MSc in Evolutionary Anthropology

The MSc in Evolutionary Anthropology is an advanced investigation of evolutionary and adaptive processes and their interactions through the study of the evolution of primates (human and non-human, living and fossil) and evolutionary theory in relation to social behaviour. Students develop skills and understanding relating to human evolution and the biological underpining of human behaviour. Taught by an active, interdisciplinary research group involved in cutting-edge work on primate and human behaviour, morphology, and evolution, the MSc provides the theoretical background, subject-specific knowledge, and practical skills that generate both an advanced understanding of primate (including human) adaptation and behaviour, and the perfect foundation for those interested in pursuing PhD-level research.

Our programme has many advantages:

• large & diverse range of staff expertise
• unique interdisciplinary perspective
• excellent research opportunities
• attractive and convenient environment
  

• palaeoanthropology
• primate evolution & behaviour
• human behaviour & evolutionary psychology
• cultural evolution

• primate behavioural ecology
• evolution of the brain
• geometric morphometrics
• Plio-Pleistocene hominin ecology & evolution
• modelling culture change
• hunter-gatherer adaptations
• human expansion & dispersal
• palaeoprimatology & systematics

• Theory, methods and principles in evolutionary anthropology

  • Introduces the major conceptual and theoretical issues in evolutionary anthropology and promotes acquisition of specialised research skills in this area

• Research skills in anthropology

  • Provides research skills needed by all anthropologists, focusing on writing and presenting academic papers, grant proposals, and  numeric reasoning and statistical analysis
    

• Dissertation in evolutionary anthropology

  • Furnishes the opportunity to conduct an independent research project in evolutionary anthropology

• Ecological and Evolutionary Perspectives on Health

  • Examines contemporary health problems using evolutionary and ecological perspectives.

• Palaeoanthropology and Genetics

  • Provides students with a detailed knowledge of the hominin fossil record and a thorough understanding of evolutionary genetics.

• Primate and Human Behaviour

  • Introduces advanced topics in evolutionary theory as it relates to social behaviour.

• Language Culture and Evolution

  • Cotaught with Philosophy, this module explores a mix of anthropological and philosophical viewpoints on Language and Culture in an evolutionary framework