Professional Archaeology Programme Structure
SEMESTER 1
Three compulsory 4 week modules, each worth 20 credits.
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MODULE 1
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Archaeological Excavation |
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MODULE 2
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Post-Excavation Strategies |
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MODULE 3
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Topographical and Digital Survey |
SEMESTER 2
Three compulsory 4 week modules, each worth 20 credits.
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MODULE 1
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Geophysical Surveying |
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MODULE 2
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The Archaeology of Buildings |
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MODULE 3
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Archaeological Practice: Professional Placement |
SUMMER TERM
A 60 credit dissertation on a subject agreed with the academic supervisor. Dissertation to be compiled over the summer months for submission in September and graduation in December.
Module Descriptions
SEMESTER 1
Archaeological Excavation (20 credits, 4 weeks)
Introduces students to the range of skills required to undertake archaeological fieldwork including issues such as excavation management, legislative frameworks, safeguarding and conservation of excavated material, field recording strategies and health and safety issues.
Coordinator: Dr. Colm Donnelly
Post-Excavation Strategies (20 credits, 4 weeks)
Provides students with an introduction to post-excavation and post-survey project management in the commercial and government sectors. The issues covered include management of budgets, staged management procedures and commissioning specialist reports and the subsequent integration of excavation reports for publication.
Coordinator: Dr Finbar McCormick
Topographical and Digital Survey (20 credits, 4 weeks)
Students gain a thorough grounding in techniques used to survey archaeological and palaeoecological sites and are required to carry out a topographical survey of a monument using a total station with the subsequent analysis of data and its representation using LISCAD and Surfer software.
Coordinator: Dr. Eileen Murphy
SEMESTER 2
Geophysical Surveying (20 credits, 4 weeks)
This module provides students with grounding in the theory and practice of geophysical surveying techniques through a combination of lecture and laboratory based instruction followed by a week of practical application at archaeological sites.
Coordinator: Dr. Colm Donnelly
The Archaeology of Buildings (20 credits, 4 weeks)
This module covers the background to the history of vernacular buildings and the techniques used to produce plans and elevations of standing buildings. Students are introduced to the use of PhoToplan and AutoCAD software.
Coordinator: Dr. Mark Gardiner
Archaeological Practice: Professional Placement (20 credits, 4 weeks)
Comprises a professional placement scheme operated by the School of GAP’s Centre for Archaeological Fieldwork (CAF) and a commercial archaeological unit, enabling students to gain experience working on public and private sector excavations.
Coordinator: Dr. Emily Murray
Dissertation (60 credits, 12 weeks)
This triple-weighted module will provide MSc students with the necessary guidance, advice, time-management and basic research skills, required to enable them to submit a 12,000–15,000 word MSc dissertation. It provides an opportunity for students to engage in a substantial piece of research related to their programme under suitable supervisory guidance. Undertaking the dissertation will enable students to develop an advanced – and critical – understanding of the application of research methodologies.
