• Total units 24 Units
  • Areas of interest Archaeology, Biological Anthropology
  • Specialisation code BAFA-SPEC
  • Academic career Postgraduate
Bioarchaeology and Forensic Anthropology Specialisation

This is a Biological Anthropology specialisation which focuses on the study of skeletal biology in bioarchaeology and forensic anthropology/ archaeology. Students will gain skills, knowledge, and training in: reconstructing ancient human lifeways, behaviour, health, and disease using human skeletal remains from archaeological contexts; and identifying recent human remains and estimating time-since and manner of death. This specialisation focuses heavily on skeletal anatomy, structure, variation, and metabolic processes involved in skeletal growth and function in humans and animal models. Students are offered a broad grounding in theory and techniques needed to pursue original research and/ or gain relevant professional skills in areas of bioarchaeology and/or forensic anthropology/archaeology.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

  1. understand human skeletal biology in archaeological and forensic contexts;
  2. understand the theories, methods and practice of forensic anthropology, bioarchaeology, and forensic archaeology;
  3. apply bioarchaeological and forensic anthropology methods in the field, laboratory and written form;
  4. undertake a research project in bioarchaeology and/or forensic anthropology.

Back to the top

Requirements

This specialisation requires the completion of 24 units from the following list:

ARCH6521 Archaeology of Death and Mortuary Practices

ARCH8030 Archaeological Science Research Project 1

ARCH8031 Archaeological Science Research Project 2

ARCH8037 Masterclass in Archaeological and Evolutionary Science

ARCH8040 Microanalysis in Archaeological Science

BIAN6510 Scientific Dating in Archaeology and Palaeoenvironmental Studies

BIAN6512 Ancient Health and Disease

BIAN6515 Forensic Anthropology and Archaeology

BIAN6517 Human Skeletal Analysis

BIAN8005 Theory Seminar in Biological Anthropology

BIAN8009 Stable Isotopes in Archaeology and Biological Anthropology

BIAN8010 Ancient Behaviour: Advanced Topics in Bioarchaeology

Back to the top

Responsible Officer: Registrar, Student Administration / Page Contact: Website Administrator / Frequently Asked Questions