The course provides intensive training opportunities for students in the Master of Archaeological Science program either as research training in laboratories, or as applied science archaeological vocational placements. The course is available as a core course or as an elective in the MArchScience (48 unit ) degree or in MArchSci (Research) degree.  The minimum internship period is normally equivalent to 20-30 days of placement, but this may completed flexibly or part-time. The course may be taken multiple times within the MArch Science degree programs, subject to negotiation with, and approval from, the program convenor. 

Course aims and outcomes are individually tailored to the students training need and goals. This commonly provides the key training skill platform on which PRPs or thesis topics can subsequently develop. The course may be undertaken on campus, off campus in Australia, or overseas. In all cases the course is designed by the student in consultation with the program convenor, and is subject to approval by the convenor and H & S vetting by the MArch Science convenor. 

Variable according to the project, but normally involving combinations of:

• Specified core training skills or expertise in some aspect of laboratory practice (eg training to use a machine or instrument) or field deployment of scientific instruments (eg Ground Penetrating Radar)
• Professional skill acquisition as part of a mentoring program work with a professional company or team
• Acquisition of skills needed for a defined thesis topic in the MArchSci (Research) program.

On completing the course students will have acquired knowledge and skills appropriate to: 

• Acquit specific tasks in applied science approaches within professional archaeological working environments
• Use appropriate selected tools and methods to better contextualise contemporary archaeological science within the broader public and industrial contexts where archaeological practice or heritage outcomes are expected
• Implement specific research task or techniques  

These generic outcomes will normally be gained within research institutions, professional companies, facilities operated by partner industrial organisations or as internships linked to professional workshops or conferences. international placements will commonly involve use of IARU partners or similar engagements with M ArchScience program affiliated partners.    

The course assessment is variable and tuned to the purpose of the internship. A minimal assessment requirement will be production of diary/log of activities undertaken on a daily basis. Indicative assessment and mark proportions will be set at the outset of the internship and may involve combinations of portfolios of data; imagery archives; professional draft reports, laboratory analytical results; project reports; draft scientific papers as reports or as poster papers for delivery at a Conference.

Course assessment (as a 6 unit) not to exceed the equivalent of ONE 5000 word extended research essay or pro rata increased to 10,000 words if (exceptionally) the course is taken as 12 units of credit (eg through a full semester IARU or similar internship abroad).

Normally set to a minimum period of placement with partner organisations of 20 days. Pre-internship design, associated reporting and assessment tasks will form additional load nominally to between 10-40 hours outside of the placement period. 

Students must have successfully completed to a high standard (Distinction or higher) the compulsory course ARCH8032 Introduction to Arch Science and/or the Advanced Field Training Course (ARCH8002). This course is only available to students enrolled in the M. Arch. Science program. The course may be taken multiple times within the MArch Science degree programs, subject to approval.  

A high standard of core understanding is required of theory and practice in the core compulsory Archaeological Science units. This will be assumed, as will significant progress in background core readings in Environmental Archaeology, Research Design and Quaternary Science as set generically for the MArchSci degree program syllabus on Wattle.

This course will not normally be made available to students who have completed < 25% of their MArch Science course program at Distinction level or higher.  

No single text covers the range of topics in this course.

variable by student project