Ph.D. Degree

Summary of Main Requirements

  • Six core courses during the first four semesters of study:
    • Two semesters of the Graduate Tutorial
    • Four courses selected from the following core areas:
      • Evolutionary Theory
      • Cognition, Behavior & Ecology
      • Paleontology
      • Morphology & Physiology
      • Research Design & Statistics
      • Genetics & Genomics
  • Additional courses in the student’s specialty or Minor Field
  • Writing experience in first two years
  • Responsible Conduct of Research Training, offered through the Graduate School
  • Preliminary Exam and Dissertation Proposal (by end of fifth semester)
  • Yearly presentation of research progress
  • Teaching experience
  • Dissertation and Final Exam

Coursework is intended to be concentrated in the first two years (four semesters) of study, although students may occasionally take courses in subsequent years.

The Minor Field

In addition to a major area of research focus, our students are also required to pursue a minor field. Our goal is to ensure that students have a breadth of knowledge outside of their immediate specialty. Students declare a minor field at the first meeting of their dissertation committee (and generally in consultation with the committee). At least one member of the dissertation committee must represent the minor field, and will be charged with assessing the student’s knowledge in the minor during the preliminary exam.

Given the wide range of research areas represented in Evolutionary Anthropology, dissertation committees will have the freedom to determine the specific nature of the minor, so as to tailor it to the needs of the individual student.