Last modified: 22 Jul 2026 13:42
Artworks and artefacts are physical objects in the real world and their material condition requires study and care, as part of a commitment to preserving cultural heritage for future generations. This course introduces students to the ethics, interdisciplinary opportunities, scientific techniques and analytical methods of preventive conservation, focusing on the University’s own rich, diverse and internationally recognised collections.
| Study Type | Undergraduate | Level | 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Second Term | Credit Points | 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
|
||
One or more of these courses have a limited number of places. Priority access will be given to students for whom this course is compulsory. Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions for more details on this process.
Works of art and artefacts age, just like people. From the moment of creation, deterioration sets in due to circumstances affecting their material constitution and stability. From sudden environmental impacts to deliberate human interventions, they are vulnerable to change. It is the job of professional conservators, scientists, curators and art historians to evaluate, analyse and interpret these changes in an ethical way. Working with others, conservators act to slow down and repair damage that can profoundly affect understanding of an object, be it a painting, a book, a sculpture, a textile, a scientific teaching instrument or a toy. To conserve is an act of care, demonstrating a commitment to the preservation and sustainability of collections and cultural heritage for future generations to come.
This course is designed to introduce students to the technical study of artworks and artefacts, working with staff from the departments of Art History, Chemistry and Museums and Special Collections. Students will discover and explore the interdisciplinary opportunities, ethical approaches, scientific techniques and analytical methods of conservation, focusing on the University’s own rich, diverse and internationally recognised collections.
The course structure will facilitate theoretical and practical knowledge and understanding. Students will undertake practical work in the Science Teaching Hub to gain foundational science knowledge and hands-on experience of real-time processes and techniques. This practical block will be framed by lectures and tutorials on the technical study of artworks and artefacts, providing the necessary orientation to this fascinating yet complex area of work. The University’s diverse collections will feature in the case study materials, drawing attention to the varying challenges of upkeep for their custodians. Site visits will aim to include the conservation laboratory.
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 40 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 30 | Feedback Weeks | 32 | |
| Feedback |
The MCQs account for the work undertaken in the Science Hub during the lab weeks of the course. Full information will be provided in the course guide and in week 1 of the course. |
|||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Factual | Remember | To gain entry-level knowledge about the technical study of artworks and artefacts. |
| Procedural | Understand | To understand how this theoretical knowledge can be applied in practice. |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 40 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 32 | Feedback Weeks | 35 | |
| Feedback |
500-word Poster.
|
|||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Factual | Remember | To gain entry-level knowledge about the technical study of artworks and artefacts. |
| Procedural | Understand | To understand how this theoretical knowledge can be applied in practice. |
| Reflection | Understand | To understand the ethical framework for decision-making in conservation and analysis of artworks and artefacts. |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 20 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Participation (lab work and tutorial engagement). Continuously assessed. |
|||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Factual | Remember | To gain entry-level knowledge about the technical study of artworks and artefacts. |
| Procedural | Understand | To understand how this theoretical knowledge can be applied in practice. |
| Reflection | Understand | To understand the ethical framework for decision-making in conservation and analysis of artworks and artefacts. |
There are no assessments for this course.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 100 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
2,000-word Essay. Written feedback. |
Word Count | 2000 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
|
|
||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Factual | Remember | To gain entry-level knowledge about the technical study of artworks and artefacts. |
| Procedural | Understand | To understand how this theoretical knowledge can be applied in practice. |
| Reflection | Understand | To understand the ethical framework for decision-making in conservation and analysis of artworks and artefacts. |
We have detected that you are have compatibility mode enabled or are using an old version of Internet Explorer. You either need to switch off compatibility mode for this site or upgrade your browser.
