Archaeology

PROGRAM INFORMATION
Department: Archaeology Faculty: Humanities and Social Sciences Campus: St. John's
Honours available: Yes Co-op available: Yes Length: Four years
University Calendar: Archaeology
Prospective students: Fill out our student inquiry form to receive updates from Memorial.


Archaeology studies past and contemporary human cultures, across a variety of spatial and temporal scales, through the material left behind. Our objects of study encompass artifacts (e.g. tools and other objects modified or created by humans), features (e.g. architectural remains, hearths, artistic depictions), ecofacts (e.g. plant, animal and human remains, as well as sediments), archaeological sites and their associated landscape settings.

Archaeology at Memorial

In the Department of Archaeology, our students engage in practical training and experiential learning in classroom, laboratory and fieldwork settings that provide a comprehensive education and transferable skills. We have begun to develop and expand our distance learning options through the development of online courses and remote teaching offerings that allow students from all over the world and different walks of life to join and learn with us and discover different aspects of archaeology. State of the art laboratories specializing in applied archaeological sciences, environmental archaeology, archaeological conservation, and artifact analysis integrate students into community-university research initiatives from Northern Labrador to French Guiana and from Alaska to Northwest Europe.

As one of the largest Archaeology departments in the country, we train our students to become effective researchers, critical thinkers, and active stewards for our shared archaeological heritage.

Admission requirements

Intake: Fall, winter or spring semesters
Application deadline: Applications are considered on a rolling basis. Students are encouraged to apply by: March 1 for fall admission, Oct. 1 for winter admission and Feb. 1 for spring admission

You may apply for admission into the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences by indicating bachelor of arts as your program choice on the undergraduate application for admission. Direct entry into the faculty is subject to your meeting the general admission requirements for Memorial University.

You may choose archaeology as your major at the time of application or you can explore your options and declare a major in a later semester by emailing registrar@mun.ca to make your choice official.

Sample first year

Wondering what courses you would take in your first year? Check out a sample program of suggested courses for archaeology students.

Sample courses and degree map

ARCH 2492 - Forensic Archaeology
ARCH 2495 - Archaeological Frauds and Mysteries
ARCH 3040 - The Human Skeleton

Archaeology degree map

Degree maps are navigational tools, designed to help you make the right choices throughout your Bachelor of Arts degree. They cover information pertaining to your studies, provide study tips, career guidance, suggestions for involvement, advice on go abroad activities and on your well being.

Career opportunities

A bachelor of arts degree, with a major in archaeology, prepares students for a variety of careers including:

  • cultural resource management
  • museums and archives
  • heritage administration
  • community research
  • tourism
  • education

Meet one of their graduates.

Note: some of these careers may call for supplementary education or preparation in the form of graduate studies, experiential learning or professional courses and exams.