<p>I'm interested in evolutionary theory, and would like to find a school with an excellent Biological Anthropology program. Unfortunately, most sites that speak of "good" anthropology majors lump archaeology, cultural, linguistic, AND biological anthropology into one category. I was wondering if anyone had a list of schools with top biological anthropology programs.</p>
<p>I'm also interested in evolution beyond the confines of human development, so if any school has strong evolutionary biology program in addition to its anthro, definitely a bonus.</p>
<p>Students are required to take courses both in biological anthropology, social anthropology and archaeology in the first year, but can specialize in one of those three subjects in the 2nd and 3rd years.</p>
<p>There are good reasons for not trying to slice the onion so thinly in college assessments. You are talking about undergraduate programs, right?</p>
<p>In the USA, there are no reliable, up-to-date undergraduate department assessments that are so narrowly focused. Even if there were, a strong rating probably would be based on the work of a very few faculty members in each case. All that has to happen is that somebody dies or retires, and the picture changes.</p>
<p>Both of these are graduate program rankings. The NRC rankings are way out of date, but if a medium-large school (especially a well-financed one) was strong in multiple relevant programs in 1995, it may still be strong for your purposes. Example: Chicago was tied for #1 in both anthro and ecology/evolution; 11th in both physiology and genetics. Chances are, it is still quite strong in your interest areas. More generally, it has an excellent undergraduate program (provided you’re o.k. with the “core” requirements, cold weather, etc.)</p>
<p>Start with a superior Anthropology Department and go from there. Ithaca College is very strong in Anthropology. The child of a good friend just graduated and enjoyed every moment of it, including her study abroad in Africa.</p>
<p>long.897, you are getting 3 very different responses in Cambridge, Chicago, and Ithaca College. If you believe in overall collegiate rankings, this runs the gamut from one of the most prestigious universities in the world, to maybe #8 in the USA, to ~16th in the state of New York.</p>
<p>To focus the responses, it might be a good idea to give more context.
How high are your grades and test scores? What kind of campus environment would you prefer? Location? Etc.</p>
<p>Harvard still has a Biological Anthropology section in its Anthropology Dept, but also has a new separate Department of Human Evolutionary Biology.</p>
<p>Others to check out: Cornell, Duke, Michigan.</p>
<p>For more clarification on stats:
I would be a transfer student, College GPA of 3.7ish with 1 year completed (almost all A’s, C in diffeq hurt)
I was originally an engineering major, but during 2 of my Social Science GECs realized would enjoy focusing on evolutionary science (it also helps that I hated my engineering-related math class at the time.)
My SATs are superscored to a 1600/2260, 3 tests total (one in 7th grade, before they added the writing portion…I’m not even sure I can submit that.)
EC’s, only independent things really…swim team was the only school related one, decent times but not enough to get into university on them.
I don’t know if it would help on admissions but I’m currently writing a nonfiction book related to my intended major, ~150 pages completed. </p>
<p>-TK: I’m not trying to slice the onion so thinly so to speak, I just want to find a school that’ll be good for my intended major. The problem is, some schools that have phenomenal cultural programs (e.g UChicago) have biological anth. programs that don’t match up. I can look at which schools have well developed anthropology programs, but it’s difficult to tell which ones are good for any particular field.</p>
<p>EDIT: Campus and weather are fairly unimportant to me. I like snow, I like warm, I like rain…no major issues. I DO want a school with smaller classes; my cousin goes to OSU, and his biology class for the upcoming fall quarter will seat 750 students. I can’t even imagine learning in that environment.</p>
<p>What state do you live in? I realize that regardless of your answer your state U is likely not a top choice due to generally large class sizes, but advanced classes are usually much smaller than 750! I went to a large public for undergrad and my upper division courses averaged around 25 students…sometimes as few as 5.</p>
<p>There are dozens of universities that can offer a good amount courses dealing with some aspect of evolutionary theory…are there any more specific topics you’re interested in? </p>
<p>The list of anthropology departments that strong in the field is very long. You mentioned your friend at OSU - in my opinion they’re very strong in bio anth. Michigan is another big public with tons of big names. Chicago is an anthropology power, but not so much in bio anth.</p>
<p>If you would like to PM me any questions I’m more than willing to add my two cents. (I’m a current Bio Anth PhD student btw)</p>
<p>Specifically with evolution, I’m interested in the emergence of new traits, typically with an organic cause. I’m interested in evolution on both a large and small scale…not so much in bacteria, but I really find viral evolution amazing.
I’m not interested in ossification, and our inferences therein. I’m more interested in the theory aspect, and certain biological processes…looking at bones to try to piece together a logical path of development doesn’t really appeal to me. </p>
<p>I’m in Ohio as well, but from what I’ve seen of the OSU anth, it’s not great. While it definitely focuses on biological over cultural, the program seems underfunded, and understaffed.</p>
<p>EDIT: I’m really good at forgetting one point. Harvard doesn’t accept transfer students. A number of other schools effectively don’t (5% admissions rates and the like.)</p>
<p>As suggested, [Duke[/url</a>] is certainly the first university that comes to mind. Their [url=<a href=“http://lemur.duke.edu/]primate”>http://lemur.duke.edu/]primate</a> center](<a href=“http://www.baa.duke.edu/undergrad/]Duke[/url”>http://www.baa.duke.edu/undergrad/) has the largest collection of endangered primates in the world, including some species otherwise unknown in captivity outside Madagascar. The primate center is located extremely close to campus, and many courses take advantage of this. It’s possible for undergraduates to work/volunteer at the center, providing further opportunities. </p>
<p>The department focuses on most aspects of biological anthropology, including human evolution and paleoanthropology. If I remember correctly, the department has its own labs and osteology collections. I had the opportunity to meet [Elwyn</a> Simons](<a href=“Division of Fossil Primates DFP FAQ – Duke Lemur Center”>Division of Fossil Primates DFP FAQ – Duke Lemur Center), a National Academy of Sciences member, while working in Egypt, and he seemed like an absolutely fantastic pedagogue (extremely knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and dedicated to his students). Duke has run a paleoanthropology field school in Africa for many years, but I think it’s currently on hiatus.</p>
<p>The main reason I think of OSU as a good place for bio anth is because of Clark Spencer Larsen…I reference his work often so it’s a bias I have developed.</p>
<p>Another university that has some big names in the field in SUNY Stony Brook. Not the first place a lot of people think of when it comes to evolution, but between the anthropology and anatomy department they have some heavy hitters.</p>
<p>It’s also important to pay attention to research facilities. For your field, primate facilities may or may not be relevant, but a strong archeological collection would certainly be advantageous.</p>