Human Evolutionary Biology
Program Overview
The Human Evolutionary Biology program is internationally recognized as a center for excellence in research and doctoral training and enrolls a small and highly select number of doctoral students interested in research in human evolutionary biology. The program emphasizes a biological approach to research problems focusing on both human and non-human evolutionary anthropology. Our faculty and facilities are outstanding and provide access to state-of-the-art facilities for young scientists interested in research careers in Human Evolutionary Biology.
Specializations include:
- brain evolution
- human and primate paleontology
- evolutionary genetics
- human and primate gross anatomy and osteology
- palaeodemography and biological demography
- skeletal biomechanics
- primate behavior and ecology and endocrinology
- cognate areas of basic biology and human structure
Courses within the program strongly emphasize basic human anatomy, developmental biology, mammalian physiology and paleontology. By the time of degree completion, most graduates are prepared to teach both human anatomy as well as other courses commonly found within a medical school, including, neuroanatomy, cell biology, and physiology.
Job Placement
Graduates of this program normally face attractive postgraduate training and teaching options. Many graduates also use their training and teaching experience to enter regular anthropology or corporate research positions.
Resources for the Human Evolutionary Biology Program
Faculty that participate in the Human Evolutionary Biology Program can be found in the Department of Anthropology at Kent State, as well as the Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology at the Northeast Ohio Medical University (for NEOMED specific faculty information, click here). This interdepartmental and inter-institutional structure structure allows there to be significant resources available to doctoral candidates. Some of these resources include:
- state-of-the-art laboratories for evolutionary genetics, bone and brain evolution, primate endocrinology, paleontology and experimental archaeology
- an in-house computer facility
- the Hamann-Todd human and primate skeletal collection
Additional resources and collections for the Human Evolutionary Biology Program are available to students and graduate faculty through collaborators at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and the Cleveland Metro Parks Zoological Center.
Admission to the Human Evolutionary Biology Program
Applicants for admission to the Human Evolutionary Biology Program:
- should hold an M.A or an M.S. in Anthropology or one of the Biological Science disciplines
- must have completed coursework sufficient to be successful in the curriculum for the Human Evolutionary program
Admission to this program is based on a review of a candidate's academic record, the general GRE exam score, and the recommendation of the faculty familiar with the candidate's academic and research abilities. We encourage students to contact faculty to discuss the program and their research interests. Additional information and an application can be obtained by contacting the Director of the School of Biomedical Sciences.