Human Evolution MSc

Program Overview

The Human Evolution MSc, a joint program from the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University, provides advanced training in human evolutionary research methods.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Human Evolution MSc is a 12-month full-time or 24-month part-time program offered by the University of Liverpool in collaboration with Liverpool John Moores University. It delves into the biological and behavioral changes that led to the emergence of Homo sapiens.

Objectives:

• Gain advanced practical and theoretical experience in human evolution research methods and practices.
• Receive hands-on training in archaeological fieldwork, including the excavation of human remains.
• Gain insight into the early archaeological records of Africa and Eurasia, archaeological and evolutionary theory, as well as ecological, environmental, and climate change modeling.
• Engage independently and critically with a significant body of data on the foundations of human evolutionary studies.
• Develop oral and written communication skills, and critically evaluate the work and research of others.
• Acquire transferable skills in analysis, computing, and the scientific method to enhance employment prospects.
• Gain knowledge of a wide range of perspectives, cultures, and practices, and the benefits of variation and diversity within the human species.

Outline:

Semester One:

• Compulsory Modules:
Students learn to make simple stone tools and analyze them in terms of planning and material knowledge.
• ADVANCED OSTEOLOGY AND SKELETAL PATHOLOGY (ALGY753): Students learn to identify and describe the human skeleton, become familiar with animal bones, and differentiate between the two.
Practical and ethical considerations of human skeletal collection curation are discussed, along with issues in working with commingled remains and identifying skeletal pathologies. Students acquire knowledge of recent findings and develop computational skills for analyzing genetic data.

Semester Two:

• Compulsory Modules:
• ARCHAEOLOGICAL FIELD SKILLS (ALGY754):
This module provides practical training in archaeological fieldwork, integrated with other program modules.
• RESEARCH METHODS (ALGY755): This module provides extensive training in generic research knowledge and statistical techniques for the Natural Sciences.
It covers research design, execution, ethics, data protection, project logistics, funding, and dissemination to both academic and non-academic audiences.
• HUMAN VARIATION AND ADAPTATION: BIOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES (ALGY750): This module examines human variation and adaptation through the lens of evolutionary theory, exploring the major processes of evolution and their reflection in both biological and cultural characteristics of our species.
• Optional Modules:
• DENTAL ANTHROPOLOGY (ALGY756): This module provides advanced training in the identification of teeth and covers topics related to determining origins, phylogenetic affinities, diet, and other facets of life experience and population structure from human and primate teeth.

Final Project:

• ACE MA AND MSC DISSERTATION (ALGY600): Students undertake an independent research project on a scholarly topic relevant to their chosen discipline.

Assessment:

The MSc in Human Evolution utilizes a variety of assessment methods, including:

• Coursework (critiques, reports, research design, professional reports, and essays)
• Tests
• Oral presentations (group and individual)
Assessment elements are structured to provide regular feedback. Formative assessments include bi-weekly quizzes embedded in the Advanced Osteology and Skeletal Pathology module to support the transition from undergraduate to postgraduate learning. The MSc emphasizes authentic assessment through tasks such as fieldwork and lithic reports.

Teaching:

Modules are delivered through a combination of formal lectures, student-led seminars, and extensive practical and workshop instruction. The focus is on research-led teaching, with practical classes offered in numerous sub-fields. Modules are designed to guide students in identifying their own learning needs and the resources to address them, preparing them for their research project, including planning, design, time management, ethics, and health and safety.

Careers:

The MSc in Human Evolution equips graduates with a set of scientific skills useful for careers in academia, the private sector, or associated scientific or heritage industries. The Research Methods module includes employability-focused topics such as CV writing, job application, project logistics, communicating research outside academia, creating websites, social media use, and grant applications. All students have a personal supervisor for targeted conversations about research and future employment. Potential career paths include:

• Natural and social sciences
• Cognition and psychology
• Genetics
• Forensic science
• Archaeological science
• Zoology
• Primatology
• Animal husbandry
• Veterinary science
• Museum management
• Academic research
Graduates are also eligible for employment in:
• Teaching
• The civil service
• Science communication and science policy through governmental and non-governmental organizations, including journalism
• Field and laboratory science-related roles across a range of employment sectors.

Other:

• The Department of Archaeology, Classics, and Egyptology is part of the School of Histories, Languages, and Cultures.
• Teaching takes place across campus, including in specialist facilities in the Central Teaching Hub and Garstang Museum of Archaeology.

UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland) Full-time place, per year £10,800 Part-time place, per year £5,400 International fees Full-time place, per year £22,400 Part-time place, per year £11,200