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Fall 2025 Graduate Catalog
Anatomical Sciences, PhD
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 Return to: Doctoral Programs
Degree Awarded: Doctor of Philosophy in Anatomical Sciences
Chairperson: Dr. Susan Larson, Health Sciences Center T-8, Room 040 (631) 444-3115
Graduate Program Director: Dr. Eric Wilberg, Health Sciences Center, Academic Tower A, T-8, Room 083 (631) 448-2492
Staff Associate: Rachel M. Conti, Health Sciences Center T-8, Room 040 (631) 444-3114
The Department of Anatomical Sciences offers a multidisciplinary graduate program leading to the Ph.D. degree. Students receive comprehensive training to prepare them for teaching and research in the areas of evolutionary morphology, systematics, functional morphology, musculoskeletal biology, or vertebrate paleontology. Graduate students are guided through a program of courses designed for their particular needs. The program trains students in the analysis and interpretation of gross vertebrate structure with the goal of testing hypotheses in systematics, paleobiology , and adaptation. Training and research focus on applying an evolutionary perspective to the study of morphology, including functional morphology and phylogenetic systematics. Field-based projects for the discovery of new fossils are typically underway every year. Students in the program have the opportunity to master a variety of research methods and analytical strategies: multivariate morphometrics, phylogenetic systematics, biogeography, CT-based anatomical reconstructions, behavioral ecology, and principles of paleontological fieldwork. Anatomical Sciences does not accept students whose goal is a master’s degree.
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Admission Requirements
Application Website In addition to the minimum Graduate School requirements, the following are required: - A bachelor’s degree typically in a field with ties to research in our department.
- Letters of reference.
- Resume/CV
- A personal statement
- Proof of English proficiency for non-native speakers of English.
- Acceptance by the Department of Anatomical Sciences and by the Graduate School.
GPA Requirement
A student must achieve a grade of B or better in each of the required courses, and must maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher in all elective courses. Degree Requirements
In addition to the minimum requirements of the Graduate School, the following are required: Electives
Each student is required to take three elective courses, chosen in consultation with his/her advisor for a minimum of 9 credits. Anatomy Department Electives:
Example Non-Anatomy Department Electives:
Notes:
Depending on a student’s area of specialization, he/she may be required to take additional courses, to be determined in consultation with his/her advisor. A student must achieve a grade of B or higher in each of the required courses, and must maintain a B average or higher in all elective courses. (Note, as stated above, three electives are a required component of the Ph.D. program.) Failure to maintain these grade averages may adversely affect a student’s funding. Preliminary Examination
All students are required to take a preliminary examination upon completion of formal course requirements by the end of their fourth semester. All students will be examined in human gross anatomy. The second and third subjects will depend on the student’s planned area of specialization as determined in Year 1. Advancement to Candidacy
The faculty will recommend a student to the Graduate School for advancement to candidacy upon satisfactory completion of all required coursework and the preliminary examination. Dissertation Proposal Examination
Following advancement to candidacy the student is required to select a dissertation committee that must include, but is not limited to, four individuals meeting the following description: two members of the Department of Anatomical Sciences (one of whom is the student’s advisor), one person from outside the department (either at Stony Brook University or another institution), and one member who may either be internal or external to the department. Any member outside the department must be selected in consultation with the student’s primary advisor The student must prepare and submit a dissertation proposal that is acceptable to the dissertation committee and program in Anatomical Sciences. This defense must occur no later than 12 months after passing the oral preliminary examination. Change to this deadline requires a formal petition to the faculty and is only granted under extenuating circumstances. PhD Dissertation
A student, under the supervision of their Dissertation Committee, performs the research leading to the preparation of their written dissertation. The dissertation must contain the results of an original and significant investigation. Students should enroll in an HBA Dissertation Research Course (HBA 699 , HBA 700 , or HBA 701 ) to document completion of the doctoral research project. Dissertation Defense
Following completion of the dissertation research project, a student must submit their dissertation to their examining committee and present their findings in a formal public oral defense. Following the oral presentation of results and questioning by the audience, the student defends their results before the dissertation committee. For procedural details, please refer to the Department of Anatomical Sciences website. Teaching Requirement
Every student is required to teach HBA 560 - Regional Anatomy for non-Healthcare students at least once before graduation. A student must sign up for the teaching practicum (HBA 695 ) in conjunction with this teaching. In addition, students receiving departmental financial support are typically required to teach in one of the department’s anatomy courses each fall. Residence Requirement
The University requires at least two consecutive semesters of full-time graduate study. Generally, the demands of the course of study necessitate a longer period of residence. However, pursuit of a degree on a part-time basis will be considered under special circumstances. |
Return to: Doctoral Programs
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