Master's Programme in Environmental Archaeology, 120 credits

Degree

After completing the study programme, a student who has applied for a degree certificate can obtain a Master of Arts (120 credits) according to the local descriptor established by the Vice-Chancellor (see Umeå University's website). The Swedish translation of Degree of Master of Arts (120 credits) is Filosofie masterexamen. The degree is awarded in Environmental archaeology.

A student who chooses to study only the first two semesters of the programme can apply to receive a Degree of Master of Arts (60 credits) in accordance with the local degree descriptor established by the Vice-Chancellor (see Umeå University's website). The Swedish translation of Degree of Master of Arts (60 credits) is Filosofie magisterexamen. The degree is awarded in Environmental archaeology.

A master's degree requires a total of at least 30 credits of independent project or thesis. In order to be able to carry out a 30 credits Master's thesis with a specialist focus, it is required that the student studies 15 credits in analysis specialization before or can prove equivalent prior knowledge.

Description of the education for current education cycle

This education is offered at the second cycle level (Advanced). Expectations for second- cycle courses and study programs can be found in Chapter 1, Section 9 of the Higher Education Act.

National goals for current degree

The national aims for qualification are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance's Annex 2.

Local goals for current degree

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

• have a sound knowledge of theories, sources and methods relevant to environmental archaeology.
• be able to relate environmental archaeological scientific method to other scientific traditions.
• be able to place environmental archaeological research in its historical context.

Proficiency and aptitude

• be able to manage, analyse and critically review large and diverse sources.
• have demonstrated the ability to make oral, graphical and written presentations of their own and others' research orientated towards a variety of audiences.
• be able to integrate scientific and humanistic approaches in a project to increase his or her effectiveness as a contract archaeologist or scientist
• be able to actively participate in current debates on environmental archaeology in archaeological research and consultancy.
• be able to critically appraise popular beliefs about the past, with particular focus on past environmental and climatic change.

Ability to assess and approach

• have demonstrated source critical thinking.
• have demonstrated the ability to define and solve problems as well as an interdisciplinary approach towards environmental archaeology.
• have a working knowledge of relevant current research.

Examination format

Details of examination procedures and forms can be found in the individual course curricula.

Grades

Each syllabus sets out the grades used in the course.

Transfer of Credits

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.

General

This program is relevant for those wishing to:

• build a career in environmental archaeology, palaeoecology, Quaternary geology or other similar scientific subjects
• complement previous training with a strong skills set for excavation, analysis, interpretation and presentation of archaeological and environmental archaeological data.
• learn transferable skills applicable to a wide variety of lab based, quantitative and qualitative methods.
• understand environmental and climate change from a long term perspective, and understand how such change relates to the sustainability of societies.
  
  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.
  If students choose English courses, the degree can be read in its entirety in English.

In year 1 students follow four 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.

Programme structure

SEMESTER 1
Environmental Archaeology: Methods in Theory and Practice 30 credits

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

Generalist path

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

Specialist 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.

SEMESTER 4
Master thesis - 30 credits

Core courses
The following are mandatory core courses within the programme:

Environmental Archaeology: Methods in Theory and Practice 30 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

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).

Deferment of studies

Information on deferment of studies is available on Umeå University's website.

Approved leave from studies

Students who leave the study programme must notify the programme study guidance officer of the interruption of studies.

Discontinuation

Information on approved leave from studies is available on Umeå University's website.