Biomedical Anthropology (MS)

The Department of Anthropology offers graduate study leading to a Master of Science (MS) degree in biomedical anthropology. This is a course-based professional degree in an emerging sub-disciplinary area within biological anthropology. The program emphasizes an evolutionary and cultural approach to understanding disease and public health. A diverse range of courses trains students to recognize historical patterns and current events and allows students to study across disciplines. Prospective students should explore faculty research areas to see if interests align.

A professional science master’s certificate in biomedical anthropology is also available for graduate students who are interested in developing practical training and skills that will help foster success in the workplace. The curriculum consists an additional 13 credits in professional skills courses that move beyond the training of a traditional master’s degree.

Professional Development
While our program does not require a final thesis project, the curriculum is more intensive than the MA program in anthropology. Students are encouraged to take advantage of diverse course offerings and pursue specializations in fields such as epidemiology, international health, forensics, primatology, human genetics and paleoanthropology.

This 2-year program includes an internship of at least 320 hours and an oral examination at the completion of study. Faculty and department staff are eager to help students find placement at internship sites that correspond with their specific research interests; past students have accompanied PhD candidates as research assistants to conduct field research in areas such as Vanuatu in the South Pacific Ocean. Other internship sites have included county health departments, the National Museum of Natural History, the Smithsonian Institution and the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.