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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
BSc (Hons) [National Qualifications Framework level H]
Bioarchaeology
3 or 4 years full-time; 6 years part-time
F4C9, F4CX
Archaeology
not applicable
original: June 2000; last updated: May 2009
Archaeology 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'. BSc Bioarchaeology has as its focus the relationship between
biology and archaeology and emphasises both the application of biological data to questions of
archaeological significance and the ecological and biological concepts underpinning interpretation of
such evidence. A characteristic of Bradford's approach is the examination of human-environment
interactions within a chronological framework, which provides a time-depth perspective of contemporary
concerns such as ecosystems, globalisation and sustainability.
This degree programme provides
excellence in a comprehensive range of bioarchaeological and archaeological topics, with emphasis on
both teaching and research, and aims to:





deliver flexible programmes of study in Bioarchaeology, that reflect areas of staff expertise;
encourage the development of independent learning skills, by providing a supportive, structured
environment;
develop subject knowledge and understanding, and provide training in discipline skills to enable
graduates to pursue further programmes of study or careers in archaeology or related practice;
develop personal transferable skills to enable a significant proportion of graduates to pursue
further programmes of study or careers in non-cognate fields;
provide educational opportunities for mature and alternatively qualified students, as well as for
school-leavers and traditionally qualified students.
The Department has an excellent research profile, which supports the teaching in all areas. Throughout
the course, you will acquire skills that will be useful not only in Archaeology, but in whatever profession
you choose to follow. These include project and time management, critical review and analytical
thinking, presentational skills, computer and other applied IT skills and the management of data. These
will be taught, practised and assessed. They are listed on the front cover of this document as personal
transferable skills. Since 1994, less than 8% of our graduates were still seeking work six months after
completing their studies.
Learning outcomes indicate what a graduate should know and understand, and be able to do on
successful completion of one of the programmes. They have been developed with reference to the
Archaeology subject benchmark, published by the QAAHE. When you have completed the BSc (Hons) in
Bioarchaeology you will be able to:
Knowledge and Understanding
A1. Appraise theories of human biocultural evolution
A2. Review archaeological theory and practice; the archaeology of the British Isles, the scientific
principles underlying archaeology, landscape development and the formation and nature of the
archaeological record
A3. Evaluate archaeological field monuments and landscape; principles and methods of
environmental archaeology; the impact of climatic and natural events to the archaeological
record; concepts of archaeological chronology and scientific dating techniques; subsistence
strategies
A4. Appraise the scientific principles underlying archaeology:
A5. Classify botanical and faunal assemblages
A6. Review theories of population and community ecology, and evolutionary theory (e.g. hominid and
primate evolution)
A7. Review the administrative legislative and financial context of modern archaeology;
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A8. Evaluate sampling strategies and excavation and recording techniques;
A9. Evaluate growth, decline and sustainability of different human societies within different
environmental contexts;
Discipline Skills
B1. Recognise and handle archaeological artefacts and materials;
B2. Interpret stratigraphic sequences and archaeological evidence
B3. Formulate a research design;
B4. Apply a variety of scientific techniques;
B5. Design and complete a substantial work of independent study;
B6. Apply practical field surveying and present survey data;;
B7. Identify and interpret archaeobotanical and archaeofaunal evidence, and/or human and hominid
skeletal evidence
B8. Recover, analyse and interpret bioarchaeological assemblages
B9. Interpret past ecosystems
Personal Transferable Skills
C1. Employ skills in critical thinking and data evaluation, numerical and statistical techniques;
independent learning and research, and team working;
C2. Prepare curriculum vitae;
C3. Evaluate scientific concepts;
C4. Present within a conference format;
C5. Employ IT and computer assisted learning skills; written and oral communication skills; time
management skills; analytical, numerical and problem-solving skills
A distinctive feature of all awards is the possibility of including a one-year placement between stages two
and three, which leads to an independent Diploma of Professional Archaeological Studies, recognised by
the Institute of Field Archaeologists. Fieldwork, which contributes to each of the awards, takes place
during the summer vacation between stages one and two: recent sites include Pompeii, southern Spain,
the Yorkshire Dales, Hadrian’s Wall, and Cambridgeshire. Staff research informs much of the curriculum,
especially in the final stage (the department was awarded a grade 5 in the latest Research Assessment
Exercise) and our QAAHE subject review result in November 2000 was ‘excellent’.
