Archaeological Sciences

MSc Full-time

Suitable for International Students?

Yes

Course Introduction

This course is designed to give graduates a systematic training in the application of modern scientific methods in archaeology. It provides the necessary practical, analytical and interpretative skills to apply a wide range of specialist approaches in archaeology.

It aims to prepare students not only for research in archaeological science, but also to further career prospects in all areas of mainstream archaeology.

Students normally follow one of three pathways.

Environmental Archaeology focuses on subsistence and health through studies of animal bones, plant remains and biomarkers in human and non-human hard tissue. It also introduces environmental issues which impact on human beings, including environmental change.

Landscape Archaeology focuses on understanding and interpreting landscapes in the past using scientific methods.

Biomolecular Archaeology allows students to specialise in the use of biomolecular methods to study both human remains and artefacts.

The pathways are intended to guide students through appropriate modules; they are indicative rather than prescriptive and students may choose to take the optional modules offered in any combination, subject to timetabling.

Course Syllabus

2011/12: (C) = Core, (O) = Option

Semester 1 (60 Credits - 3 x (C) Modules and 30 Credits from the (O) Modules listed):

• Analytical Methods 1** (10 Credits) (C)
• Maths and Quantitative Methods* (10 Credits) (C)
• The Nature of Matter* (10 Credits) (C)
• Archaeology of Human Remains (20 Credits) (O)
• GIS for Practitioners (10 Credits) (O)
• Introduction to Archaeozoology (10 Credits) (O)
• Introduction to Forensic Archaeology (20 Credits) (O)

Semester 2 (60 Credits - 4 x (C) Modules and 20 Credits from the (O) Modules listed):

• Analytical Methods 2** (10 Credits) (C)
• Research Skills (10 Credits) (C)
• Techniques and Interpretation in Instrumental Analysis (10 Credits) (C)
• Topics in Archaeometry (10 Credits) (C)
• Artefact Studies (20 Credits) (O)
• Forensic Taphonomy (20 Credits) (O)
• Funerary Archaeology (10 Credits) (O)
• Past Environments (20 Credits) (O)
• Site Evaluation Strategies (20 Credits) (O)
• Soils and Chemical Prospection (10 Credits) (O)

End of Semester 2 onwards (60 Credits - 1 x (C) Module):

• Dissertation (MSc) (60 Credits) (C)

*If substantial prior experience in this module can be demonstrated, it may be substituted with another module

**Credits from Analytical Methods 1 and 2 comprise a wide choice of 10-Credit Modules run as short courses shared with MSc Analytical Sciences. Available modules are:

Semester 1:

• X-Ray Diffraction
• Separation Science
• Vibrational Spectroscopy

Semester 2:

• Mass Spectormetry
• Elemental Analysis
• Light Isotope Analysis
• Electron Microscopy

MSc Part-time

Suitable for International Students?

Not suitable for International Students

Course Introduction

This course is designed to give graduates a systematic training in the application of modern scientific methods in archaeology. It provides the necessary practical, analytical and interpretative skills to apply a wide range of specialist approaches in archaeology.

It aims to prepare students not only for research in archaeological science, but also to further career prospects in all areas of mainstream archaeology.

Students normally follow one of three pathways.

Environmental Archaeology focuses on subsistence and health through studies of animal bones, plant remains and biomarkers in human and non-human hard tissue. It also introduces environmental issues which impact on human beings, including environmental change.

Landscape Archaeology focuses on understanding and interpreting landscapes in the past using scientific methods.

Biomolecular Archaeology allows students to specialise in the use of biomolecular methods to study both human remains and artefacts.

The pathways are intended to guide students through appropriate modules; they are indicative rather than prescriptive and students may choose to take the optional modules offered in any combination, subject to timetabling.

Course Syllabus

2011/12: (C) = Core, (O) = Option

Stage 1 (60 Credits - 3 x (C) Modules and 30 Credits from the (O) Modules listed):

• Analytical Methods 1** (10 Credits) (C)
• Maths and Quantitative Methods* (10 Credits) (C)
• The Nature of Matter* (10 Credits) (C)
• Archaeology of Human Remains (20 Credits) (O)
• GIS for Practitioners (10 Credits) (O)
• Introduction to Archaeozoology (10 Credits) (O)
• Introduction to Forensic Archaeology (20 Credits) (O)

Stage 2 (60 Credits - 4 x (C) Modules and 20 Credits from the (O) Modules listed):

• Analytical Methods 2** (10 Credits) (C)
• Research Skills (10 Credits) (C)
• Techniques and Interpretation in Instrumental Analysis (10 Credits) (C)
• Topics in Archaeometry (10 Credits) (C)
• Artefact Studies (20 Credits) (O)
• Forensic Taphonomy (20 Credits) (O)
• Funerary Archaeology (10 Credits) (O)
• Past Environments (20 Credits) (O)
• Site Evaluation Strategies (20 Credits) (O)
• Soils and Chemical Prospection (10 Credits) (O)

Stage 3 (60 Credits - 1 x (C) Module):

• Dissertation (MSc) (60 Credits) (C)

*If substantial prior experience in this module can be demonstrated, it may be substituted with another module

**Credits from Analytical Methods 1 and 2 comprise a wide choice of 10-Credit Modules run as short courses shared with MSc Analytical Sciences. Available modules are:

Stage 1:

• X-Ray Diffraction
• Separation Science
• Vibrational Spectroscopy

Stage 2:

• Mass Spectormetry
• Elemental Analysis
• Light Isotope Analysis
• Electron Microscopy

PG Diploma Full-time

Suitable for International Students?

