Postgraduate: Course rule and topic information

Master of Archaeology

(MArchaeol)

Program of Study

INTRODUCTION

The Master of Archaeology is a 72-unit coursework program offered by the Faculty of Education, Humanities, Law and Theology. The course is offered on a fee-paying basis and may be taken over four semesters full-time, or the equivalent part-time.

The Master of Archaeology articulates with the 18-unit Graduate Certificate in Archaeology and the 36-unit Graduate Diploma in Archaeology.

Students may choose to exit from the Master of Archaeology with the Graduate Certificate in Archaeology or Graduate Diploma in Archaeology, provided that they have met the requirements for these degrees.

COURSE AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to meet the research and professional needs of graduates with an interest in Australian archaeology and archaeological field practice.

It aims to increase the theoretical knowledge, research skills and applied skills required to develop appropriate depth of understanding of issues in a number of related specialisations in archaeology and to provide students with the opportunity to complete a substantial research project.

The course draws on both theoretical and practical material and provides the opportunity for students to apply both the principles and the practical skills developed during the course.

Learning outcomes

Upon graduating successfully, students will be equipped to:

• enter the workforce as skilled and knowledgeable professional archaeologists;
• understand the requirements of undertaking archaeological fieldwork and be able to employ a wide range of advanced fieldwork methods and techniques on any archaeological research project;
• understand major issues in Australian archaeology, conservation and archaeological field methods and practice and be able to apply this knowledge to a wide range of practical situations;
• undertake large-scale archaeological research or consultancy projects;
• undertake their work as professional archaeologists in an ethical manner.

COURSE RULE

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must normally hold:

1. an approved bachelor degree or equivalent qualification in Archaeology or a related discipline from an approved tertiary institution and have achieved a grade point average of 5.6 in the upper level topics in the major sequence in Archaeology or a closely related discipline, or
2. a Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or an equivalent qualification from an approved tertiary institution in one of the following disciplines and have achieved a grade point average of 5.6 in this award: Archaeology, Cultural Heritage Management, Maritime Archaeology or a closely related discipline, or
3. an approved Honours degree in Archaeology or a closely related discipline from an approved tertiary institution. Under exceptional circumstances and subject to specific conditions, the Faculty Board may admit others who can show evidence of fitness for candidature.

CREDIT

Students who have successfully completed the requirements of the Graduate Certificate in Archaeology, on admission to the Masters degree, receive 18 units of specified credit towards the course. Students who have successfully completed the requirements of the Graduate Diploma in Archaeology, on admission to the Masters degree, receive 36 units of specified credit towards the course. Students who have successfully completed the requirements of an approved Honours degree in Archaeology or a closely related discipline may be eligible to receive up to 36 units of credit on admission to the course.

Unspecified credit may, under certain circumstances, and subject to specific conditions, be granted for candidates who show relevant and extensive experience.

PROGRAM OF STUDY [November, 2008]

To qualify for the Master of Archaeology a student must complete 72 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the following program of study:

Core topics

33-51 units from the following topics:

Up to 18 units may be taken from the following topics: