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Environmental Archaeology – (M.A.)
Umea University
Department of Historical, Philosophical & Religious Studies
| Application Deadline: | January 16 | ||
| Annual Tuition Fee: | Free - ≈ € 10,120 (non-EEA) | ||
| Location: | Umeå / Sweden / View location on map ▾ Hide location on map ▴ | ||
| Duration: | 24 months | Start Date: | September |
| Educational Form: |
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| Education Variants: |
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| Credits (ECTS): | 120 | ||
| Languages: | English | ||
Location of Umea University
This programme provides Masters level training in practical and academic aspects of environmental archaeology. The two year programme builds on over 35 years experience of research and consultancy at the Environmental Archaeology Laboratory, and provides students with the possibility for both specialist and generalist training. Students may tailor their education to particular needs through the choice of relevant core and external modules. The program also allows for considerable flexibility in the use of your own case study material as the basis for coursework, and includes at least one international exchange visit.
The Environmental Archaeology Masters programme is orientated towards those:
* aiming at a career in archaeology, environmental archaeology, palaeoecology, Quaternary science or related academic or professional subjects.
* wishing to supplement earlier studies with a strong proficiency package for excavations, analysis, interpretation and presentation of archaeological, environmental archaeological data
* wishing to learn transferable skills applicable to a broad range of laboratory-based, quantitative and qualitative subjects and professions.
The programme is strongly problem-orientated with an emphasis on the learning of transferable skills, with a basis in environmental archaeology, which can then be used in research or a professional career. Students will have access to a high-quality environmental archaeological laboratory and state of the art data sources.
Contents
See program plan on departmental website for more details.
SEMESTER 1
Environmental Archaeology, field and laboratory methods - 15 credits
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
Project/dissertation - 15 credits
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
Note: This path(or equivalent) is compulsory for continuing to semester 4!
Optional/elective courses – 15 credits
External or internal in environmental archaeology; or internship/work placement
Method specialism – 15 credits
Detailed studies in a (few) method(s) (insects/pollen/macrofossils/
geoarchaeology...) as independent work.
Generalist path
Optional/elective courses – 30 credits
Either outside of or within environmental archaeology, and/or internship/work placement.
Example courses:
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
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Requirements
A Bachelor's degree within aechaeology, environmental archaeology, geology, physical geography, or its equivalent. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English A (IELTS (Academic) with a minimum overall score of 5.5 and no individual score below 5.0. TOEFL PBT (Paper-based Test) with a minimum total score of 530 and a minimum TWE score of 4. TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test) with a minimum total score of 72 and a minimum score of 17 on the Writing Section). Where the language of instruction is Swedish, applicants must prove proficiency in Swedish to the level required for basic eligibility for higher studies.
Additional Requirements
| Minimal degree required: | Bachelor's degree |
| Minimal amount of work experience | Not specified |
Language Proficiency
| IELTS Band: | 5.5 |
| TOEFL Paper-based: | 530 |
| TOEFL Internet-based: | 72 |
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