Master in Forensic Anthropology

General Objectives of the Course

The Master in Forensic Anthropology aims to offer specialized and multidisciplinary training at an advanced level in different areas of Forensic Anthropology, namely: Human Osteology, Forensic Taphonomy, estimation of the Biological Profile parameters, identification process, trauma analysis, field anthropology, and its interaction with other forensic subjects and Criminal Investigation. To foster a critical appreciation of the scientific literature in order to develop the confidence required for independent work, in or out of science. • To equip the students with a variety of transferable skills that will be helpful in future choice of career.
It is intended that students acquire:
1. Instrumental skills in: analysis and synthesis; organization and planning; oral and written communication; use of computer tools; information management, problem solving and decision-making ability.
2. Personal and Inter-personal skills in: group work and interdisciplinary team work; working within an international context; critical reasoning and understanding specialists’ language.
3. Systemic skills, e.g. competencies in: autonomous learning; searching; ability to adjust to new situations; applying in practice the theoretical knowledge; planning and managing; self-criticism and evaluation. It is also intended to promote creativity, care about rigor and quality, leadership, initiative and enterprising spirit.
The objectives of this master's degree will be fulfilled as follows: in each curricular unit students will have to do different tasks (practical or theoretical) according to the programme set by the teacher. The way and quality in which those tasks are performed express the student’s knowledge and is subjected to evaluation.

Admission Requirements

1. They can apply for access to the cycle of studies leading to the Master's degree in Forensic Anthropology:
a) Holders of a degree or legal equivalent in: Anthropology, Biology, Biochemistry, Medicine, Dental Medicine, other Biological Sciences and Social and Human Sciences;
b) Holders of a foreign higher academic degree, in the areas referred to in a), conferred following a 1st cycle of studies organized according to the principles of the Bologna Process by a State adhering to this Process;
c) Holders of a higher academic degree obtained abroad that is recognized as satisfying the objectives of the degree of licensee in one of the areas mentioned in the previous points by the Scientific Council of the FCTUC;
d) In duly justified cases, the holders of a scientific and professional curriculum relevant to the frequency of this cycle of studies and as such, that is recognized by the Scientific Council of the FCTUC.

2. The recognition referred to in sub-paragraphs b) to d) of paragraph 1 shall only have access to the study cycle leading to the degree of master and does not confer on its holder the equivalence to the degree of licenciado or the recognition of that degree degree.

Candidates should check the admission requirements available on this site, in addition to the information provided here.

Professional Goals

Forensic Anthropology Technicians, experts, participation in international teams of mass disasters and crimes against humanity, teaching and consulting; excavation of human remains.

Mode of Study

Daytime / Full-time / Face-to-face

Teaching / Evaluation language(s)

Portuguese and/or English

Examination Regulations, Assessment and Grading

As assessment is a pedagogical activity inseparable from the teaching process, its aim is to establish the students' competencies and knowledge, their critical sense, ability to recognize and resolve problems, as well as their written and oral presentation skills. Students may only register for exams for classes they are currently enrolled. The following are examples of assessment items: Oral or written exams, written or practical work, individual and group projects that may require an oral defense, as well as class participation. Assessment for each class may include one or more of the above mentioned items. Grading is based on a scale of 0 to 20 and a grade of 10 is required to pass. Whenever the grade comprises more than one item, the final grade is calculated by taking into account the relative weight of each item according a formula published in the course outline.

Learning Objectives and Intended Skills

This course aims to offer advanced training in issues related to Forensic Anthropology, such as: i) knowledge of the subject’s history and its attributions; ii) to be able to solve a forensic anthropology routine case; iii) to know and identify the bones of the human skeleton; iv) identification of human remains; v) to assist in cause and manner of death assessment; vi) to be able to participate in the excavation and exhumation of human remains and estimate time since death; vii) to understand the framework of anthropology within the forensic sciences viii) Evaluate papers in scientific journals. ix) Understand and describe, orally and in writing, recent advances in your chosen degree discipline. x) Formulate sensible scientific hypotheses and design experiments to test them.

Course Coordinator(s)

José Francisco Taborda Curate
uc41353@uc.pt

ECTS Departmental Coordinator(s)

Gonçalo João Duro dos Santos
gsantos@uc.pt

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of prior learning is carried out in accordance with the Academic Regulation of the University of Coimbra.

Qualification Requirements and Regulations

The legal framework for the qualification is established by the Decree-Law nr. 74/2006, 24th March, in its current wording, and Portaria nº 782/2009 de July 23rd.

Graduation Requirements

According to the study plan, students must fulfill 120 ECTS in total: 1st year (two semesters) – 60 ECTS; 2nd year - 60 ECTS: 3 ECTS correspond to the curricular unit “research project” (1st semester) and 57 ECTS to the curricular unit “Dissertation” (annual), which must be publicly defended before a jury.

Access to Further Studies

3rd cycle of studies.

Study Programme

Forensic Anthropology

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Course Type
2nd Cycle Studies - Advanced Specialisation Master Programme

DGES Code: MA13

Qualification Awarded: Mestre

Duration: 2 Year(s)

ECTS Credits: 120.0

Category: Advanced specialization second cycle

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Applications

Call for Applications

• 2nd Cycle Course
• Readmission

• Application submission
• Web page with information for candidates

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Calendar

1st Semester

Start date: 07-09-2026
End date: 18-12-2026

2nd Semester

Start date: 08-02-2027
End date: 20-05-2027

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Accreditations

Agência de Avaliação e Acreditação do Ensino Superior

Nº Registo: ACEF/2526/1700061

2026-07-31 a 2032-07-31

Direcção Geral de Ensino Superior

Nº Registo: R/A-Cr 48/2018

2018-06-07

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Documents