Curricula for all awards in the Department of Archaeological Sciences
Although this document addresses the BSc (Hons) in Bioarchaeology, the map of the curriculum shows
the core (C) and optional (O) units for each of the awards offered by the department. The common first
year allows you to progress to a BA (Hons) in Archaeology, BSc (Hons) in Archaeology, Archaeological
Sciences, or Bioarchaeology in stages two and three.
Notes for the curricula
In stages 1 and 3, 120 credits are studied across two semesters at each stage; in stage 2, 100 credits
are studied across two semesters.
Fieldwork worth 20 credits is undertaken during the summer
vacation between stages 1 and 2.
The curriculum may change, subject to the University's course approval, monitoring and review
procedures, as developments are made each year. More detail, including learning outcomes, is available
for each unit.
Three years or four years?
You may undertake a placement between stages two and three. It is quite clear that students who do
undertake a placement not only have an even better chance of employment, but also tend to gain a
higher classification in their degree award. You will also receive a Diploma of Professional
Archaeological Studies when you complete the placement successfully.
When you have completed the placement, you will have acquired the following:
 Discipline Skills, according to the specific programme of training, including geophysical or
aerial survey; excavation/fieldwork; post-excavation; artefact conservation and finds
management; artefact analysis; scientific dating; Sites and Monument Record management;
education, heritage and museum work; forensic investigation.
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
Personal Transferable Skills, including further development of communication, problemsolving, administrative and IT skills; time management; the ability to work independently; selfmotivation; adaptability; team working.
Progression: a summary (the full progression regulations are maintained on the Web)

To pass and proceed from each stage to the next including eligibility to undertake the placement,
and also to be eligible for a classified Honours award, you must achieve at least 40% in 100
credits and 35% in the other 20 credits
The class and division of the undergraduate Honours degree that you are awarded is based on the
overall weighted marks that you receive for each stage. Stage 2 contributes 30%, and stage 3
contributes 70%. The degree is normally awarded on the basis of the following minimum final overall
weighted average marks:
70.0% or above:
60.0% or above:
50.0% or above:
Otherwise:
First Class Honours
Second Class Honours – First Division
Second Class Honours – Second Division
Third Class Honours
If you complete Stage 1 successfully, you are eligible for a Certificate of Higher Education; if you
complete stage 2 successfully, you are eligible for a Diploma of Higher Education. The learning
outcomes for these awards and the final award are consistent with those of the Framework for Higher
Education Qualifications and its descriptors.
If you do not satisfy the Stage 1 progression rules you may be eligible to transfer to the Ordinary Degree
in Stage 2. The Ordinary degree comprises 80 credits at Stages 2 and 3, which may be chosen from
the range of modules delivered on the Honours programme. On completion of the Ordinary degree you
may be allowed to take additional credits to top up to an Honours Degree.
unit code
credits
sem level
unit title
AR1107M
AR1006D
AR1108D
AR3204D
AR2303D
AR2007D
20
20
20
20
20
20
1
1
1
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
Archaeology of the British Isles
Archaeological theory and method
Human Evolution
Scientific Frameworks in Archaeology
People and Landscapes
Humans: Past and Present
AR3010D
AR3506M
AR3107D
AR3201D
AR3012D
20
10
20
20
20
vac
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
AR3102D
EN2007D
EN2003D
AR4201D
AR3013M
AR3101D
AR4104D
EN2314D
20
20
20
20
10
20
20
20
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
4
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
Archaeology Field Course
Theoretical Archaeology
Ecology and Bioarchaeology
Physics, Chemistry and Materials Science
Britain and Ireland in the Neolithic and Early Bronze
Age 4000-1000BC
Roman Britain
Geomorphology
Environmental Impact Assessment
Instrumental analysis
Cultural Resource Management
Hunter Gatherers: Present and Past
Iron Age Europe
Introduction to GIS
AR5305K
AR8128D
AR5002D
AR8124D
AR5301D
AR8125D
40
20
20
20
20
20
5,6
5
5
5
5
5
3
3
3
3
3
3
Individual Project
Forensic Archaeology
Human Osteoarchaeology
Archaeometry
Adaptation, Continuity and Change in an Island System
Archaeological Conservation
Effective for the academic year 2009-2010
Arch Arch Arch
Sci (BSc) (BA)
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
O
C
O1
C
C
O3
O3
O4
Bio
Arch
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
-
C
C
C
-
O5
O7
O7
O
O
C
O1
O
C
C
O4
O
O3
C
O5
O
C
O1
O1
O
O4
O4
O
O5
O5
O
O7
O7
O
C◊
O
O
C
O
O
C◊
O
O
C◊
O
-
C◊
O
O
O
O
O
O8
O
O
O6
O
© 2002 University of Bradford
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EN3325D
AR5306D
AR8132D
AR8129D
AR8130D
AR8126D
AR8123D
EN3326D
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
5
5
5
6
6
6
6
6
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Geohazards: Past, Present, and Future.
