MRes - Department of Archaeology, Anthropology & Forensic Sciences and Life & Environmental Sciences

Course details An MRes provides an opportunity for you to tailor your studies to your specific research interests or career aspirations. Undertaking an MRes within the fields of archaeology, anthropology and forensic sciences or life and environmental sciences at BU will allow you to collaborate with world-leading researchers in these areas. You can set out to find the answer to a particular research question and will have the chance to delve more deeply into a subject area that you are passionate about. We strongly encourage collaboration across specialisms, and an MRes is an excellent opportunity to work with supervisors from various backgrounds to deliver truly impactful research. The MRes is focused on the development of generic research knowledge and critical analysis skills applied to independent research on an approved topic. Your research would normally involve a literature study, an experimental or hypothesis-testing phase, an evaluation phase and a writing-up phase. Your independent research would be written up as a thesis, which is expected to be between 15,000 and 30,000 words (depending on the discipline). Assessment of your thesis will consist of: A presentation of the thesis An oral examination, normally including a 30 minute presentation and 60 minute viva voca examination. An MRes is also a good precursor to a PhD, allowing you to develop your research skills, enhance your ability to critically analyse information and solve complex problems. During your MRes you will: Undertake research methods training to develop a comprehensive knowledge of the research methods used within the fields of archaeology, anthropology, forensic sciences, and life and environmental sciences Critically analyse information in the literature within your chosen field to identify information gaps, and develop and design a research project which addresses an issue within your chosen field Carry out your research project Produce a written critical analysis of the research data Present your research through a thesis and defend it by viva voce (oral) examination, to the satisfaction of examiners. There is no formally assessed taught component in an MRes, but you will be expected to engage with the Postgraduate Researcher Development Framework, which includes research methodology training. You'll develop your research project in conjunction with experienced academics in your field of interest, who will then provide supervisory support and can introduce their specialist knowledge. An MRes is the ideal programme for you if you would like to undertake more comprehensive training into original research, or if you want to undertake professional development training in your specific subject area.