This program - ­ not offered at any other Australian University – equips you with the theory and skills required to undertake a scientific study of the past and present of humanity using Archaeology and/or Biological Anthropology perspectives. Students can tailor the program to their own training objectives, through hands-on experience with a variety of world-leading supervising specialists, materials, and fieldwork and laboratory resources. The Archaeological Science stream offers professionally-oriented training and the opportunity to focus on tailored independent research projects. By taking Biological Anthropology courses you will study humans and non-human primates as varied and dynamically changing biological organisms. You will explore primate evolution, ecology, behaviour and conservation; human evolution and behaviour; palaeopathology, bioarchaeology, and forensic archaeology/anthropology.

Four specialisations are available to match your interests:

Primate and Human Behaviour

Bioarchaeology and Forensic Anthropology

Environmental Archaeology and Climate Change

Human Evolution.

Learning Outcomes

1. clearly understand evolutionary processes as they relate to biological anthropology, and/or understand the theories, methods and practice of archaeological science;

2. apply scientific method in archaeological science and/or to paleontological and bioarchaeological specimens, morphological materials and/or primate behaviour and ecology,

3. apply scientific techniques to archaeological and/or biological anthropological problems in the field, laboratory and written form;

4. critically analyse data and literature within the discipline of archaeological science or biological anthropology to reach independent conclusions;

5. effectively communicate to others their knowledge of humankind’s place in nature and/or our past; and

6. complete a major piece of research (including research design, undertake research, data analysis and interpretation, and write-up/publication)