The MA in Human Osteoarchaeology is a full-time programme running for 12 months from the date of first registration for the programme.

In order to be admitted to the MA in Human Osteoarchaeology an applicant must have an honours primary degree or equivalent with a minimum of 60% in Archaeology. All applicants will be required to attend for interview. Candidates below this minimum mark who can demonstrate substantial professional experience in Archaeology may also apply.

It is possible for students who have a primary degree in a cognate subject to undertake a Higher Diploma in Arts (Archaeology). This qualification will enable prospective students to apply for this MA programme; it will not, however, grant automatic entry to the MA programme.

In Semester 1 students will be required to attend lectures, seminars, practicals and field trips for all taught modules. In Semesters 2 and 3 students will develop a particular topic into a 20,000 word dissertation. The dissertation is to be completed by the end of September of the first year from the date of first registration for the programme.

Students take 90 credits as follows:

Part I
AN6001 Regional and Topographical Anatomy (10 credits)
AR6009 Mortuary Theory (5 credits)
AR6011 Biocultural Approaches to Human Remains (5 credits)
AR6012 Palaeopathology Seminar (5 credits)
AR6014 Osteoarchaeology Laboratory (10 credits)
ST2001 Introduction to Biostatistics (5 credits)

Elective module (5 credits)
Students must also select one higher level undergraduate module chosen from those listed in the Book of Modules and subject to the written approval of the Programme Co-ordinator, the Head of the relevant School(s)/Department(s) and the module co-ordinator of the proposed module, and provided that the student has not already taken the same or equivalent module in their undergraduate studies.

Part II
AR6003 Dissertation in Human Osteoarchaeology (45 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2016 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules 2015/2016.

Postgraduate Certificate in Human Osteoarchaeology
Candidates who pass at least 30 credits of taught modules may opt to exit the programme and be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Human Osteoarchaeology.

Programme Learning Outcomes for MA in Human Osteoarchaeology (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Apply knowledge and understanding of the history of development of bioarchaeology and its relationship to other archaeological and biological sub-disciplines;
• Apply knowledge of human biological variability and its relevance to cultural, historical and archaeological contexts;
• Apply knowledge of a range of bioarchaeological methods which involve the quantification and analysis of age at death, sex, activity patterns, growth and development and pathological conditions identifiable in human remains;
• Provide differential diagnoses for observed pathological conditions in dry bone;
• Record, quantify and analyse bioarchaeological data within an archaeological context, and present the data in different forms;
• Design a research project in bioarchaeology and implement same;
• Communicate effectively with the archaeological community and with society at large.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Certificate in Human Osteoarchaeology (NFQ Level 9, Minor Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Apply knowledge and understanding of the history of development of bioarchaeology and its relationship to the broader discipline of archaeology;
• Apply knowledge of human biological variability and its relevance to cultural, historical and archaeological contexts;
• Apply knowledge of a range of bioarchaeological methods which involve the quantification and analysis of age at death, sex, activity patterns, growth and development and pathological conditions identifiable in human remains;
• Record, quantify and analyse bioarchaeological data within an archaeological context, and present the data in different forms.