MSc ANTHROENGINEERING

Overview

Mode	Duration	Start date	Application code	Application method
ModeFull-time (Engineering Pathway)	Duration1 year	Start dateSeptember	Application code5787	Application method Direct to LSBU
ModeFull-time (Anthropology Pathway)	Duration1 year	Start dateSeptember	Application code5787	Application method Direct to LSBU

International students

The course is not currently open to international students.

International (non Home) applicants should follow our international how to apply guide.

Home/EU applicants

Mode	Duration	Start date	Application code	Application method
Mode Full-time (Engineering Pathway)	Duration 1 year	Start date September	Application code 5787	Application method Direct to LSBU
Mode Full-time (Anthropology Pathway)	Duration 1 year	Start date September	Application code 5787	Application method Direct to LSBU

Postgraduate students and research students should apply through our dedicated application system. Full details of how to do this are supplied on our How to apply section for postgraduate students and our How to apply section for research students.

See our admissions policy (PDF File 1,043 KB) and complaints policy (PDF File 516 KB).

Accommodation

Students should apply for accommodation at London South Bank University (LSBU) as soon as possible, once we have made an offer of a place on one of our academic courses. Read more about applying for accommodation at LSBU.

Finance

It's a good idea to think about how you'll pay university tuition and maintenance costs while you're still applying for a place to study. Remember – you don't need to wait for a confirmed place on a course to start applying for student finance. Read how to pay your fees as a postgraduate student.

Postgraduate Application Service

Book a session with one of our specialist Postgraduate Advisors. Over a one on one Advice Session they'll advise you on postgraduate degrees at LSBU that match your interests and experience.

Prepare to start

We help our students prepare for university even before the semester starts. To find out when you should apply for your LSBU accommodation or student finance read the How to apply tab for this course.

Enrolment

Before you start your course we’ll send you information on what you’ll need to do before you arrive and during your first few days on campus. You can read about the process on our Enrolment pages.

Modules are informed by applied research from within the department and from close links within industry and enterprise organisations.

There are two pathways being offered. Those with a background in engineering (or a similar field) take the Engineering Pathways. Those with a background in anthropology (or a similar field) are encouraged to take the Anthropology Pathway.

Engineering Pathway

• Introduction to Anthropology and Biology
  This module provides primer information on (biological) anthropology and biology for those with a background in engineering or related disciplines. Topics covered in this module range from hominins and human evolution to biological variation and primatology. It will bridge archaic and topical concepts ranging from who are we and how did we get here? to race as a social construct.
• Mechanical Modelling of Biological Systems I: Physical to Digital World
  This is the first of two modules on the mechanical modelling of biological systems. When constructing mechanical models, data must be acquired from the real-world and translated into the digital one. These data include geometry, boundary conditions, such as forces and motion, and mechanical properties. Here, students will be taught traditional and state-of-the-art methods related to the acquisition of this data, along with the underlying theories for these methods. By combining theory with hands-on experience, students will leave this module with the ability to gather and post-process data relevant to the creation of digital mechanical models.
• Hard Tissue Biology and Mechanics
  Primates have an internal skeletal system that provides support and structure to the body. The teeth, responsible for food item breakdown and energy intake, are the only portion of the skeleton exposed to the external environment. Lacking self-repair mechanisms, dental enamel exhibits unique adaptation against mechanical failure. This module will cover the basics of hard tissue biology and physiology. The mechanics and mechanical adaptations of hard tissues will be investigated in the context of primate and hominin evolution.
• Technical Research and Professional Skills
  This module teaches how to search and gather relevant technical information, how to extract the essence from a piece of technical literature, how to carry out a critical review of a research paper, how to write a feasibility report, how to give presentations and put your thoughts across effectively, and how to manage a project in terms of time and progress in a group project environment. These objectives are designed to enhance the technical and analytical background that is necessary for the respective Master’s stream.
• Seminar Series
  In this module, we will invite experts who use theories and methods from both anthropology and engineering in their research and/or work to give talks on their areas of expertise. Students will be provided with a list of speakers at the beginning of the semester and are expected to research the speakers before the talk. Group discussions about the topic and its relevance to anthroengineering will occur after presentations.
• Musculoskeletal Evolutionary Biomechanics
  This module focuses on the relationship between muscles, bones, and movement in the human body. It teaches students methods for capturing, processing, and interpreting motion capture and electromyography data. It discusses trade-offs between form and function, and how to biomechanical data in an evolutionary framework. Finally, it discusses how biomechanical studies can be used to reconstruct the lives of our ancestors, and how human biological variation effects biomechanical performance today. 
• Mechanical Modelling of Biological Systems II: Digital Models, Validation, and Interpretation
  This is the second of two modules on the mechanical modelling of biological systems. This module focuses on the construction of biomechanical models of hard tissues using the data acquired using methods from mechanical modelling part I, the validation of these models, and interpretation of the results in both mechanically and biologically relevant manners. Two classes of models – finite element and musculoskeletal models (linking Musculoskeletal evolutionary biomechanics module with this one) – will be focused on for this module. Validation methods are introduced, discussed, and applied.
• Design Anthropology
  This module will cover how human-centred design and ethnographic methods work together to understand the interactions between people and technology. This includes design ethnography: how to understand different users and specific cultural and social contexts using human-centred design methods. It will also include an introduction to observation and documentation methods such as visual (digital photography and video), user-centred and participatory design approaches
• Project in Engineering
  This module requires MSc students to undertake a major project in an area that is relevant to their MSc course. Students choose their projects by contacting relevant research centre academics and engage on actively creating a project title and expected outcomes, carrying it out under the guidance of their supervisor. At the end of the project, the students are required to present a dissertation, which forms a major element of the assessment. The dissertation assesses the student’s ability to integrate information from various sources, to conduct an in-depth investigation, to critically analyse results and information obtained and to propose solutions. The other element of the assessment includes an oral examination (viva-voce). The Individual Project carries 60 credits and is a major part of MSc program.

