Course summary

The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2022). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas. The DPhil in Archaeological Science provides students with the opportunity to pursue substantial independent research that contributes to the development and application of scientific methods to the study of the past. The DPhil is a full-time degree, during which you will carry out research and produce a substantial thesis. You will be required to complete a research project that you should design with your supervisor, who will be an expert in their field of research. Projects which cross disciplinary boundaries, for example with archaeology or classical archaeology, are welcome. Some suggested projects and recently completed DPhil projects are listed on the School website. Although there is no formal course of instruction, you will be trained in relevant laboratory techniques, and you are encouraged to attend lectures and participate in research seminars. These will include the numerous and wide-ranging weekly seminar series organised within research groups, particularly bioarchaeology, chronology, and materials and technology. Details of taught course lectures and research seminar series term cards are available on the School webpages. Seminars These also often provide opportunities for you to present your own work. Supervision For this course, the allocation of graduate supervision is the responsibility of the School of Archaeology and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be found outside the School of Archaeology. While the degree of contact varies depending on individual circumstances, it is expected that supervisors and students should meet to discuss progress at least three times each term. Assessment All students will be initially admitted to the status of Probationer Research Student (PRS). By the fourth term as a PRS student you will be expected to apply for, and achieve, transfer of status from Probationer Research Student to DPhil status. A successful transfer of status from PRS to DPhil status will require a formal assessment though the submission of written work and an interview. Students who are successful at transfer will also be expected to apply for and gain confirmation of DPhil status within seven terms of admission, to show that your work continues to be on track. Both milestones normally involve an interview with two assessors (other than your supervisor) and therefore provide important experience for the final oral examination. At each stage you will also make a short formal presentation of your research at one of the doctoral student symposia organised by the School of Archaeology, which will help you to develop your presentation skills at an early stage of your career. You will be expected to submit an original thesis within three or at the most four years from the date of admission. Students can apply to submit the thesis as a collection of publishable papers. Successful doctoral theses must, among other things, display evidence of substantial and original research, lucid and scholarly presentation and a sound knowledge of the general field within which the thesis falls. To be successfully awarded a DPhil you will need to defend your thesis orally (viva voce) in front of two appointed examiners.