Anthropology

The programme’s goal is to develop students in the field of Anthropology as developed at the Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Science, MU. In addition to be ready to take on further scientific careers in academic institutions, graduates find possible employment in companies with research facilities, in archaeology or history-oriented institutions (archaeological agencies and intitutes, museums, institutions of cultural heritage), forensics-oriented institutions in government and non-governmental organisations (UN, NGOs), in healthcare facilities, and last but not least as lecturers.

Research topics follow the research strategy at the Department of Anthropology and currently include:

1) Mankind and the Environment in the Past – studies of human skeletal remains and funerary practices,

2) Mankind and the Environment in the Modern Era - relationships between modern-day environment and the morphology and composition of the human body, including effects of stress in various stages of body development and effects of external agents on sexual maturation and human sexuality,

3) Virtual Anthropology - – implementation of innovative, state-of-the-art, up-to-date digital technologies and procedures to studies of human biology,

4) Forensics-oriented Research - research in forensic, security and protection sectors, conducted mainly by the Laboratory of Morphology and Forensic Anthropology (LaMorFA). LaMorFA represents a leading forensic anthropology laboratory in the country and serves, among other things, as a sought-after training centre for forensic specialists (including law-enforcement officers).

Forensic expert casework, for which PhD students are also trained:

Excavation and exhumation of human remains in the archaeological and forensic context

Identification of skeletal findings in the archaeological and forensic context

Portrait identification of persons

After successfully completing his/her studies the graduate is able to:

• conduct independent research and analysis and to understand relevant theories, concepts, approaches and techniques in the field of anthropology
• write manuscripts which have the form of scientific papers and publish them in international scientific journals
• present and defend the results of his/her research at an international scientific forum
• understand and be able to use his/her professional and theoretical knowledge in the field of anthropology
• know and to critically evaluate the most recent knowledge and scientific developments in the biological fields and humanities
• understand and communicate in English fluently
• use the experience gained from international collaboration
• transfer knowledge and experience through teaching
• use the transferable experience gained in project planning and management, communication and teamwork

Graduates of a doctoral degree program Anthropology are qualified to work especially in research anthropology-oriented institutes and workplaces or as specialists, research team leaders, lecturers. They are authorized to conduct independent scientific and research activities in basic and applied research focusing on anthropology, human biology and forensic science. In the most broader sense, they are considered qualified for any kind of scientific work, that is dealing with conceptual issues, participating in and managing scientific research activities, and teaching.

Practical training (with the exception of laboratory expert casework) is not a mandatory part of the study.

The dissertation is the original work written in the course of student's doctoral studies under the supervision of a supervisor. If it is based on the knowledge gained during previous studies, these are clearly marked, for example, by citations. The dissertation is prepared in the prescribed text and graphic editor and submitted in the printed and electronic form. The thesis is presented in Czech or English. Submission of work in another language is acceptable if have approved by the supervisor. Work in a non-Czech language contains a summary in the Czech language of 3 pages as minimum.

The following forms of dissertation are acceptable:

a) a monograph containing state-of-the-art on the given topic, presented as a literary overview, a detailed description of the methods and results used, a discussion, a summary and a list of references,

(b) a collection of at least three scientific published studies or manuscripts submitted for publication in peer-reviwed scientific journals that are thematically identical to the dissertation. The volume opens with an introductory chapter of a minimum of 20 pages, which logically links the individual articles and provides commentary in the context of contemporary knowledge. For at least two published studies/manuscripts included, the student is referred as the first author.