Prospective Students

Admissions:

The Master of Science Degree in Biomedical Anthropology is awarded to students who demonstrate a command of subject matter and applied professional competency in biomedical anthropology to allow them to move into a variety of health-related professions that require interdisciplinary breath and depth necessary for their development into innovative and versatile professionals. Thus our motto taken from the first (1954) Harpur College graduating class "from breath, through depth, to perspective" summarizes the kind of thinking and outcome we expect each student to reach.

Applicants to the program holding a baccalaureate degree in anthropology, biology, nursing, pre-medicine, public and international health, psychology, ecology, chemistry, geography, economics, sociology, and other sciences and social sciences are invited to apply. All applicants must submit recent GRE scores and a "statement of career goals".

International students will find this program beneficial. There is an emphasis on what is called the "Health Transition, Migration and Modernization in our Global Society". Students from countries in which English is not the primary language must submit TOEFL scores; all foreign students must provide immigration forms guaranteeing financial support. More information can be found at the Office of International Students and Scholar Services.

Prospective students are advised to also consult the Anthropology Department website. Information about application requirements and deadlines. Application forms can be found at the Graduate School website.

Degree Requirements:

  1. Pass ANTH 501 (History of Anthropological Thought) with a grade of B- or better.
  2. Pass with a grade of B- or better 38 additional course credits of which 32 are specified by the program. A GPA of 3.0 is required for graduation.
  3. Satisfactorily complete a one-credit summer internship.
  4. Successfully complete an oral examination administered by program faculty at the completion of the second year of study. (There is no thesis requirement.)
  5. Required Courses:
    • Forensic Anthropology/ Paleopathology
    • Human Biological Variation
    • Molecular Anthropology/Genetics
    • Quantitative Methods/Statistics
    • Methods in Biological/Biomedical Anthropology
    • Human Skeletal Biology
    • International Health/ Epidemiology
    • Laboratory Practicum
    • Scientific Integrity/Ethics (not yet a standard course)
  6. Similar courses, which have been successfully completed by the student, may be waived by the Biomedical Anthropology Committee and an elective or more advanced course substituted in their place.
  7. There is no foreign language requirement.

Financial Aid:

Several Graduate Assistantships are available through the program, and through specific professors who have ongoing laboratory and field research. Students should apply directly to the Program Director or to individual professors. In addition, students who complete the lab practicum are eleigble to work in the serum archive facility on a paid basis. Generally, assistantships are not available for the first semester. Students may also apply for financial aid consideration directly to the Student Financial Aid and Employment Office, Binghamton University, PO Box 6000, Binghamton, NY 13902-6000.

International students who are from a Fulbright Fellowship elegible country should apply through their home institution for the Fulbright Program.