Human Evolutionary Studies University of Cambridge

Overview

The Human Evolutionary Studies course from the University of Cambridge aims of the course are to:

• provide students with the opportunity to study substantive issues and debates in human evolutionary studies;
• give students the opportunity to learn aspects of current research in human evolutionary studies through lectures, seminars and discussions from an international team of researchers with expertise and strengths in these areas;
• enable students to acquire the critical thinking and intellectual skills necessary for undertaking independent research in some aspect of human evolutionary studies;
• create an intellectual environment and platform that encourages students to learn from each other, particularly in seminar discussions, and one in which students benefit from the lived and learnt experiences and knowledge from peers from across the world;

• prepare students for research at doctoral level and equip them to be future leaders in evolutionary approaches to the understanding of humans today.

Upon successful completion of this MPhil, students should have:

• interdisciplinary training in human evolutionary studies, gaining familiarity with a range of intellectual and methodological approaches;
• in-depth knowledge of specialised subjects and themes in evolutionary anthropology;
• the skills necessary to conduct independent research, providing students with transferable skills, particularly in data science, and training in management of research projects from design through to completion;
• the ability to express themselves in written work precisely, clearly and persuasively, as well as to produce a substantial thesis on a research subject.

Depending on the project, some students will gain experience in preparing and submitting an article to a peer-reviewed journal.