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Evolution of man

Biomedical Sciences - Human Evolutionary Biology - Ph.D.

The Biomedical Sciences - Human Evolutionary Biology Ph.D. program is designed for students who are interested in the study of human evolution, including genetics, anthropology, and archaeology. With a focus on research and advanced coursework, you'll gain the skills needed to tackle complex questions about human evolution and make a significant contribution to the field.

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Doctoral Degree in Human Evolutionary Biology

Expand your understanding of human origins with Kent State’s Ph.D. degree in Human Evolutionary Biology. Engage in advanced research and coursework that explore topics such as human anatomy, developmental biology, and primate paleontology. Our program is designed to refine your analytical and research skills, preparing you for careers in academia, evolutionary research, and anthropological sciences.

Program Information for Biomedical Sciences - Human Evolutionary Biology - Ph.D.

Program Description

Program Description

Full Description

The Ph.D. degree in Biomedical Sciences–Human Evolutionary Biology emphasizes a biological approach to research problems focusing on human and non-human anthropology. The program focuses on human anatomy and neuroanatomy, developmental biology, evolutionary genetics, mammalian physiology, paleontology and experimental archaeology. Many graduates use their training and teaching experience to enter anthropology or corporate teaching positions. Most graduates are also prepared to teach both human anatomy and other cognate fields (neuroanatomy, cell biology, physiology, genetics) in demand at most medical schools.

The Ph.D. degree is offered in consortium with Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED). Faculty in the program are drawn from the departments of Anthropology and the Biological Sciences at Kent State and the Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology at NEOMED. This inter-departmental and inter-institutional structure provides significant resources to the doctoral candidates, including the Hammon-Todd human and primate skeletal collection, state-of-the-art laboratories for neuroanatomy, anatomy, genetics, paleontology, biomechanics and experimental archaeology. Additional resources are available to students through the Cleveland Museum of National History, the Cleveland Metroparks zoo and other local, national and international collaborative relationships.

Candidates for the Ph.D. are expected to engage, to the extent possible, in other activities that benefit their professional development. The teaching of laboratory and lecture course, as a appropriate is considered valuable, and each student should have this experience during their graduate career. This includes those students on non-teaching scholarships or research appointments during their tenure. Students should also seek membership in professional organizations, attend meetings to present research results and maintain currency in the relevant literature.

Admissions for Biomedical Sciences - Human Evolutionary Biology - Ph.D.

Admissions

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

  • Master's degree in anthropology or biological sciences from an accredited college or university1
  • Minimum 3.000 GPA on a 4.000-point scale
  • Official transcript(s)
  • Résumé or curriculum vitae
  • GRE scores
  • Goal statement (applicants should describe their research experience and interests along with their goals and fit with the program)
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:2
    • Minimum 94 TOEFL iBT score
    • Minimum 7.0 IELTS score
    • Minimum 65 PTE score
    • Minimum 120 DET score
1

A student with an outstanding academic record may receive a waiver of the master’s degree requirement upon completion of 20 credit hours of graduate work and be admitted directly to the Ph.D. degree program.

2

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores will not be considered for admission.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Semester
    • Application deadline: November 15

All application materials (including applicable fee, transcripts, recommendation letters, etc.) submitted after this deadline will be considered on a space-available basis.

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Publish their research in peer-reviewed journals.
  2. Demonstrate the ability to teach undergraduate students.
  3. Seek employment after graduation in fields that reflect their area of training.

Coursework

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements
BMS 70120LABORATORY TECHNIQUES IN BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES (taken twice)4
BMS 71000RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT OF RESEARCH 1
BMS 71001INTRODUCTION TO BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES 1
BMS 78630PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 3
BMS 78691SEMINAR IN BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 1
BMS 80110CAREER AND PROFESSIONAL SKILLS FOR LIFE SCIENTISTS 2
BSCI 70143EUKARYOTIC CELL BIOLOGY 3
BSCI 70144SELECTED READINGS IN EUKARYOTIC CELL BIOLOGY 1
Approved Human Gross Anatomy Course 15
Doctoral Elective Approved by Guidance Committee 21-3
Data/Statistical Analysis Electives, choose from the folloing: 26-8
BMS 78637
BMS 78638
BIOANTHROPOLOGICAL DATA ANALYSIS I
and BIOANTHROPOLOGICAL DATA ANALYSIS II
PSYC 71651
PSYC 71654
QUANTITATIVE STATISTICAL ANALYSIS I
and QUANTITATIVE STATISTICAL ANALYSIS II
Culminating Requirement
BMS 80199DISSERTATION I 330
Minimum Total Credit Hours:60
1

The human gross anatomy requirement may be satisfied by courses taken at Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED). Students should consult with their advisory committee.

2

Students who select PSYC 71651 and PSYC 71654 as their data/statistical analysis elective must take additional electives to graduate with 60 credit hours.

3

Upon completion of course requirements and candidacy exam, doctoral students must register for BMS 80199 for two semesters for a total of 30 credit hours. Thereafter, it is expected that a doctoral candidate will continuously register for BMS 80299 each semester until all requirements for the degree have been met. After completion of the candidacy examination, the dissertation committee will be established, consisting of the guidance committee and an outside member. Students will submit their prospectus for the dissertation to this committee. The format of the prospectus will parallel that utilized for NIH grant proposals (without biographical, budget and facilities information). The dissertation committee makes recommendations for reformulation until the proposal is acceptable or may reject it with specific reasons.

Graduation Requirements

Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
- 3.000
Program Delivery

Program Delivery

  • Delivery
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

Human Evolutionary Biology Faculty

Find valuable information and the specialty areas of faculty who teach in human evolutionary biology.

Faculty Page