Yes

Course Introduction

This course is designed to give graduates a systematic training in the application of modern scientific methods in archaeology. It provides the necessary practical, analytical and interpretative skills to apply a wide range of specialist approaches in archaeology.

It aims to prepare students not only for research in archaeological science, but also to further career prospects in all areas of mainstream archaeology.

Students normally follow one of three pathways.

Environmental Archaeology focuses on subsistence and health through studies of animal bones, plant remains and biomarkers in human and non-human hard tissue. It also introduces environmental issues which impact on human beings, including environmental change.

Landscape Archaeology focuses on understanding and interpreting landscapes in the past using scientific methods.

Biomolecular Archaeology allows students to specialise in the use of biomolecular methods to study both human remains and artefacts.

The pathways are intended to guide students through appropriate modules; they are indicative rather than prescriptive and students may choose to take the optional modules offered in any combination, subject to timetabling.

Course Syllabus

2011/12: (C) = Core, (O) = Option

Semester 1 (60 Credits - 3 x (C) Modules and 30 Credits from the (O) Modules listed):

• Analytical Methods 1** (10 Credits) (C)
• Maths and Quantitative Methods* (10 Credits) (C)
• The Nature of Matter* (10 Credits) (C)
• Archaeology of Human Remains (20 Credits) (O)
• GIS for Practitioners (10 Credits) (O)
• Introduction to Archaeozoology (10 Credits) (O)
• Introduction to Forensic Archaeology (20 Credits) (O)

Semester 2 (60 Credits - 4 x (C) Modules and 20 Credits from the (O) Modules listed):

• Analytical Methods 2** (10 Credits) (C)
• Research Skills (10 Credits) (C)
• Techniques and Interpretation in Instrumental Analysis (10 Credits) (C)
• Topics in Archaeometry (10 Credits) (C)
• Artefact Studies (20 Credits) (O)
• Forensic Taphonomy (20 Credits) (O)
• Funerary Archaeology (10 Credits) (O)
• Past Environments (20 Credits) (O)
• Site Evaluation Strategies (20 Credits) (O)
• Soils and Chemical Prospection (10 Credits) (O)

*If substantial prior experience in this module can be demonstrated, it may be substituted with another module

**Credits from Analytical Methods 1 and 2 comprise a wide choice of 10-Credit Modules run as short courses shared with MSc Analytical Sciences. Available modules are:

Semester 1:

• X-Ray Diffraction
• Separation Science
• Vibrational Spectroscopy

Semester 2:

• Mass Spectormetry
• Elemental Analysis
• Light Isotope Analysis
• Electron Microscopy

PG Diploma Part-time

Suitable for International Students?

Not suitable for International Students

Course Introduction

This course is designed to give graduates a systematic training in the application of modern scientific methods in archaeology. It provides the necessary practical, analytical and interpretative skills to apply a wide range of specialist approaches in archaeology.

It aims to prepare students not only for research in archaeological science, but also to further career prospects in all areas of mainstream archaeology.

Students normally follow one of three pathways.

Environmental Archaeology focuses on subsistence and health through studies of animal bones, plant remains and biomarkers in human and non-human hard tissue. It also introduces environmental issues which impact on human beings, including environmental change.

Landscape Archaeology focuses on understanding and interpreting landscapes in the past using scientific methods.

Biomolecular Archaeology allows students to specialise in the use of biomolecular methods to study both human remains and artefacts.

The pathways are intended to guide students through appropriate modules; they are indicative rather than prescriptive and students may choose to take the optional modules offered in any combination, subject to timetabling.

Course Syllabus

(C) = Core, (O) = Option

Stage 1 (60 Credits - 3 x (C) Modules and 30 Credits from the (O) Modules listed):

• Analytical Methods 1** (10 Credits) (C)
• Maths and Quantitative Methods* (10 Credits) (C)
• The Nature of Matter* (10 Credits) (C)
• Archaeology of Human Remains (20 Credits) (O)
• GIS for Practitioners (10 Credits) (O)
• Introduction to Archaeozoology (10 Credits) (O)
• Introduction to Forensic Archaeology (20 Credits) (O)

Stage 2 (60 Credits - 4 x (C) Modules and 20 Credits from the (O) Modules listed):

• Analytical Methods 2** (10 Credits) (C)
• Research Skills (10 Credits) (C)
• Techniques and Interpretation in Instrumental Analysis (10 Credits) (C)
• Topics in Archaeometry (10 Credits) (C)
• Artefact Studies (20 Credits) (O)
• Forensic Taphonomy (20 Credits) (O)
• Funerary Archaeology (10 Credits) (O)
• Past Environments (20 Credits) (O)
• Site Evaluation Strategies (20 Credits) (O)
• Soils and Chemical Prospection (10 Credits) (O)

*If substantial prior experience in this module can be demonstrated, it may be substituted with another module

**Credits from Analytical Methods 1 and 2 comprise a wide choice of 10-Credit Modules run as short courses shared with MSc Analytical Sciences. Available modules are:

Stage 1:

• X-Ray Diffraction
• Separation Science
• Vibrational Spectroscopy

Stage 2:

• Mass Spectormetry
• Elemental Analysis
• Light Isotope Analysis
• Electron Microscopy