Master of Science in the Field of Human Paleobiology (STEM)

Students enrolled in the master of science in human paleobiology program investigate the origins and evolution of humankind through interdisciplinary research using the latest instrumentation. 

The program works in tandem with the Department of Anthropology’s Center for the Advanced Study of Human Paleobiology and incorporates faculty from the GW Departments of Biological Sciences; Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences; and Anatomy and Regenerative Biology. MS students also benefit from the program’s ties to the Smithsonian Institution’s Human Origins Program and other research centers in the greater Washington, DC, area.

Masters-level coursework includes small-group seminars, original research in GW's state-of-the-art facilities, and two laboratory rotations or fieldwork at institutions outside of GW. 

This is a STEM designated program.

Visit the program website for additional information.

Visit the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences website for application requirements.

Supporting documents not submitted online should be mailed to:

Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Office of Graduate Studies
The George Washington University
801 22nd Street NW, Phillips Hall 107
Washington DC 20052

For additional information about the admissions process visit the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences Frequently Asked Questions page.

Contact for questions:

askccas@gwu.edu
202-994-6210 (phone)
Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday

The following requirements must be fulfilled:

The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Graduate Programs.

36 credits in a program of core, selected, and elective courses developed in consultation with the advisor.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Required
Core courses
HOMP 6202	Lab Techniques: Paleoanthropology *
HOMP 6203	Ethics and Professional Practice I
ANTH 6413	Analytical Methods in Human Evolutionary Studies
At least one paleobiology core course selected from the following:
HOMP 6201	Hominid Paleobiology
ANTH 6801	Paleolithic Archaeology
or HOMP 6201	Hominid Paleobiology
At least one modern biology core course selected from the following:
ANTH 6403	Primate Behavior
ANTH 6404	The Evolution of Primate Life Histories
ANTH 6407	Anthropological Genetics
ANTH 6423	Evolution of the Human Brain
Electives
17 to 19 credits in elective courses. Courses should be selected in consultation with the faculty advisor, and can include a combination of the following: independent laboratory or field-based research; a field course; relevant courses in Anatomy, Anthropology, Biological Sciences, Geography, Geology, Human Paleobiology, Psychology, and Speech, Language, and Hearing Science available at GW; and/or relevant courses from the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area.
Thesis
HOMP 6999	Thesis Research (taken for 6 credits)

*In order to maintain a 9-credit per semester courseload, students register for 1 to 3 credits in HOMP 6202, depending on the number of credits taken in the other courses for which they are concurrently enrolled.