Phd Thesis Anthropology Text

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The department of anthropology offers supervision in a wide range of areas for research degrees. In addition to the particular research interests of each member of staff, we have a number of postgraduate students undertaking research of contemporary social and political relevance in britain and europe. Current students are engaged in research projects covering a broad range of subjects, located in africa, europe, latin america, and the middle east. Normally research students register for the mres in order to complete the requisite training for carrying out a doctoral research project. You then transfer to mphil status after completing your mres dissertation in september or in your second year if you are part time. However, if you already have a substantial background, it is possible to register directly for the full time mphil, provided the department and your future supervisor s agree. Mphil registered students do exactly the same research training as mres students, but they present a student dissertation in may, in order to fast track to fieldwork or other forms of data collection.

Whether you start registered as mres or mphil, upgrading to phd status takes place at a later date.

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the division has a thriving phd programme in human evolution and behaviour, human population biology and health, and primate ecology and genetics. Applications to carry out doctoral research within these research areas are welcomed from well qualified candidates. The phd is an opportunity for original research leading to a dissertation within a structured research environment that encourages both independence and collaboration. A phd degree in biological anthropology is normally obtained after three years of study five years part time on an approved subject within the field of biological anthropology, and includes an oral examination of the thesis and the general field of knowledge in which it falls. The thesis topic is decided between the student and the supervisor, and assistance is provided on elements of methodology and analysis, as well as with the written presentation.

The thesis must satisfy the examiners that the candidate can design and carry out investigations, assess and interpret the results obtained, and place the work in the wider perspective of the subject. Most phd students begin their studies in october, but starting dates at the beginning of january or april are also possible. A phd thesis in biological anthropology must represent a significant contribution to knowledge of not more than 80,0 words, excluding appendices, footnotes and bibliography.

Students may be required to complete courses in research design, statistical analysis, interpretation, communication and university safety during their first michaelmas term at cambridge, and attend such lectures and courses as are considered appropriate by their supervisor. Induction courses cover the general background to biological anthropology, biostatistics and computing, safety and research design. These begin in october, but specific individual training is provided for students joining at other times. A phd thesis in biological anthropology is expected to be a lucid, scholarly and substantial research contribution to knowledge on its topic, and to demonstrate a good understanding of the wider context of the chosen topic. Anthropology is the comparative, evolutionary and historical study of humankind.

Ucl anthropology looks at the biological, cultural, social and material culture aspects of human beings as well as their evolution. The breadth of anthropology at ucl distinguishes our programme from those offered by most other british universities and our excellent results in the 2001 and 2008 research assessment exercises put us in the lead for broad based anthropology departments in the uk. Ucl has one of the largest and most vibrant postgraduate research student groups of any anthropology in the uk and worldwide , with outstanding postgraduate facilities, both academic and social. Our research active academic supervisors, our postgraduate research methods courses, and specialized research and reading groups give a strong framework of support to research students, from the first formulation of research ideas through to thesis completion and the professional opportunities that follow. Ucl graduate school leads the uk in pioneering professional training in general and transferable skills for research students, as well as in a range of specialised skills, led by anthropology among other research intensive departments. Ucl anthropology’s research training programme for phd students won special mention in the esrc’s recent award of a doctoral training centre to ucl.

The department offers two graduate research degrees, the mphil in anthropology and the phd in anthropology. The mphil degree is designed for students who wish to follow an advanced research based degree without intending to enter academic anthropology. On its own, qualification for an mphil degree usually consists of a two year programme in which the student may complete training course work in the first year while preparing for his or her dissertation, normally based on non field reading and research, in the second year.

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The phd is a full academic research degree which almost always involves field, museum or laboratory research. All students applying for the phd are initially enrolled in the mphil programme, except in the event that the applicant already holds the equivalent of the university of london mphil degree. For those initially enrolled in of the mphil programme, completion is not a requirement to move on to the phd in anthropology.

