Archaeological Science (MSc)

How will I be taught?

Teaching is delivered via lectures, laboratory sessions, interactive workshops and tutorials, in addition to visits to relevant local resources such as the National Museum Wales and local heritage organisations.

Lectures take a range of forms but generally provide a broad structure for each subject, an introduction to key concepts and relevant up-to-date information. The Archaeological Science Master's provides student with bespoke training in scientific techniques during laboratory sessions. This includes developing practical skills in the identification, recording and analysis of archaeological materials during hands on laboratory sessions. These range from macroscopic e.g. bone identification, to microscopic e.g. material identification or status with light based or scanning electron microscopy, to sample selection, preparation and analysis e.g. isotopic or aDNA and include health and safety and laboratory management skills. Students will be able to develop specialist practical skills in at least one area of study. In workshops and seminars, you will have the opportunity to discuss themes or topics, to receive and consolidate feedback on your individual learning and to develop skills in oral presentation.

This programme is based within the School of History, Archaeology and Religion and taught by academic staff from across Cardiff University and by external speakers.

All taught modules within the programme are compulsory and you are expected to attend all lectures, laboratory sessions and other timetabled sessions. Students will receive supervision to help them complete the dissertation, but are also expected to engage in considerable independent study.

How will I be assessed?

The 120 credits of taught Modules within Stage 1 of the Programme are assessed through in-course assessments, including:

• Extended essays
• Oral presentations
• Poster presentations
• Statistical assignments
• Critical appraisals
• Practical skills tests
• Data reports
• Research designs

You must successfully complete the taught component of the programme before progressing to Stage 2 where assessment is:

• Dissertation (16-20,000 words)

How will I be supported?

All Modules within the Programme make extensive use of Cardiff University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Blackboard, on which students will find course materials and links to related materials. Students will be supervised when undertaking their dissertation. Supervision will include scheduled regular meetings to discuss progress, provide advice and guidance; and provide written feedback on draft dissertation contents.

Feedback
Students will receive written feedback on all assessments, in addition to oral feedback on assessed oral/poster presentations, provided within a maximum of four weeks from submission.

Personal Tutor

We offer one-to-one time in set office hours during teaching weeks, and welcome email contact. Additionally, you can make appointments to see your personal tutor on a one-to-one basis about any issue.  Our professional services team is also available for advice and support. Your personal tutor is your contact point to discuss any problems arising from the course. Further queries should be addressed to the School’s Director of Postgraduate Taught Students.

Research Community

An active research seminar programme in Archaeology and Conservation, along with interdisciplinary postgraduate research seminars provide opportunities for discussion across the School and the University, and provides a creative environment in which you will be encouraged to develop your own ideas.

Facilities

You will be provided with laboratory coats and access to our bioarchaeology and bioanalytical laboratories. These house a large collection of skeletal, molluscan and botanical material from modern samples, which is used as a comparative source for the identification of archaeological specimens. These also provide a full suite of equipment for bioarchaeological sample preparation and analysis, for example freeze-driers, drilling equipment, air abrasion, extraction hoods, ovens and hot blocks. 

There are separate X-Ray and microscopy laboratories which boast an excellent collection of analytical equipment (e.g. FTIR) in addition to SEM and light microscopy. Visualisation of materials and results is enhanced by our photographic equipment, computing facilities and digital illustration suite. Our collections also include a range of 3D printed resources, such as macro versions of microscopic pollen grains. A postgraduate room offers a dedicated space for individual work and informal contact with other students.

Outside the school, you will have access to a range of resources within Cardiff University, this includes aDNA preparation and analysis, Mass spectroscopy, TEM, MicroCT and more. A range of isotope analyses are undertaken in collaboration with School of Earth and Ocean Sciences, including carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and strontium. Finally, Cardiff University libraries hold over 1.3 million printed books and 775k online books and journals including an extensive, established and wide ranging archaeological collection.

What skills will I practise and develop?

You will acquire and develop a range of valuable skills specific to archaeological science as well as generic ‘employability skills’. Through the programme, you will develop technical laboratory skills and be presented with opportunities to extend your communication and presentation skills, both written and orally. You will acquire specific skills, such as the ability to collect, analyse and interpret a range of complex quantitative and qualitative data. You will also develop valuable laboratory research-based skills, through the completion of a dissertation.

Graduates from this Programme will be able to:

• Independently generate and analyse primary scientific research data in a laboratory context
• Explain and critique the principles and methods of the major modes of analysis in archaeological science
• Synthesise archaeological science research in investigating past societies
• Debate the core principles, current themes and controversial issues in archaeological science
• Formulate archaeological science research plans using a range of techniques
• Critically evaluate knowledge at the forefront of a range of archaeological science
• Undertake and accurately perform various laboratory-based methodologies relevant to archaeological science research.
• Collect, evaluate, synthesise and interpret qualitative and quantitative data in a variety of ways; and assess means to gather new data where required.

What are the learning outcomes of this course/programme?

Knowledge & Understanding:

On successful completion of this programme you will demonstrate:

• The ability to judge and critique the interpretative potential and limits of a suite of analyses in archaeological science
• The ability to appraise scientific methods, data and formulate an interpretation based on this
• The ability to produce, recommend and defend programmes of scientific analysis in academic and commercial archaeology

Intellectual Skills:

On successful completion of this programme you will demonstrate:

• A critical awareness of practical, analytical and interpretative approaches in archaeological science
• Independent analysis and interpretation
• The ability to devise analytical strategies considering materials, stakeholders, finance, ethics and cultural context
• The ability to synthesise wide-ranging information pertaining to archaeological science to verify interpretation

Professional Practical Skills:

On successful completion of this programme you will demonstrate:

• The ability to source, synthesise and critically assess data from subject specific journals and books, including research and advanced scholarship
• Advanced laboratory and/or field skills in the study of archaeological artefacts, materials and/or ecofacts
• Proficiency in a selected range of methods and techniques within archaeological science
• The ability to produce and critically analyse original scientific datasets using statistical and graphical approaches to inform interpretation
• The ability to compose research designs for programmes of analysis in academic and commercial archaeology

Transferable/Key Skills:

On successful completion of this programme you will demonstrate:

• The ability to use bibliographic and other research techniques to interrogate specialist topics in detail
• Clear, concise and persuasive oral and written presentations to suit a range of audiences
• The ability to produce independent analysis and interpretation drawing on primary source material
• The ability to operate safely in laboratory environments; to understand, produce and follow standards and H&S procedures such as Risk Assessments
• Critical self-awareness: self-reflection; self-management; time management; and the ability to continue to learn through reflection on practice and experience
• The ability to act autonomously in planning, defending, implementing and analysing work