University of Bradford
Department of Archaeological Sciences
Awarding and teaching institution:
Final award:
Programme title:
Duration:
UCAS Code:
Subject benchmark statement:
Programme accredited by:
Date produced:
University of Bradford
Master of Science / Postgraduate Diploma /
Postgraduate Certificate
Scientific Methods in Archaeology
One year (full-time); two years (part-time)
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
January 2003; last updated: September 2007
Aims
Archaeology engages the entire human past in all its temporal and spatial dimensions. It is
fundamental to our understanding of how we evolved and our communities developed, and
how we study, preserve and interpret our past. At Bradford, our distinctive approach
emphasises the integration of the natural and physical sciences in this enquiry. In
accordance with the University’s mission, ‘Making knowledge work’, the Department of
Archaeological Sciences aims to provide ‘excellence in a comprehensive range of
archaeological topics, with emphasis on both teaching (‘Excellent’ in Subject Review 2000)
and research (Grade 5 in Research Assessment Exercise 2001), believing in the two
activities to be mutually dependent’.
The MSc in Scientific Methods in Archaeology course is designed to give graduates in
Archaeology and related subjects 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.
The course aims to prepare students not only for research in archaeological science, but also
to further career prospects in all areas of mainstream archaeology. The course is well-suited
both to students who wish to use it as a foundation from which to commence research or as
vocational training to enhance employment prospects in archaeology.
This course will
 Give graduates in archaeology and related subjects a systematic training in the
application of modern scientific methods to archaeology.
 Provide a flexible programme of study that reflects areas of staff expertise.
 Encourage development of independent learning skills, by providing a supportive,
structured environment.
 Develop high-level subject knowledge and understanding, and provide training in
discipline skills to enable graduates to pursue further research or careers in
archaeological science.
 Develop critical and analytical problem solving skills and personal transferable skills
to prepare students for careers in non-cognate fields.
This course is currently supported by up to four NERC Advanced Course
Studentships.
Learning outcomes on completion of the course cover subject knowledge and
understanding, cognitive skills, discipline-related practical and professional skills and other
general skills and capabilities specified in the learning outcomes for approved modules in the
programme. In particular, this includes
 Advanced knowledge and understanding in practical, analytical and interpretative
approaches in archaeological science; understanding of the wider application of
scientific methods in archaeology; demonstration of the mastery of a selected range
of methods and techniques within archaeological science.
Effective for the academic year 2007-2008

Subject specific practical/professional skills in the application of instrumental
techniques to the analysis of archaeological materials; acquisition of advanced skills
in the study of artefacts, biological evidence, archaeological prospection, scientific
dating methods, forensic investigation and cultural resource management, according
to module selection; mathematical and statistical approaches to archaeological data;
acquisition of practical laboratory and/or field skills; the design and completion of a
substantial work of independent study.
 General / transferable skills: Written and oral communication, group working,
independent learning and research, time management, confident use of information
technology, to critically review, synthesise and carry forward professional research in
a specialised area; manage own learning; critically evaluate professional literature in
chosen area and related disciplines.
Among the distinctive features of this course are hands-on experience in the Department’s
laboratories, a wide range of option choices, and a substantial individual research
dissertation.
Curriculum
The course is offered in full-time (1 year) and part-time (2 years) mode. It comprises a core
of compulsory modules to provide the appropriate framework and a range of option choices
to develop specialist skills. Most modules are at M Level, while some choices in up to 20
credits are also available from modules offered at Level 3.
The curriculum may change subject to the University’s course approval, monitoring and
review procedures. The External Examiner for the Course is currently from the University of
Oxford. There is also an External Advisory Board comprising members of the public and
private sector, which meets biannually to advise on departmental strategy and curriculum.
Details about modules, including specific learning outcomes, are available from the module
descriptors. The Masters qualification comprises 180 credits; 60 credits per semester and 60
credits of dissertation. 10 credits are equivalent to 100 student learning hours.
Awards and Progression
(This is a summary only; the full regulations are maintained on the Web at
http://www.brad.ac.uk/admin/acsec/QA_Hbk/Postgrad_Taught_Regs.html.)
To be eligible for the award of the Degree of Master, students must achieve at least 40.0% in
individual modules amounting to 160 Credits and at least 35.0% in individual modules
amounting to the other 20 Credits. Students, who attain an overall weighted average of at
least 70.0% at the initial attempt, including at least 70.0% at the initial attempt in the
dissertation, shall be eligible for the award of the Degree of Master with Distinction; those,
who attain an overall weighted average of at least 60.0% at the initial attempt, including at
least 60.0% at the initial attempt in the dissertation, shall be eligible for the award of the
Degree of Master with Merit.
