Palaeopathology is the study of past disease in human remains; it is a sub-discipline of bioarchaeology (study of human remains from archaeological sites). This lecture, seminar and laboratory based MSc equips you with the theoretical and practical skills knowledge of how to study and interpret data collected from human remains. The emphasis is on health and well-being using a multidisciplinary approach, linking biological evidence for disease with cultural data (the bioarchaeological approach). This course is unique in the world and it takes a holistic view of disease, as seen in a clinical contexts today, and will prepare you for undertaking significant research projects in this subject, or working in contract/commercial archaeology, and many other fields. It is aimed at graduates mainly in archaeology and anthropology with or without past experience of knowledge in this field, and for those who aspire to continue into a PhD programme or work in contract archaeology. However, past students have come from a variety of subject backgrounds, and destination data illustrate a wide range of employments take these students.
Two taught modules in the Epiphany term (Research and Study Skills in Archaeological Science and Identification and Analysis of the Normal Human Skeleton), and two taught modules in Michaelmas term (Palaeopathology: Theory and Method; Themes in Palaeopathology), with the double module dissertation over Easter term and the summer (submitted early September).
Core Modules
The programme is mainly delivered through a mixture of lectures, seminars and practical classes. Typically lectures provide key information on a particular area, and identify the main areas for discussion and debate in bioarchaeology. Seminars then provide opportunities for smaller groups of you to discuss and debate particular issues or areas, based on the knowledge that you have gained through your lectures and through independent study outside the programme’s formal contact hours. Finally, practical laboratory classes allow you to gain direct practical skills in the recording and interpretation of data from skeletal remains. The latter provide an important element of the programme in allowing independent and group work, as well as hands-on experience under laboratory conditions, essential for a potential future working environment.
The balance of these types of activities changes over the course of the programme, as you develop your knowledge and ability as independent learners, giving them the opportunity to engage in research, professional practice, and developing and demonstrating research skills in a particular area of the subject.
In Term 1 you will typically attend 4 hours a week of lectures and 2.5 hours of laboratory sessions, in addition to seminars over the term. Outside timetabled contact hours, you are also expected to undertake your own independent study to prepare for your classes and broaden your subject knowledge. External speakers specialising in specific subject areas from “industry” and academia are brought in to engage the students on issues in research, but also in the profession.
In Term 2 the balance shifts from learning the basic skills required for recording and interpreting skeletal data (age at death, sex, normal variation), to further developing skills for palaeopathological data recording and their interpretation and understanding the limitations. In addition, the Themes module aims to develop in students a critical approach to the evaluation of multiple forms of evidence, beyond that for human remains, for the reconstruction of specific themes. It focuses on discussion and debate of different related issues. In Term 2 you will typically attend 4 hours a week of lectures and 2.5 hours of laboratory sessions, in addition to seminars over the term. Again, external speakers specialising in specific subject areas from “industry” and academia are brought in to engage the students on issues in research, but also in the profession.
The move towards greater emphasis on independent learning and research continues in Term 3 and beyond, where the research skills acquired earlier in the programme are developed through the dissertation research project. Under the supervision of a member of academic staff with whom they will typically have three one-to-one supervisory meetings, you will undertake a detailed study of a particular area, resulting in a significant piece of independent research. The dissertation is regarded as a preparation for further professional or academic work. In Term 3 students are given the opportunity to attend a Careers Session in the Department where past graduates of the course talk about their career trajectories since graduating.
Throughout the programme, you will have access to an “academic adviser”, or in the case of this MSc the two Directors (Professor Charlotte Roberts and Dr Rebecca Gowland), who provide you with academic support and guidance. Typically a student meets their adviser two to three times a year, in addition to which all members of teaching staff have weekly office hours when they are available to meet with students on a ‘drop-in’ basis. The department also has an exciting programme of weekly one hour research seminars which postgraduate students are strongly encouraged to attend. Additionally, the students who attend the MSc Palaeopathology course are provided with the opportunity to attend journal paper critique sessions each term, and human bioarchaeology seminars given by PhD students.