Rather, after the first year of graduate study and the successful submission of a suitable upgrading proposal, the student transfers to phd status. A phd in anthropology will normally take between three and four years of full time study or the part time equivalent. Students must be registered for at least two years, full time, or three calendar years, part time, before they will be allowed to submit their theses for examination. The postgraduate student handbook offers more in depth information about the research experience. The mphil and phd programmes are an exercise in personal development through guided investigation of a particular social, biosocial or evolutionary phenomenon of one’s choosing. Under the direction of two or three experienced scholars, research students hone invaluable skills over a number of years dedicated to preparing for and working on their research. literature analyses: locating, analysing and revising relevant literature is a necessary aspect of the pre field work preparation stage.

The challenging process of filtering through the wealth of chronicled knowledge available within your area of focus will polish your ability to draw thematic connections in support of your research proposal. The skills involved in the collection and refinement of sources in support of an argument are universally valued beyond the academic arena. data collection: whether in the field, laboratory or museum collections, research students meet the challenge of designing their methodology and carrying out practical data colletion activities that will yield the data necessary to answer their research questions. schedule design: time management and prioritisation are key skills involved in the successful completion of a highly personalised research degree. Under guided supervision you will learn how to organise and adhere to a research schedule carefully plotted to your own specifications. The need to anticipate and meet deadlines under pressure will improve your flexibility, ingenuity, self discipline and capacity to put your plans into action. analysis and interpretation of field data: whether you deal with qualitative data or quantitiative and statistical analysis, the ability to decode patterns and to draw connections amongst raw, unpolished findings will be developed through critical subjective and objective interpretation of the fruits of your own labour.

After conducting your research you will learn how to translate your results into sound conclusions and theoretical positions that can be argued and supported. presentation and publication skills: communication, debate, translation and delivery are key areas of personal and professional development that will be improved upon as you learn how to frame and present your research findings. Participation in anthropology’s in house reading and research groups, thesis writing groups, external conferences, reviews and round tables as well as engagement with popular media and audiences at all levels will challenge your oral and written skills with a view to professional and academic success. graduate school courses: in addition to skills honed during your time in anthropology, ucl’s graduate school offers a wide range of courses. In consultation with your supervisor you can choose those you will find most useful for your research training at graduate school's skills development programme website. uk/eu students overseas students via the aqm route only. deadline: monday 1 st february 2016 the department of anthropology invites applications for esrc economics and social science research council studentships covering the full costs of a degree programme in anthropology leading to the award of mphil/phd.

These awards are being made by the esrc through the doctoral training centre at ucl. The funding will cover fees, standard maintenance and a london allowance where students meet the esrc uk requirements. Eu students who are non uk residents are eligible for a fees only studentship. Specific awards are made for students proposing to undertake anthropological research involving advanced quantitative methods aqm and these awards are also open to overseas students. Further details on aqm can be found at esrc advanced quantitative methods aqm webpage. Two types of award are on offer: 1+3 awards whereby applicants have an undergraduate degree or will hold one by june 2016 +3 awards whereby applicants have a masters degree or will have been awarded one by september 2016 eligibility for receipt of an award can be ascertained at esrc website. Proposed research should fall within the thematic remit and area covered by the esrc.

Applicants who do not hold a uk masters degree or equivalent and/or not presently enrolled on one should apply for a 1+3 grant. Successful applicants will initially be expected to register for the degree of mres in anthropology. During the first year the 1 of the 1+3 , the applicant will pursue a course of study leading where successful to the award of an mres, details of which can be found on mres anthropology webpage.

Upon successful completion of the mres, students move onto the mphil/phd programme with the additional 3 years funding. Applicants already holding a uk masters degree or its equivalent, should apply for a +3 grant 3 years funding the successful applicant will normally have obtained a first class undergraduate degree from a uk university or its equivalent or be predicted to obtain a first class degree. Where a masters degree has been taken, the successful candidate will also normally be in possession of a distinction or its equivalent or be predicted to gain one. Your application must be signed by your prospective supervisor and it is your responsibility to ensure this has been obtained.

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