MSc in Human Evolution.

This taught Master's course will provide you with a detailed understanding of human and primate evolution, focusing on anatomy and morphology and their interfaces with ecology and behaviour. Through membership of the interdisciplinary PALAEO Centre at the University of York, this MSc is an attractive option for those wishing to combine anatomical and archaeological approaches to the study of palaeoanthropology. Based in the Centre for Anatomical and Human Sciences at HYMS on the University of York campus, you will acquire practical and theoretical knowledge about cutting edge tools for morphometrics, imaging and functional simulation used to interpret the fossil record. In addition, you can gain practical knowledge of anatomy through dissection of human cadaveric material as well as comparative anatomical study. You will also undertake a research project of your choice in consultation with your supervisor to investigate a current question in human evolution.

Programme Structure
See below for more details about the modules.

 MSc Human Evolution

  • Duration: 1 year full time or 2 years part time
  • Fees: For information on annual fees please visit our Fees and bursaries funding page
  • Entry requirements: Open to strong graduates in anthropology, archaeology, biology, psychology, zoology and related fields. Minimum 2.1 or equivalent. IELTS 7 for applicants whose first language is not English.
Campus: University of York, United Kingdom
Human Evolution programme handbook


Human Evolutionary Anatomy

(core 20 credits)

Human Evolutionary Anatomy

You will develop an advanced knowledge and understanding of the hominin fossil record, focusing particularly on the interpretation of anatomical material and current methods. More details...

Hard Tissue Biology

(core 20 credits)

Hard Tissue Biology

You will develop an advanced knowledge and understanding of mineralised skeletal and dental tissues. More details...

Primate Ecology and Evolution

(core 20 credits)

Primate Ecology and Evolution

You will develop an advanced understanding of primate ecology and evolution, gaining a broad overview of primate evolution, from the origins of the Order around 65 million years ago to the present day. More details...

 

Geometric morphometrics

(elective 10 credits)

Geometric morphometrics

You will develop an advanced understanding of geometric morphometrics and associated methods, including having the opportunity to try software and problem solving. More details...

Virtual Anatomies

(elective 10 credits)

Virtual Anatomies

You will develop an advanced knowledge of the human musculoskeletal system and its functioning, with a focus on imaging and simulation. More details...

Functional and Musculoskeletal Anatomy

(elective 20 credits)

Functional and Musculoskeletal Anatomy

You will gain an advanced understanding of functional and musculoskeletal anatomy More details...

 

Becoming Human: Evolving minds and societies

(elective 20 credits)

Becoming Human:<span style='font-weight:normal; font-size:x-small;'> Evolving minds and societies</span>

You consider the fascinating question of what it means to be ‘human’, asking if there are critical characteristics of humans which mark us as different from other species, and how, when and where they might be identified in the archaeological record. More details...

Ancient Biomolecules

(elective 20 credits)

Ancient Biomolecules

This module is principally targeted at osteoarchaeologists, with a focus on the analysis of skeletal materials, but will more broadly appeal to anyone who is likely to encounter biomolecular data sets in the course of their research or professional career. More details...

Research Project / Dissertation

(core 80 credits)

Research Project / Dissertation

You will undertake an in-depth project in a topic related to human evolution. More details...