U N I V E R S I T Y   O F   Y O R K

 

TEACHING COMMITTEE

 

Programme Specifications (template and guidelines)

 

1          Programme title(s) covered by this specification MSc in Archaeological Information Systems

2          Name(s) of final award(s) MSc in Archaeological Information Systems

3          Awarding body/institution  University of York

4          Teaching institution (if different)

5          UCAS code (where relevant) N/A

6                    Criteria for admission to the programme

A good honours degree (upper second or first) or an equivalent qualification from an overseas institution in archaeology or a related field. Other applicants may be considered in exceptional circumstances, for example those with considerable ICT experience. All applicants will be expected to provide evidence of some basic familiarity with a range of ICT applications and an aptitude for computer-based skills. Most applicants are interviewed, unless living or working overseas.

 

7          Length and status of programme and mode of study           1 year (full-time); 2-3 years (part-time).

8          Proposed starting date (month and year; for new programmes only)         N/A

9          Relevant subject benchmark statement(s)                                                  

None

 

10                Accreditation (if applicable)                                                              N/A

 

11                Educational aims of the programme

·        to introduce students to a range of computing concepts and archaeological applications;

·        to examine how computers have been applied in archaeology and the impact of their use on the development of the discipline;

·        to provide students with transferable computing skills in a wide range of application areas;

·        to provide students with vocational computing skills in archaeology, specifically information management, electronic publishing, visualisation (including GIS and CAD), and digital archiving.

 

12                Programme structure

The programme contains the following elements:

 

Two signature modules (20 credits each) (taught both Autumn and Spring terms 1 x 2 hour lecture or workshop for 8 weeks).

 

Two supplementary modules (20 credits each) (taught both Autumn and Spring terms 1 x 2 hour lecture or workshop for 8 weeks).

 

Four research skills modules (5 credits each) (two in each of both Autumn and spring terms for 4 weeks each)

 

Placements are undertaken one day a week over both terms.

 

The Dissertation: workshops and supervised independent study (80 credits) undertaken during Summer Term and Summer Vacation.

 

Term

Module Titles

Autumn

'Digital Publication and web technologies'; Supplementary module; Two research skills modules: including at least one of 'Working on the Web' and 'Database design and implementation'

Spring

'Analysis and Visualisation'; Supplementary module; Two research skills modules: including at least one of GIS & VR modelling. (At least 3 out of 4 AIS skills modules to be undertaken in total)

Summer

Dissertation

 

 

13        Intended learning outcomes, distinguishing those which are assessed, in terms of:

(a)               Knowledge

i)                    the development of the application of computers in archaeology

ii)                   principles of digital archiving, resource discovery and metadata

iii)                 principles of use of spatial and 3-D data

iv)                 principles of database design

v)                  of major software applications involved in Internet technologies, databases, CAD, GIS and VR

 

(b)               understanding

i)                    problems and potential of the application of computers

ii)                   of Internet technologies

iii)                 of database design;

iv)                 of CAD and GIS and VR.

 

(c)                skills (discipline-related and transferable)

i)                    ability to plan, design and undertake a piece of independent research;

ii)                   ability to evaluate critically the claims made for different computer applications and select the correct application for a given problem;

iii)                 locate and use relevant information on Internet and create materials to add to it;

iv)                 to create an electronic text;

v)                  design and implement a simple relational database;

v)                  create effective applications in CAD, GIS and VR.

 

 

(d)               experience and other attributes

·        experience, through placements, of computer applications within a working environment in the historic environment sector;

·        opportunity to consolidate, through placements and project work, knowledge and understanding of computer applications in one or more of the taught modules;

·        Participated in seminar discussions

·        Undertaken seminar and lecture presentation;

·        Guided research

·        Participation in research seminar and visiting speakers programmes;

·        Involvement in Graduate School Board.

 

Items listed under (d) are not subject to assessment.

 

 

14        Teaching, learning and assessment methods used to achieve and demonstrate the learning outcomes

All compulsory substantive modules are delivered by seminars, lectures and practical exercises.

 

These are assessed by an electronic publication exercise (10%) due at the end of Autumn Term, and a visualisation project (10%)  due at the end of Spring Term; an assessed lecture (10%) is given in the Summer Term. Supplementary modules are each assessed by two further 10% units drawn from those programmes. Skills modules are assessed by a pass/fail mark

 

 

Learning outcomes achieved:  a) i; b) i-v; c)ii-v.

 

Throughout the two taught terms students also undertake a range of formative essays, projects, and seminar presentations to prepare them for these assessments.

The Dissertation (50%) is supported by two small group workshops in Summer Term in which students present and discuss the progress of their works and learn to respond constructively to their peers.  The sessions involve information sharing, critical evaluation, problem solving and team work.  Students also receive individual supervision with their supervisor.  The dissertation should be based on original research and isup to 20,000 words in length.

 

Learning outcome achieved: c) i (although all other learning experiences contribute to a successful dissertation)

 

15        Variations and exceptions: Students registered for the MSc in Archaeological Information Systems may transfer their registration to a nine-month Diploma course. Students cannot register initially for the Diploma route, but may transfer to it, or be recommended by the Graduate School Board to transfer to it, either after the first term or, more usually, after the second term. Students are thus expected to follow the taught modules designated for the MA/MSc programme for which they initially registered, but to take a divergent path in the third term.  In order to be awarded a Diploma (120 credits), students must complete the autumn and spring terms and take the Lecture module in the summer term (20 credits) which is assessed by a lecture and an extended essay.

 

By completion of the programme, students following the Diploma route should have:

·         followed a general programme in postgraduate research principles, methods and skills;

·         received tuition (lectures, seminars, practicals, visits, etc.) at Masters level in their chosen subject area;

·         developed their ability to acquire information, write essays, and practise skills appropriate to their chosen subject area, including specialisation in a topic of their own choosing.

 

 

16        Quality and standards:

 

Methods of monitoring teaching standards include:  supervisions, evaluation forms, Graduate School Board and Board of Studies representation, Peer Observation of Teaching, External Examination.

 

Departments carry out an annual documented review of all taught programmes, including consideration of student feedback and the reports of external examiners, reporting to the Teaching Committee. Teaching Committee is implementing a process of periodic review on a six-yearly cycle, which will complement its existing scheme of departmental visits to facilitate the exchange of views on the planning, organisation and development of teaching, and the sharing of good practice

 

17        Date on which this programme specification written or revised:  23 May 2007

 

18        Other sources of information relating to this programme specification 

This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of this programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expect to achieve and demonstrate if s/he takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.  More detailed information and guidance concerning administration and assessment can be found in the Departments postgraduate web pages (http://www.york.ac.uk/depts/arch/gsp/internal.htm).