Last modified: 21 Oct 2025 16:46
This course provides students with an in-depth overview of the study of ancient DNA. Through extensive training in theoretical concepts and principles, laboratory methods, and bioinformatics, you will attain specialist skills in the analysis of DNA extracted from archaeological remains.
| Study Type | Postgraduate | Level | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Second Term | Credit Points | 30 credits (15 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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Ancient DNA is an increasingly important tool across a wide variety of scientific disciplines. It provides a means of directly observing genetic change across time and space, and has revolutionised our understanding of the genetic and evolutionary history of many species of animals and plants.
The aim of this course is to provide in-depth knowledge and understanding of ancient DNA, with a special emphasis on DNA diagenesis and recent methodological advances in molecular biology and bioinformatics. Students will be introduced to the history of the field and current state-of-the-art theory and practice in a series of research-informed lectures and student-led seminars. The students will also gain specialist practical and analytical skills in a series of laboratory practicals and interactive workshops, by becoming familiar with the workflows and methods involved with working on DNA preserved in archaeological bones samples all the way from a museum collection to a specialist bioinformatics pipeline.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 40 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback | ||||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Understand | Demonstrate a systematic and in-depth understanding and critical awareness of key properties of ancient DNA |
| Procedural | Evaluate | Critically assess, appraise, evaluate, and critique ancient DNA research and published literature |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 20 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback | ||||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Understand | Demonstrate a systematic and in-depth understanding and critical awareness of key properties of ancient DNA |
| Procedural | Analyse | Analyse and critically appraise ancient DNA sequences to ensure data authenticity |
| Procedural | Evaluate | Critically assess, appraise, evaluate, and critique ancient DNA research and published literature |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 40 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback | ||||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Understand | Demonstrate a systematic and in-depth understanding and critical awareness of key properties of ancient DNA |
| Procedural | Analyse | Analyse and critically appraise ancient DNA sequences to ensure data authenticity |
| Procedural | Apply | Apply this understanding to ancient DNA laboratory methods and analytical techniques, and interpret and critically evaluate their output |
There are no assessments for this course.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback | ||||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
|
|
||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Understand | Demonstrate a systematic and in-depth understanding and critical awareness of key properties of ancient DNA |
| Procedural | Apply | Apply this understanding to ancient DNA laboratory methods and analytical techniques, and interpret and critically evaluate their output |
| Procedural | Analyse | Analyse and critically appraise ancient DNA sequences to ensure data authenticity |
| Procedural | Evaluate | Critically assess, appraise, evaluate, and critique ancient DNA research and published literature |
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