Coastal and Marine Archaeology

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Coastlines provide very diverse and variable conditions for human settlement. They offer some of the most ecologically variable and geologically dynamic environments available and are subject to a wide range of processes on a variety of temporal and spatial scales including sea level change.

These processes in their turn have a large impact on the changing ecological character of marine and coastal environments, the palaeogeographical configuration of coastlines, and the visibility and preservation of archaeological evidence. This course will examine these variables and their archaeological significance, including the rapidly expanding field of submerged landscapes and underwater prehistory.

In each of the Autumn and Spring terms each taught masters student will:

(i) take a 20-credit 'signature' module for his/her masters programme.

(ii) choose a 20-credit 'supplementary' module

(iii) take two 5-credit 'research skills' module.

After Easter, students give an assessed lecture to their peers on a topic of their choice, after which they embark on a dissertation, again on a subject of their choice, supervised by a member of staff over the Summer.

Over the autumn and spring terms you will take:

* two core 20 credit modules
* two option 20 credit modules
* four 5 credit skills modules

In the summer you will carry out research for your dissertation and give an Assessed Lecture on your dissertation topic.

Core modules * Coastal landscapes
* Coastal settlement and economy

Recommended option modules * Bones: matters of life and death
* Becoming human: evolving minds and societies
* The context and practice of gathering field archaeology data
* Concepts of landscape
* Mesolithic theory and interpretation
* Bones: from data to interpretation
* Ancient biomolecules
* Analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of field archaeology data
* Themes in the prehistoric landscape

Recommended skills modules * Zooarchaeology: anatomy and identification
* Artefacts
* Geophysical survey
* Geoarchaeology
* Zooarchaeology: exploring the assemblage
* Human bone 2
* Narrating our pasts
* Topographical survey
* Working on the web
* Geographical information systems (GIS)
* Virtual reality modelling
* Database design and implementation

Whilst we endeavour to give everyone their first choice on modules, please note that this cannot always be guaranteed. Please be aware that certain skills modules are required by particular programmes, and so may be more over-subscribed than others.

Field trips The course includes field trips to the nearby coastline of Northeast England. Bordering the North Sea, this offers a varied geological history of coastal change, submergence, and often-dramatic erosion, with evidence of coastal archaeology extending back to the Mesolithic site of Howick on the Northumberland coast, one of the earliest coastal settlements in Britain, and traces of now submerged archaeology and relict forests elsewhere in the intertidal zone.

A first degree in archaeology or a cognate subject (including history, art history, historical geography) is normal, but not absolutely essential. The usual entrance requirement is a 2:I or equivalent. Those with other qualifications will be considered. Applicants are normally interviewed before an offer is made unless they live overseas.English Language Requirements The University's absolute minimum English language requirements are: * IELTS: 6.0 (in the 'Academic' test) * IELTS 6.5 with at least 6 in Writing and Speaking * TOEFL: paper-based 550/ computer-based (CBT): 213/ internet-based (iBT): 79 * Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English: A, B, C * Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English: A English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6.5 CAE score: (read more) Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) is part of the Cambridge English suite and is targeted at a high level (IETLS 6.5-8.0). It is an international English language exam set at the right level for academic and professional success. Developed by Cambridge English Language Assessment - part of the University of Cambridge - it helps you stand out from the crowd as a high achiever. 80 (Grade A) TOEFL paper-based test score : 550 TOEFL iBT® test: 79 IMPORTANT NOTE: Since April 2014 the ETS tests (including TOEFL and TOEIC) are no longer accepted for Tier 4 visa applications to the United Kingdom. The university might still accept these tests to admit you to the university, but if you require a Tier 4 visa to enter the UK and begin your degree programme, these tests will not be sufficient to obtain your Visa. The IELTS test is most widely accepted by universities and is also accepted for Tier 4 visas to the UK- learn more.