Master programme in Environmental Archaeology

Master programme in Environmental

Archaeology

Masterprogram i Miljöarkeologi

Degree: Master of Arts in Environmental Archaeology Level affiliation: Advanced (second cycle)

Programme code: HAMAM Confirmation: 2010-09-01 Enters into force: 2010-09-02

Responsible authority: Department of Historical, Philosophical & Religious Studies

The study programme’s goal

Description of the study programme at the current level Chapter 1 , Section 9 of the Higher Education Act:

Advanced university education shall essentially build upon the knowledge students have acquired during their basic university education or on equivalent knowledge.

Advanced university education shall further develop the students’ knowledge, skills and abilities acquired at the basic university education level and shall also:

- further develop the students’ ability to independently integrate and use knowledge,

- develop the students’ ability to handle complex phenomena, problems and situations, and

- develop students’ abilities for professional activity which make great demands on independence, or for research and development work

National goals for the current degree

- exhibit knowledge and understanding within the main field of study, including a broad knowledge of the area and significantly advanced knowledge within certain parts of the area of study as well as in-depth insight into current research and development work, and

- exhibit deeper methodological knowledge of the main field of study for the education.

Proficiency and aptitude

To be granted a Master’s degree, the student must:

- exhibit the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and to analyse, evaluate and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations even when limited information is available,

- exhibit the ability to critically, independently and creatively identify and formulate questions, to plan and with adequate methods carry out qualified tasks within given time frames and thereby contribute to the development of knowledge and to evaluate this work,

- exhibit the ability to account clearly for and discuss conclusions and the knowledge and arguments that form the basis of these in dialogue form with different groups in both a national and international context, verbally and in writing, and

- exhibit such skills that are required to participate in research and development work or to work independently in other qualified areas.

Ability to assess and approach

To be granted a Master’s degree, the student must

- within the main field of study for the education, exhibit the ability to make assessments by taking into consideration relevant scientific, societal and ethical aspects and exhibit an awareness of ethical aspects with regard to research and development work,

- exhibit insight as to the opportunities and the limitations that science has, its role in society and man’s responsibility as to how it is used, and

- exhibit the ability to identify the need for further knowledge and to assume responsibility for the development of personal knowledge.

Local goals for the current degree

Knowledge and understanding

- have a sound knowledge of theories, sources and methods relevant to environmental archaeology.

- be able to relate environmental archaeological scientific method to other scientific traditions.

- be able to place environmental archaeological research in its historical context.

Proficiency and aptitude

- be able to manage, analyze and critically review large and diverse sources.

- have demonstrated the ability to make oral, graphical and written presentations of their own and others' research orientated towards a variety of audiences.

- be able to integrate scientific and humanistic approaches in a project to increase one's effectiveness as a contract archaeologist or scientist

- be able to actively participate in current debates on environmental archaeology in archaeological research and consultancy.

- be able to critically appraise popular beliefs about the past, with particular focus on past environmental and climatic change.

Ability to assess and approach

- have demonstrated source critical thinking.

- have demonstrated the ability to define and solve problems as well as an interdisciplinary approach towards environmental archaeology.

- have a working knowledge of relevant current research.

Content and organisation

General

The program is relevant for those wishing to:

- build a career in environmental archaeology, palaeoecology, Quaternary geology or other similar scientific subjects where a knowledge and understanding of past environments, climates and human activities is of use.

- learn transferable skills applicable to a wide variety of lab based, quantitative and qualitative methods.

Core courses

Students aiming to acquire a Magister degree may do so after year 1, where an independent project/dissertation (15 credits) will count as the Magister dissertation.

The Master's degree qualification requires a total of at least 30 credits of project or dissertation/thesis work. Students are required to take 15 credits of advanced method studies (specialist path, see below) before undertaking a 30 credit specialist thesis.

Teaching consists mainly of tutorials, seminars and exercises. Elective courses

These courses are taught by the Department of philosophical and religious studies. For a description of available courses see the department's website http://www.idesam.umu.se/utbildning/.

Optional courses

Students may read up to 30 credits of optional courses within the framework of the programme. These courses may be taken at either Umeå University or other universities, and can be used to tailor the student's education as to their interests or requirements. Work placement and internships may also be counted towards optional course points, but must be arranged by the students themselves.

Degree structure

The Masters degree programme is highly problem-solution oriented with an emphasis on the learning of transferable skills, through their application in environmental archaeology, that can be used in a professional or research career.

The degree can be read in its entirety in English.

In year 1 students follow four core courses (60 credits), including a project/dissertation (15 credits) that may be used as part of a Magister qualification.