Many of our postgraduates move into an academic career, either teaching or by taking up post-doctoral research positions in universities. Others join museums or national and regional heritage organisations. Some work in professional archaeology, in national or local planning departments, while others elect to use their analytical and presentation skills to gain positions in industry, commerce and government.
Accelerate your career into management (without relocating to campus) by studying our 100% Online MSc International Business.
Designed to prepare graduates, career changers and working professionals for the challenges of management in today’s competitive global business environment, this programme equips students with the practical skills to stand out to employers. Students learn the core principles of global business which can be applied in real-time, enabling them to become more versatile and successful in their work.
With content delivered by triple-accredited, Birmingham Business School, the programme pairs the latest research and theory with an innovative online learning platform. The Online MSc International Business provides students with both specialist knowledge and the flexibility to suit a career-driven lifestyle.
“This is not a campus-based course that we’ve just put online; we’ve built this from the ground up, taking on board the current online environment and latest technology that we have available.” Ian Myatt, Director of Educational Enterprise, the University of Birmingham.
Studying the Online MSc International Business provides students with the ability to apply the latest business knowledge and theory to their roles immediately:
Find out more about our Online MSc International Business.
Studying Birmingham Business School’s Online MSc International Business takes 2.5 years to complete. It is a 180-credit course (which includes a 60-credit dissertation). For full pricing information, please fill out our form or call +44 (0)800 032 7101.
The Online MSc International Business has been specifically designed for those who are relatively new to the principles of business. The online format meets the needs of early career professionals who are balancing advancing careers and personal commitments alongside their studies.
Find out more about our Online MSc International Business.
Online MSc International Business students have access to a cutting-edge digital platform throughout their studies. We have moved beyond the traditional classroom structure, taking full advantage of digital media with modules that draw on interactivity, active student participation and social connectivity to provide a more dynamic learning experience.
Rather than simply reading lecture transcripts and sending in assignments, the University of Birmingham’s online students engage with the curriculum directly using:
“The world is getting busier and our students are getting busier. Business Higher Education needs to respect people’s real lives. Some people have difficulty assimilating information in a standardized way. Online, a student can pause content and learn at their own pace. Business education is — and should be — much more personalized.” (Dr Michael Shulver, Director of Online Content, Online MSc International Business and Online MBA, University of Birmingham)
In every module, there are four live lecture sessions, (known as connect sessions). These lectures are interactive sessions that run on Saturdays for 2 hours and 15 minutes (with a break halfway through). In each session, students have the opportunity to dissect the week’s learnings, present their work and discuss case study exercises.
Online MSc International Business students benefit from the same expert teaching as campus students:
Find out more about the Online MSc International Business.
Advance your career with the world’s first and only AMBA-accredited 100% Online MBA.
Designed for enterprising business professionals with at least three years of management experience, this course enables students to enhance their strategic and managerial business skills to take the next step in their careers.
By pairing informed, contemporary content with an interactive online learning platform, this course provides postgraduate students with both flexibility and critical business skills.
“This is not a campus-based course that we’ve just put online; we’ve built this from the ground up, taking on board the current online environment and latest technology that we have available.” Ian Myatt, Director of Educational Enterprise, the University of Birmingham.
Studying for an MBA online provides postgraduate students with the flexibility to learn alongside work, empowering them to apply the latest business knowledge and theory to their roles immediately:
Find out more about our Online MBA.
If you are fairly new to the principles of business, or are looking to enhance the early stages of your career you may be interested in our Online MSc International Business.
Studying Birmingham Business School’s Online MBA takes approximately 2.5 years to complete. It is a 180-credit course (which includes a 60-credit dissertation). For full pricing information, please fill out our form or call +44 (0)800 032 7101.
The Online MBA is specifically designed for those who are already working in business and want to strengthen their understanding in a world-class environment. The online format meets the needs of busy professionals who are balancing work and personal commitments alongside their studies.
If you are fairly new to the principles of business, or are looking to enhance the early stages of your career you may be interested in our Online MSc International Business.
