Human Sciences BA - Course Structure
The course is based on lectures and tutorials, with some practicals in the biological subjects. The lectures introduce most of the material you will need and provide the core concepts and theories. In the weekly tutorials, you will go into certain topics in greater depth. By the end of your three years you will have a thorough grounding in the following subject areas which make up the core of the Human Sciences degree:
- Behaviour and how it evolves
- Human genetics
- Humans and their environment
- Demography
- Humans in their social and cultural context
In addition you will choose TWO options from a published list and write a Dissertation.
In the First and Second Year a typical weekly timetable is 10 - 12 lectures; 1 - 2 tutorials; one afternoon of practicals.
In the Third Year: 8 - 10 lectures; 1 - 2 tutorials; research for Dissertation.
What is a tutorial?
Tutorials are a distinctive feature of undergraduate education at Oxford and serve several purposes. For example, some of you may not have covered certain topics which make up Human Sciences, and individual or group tutorials can help to introduce certain key concepts and background material. The main purpose of a tutorial, however, is to allow you to study topics in greater depth than is possible in a lecture. Your tutor will set you an essay question and provide you with a list of books and articles to read. The individual research and writing you do, followed by the discussion of your essay with your tutor, are designed to develop your ability to think and use your own ideas, and judge critically the material found in books and journals.
