaptations

Fundamentals of Social Anthropology

Anthropology of India: Ethnic and cultural

 

diversity ( Physical and Social)

Archaeological Anthropology

Human Ecology: Biological & Cultural Dimensions

Fundamentals of Population Studies

Kinship, Marriage and Family

Practicals:

 

Somatometry, Somatoscopy

 

Reading of Ethnography

 

Prehistoric Archaeology

 

Fundamentals of Population Studies

Practical/ Project:

 

Osteology, Osteometry and Craniometry

 

Research Methods & Techniques I

 

Research Methods & Techniques II

 

Human Ecology

Semester 3

Semester 4

Physical Anthropology (Group-A) Theory

 

Paleoanthropology

 

Human Growth, Development and Nutrition.

 

Human Population Genetics

 

Biostatistics and Computational Anthropology (interdisciplinary)

Physical Anthropology (Group-A) Theory

 

Physiological Anthropology

 

Kinanthropometry and Ergonomics

 

Biochemical Genetics

 

Molecular Anthropology

 

Dermatoglyphics

 

Primate Behavior

 

Statistical Methods in Biological Anthropology

Social Anthropology (Group-B) Theory

 

Anthropological Theory-I

 

Anthropological Theory -II

 

Epistemological Foundations of Social and Behaviour Sciences (Interdisciplinary)

 

Religion and Symbolism

Social Anthropology (Group-B) Theory

 

Psychological Anthropology

 

Tribal India

 

Ecological Anthropology

 

Urban Anthropology

 

Gender & Society

Practical 1:

 

Paleoanthropology

 

Human Growth .Size and Shape measurements

 

Serology, PTC, Colour Blindness, Dermatoglyphics

 

Computational Human Genetics and Biostatistics (interdisciplinary)

Practical 1:

 

Demographic Anthropology

 

Prehistoric India

 

Medical Anthropology

 

Anthropology of Development

 

Anthropology of Disaster

 

Forensic Anthropology

Practical 2:

 

Based on Anthropological Theory I

 

Based on Anthropological Theory II

 

Research Methods

 

Religion and Symbolism

Practical 2:

 

Psychological Anthropology

 

Tribal IndiaEcological Anthropology

 

Urban Anthropology

 

Gender & Society

 

M.Sc Anthropology Electives

During an M.Sc Anthropology, students get the choice to choose electives of their preference. Here is a list of these electives:

Electives

Demographic Anthropology

Prehistoric India

Medical Anthropology

Anthropology of Development

Anthropology of Disaster

Forensic Anthropology

 

M.Sc Anthropology Dissertation

The students of M.Sc Anthropology have to present a dissertation at the end of their course. This is during the fourth semester. For this, students are trained on aspects of research methodology. Later on, students can publish their research work too. The details of this are mentioned below:

Year

Semester

Area Of Study

2nd year

Semester 3 to Semester 4

Dissertation: The student is required to pursue research using primary sources on a

 

topic of their choice with the guidance of a faculty member.

Read More About MA Anthropology

 

M.Sc Anthropology Private College Syllabus

The detailed semester-wise syllabus of M.Sc Anthropology of Amity University is given below:

Semester 1

Semester 2

Archaeological Anthropology – I

Public Health Nutrition [Specialisation Elective Courses]

Foundation in Modern Biological Anthropology

Regulatory Affairs, Biosafety Regulations, IPR and Technology Transfer

Genetic Perspectives On Modern Human Origins

Visual Anthropology

Socio-cultural Anthropology

Anthropological Approaches to Kinship Family and Marriage

Comparative Ethnography

Anthropological Demography and Population Studies

Professional & Business Communication [Communication Skills]

Archaeological Anthropology - II

Foreign Business Language

Indian Anthropology: Basic Concepts and Contemporary Issues

Open Elective Courses

Osteology, Osteometry and Craniometry

Outdoor Activity Based Courses

Cognitive Analytics & Social Skills for Professional Development

-

Foreign Business Language

-

Open Elective Courses

-

Outdoor Activity Based Courses

 

M.Sc Anthropology Syllabus Exam Pattern

The M.Sc Anthropology exam pattern at Delhi University consists of Continuous Internal Evaluation (CIA) and a final-examination. The internal assessment has 20 percent of the total marks and consists of one mid-semester test. The external (final) examination includes 80 per cent of the marks and it takes the form of a full written examination at the end of the session. The M.Sc Anthropology exam pattern is provided in a table below for better understanding.

Component

Details

Weightage

Internal Assessment

Class tests and practicals

30% of the total marks

External Examination

Year-end written theory paper (university-conducted)

70% of the total marks

 

M.Sc Anthropology Syllabus Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pursue M.Sc Anthropology in distance/ online mode?

Yes. Many universities like IGNOU offer this course online and students can pursue it from there.

Does the M.Sc Anthropology syllabus include statistics and data analysis?

Yes, most universities provide knowledge on basic statistical tools and data analysis in the Research Methodology paper. Students learn about sampling methods, data interpretation, survey analysis, etc. This helps the improve their employability

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