Swedish name: Masterprogram i Miljöarkeologi
This programme syllabus is valid: HT24 and until further notice
Programme syllabus for programmes starting HT24
Programme syllabus for programmes starting HT15 and until HT24
Programme code: HAMAM
Credit points: 120
Responsible faculty: Faculty of Art
Revised by: Faculty director of studies, Faculty of arts, 2024-08-09
A Bachelor's degree or equivalent within archaeology, environmental archaeology, Quaternary geology, physical geography or comparable major, or equivalent. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English A/5. Where the language of instruction is Swedish, applicants must prove proficiency in Swedish to the level required for basic eligibility for higher studies.
Degree of Master or Arts. The degree is issued in environmental archaeology.
The education is at an advanced level (second cycle). The aims for second-cycle courses and study programmes are set out in the Higher Education Act, Chapter 1 Section 9.
The national aims for qualification are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance's Annex 2.
To be granted a Master's Degree in Environmental Archaeology at Umeå University, in addition to the National goals the student must:
Knowledge and understanding
Proficiency and aptitude
Ability to assess and approach
Details of examination procedures and forms can be found in the individual course curricula.
Each syllabus sets out the grades used in the course.
A student who believes to have gained knowledge from previous relevant studies or professional experience that may be equivalent to a course or part of a course in the programme can apply for transfer of credits. Granting a transfer of credits means that the student will not have to study the parts of the programme included in the decision. Information on transfer of credits is available on Umeå University's website.
This program is relevant for those wishing to:
Degree structure
The Master's degree program is highly problem and-solution oriented with an emphasis on the learning of transferable skills, through their application in environmental archaeology, that can be used in a professional or research career.
The degree can be read in its entirety in English.
In year 1 students follow five core courses (60 credits), including a Magister thesis (15 credits) that may be used as part of a Magister qualification (one year Master's degree).
In year 2, students follow a 30 credit core course (Master thesis) and select one of two paths that either allow them to go deeper into a particular set of methods (15 credits) and choose optional/elective courses (15 credits); or choose 30 credits of optional/elective courses. Students may choose to take an internship amounting to 15 credits. The student is expected to be actively involved in the planning of and search for a suitable internship position.
Outline
SEMESTER 1
Environmental archaeology - field and laboratory methods - 15 credits
Module 1. Field methods in environmental archaeology
Module 2. Laboratory methods
Environmental archaeology - advanced study in theory and methodology - 15 credits
Module 1. Theory and history of environmental archaeology research
Module 2. Methodology and case studies
SEMESTER 2
GIS for environmental archaeology and archaeology - 7.5 credits
Environmental archaeology - problem orientation, research planning and applications, 7,5 credits
Magister thesis - 15 credits
SEMESTER 3
Specialist path | Generalist path |
E.g. archaeobotany, geoarchaeology, palaeoentomology, palynology, digital environmental archaeology | |
Optional/elective courses - 15 credits External (see right) or internal in environmental archaeology; or internship/work placement Methodological specialisation - 15 credits Detailed studies in a (few) method(s) (insects/pollen/macrofossils/ geoarchaeology...) as independent work. | Optional/elective courses - 30 credits Either outside of or within environmental archaeology, and/or internship/work placement. Example courses: Botany/Entomology/Biology Quaternary geology/palaeoecology Geology/Earth Sciences Statistics/Advanced GIS/Biostatistics Project management/planning |
SEMESTER 4
Master thesis - 30 credits
Core courses
The following are mandatory core courses within the programme:
Environmental archaeology - field and laboratory methods 15 credits
Environmental archaeology - advanced study in theory and methodology 15 credits
GIS for environmental archaeology and archaeology 7,5 credits
Environmental archaeology - problem orientation, research planning and applications, 7,5 credits
Magister thesis in environmental archaeology 15 credits
Master thesis in environmental archaeology 30 credits
Students aiming to acquire a Magister (one year Master's) degree may do so after year 1. The Magister thesis (15 credits) will count as the Magister dissertation.
The Master's degree qualification requires a total of at least 30 credits of project or dissertation/thesis work. Students wishing to write their Master thesis within the specialist path are required to take 15 credits of methodological specialisation (specialist path, see above) beforehand or otherwise demonstrate the required skills.
Teaching consists mainly of tutorials, seminars and exercises.
Elective courses
The following are elective courses within the programme:
Practical training in environmental archaeology 15 credits
Environmental archaeology - methodological specialisation 15 credits
Work placement and internships (within the course Practical training in environmental archaeology) must be arranged by the students themselves.
Optional courses
Students may read up to 30 credits of optional courses within the framework of the programme. These courses may be taken at either Umeå University or other universities, and can be used to tailor the student's education to their specific interests or requirements.
Degree project/Independent project
For a Masters degree students must have completed the equivalent of an independent project (degree project/thesis) of at least 30 credits in their main field of study. This work may comprise of less than 30 credits, but no less than 15 credits, if the student has already completed an advanced level independent project of at least 15 credits in the main field of study (or equivalent).
Information on deferment of studies is available on Umeå University's website.
Students who leave the study programme must notify the programme study guidance officer of the interruption of studies.
Information on approved leave from studies is available on Umeå University's website.
In order to continue on to year 2, students must have completed at least 30 programme credits by the start of the second year.