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AY5906: DISSERTATION IN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCIENCE (2024-2025)

Last modified: 23 Jul 2024 11:06


Course Overview

This course enables students on the MSc in Biomolecular Archaeology or MSc in Bioarchaeological Science programmes to develop their own research project in archaeological science. Students are expected to demonstrate proficiency in conducting extensive literature review and synthesis, formulating a clear and concise research question, and design and execute practice-oriented research.

Course Details

Study Type Postgraduate Level 5
Term Third Term Credit Points 60 credits (30 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Linus Girdland Flink

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Any Postgraduate Programme
  • Archaeology (AY)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

This course offers students the opportunity to complete a significant piece of original research in archaeological science as part of their studies on the MSc in Biomolecular Archaeology or MSc in Bioarchaeological Science programmes. The Archaeology department offers access to specialist ancient DNA and stable isotope facilities for laboratory-based research, and opportunity to seek access to the Maxwell computing cluster for computing or bioinformatics-based research.

Students will receive one-to-one supervision, by specialists in ancient DNA or stable isotope research, and are expected to autonomously identify a suitable research question, formulate a testable hypothesis, design and execute research that results in original data, conduct critical analysis and interpretation leading to novel insights, and to write up a 15,000-word dissertation (which includes an extensive literature review and synthesis). Upon completing their dissertation projects, students will present their research in a popular science article.

Possible costs for laboratory consumables, reagents, and the generation of data (e.g. DNA sequencing).


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

Project Report/Dissertation

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 90
Assessment Weeks 19 Feedback Weeks

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Word Count: 12,500

Feedback will be provided individually throughout the research process, and in a voluntary joint draft workshop

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualEvaluateReview and critically evaluate current relevant literature
ProceduralAnalyseAnalyse and interpret data appropriately
ProceduralUnderstandUnderstand how to identify, correctly cite, and assess the reliability of written and electronic sources of information
ReflectionCreateDesign, plan and execute an original research project on one aspect or issue related to archaeological science in an ethical manner

Popular Piece

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 10
Assessment Weeks 19 Feedback Weeks 22

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Feedback will be provided following internal and external exam board

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualEvaluateReview and critically evaluate current relevant literature
ProceduralAnalyseAnalyse and interpret data appropriately
ProceduralUnderstandUnderstand how to identify, correctly cite, and assess the reliability of written and electronic sources of information
ReflectionCreateDesign, plan and execute an original research project on one aspect or issue related to archaeological science in an ethical manner

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ProceduralAnalyseAnalyse and interpret data appropriately
ConceptualEvaluateReview and critically evaluate current relevant literature
ProceduralUnderstandUnderstand how to identify, correctly cite, and assess the reliability of written and electronic sources of information
ReflectionCreateDesign, plan and execute an original research project on one aspect or issue related to archaeological science in an ethical manner

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