Plants and Animals in Past Societies
Reconstructing Past Environments
From Site to Page
Geophysics and Remote Sensing
Archaeometallurgy
Artefact Studies
Introduction to GIS
O
O
O
O
O2
2
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O8
O8
C
O
O6
C
O
O
O
O
C
O
O
O
O
O
O
1
BSc Arch Sci students must take at least one of these modules
Arch Sci students must take at least one of these modules
3 BSc Archaeology students must take at least one of these modules
4 BSc Archaeology students must take at least one of these modules
5 BA Archaeology students must take at least two of these modules
6 BA Archaeology students must take at least one of these modules
7 BSc Bioarchaeology students must take at least one of these modules
8 BSc Archeaology students must take at least one of these modules
C◊ This module is core for students registered on the Honours degree programmes but optional for
students registered on the Ordinary Degree programmes.
2 BSc
Students with particular specialist interests may undertake up to 20 credits from Level 3 at Stage 2 and
10 credits from Level M at Stage 3.
Admission requirements
We admit between 50 and 60 undergraduate students each year. You will need to fulfil the University's
general entrance requirements
Offers are made following detailed consideration of each individual application. Most important in the
decision to offer a place is our assessment of a candidate's potential to benefit from their studies and of
their ability to succeed on this particular course. Entrance requirements will vary but are set after
consideration of each candidate's academic background, achievements and all other relevant
experience. A typical offer to someone seeking entry through the UCAS main scheme would be 240
points (CCC) with preferably one Science A level or equivalent).
Applications are welcome from candidates with non-standard qualifications (eg Science Foundation
Course, BTEC, a 12 unit VCE Double award in science, Scottish Higher or Irish Leaving Certificate,
International Baccalaureate, GNVQ or Access qualifications in science) or, lacking academic
qualifications, having significant relevant experience. Up to 40 students are admitted to Stage 1 each
year.
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies
The teaching and learning strategy takes into consideration the learning outcomes, progression through
the levels of study, the nature of the subject and the student intake, and the need for you to take greater
responsibility for your own learning as you progress through the course.
Stage one provides a foundation for any of the awards offered by the Department of Archaeological
Sciences. You will develop knowledge and understanding of archaeological principles, and laboratory
skills. In stage two, you will take your skills further and specialise via a range of core and programme
dependent options, field skills, material and case studies and practical training. The optional Diploma of
Professional Studies is taken between stage two and stage three and gives you the opportunity to
undertake a specific programme of work and training, developing a wide range of skills. In stage three,
you will gain tremendous benefit by completing a substantial project, working on your own but with
supervision from a member of staff. This will give you the opportunity not only to increase your specialist
subject knowledge, but also to demonstrate your ability to undertake independent study. The assessment
strategy is designed to support the learning outcomes of each course and each specific module. A wide
range of formative and summative assessment methods are used, including essays, worksheets,
laboratory reports, poster and oral presentations, reflective journals and examinations.
Student support and guidance
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The university and the department have a well-deserved reputation in this area, acknowledged by our
QAAHE subject review. You will be allocated a personal tutor, but in practice all members of staff operate
an open-door policy, so there will always be someone to talk to about academic or personal issues.
Personal tutors and dissertation supervisors also provide guidance for your personal development
planning. During your placement you will be visited by your personal tutor and supported by the
Placements Tutor and Placements Secretary. You will also be supported in your studies by university
and departmental student handbooks and by module study guides. The support provided by the
Department is enhanced by a strong university infrastructure, including particularly the Disabilities Office
and the Careers Service, and by 24-hour access to Library and Computing facilities. We have
considerable experience of working with students with specific needs, for example disabilities or caring
responsibilities, to ensure that they are able to participate fully in the courses.
Further information
If you would like more information about the University of Bradford, please check the undergraduate
prospectus. More details about the department and its courses can be obtained from the Admissions
Tutor.
Effective for the academic year 2009-2010
© 2002 University of Bradford