Anthropology Pathway

• Solid Mechanics and Materials
  This module will give you a broad introduction to the properties and limitations of engineering materials and an understanding of the fundamental structural characteristics governing these properties. The module will also introduce you to the fundamental concepts of engineering mechanics, particularly statics at BEng Level 4. The module will emphasise the relationship between theory and real engineering systems, and will involve a set of appropriate practical laboratory experiments.
• Mechanical Modelling of Biological Systems I: Physical to Digital World
  This is the first of two modules on the mechanical modelling of biological systems. When constructing mechanical models, data must be acquired from the real-world and translated into the digital one. These data include geometry, boundary conditions, such as forces and motion, and mechanical properties. Here, students will be taught traditional and state-of-the-art methods related to the acquisition of this data, along with the underlying theories for these methods. By combining theory with hands-on experience, students will leave this module with the ability to gather and post-process data relevant to the creation of digital mechanical models.
• Hard Tissue Biology and Mechanics
  Primates have an internal skeletal system that provides support and structure to the body. The teeth, responsible for food item breakdown and energy intake, are the only portion of the skeleton exposed to the external environment. Lacking self-repair mechanisms, dental enamel exhibits unique adaptation against mechanical failure. This module will cover the basics of hard tissue biology and physiology. The mechanics and mechanical adaptations of hard tissues will be investigated in the context of primate and hominin evolution.
• Technical Research and Professional Skills
  This module teaches how to search and gather relevant technical information, how to extract the essence from a piece of technical literature, how to carry out a critical review of a research paper, how to write a feasibility report, how to give presentations and put your thoughts across effectively, and how to manage a project in terms of time and progress in a group project environment. These objectives are designed to enhance the technical and analytical background that is necessary for the respective Master’s stream.
• Seminar Series
  In this module, we will invite experts who use theories and methods from both anthropology and engineering in their research and/or work to give talks on their areas of expertise. Students will be provided with a list of speakers at the beginning of the semester and are expected to research the speakers before the talk. Group discussions about the topic and its relevance to anthroengineering will occur after presentations.
• Musculoskeletal Evolutionary Biomechanics
  This module focuses on the relationship between muscles, bones, and movement in the human body. It teaches students methods for capturing, processing, and interpreting motion capture and electromyography data. It discusses trade-offs between form and function, and how to biomechanical data in an evolutionary framework. Finally, it discusses how biomechanical studies can be used to reconstruct the lives of our ancestors, and how human biological variation effects biomechanical performance today. 
• Mechanical Modelling of Biological Systems II: Digital Models, Validation, and Interpretation
  This is the second of two modules on the mechanical modelling of biological systems. This module focuses on the construction of biomechanical models of hard tissues using the data acquired using methods from mechanical modelling part I, the validation of these models, and interpretation of the results in both mechanically and biologically relevant manners. Two classes of models – finite element and musculoskeletal models (linking Musculoskeletal evolutionary biomechanics module with this one) – will be focused on for this module. Validation methods are introduced, discussed, and applied.
• Design Anthropology
  This module will cover how human-centred design and ethnographic methods work together to understand the interactions between people and technology. This includes design ethnography: how to understand different users and specific cultural and social contexts using human-centred design methods. It will also include an introduction to observation and documentation methods such as visual (digital photography and video), user-centred and participatory design approaches
• Project in Engineering
  This module requires MSc students to undertake a major project in an area that is relevant to their MSc course. Students choose their projects by contacting relevant research centre academics and engage on actively creating a project title and expected outcomes, carrying it out under the guidance of their supervisor. At the end of the project, the students are required to present a dissertation, which forms a major element of the assessment. The dissertation assesses the student’s ability to integrate information from various sources, to conduct an in-depth investigation, to critically analyse results and information obtained and to propose solutions. The other element of the assessment includes an oral examination (viva-voce). The Individual Project carries 60 credits and is a major part of MSc program.

Facilities

Read more about our workshops, laboratories and industry-standard software packages.

Facilities

Read more about our workshops, laboratories and industry-standard software packages.