Program Overview

Doctor of Philosophy in the Field of Human Paleobiology (STEM)

Overview

The human paleobiology doctoral program is the graduate education and training effort of GW's Center for the Advanced Study of Human Paleobiology, which promotes interdisciplinary research on human evolution. Because fossils, artifacts, and genomes are complex and mostly indirect sources of data for testing evolutionary hypotheses, research questions in human evolutionary studies exemplify the importance of an interdisciplinary approach.

This five-year program features rigorous core training in human paleontology, archaeology, molecular biology, genomics, behavior, ecology, and statistical methods. It emphasizes problem-based learning and training and internships in how science is communicated to the public—for example, through television, news media, museums, and the internet. The first two years of the program primarily consist of coursework, a professional skills and ethics seminar, a grant-writing course focused on preparing a dissertation proposal, and practical experiences that integrate original research and coursework from the earliest stages of graduate training. During the second and third years, students participate in two topically distinct laboratory rotations to broaden their research skills. Following the second year, students begin directed research on their doctoral dissertations while participating in a capstone seminar. Students are encouraged to submit their dissertation in a ready-to-publish format by the end of the fifth year.

There are two separate PhD programs affiliated with the Department of Anthropology, in the fields of anthropology and in human paleobiology. These programs have separate admissions procedures; prospective students should be sure to submit their application to the correct program.

This is a STEM designated program.

Admissions

• Admission deadlines:
  • Fall – December 15
• Standardized test scores:
  • The GRE general exam is not required.
  • The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the PTE Academic is required of all applicants except those who hold a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a college or university in the United States or from an institution located in a country in which English is the official language, provided English was the language of instruction.
  • Minimum scores for the program are:
    • Academic IELTS: an overall band score of 7.0 with no individual score below 6.0
    • TOEFL: 600 on paper-based or 100 on Internet-based
    • PTE Academic: 68
• Recommendations required:
  • Three (3) recommendations required
• Prerequisite requirements:
  • A bachelor’s degree with a major in anthropology, biological sciences, genetics, geological sciences, neuroscience, psychology, or a related field from an accredited college or university
• Prior academic records:
  • Transcripts are required from all colleges and universities attended, whether or not credit was earned, the program was completed, or the credit appears as transfer credit on another transcript
• Statement of purpose:
  • In an essay of 250 – 500 words, state your purpose in undertaking graduate study in your chosen field. Include your academic objectives, research interests, and career plans. Also discuss your related qualifications, including collegiate, professional, and community activities, and any other substantial accomplishments not already mentioned on the application

Requirements

The following requirements must be fulfilled:

• The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Graduate Programs
• The requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy program
• 72 credits, including a minimum of 45 credits in coursework selected in consultation with the advisor prior to advancing to PhD candidacy and 6 to 27 credits in dissertation research

Course List

• Required:
  • Foundations core (8 or 9 credits)
    • ANTH 6413: Analytical Methods in Human Evolutionary Studies (or an alternative course selected with the approval of the advisor and program director)
    • ANTH 6414: Grant Writing for Biological Anthropology
    • HOMP 6202: Lab Techniques: Paleoanthropology
    • HOMP 6203: Ethics and Professional Practice I
  • Modern and paleobiology core (15 credits)
    • 15 credits (five courses) selected from the list below
    • HOMP 6201: Hominid Paleobiology
    • ANTH 6403: Primate Behavior
    • ANTH 6404: The Evolution of Primate Life Histories
    • ANTH 6407: Anthropological Genetics
    • ANTH 6423: Evolution of the Human Brain
    • ANTH 6801: Paleolithic Archaeology
  • Engagement and application core (6 credits)
    • HOMP 8302: Public Understanding of Science Internship
    • HOMP 8303: Paleobiology Lab Rotation
• Electives:
  • At least 15 or 16 credits in coursework selected in consultation with the advisor from among various disciplines, including, but not limited to, ANAT, ANTH, BISC, BIOCHEM, BIOSTAT, CHEM, GEOL, HOMP, PHYS, or PSYC
  • The following courses can be repeated for elective credit, not to exceed a total of 12 credits:
    • HOMP 6995: Independent Research
    • HOMP 8998: Advanced Reading and Research (Taken for no more than a total of 6 credits. This course is graded on a CR/NC basis)
• Dissertation research:
  • HOMP 8999: Dissertation Research (taken for 6 to 27 credits)

Advanced Requirements

• Students must successfully complete the candidacy assessment process, and a final dissertation defense and examination
• The candidacy assessment process should be successfully completed before the end of the third year of the program
• The comprehensive examination is written in the form of an authoritative review of a chosen topic, including a history of previous relevant research, discussion of theoretical issues, and identification of outstanding questions or directions for future research
• For the dissertation proposal defense, students must prepare a research proposal that meets funding agency guidelines and successfully complete an oral defense and examination of this proposal
• Failure to pass any part of the candidacy assessment process in two attempts will result in the student’s dismissal from the program
• After PhD candidacy, students proceed to completing their doctoral research plan and writing the dissertation, in consultation with their dissertation committee
• Successful completion of a final dissertation defense and oral examination is required to earn the PhD degree.