Forensic Anthropology at the University of Florida
The Department of Anthropology offers graduate study in Biological or Physical Anthropology. One sub-specialty within biological anthropology is forensic anthropology. The forensic anthropology course of study includes coursework in biostatistics, zooarchaeology, water and soil sciences, human gross and functional anatomy, biomechanics, radiology, osteology, as well as human evolution and genetic variation. Most importantly, however, we emphasize a hands-on approach to forensic anthropology. The department has a working forensic anthropology laboratory, the C.A. Pound Human Identification Laboratory.
Service to the State of Florida and outside agencies continues to be the major focus of the laboratory, and graduate student education is coordinated with members of the teaching faculty. Graduate students work closely with Dr. Michael W. Warren in all aspects of casework, including the search and recovery of human remains at clandestine sites, trauma analysis, and video superimposition techniques. Collaboration between the laboratories and the Departments of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, Water and Soil Sciences, Entomology, and the College of Health and Human Performance maximizes graduate student research opportunities. Graduate students also participate in death investigation through internships at the District Medical Examiner’s Offices in Gainesville, Jacksonville, and Miami.
Students interested in pursuing the PhD in physical anthropology with an emphasis in forensic anthropology must apply to the graduate program in Anthropology. For the department’s graduate application instructions, go to http://www.anthro.ufl.edu/graduate_instructions.shtml. The forensic PhD concentration is highly competitive, with 3% or fewer applicants receiving offers of admission. Your Statement of Purpose should include a specific interest in physical or biological anthropology with an emphasis on applied skeletal biology or forensic anthropology. Successful candidates demonstrate excellence through their grade point averages (>3.5 on average), GRE scores (1320 on average), publications, and presentations at regional or national meetings. Successful applicants usually have an MA in anthropology with a concentration in physical anthropology, although previous students have come from backgrounds in the forensic sciences, zoology, and biology. Prospective students are encouraged to visit the University of Florida prior to the admission deadline and should arrange their trip with Dr. Warren directly. Additional information about the University of Florida and graduate studies in anthropology can be obtained at http://www.ufl.edu and http://www.anthro.ufl.edu/. If you have questions about the application process, contact the Graduate Program Assistant.
