Anthropology

Admission procedure
The admission interview is usually in an online form and consists of three parts:
1) The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of human biology, including phylogenetic and ontogenetic development and ecological and socio-economic context to the extent taught in follow-up courses in Anthropology at the Faculty of Science, Masaryk University. For proven knowledge, the candidate can get a score of max. 20 points,
2) Furthermore, the candidate must be able to justify that the dissertation topic proposed in collaboration with a potential supervisor is well scientifically based and technically, time and financially manageable. Powerpoint (or other) presentation of the dissertation project in Czech or English is welcome. The candidate can earn a maximum of 50 points for the ability to defend the selected topic of the dissertation project,
3) language part – the applicant submits the topic and proposed solution of the dissertation in written form (1-2 pages) in English. Furthermore, the candidate must be able to respond to the professional questions of the committee on the topic of the work in English. The applicant can earn a maximum of 30 points for proving language skills.

More information about admission process for international applicants in general can be found in the section Admission Process.

Date of the entrance exam
The applicants will receive information about the entrance exam via e-mail usually at least 10 days before the exam.
Please, always check your e-mails, including spam folders.

Conditions of admission
To be admitted, a candidate must obtain a total of at least 60 points out of 100.
Successful applicants are informed of their acceptance via e-mail and subsequently receive an invitation to the enrolment.

Programme capacity
The capacity of a given programme is not fixed; students are admitted based on a decision by the Doctoral Board after assessing their aptitude for study and motivation.

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.

The units of the Department of Anthropology cover the following research topics as well as 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.