Find out more about our Online MBA.
Online MBA students have access to a cutting-edge digital platform throughout their online studies. We have moved beyond the traditional classroom structure, taking full advantage of digital media with modules that draw on interactivity, active student participation and social connectivity to provide a more dynamic learning experience.
Rather than simply reading lecture transcripts and sending in assignments, the University of Birmingham’s online students engage with the curriculum directly using:
“Our Online MBA students are not lonely long-distance learners. They are actively working with faculty and collaborating with classmates.”
Dr Michael Shulver, Director of Online Content for the Online MBA and Online MSc International Business.
In every module, there are four live lecture sessions, (known as connect sessions). These lectures are interactive sessions that run on Saturdays for 2 hours and 15 minutes (with a break halfway through). In each session, students have the opportunity to present their work and discuss case study exercises.
Online MBA students benefit from the same expert teaching as campus students:
Find out more about our Online MBA.
If you are fairly new to the principles of business, or are looking to enhance the early stages of your career you may be interested in our Online MSc International Business.
Our collaborative, interdisciplinary program will nurture your talent, develop your skills, and connect you to industry mentors and colleagues throughout the world and throughout your professional life. Our unique approach comprises research, aesthetic design, cultural studies, and hands-on production techniques in a variety of media combined with opportunities to specialize in the area of greatest interest to you:
Throughout, you’ll produce traditional and nontraditional productions for broadcast, cable, broadband and wireless distribution. You might write a dramatic or comedic script; direct a digital movie on location; produce a documentary; create a new reality or talk show or soap opera in our television studio; or participate in our student-run ad agency, our Globesville web channel and/or ProdCo production company, taking on a leadership role.
The Master program in International Business at Munich Business School is a postgraduate study program in economics addressed to qualified and motivated Bachelor graduates from Germany and abroad. In addition to offering content on complex global developments and imparting profound business know-how, the advancement of personality and leadership skills form a key focus of the course.
The program is a full-time study program with a standard study time of approximately 18 months (Dual Degrees approx. 24 months). The first two semesters will be spent at MBS. You will delve into selected business concentrations in business and economics, and select an international focus and, optionally, another foreign language.
Munich Business School offers seven business concentrations - you may combine your favourite two:
- International Finance
- International Marketing
- International Family Firms
- International Entrepreneurship
- Corporate Strategy & Innovation
- Luxury Management
- Digital Business Management
In addition, various International Focuses are being offered (you choose one per semester):
Doing Business in ...
- Germany
- Europe
- Latin America
- China
- USA & Canada
- Emerging Economies
The third semester will take place abroad at one of our partner universities. There‘s also the opportunity to do an internship before spending the semester abroad. The program ends with a Master-Thesis, often written in cooperation with a company. Upon completion of all program parts, the Master‘s Degree is awarded.
You can acquire another specialized Master‘s Degree at one of our partner universities as part of the Dual Degree program. To obtain this degree, you will spend two semesters abroad. Over 20 programs at the following universities are available: National Taiwan Normal University (TW), Florida International University (US), Boston University (US), Bond University (AU), SKEMA Business School (FR), Regent‘s University London (GB).
The MBS lecturers and professors not only know the business world from books - on the contrary: It is part of the MBS teaching philosophy that only experts experienced in everyday business life teach current and practice-oriented content and methods. The course "Business Project" is one example for the practical relevance of the Master study program. It grants you the opportunity to implement a specific economic project in cooperation with a company. Thus, the acquired knowledge is applied and expanded to a specific case. All groups receive coaching from an MBS professor throughout the entire duration of the 8-month project period.
Language of instruction: English; 4 semesters, 3 semesters for business graduates; Accredited by AQAS; State-of-the-Art MBA-program innovatively combining general management education and teaching of managerial skills to deal with rising future challenges for the benefit of your company such as
Optional specializations, amongst others:
Programme Fees*
- € 3.300 per semester
The Program starts in September and March each year.
Application Deadline: June 15th/December 15th (internationals) and July 31st and January 31st for applicants who don't need a visa fro Germany.