Details of eligibility criteria for the Postgraduate Certificate and the Postgraduate Diploma are
to be found at the above named Web site.
Admission requirements
A first degree in Archaeology or another relevant or related discipline, normally with an upper
second class degree, or equivalent. Other relevant qualifications will be considered.
Admission onto the courses will be on an individual basis for overseas students, at an
equivalent level to UK entry requirements, on the advice of Student Registry. For North
American students a GPA of at least 2.5 on a scale of 4.0 is required, or an equivalent.
Admissions are made on the basis of suitability for the proposed course; based on
qualifications, references, applications and interview. A completed application form,
references, official transcripts, or a list of courses/modules and grades/marks stamped by the
applicant's undergraduate department or student registry are required of all applicants.
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies
Effective for the academic year 2007-2008
The emphasis of the course is on the learning of fundamental scientific principles across a
number of disciplines (e.g. quantitative methods, statistics, physics, chemistry, biology and
materials science) and applying these to archaeological contexts, drawing on areas of
departmental expertise (e.g. modules such as Scientific Methods of Dating, Biomolecular
Archaeology, Geophysics and Human Osteoarchaeology). The taught components of
Master's courses may be assessed by a variety of methods including examination,
Laboratory reports, Essays, critical reviews, oral presentations, essay plans, independent
project, data analysis tasks, worksheets and project design, depending on the modules
studied. The dissertation then allows a particular area of interest to be developed through
supervised research.
First destination figures for Postgraduate Taught Courses indicate that c. 85% of graduates
achieve work or further studies in the discipline or cognate areas.
Course Structure
Module title
Module
code
AR7012M
AR7001M
AR7101D
AR7112D
AR7003D
AR7126D
AR3003M
AR5303M
AR5103M
AR7004M
AR7014M
AR6102M
AR8105D
Status
Credit
s
10
10
20
20
20
20
10
10
10
10
10
10
20
Semest
er
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
The Nature of Matter***
C
Maths and Quantitative Methods***
C
Archaeology of Human Remains
O
Metallurgy of Ancient and Historic Metals
O
Palaeoeconomy
O
Site Evaluation Strategies
O
Archaeological Conservation *
O
Chronology and Biomolecules*
O
Cultural Resource Management *
O
Human Ecology
O
Soils and Chemical Prospection
O
Forensic Archaeology*
O
Techniques and Interpretation in Instrumental
C
Analysis
Research Skills
AR8119D
C****
20
2
Ceramic Studies *
AR6103M
O
10
2
Degradation
of
Materials
in
Burial AR8127M
O
10
2
Environments
Lithics *
AR4007M
O
10
2
Palaeoecology *
AR5105M
O
10
2
Taphonomy and Chemistry of Human Remains
AR8118M
O
10
2
Archaeological Textiles*
AR6006M
O
10
2
Archaeological Geophysics
AR8104D
O
20
2
Nutritional Archaeology
AR8125M
O
10
2
Advanced Archaeozoology
AR8126M
O
10
2
Dissertation
AR9000Z
C **
60
* Level 3 modules
C = Compulsory
** Subject to progression
O = Optional
***If substantial prior experience in these modules can be demonstrated, they may be
substituted with other modules.
****This module is optional for students studying for the award of Postgraduate Diploma
Student support and guidance
The nature of teaching, learning and research provision at Master’s level creates an intense
working atmosphere, where academic support is largely provided by the Course Manager,
but also by the Chair of Postgraduate Committee/Director of Postgraduate Studies. In
addition, each student will be allocated a personal tutor. There is also study support through
university and departmental handbooks and by module study guides. The support offered by
Effective for the academic year 2007-2008
the Department is enhanced by university infrastructure, such as Library and IT facilities or
the Disabilities Office, Counselling Service, Student Health Centre and Career Development
Service.
Further information
Further information can be found in the Postgraduate Prospectus. More details about the
Department and its courses can be obtained from the Postgraduate Secretary (Department
of Archaeological Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, West Yorkshire BD7 1DP, UK;
Tel +44-(0)1274-235534, Fax +44-(0)1274-235190, Email: archsci@bradford.ac.uk).
Effective for the academic year 2007-2008