In year 2, students follow a 30 credit core course (independent work) and then select one of two paths that either allow them to go deeper into a particular set of methods (15 credits) and choose

optional/elective courses (15 credits); or choose 30 credits of optional/elective courses. Students may choose to take an internship amounting to up to the respective limit of optional/elective courses (15 or 30 credits).The student is expected to be actively involved in the planning of and search for a suitable internship position.

Program outline Semester 1

Module 1. Field methods in environmental archaeology

Introduction to field methods in environmental archaeology

Basic concepts: sampling strategy, problem definition, multi-proxy analysis, project planning, communicating environmental archaeological ideas with archaeologists, an interdisciplinary approach, source criticism

Field work and group work Module 2. Laboratory methods

Introduction to lab work in environmental archaeology

Basic concepts: taphonomy, taxonomy, species identification, analysis techniques, microscope work, microscope photography, the use of reference collections and keys, databases, lab routines, safety in lab environments, an interdisciplinary approach Method development & evaluation

Own laboratory work, presentation and assignment

Environmental Archaeology, theories and methods – advanced studies - 15 credits

Philosophy of science, scientific method Interdisciplinarity

Basic statistics

Climate and environmental change

Environmental archaeology in archaeological research and consultancy Societal relevance

Semester 2

Presenting Environmental Archaeology - 7.5 credits

Environmental Archaeological research results will be used as study material in order to teach students to:

Write reports and scientific texts

Manage and present quantitative data and results

Plan, design and carry out digital presentations (PowerPoint) Produce a poster for a conference/workshop

Actively participate and get more out of seminars Evaluate and review the work of others

GIS for Environmental Archaeology and Archaeology - 7.5 credits

Basic concepts, project design, problem solving with GIS, surveying

Spatial and chronological data management, geodatabases, mapping, interpolation, analysis, interpretation

Visualization and presentation of spatial and chronological data

Advanced method studies: specialization or generalization (e.g. specialization in the analysis of plant macrofossils or fossil insects; a detailed study of fundamental theories and methods in environmental archaeology or combinations of methods)

Individual lab work Essay/report

Semester 3

Specialist path

E.g. archaeobotany, geoarchaeology, palaeoentomology, palynology

Generalist path

Optional/elective courses – 15 credits Optional/elective courses – 30 credits

External (see right) or internal in environmental archaeology; or internship/work placement

Either outside of or within

environmental archaeology, and/or internship/work placement. Example courses:

Method specialism – 15 credits

Detailed studies in a (few) method(s) (insects/pollen/macrofossils/

geoarchaeology...) as independent work. Note: This path(or equivalent) is compulsory for continuing to semester 4! Botany/Entomology/Biology Quaternary geology/palaeoecology Geology/Earth Sciences Statistics/Advanced GIS Project management/planning Semester 4

Note: the 3rd semester specialist path or equivalent is required before admission to this semester.

Independent work/Thesis – 30 credits

Lab work, literature studies, analyses Thesis or equivalent

Degree project/Independent project

Eligibility and selection

A bachelors degree or equivalent within archaeology, environmental archaeology, Quaternary geology, physical geography or comparable major, or equivalent.

Selection

More information about the selection procedure can be found through the international office

http://www.studentcentrum.umu.se/english/about/international-office/ and admissions office

http://www.studentcentrum.umu.se/english/about/admissions-office/

Examination and Assessment

Details of examination procedures and forms can be found in the individual course curricula. Grades

Grades are awarded for each course and if applicable are assessed also for parts of a course. Grading takes place when all examinations and all compulsory elements, for example laboratory experiments, project reports and written assignments have been approved. Unless otherwise specified in the course syllabus, the grades Pass or Pass with Credit are awarded. If you have already achieved a Pass grade, it is not permitted to resit an examination to acquire a higher grade.

Academic credit transfer

Academic credit transfer of a course

The student has the right of assessment to find out whether a previous education or activity can be accepted in the form of an academic credit transfer. For further information, see the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Sections 6-8 and student information website

http://www.umu.se/english/education/student-handbook.

A negative decision regarding academic credit transfer is possible to appeal against to the Higher Education Appeals Board. A negative decision must also be motivated in writing.

Other regulations

Temporary postponement of studies in conjunction with the beginning of studies Deferral of commencement of study

responsibilities etc. Your application should be sent in writing to Student Services

http://www.studentcentrum.umu.se/.

A negative decision on deferral of commencement of study may be appealed to the Higher Education Appeals Board.

Interruption of studies

Students who leave the study programme must notify the programme study guidance officer of the interruption of studies.

Discontinuation

A negative decision on being allowed to resume studies after a break in study may be appealed to the Higher Education Appeals Board.

Further information