Guide in PDF format

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The course guide is provisional.

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Master's Degree Dissertation

Code: 44486
Credits: 12

2026/2027

Degree programme	Type	Course
Prehistoric Archaeology	OB	1

Contact lecturer

Name :: Raquel Piqué Huerta
Email :: raquel.pique@uab.cat

Group languages

You can consult this information at the end of the document.

Prerequisites

Objectives

The aim of this module is to introduce students to research practice in Prehistoric Archaeology through the completion of an original research project related to any of the topics and issues addressed in this Master's programme or to closely related fields of study.

Master's Theses may focus on theoretical, methodological, and/or historical topics. In general, three types of Master's Thesis are established in the Master's Degree in Prehistoric Archaeology:

Critical analysis of a theoretical issue in archaeology.
Critical analysis of an archaeological technique or methodology, or of one of its auxiliary disciplines, preferably including an application example or case study.
Research aimed at addressing an archaeological, historical, or ethnoarchaeological problem. This type of thesis involves the study of a particular category of archaeological material or a set of materials from one or more archaeological sites, based on explicit research hypotheses.

Learning outcomes

That the students can apply their knowledge and their ability to solve problems in new or unfamiliar environments within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to their field of study.
Implement protocols for conducting field work and sample collection.
Critically apply research techniques in prehistoric archaeology.
Incorporate ethical considerations into the analysis of the cultural needs of different groups.
Evaluate the real potential for influencing the public through cultural action.
Include gender perspectives, universal accessibility and multiculturalism when proposing and reflecting on work.
Knowledge and understanding that provide a basis or opportunity for originality in developing and / or applying ideas, often in a research context.
Use the main analytic methods, techniques and instruments in prehistoric archaeology.
Use the appropriate methodology and techniques at each stage in the preparation of a research paper.
Formulate a research project on problem areas in prehistoric archaeology.
Design or plan research actions and manage and summarise the appropriate information.
Formulate and solve problems and interpret the causes of the social processes being studied in the field of prehistoric archaeology.
Analyse and summarise information from a critical perspective.
Organise, plan and manage research work.
Apply both knowledge and analytic skills to problem-solving within the field of study.

The Master's Thesis (TFM) shall consist of an original and unpublished research project, carried out individually by each student under the supervision of a designated supervisor.

At the beginning of the academic year (October–November), an information session will be held to explain the aims and requirements of the Master's Thesis, the procedure for assigning supervisors, the guidelines for preparing the research proposal, and the timetable for supervision, submission, and defence.

The thesis will take the form of a written research dissertation that should include the research objectives, a review of the relevant literature and state of the art, the methodology employed, the results obtained, their discussion, and the final conclusions.

The final version of the Master's Thesis must be submitted during June or July and, exceptionally, in September. A maximum length of 60 pages is recommended (approximately 2,100 characters per page), excluding acknowledgements, references, appendices, figures, tables, and other supplementary materials.

The Master's Thesis must be submitted exclusively in PDF format and sent both to the supervisor(s) and to the coordinator of the Master's Thesis module.

Learning activities and methodology

Title	Hours	ECTS	Learning outcomes
Master Thesis	9	0.36	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15

The Master's Thesis must be carried out following a scientific methodology appropriate to the research objectives and questions addressed. Students are expected to clearly define the research questions, objectives, working hypotheses (where appropriate), sources and materials under study, as well as the methods and procedures used for data collection, analysis, and interpretation.

The methodology may include theoretical, documentary, technological, experimental, archaeometric, statistical, spatial, ethnoarchaeological, or any other approaches relevant to the research topic. In all cases, the suitability of the selected methods must be justified in relation to the aims of the study.

The Master's Thesis should demonstrate the student's ability to formulate a research problem, critically review the relevant scholarly literature, apply appropriate methodologies, analyse and interpret results, and draw coherent and well-supported conclusions in accordance with the academic and scientific standards of prehistoric archaeology.

Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Assessment

Continuous assessment activities

Title	Weight	Hours	ECTS	Learning outcomes
Presentation	30	2	0.08	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
Master Thesis	70	289	11.56	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15

The assessment of the Master's Thesis (TFM) will take into account both the written dissertation (70%) and the public oral defence (30%).

Master's Theses will be defended orally before an assessment committee, either in person or online, in a public session held during the June/July examination period or in September. The defence may be conducted online via Microsoft Teams. In such cases, the supervisor(s) will be responsible for organising and conducting the session. For online defences (via Teams), the access link must be made available to interested parties, given the public nature of the event.

a) The composition of the assessment committee must be proposed by the supervisor(s) to the coordinator of the Master's Thesis module, with a copy sent to the Master's Programme Coordinator.

b) The assessment committee will consist of three members, all of whom must hold a doctoral degree. Of these three members, at least one must be a faculty member of the Department of Prehistory at the UAB, and at least one must be a researcher affiliated with a university department, research institution, or equivalent organisation other than the Department of Prehistory at the UAB. An alternate member will also be appointed.

c) Under no circumstances may the supervisor(s) of a Master's Thesis serve on the assessment committee responsible for evaluating that thesis.

d) The presentation of the research carried out in the Master's Thesis should last approximately 30 minutes. Following the presentation, members of the assessment committee will have sufficient time to provide comments and ask any questions they consider relevant regarding the thesis and the oral presentation.

This course/module does not provide for a single-assessment system.

If a student commits any irregularity that may result in a significant alteration of the grade awarded for an assessment activity, that activity will be graded as 0 (fail), regardless of any disciplinary procedures that may be initiated. If multiple irregularities occur in the assessment activities of the same course, the final grade for the course will be 0 (fail).

This course allows the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies exclusively for bibliographic searches, information retrieval, and text proofreading. Other uses may be considered, provided they receive prior approval from the lecturer responsible for the course.

Students must: (i) identify any sections generated with the assistance of AI; (ii) specify the tools used; and (iii) include a critical reflection on how these tools influenced both the process and the final outcome of the work.

Failure to disclose the use of AI in this assessed activity will be considered a breach of academic integrity and will result in a grade of 0 (fail) for the activity, with no possibility of reassessment, or more severe sanctions in cases of serious misconduct.

Bibliography

Software

Course groups and languages

The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE

Type of teaching	Group	Language	Semester	Shift
(TFMm) Treball de fi de màster	1	Catalan/Spanish	second semester	afternoon