Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Biology and Geography with International or Placement Year

at Keele University United Kingdom

For the Neuroscience element of the course, you will explore a range of topics which may include the mystery of the human brain, the central nervous system, the impact of drugs upon it, and the molecular biology of diseases and disorders of the brain.

Studying Neuroscience, you’ll discover how we learn and remember, how the brain controls the body, and how the brain can be targeted by disease but in some instances can repair itself. Within the course are interesting related disciplines such as neuroanatomy, neuropharmacology and neuropathology.

Working in diverse ways, including in our well-equipped labs, you’ll develop your independent research skills as you learn to acquire, interpret and analyse data from multiple sources. You’ll also understand how neuroscience can help us understand medical problems and improve the quality of life.

For the Psychology element of this course, you will be taught by staff who are actively engaged in research with specialisms in social psychology, developmental psychology, cognition and neuropsychology, biological psychology health and wellbeing and a range of applied areas. The emphasis of the course is on understanding how psychology impacts on everyday life; from developing a sense of self and negotiating personal relationships to influencing judgments about matters of global significance, such as climate change. At Keele we aim to produce psychology graduates who are ready to use their psychology skills and knowledge to make a real difference. The psychology modules on this course are accredited by the British Psychological Society.

You will be challenged with exciting ideas and findings from psychology and neuroscience. In Psychology, you will study a range of topics which may include social and developmental psychology, cognitive and biological psychology and research methods. In Neuroscience you learn about the nervous system, its various components and how they work, and how they are affected by disease. You’ll benefit from a supportive environment as well as fantastic lab facilities and equipment.

Biology at Keele focuses on the amazing world of organisms – from how they’ve evolved to their relationships with the environment and each other. Keele takes a broad approach to biology, examining the diversity of life and its evolution from the geological past. You’ll consider a range of biological concepts which may include the complexity of biological processes and mechanisms at molecular, cellular, organismal and ecosystem levels, and the related philosophical and ethical issues. You’ll engage in activities to strengthen your skillset which may include sampling, recording and analysing data in the field and in our well-equipped labs.

BSc (Hons) Geography Combined Honours at Keele allows you to focus specifically on your preferred area of physical geography. This course explores the Earth's varied landscapes and the complex, potentially fragile, global systems that connect them. As a student at Keele you will learn about the rapidly evolving science at the heart of global environmental change and discover new ways of understanding and appreciating the natural world around us. 

Our focus on climate change, global responsibility, sustainability, and the application of professional geographical skills to real-world situations will prepare you for a wide range of careers and for life as a responsible global citizen. What you learn here will equip you for future employment and for a lifelong appreciation of the world around you.

Studying Geography and History at Keele will enable you to develop your appreciation of various global histories, and an array of world issues whilst enjoying the rich history of our local area. In your spare time, you might find yourself exploring the largest collection of Anglo-Saxon metalwork most likely deposited in the 7th century in the then Kingdom of Mercia. The Staffordshire Hoard provides a window to England in the 6th and 7th centuries and also to the warrior elite that existed during these times and now rests less than 5 miles away from Keele.

The History element of the programme will carry you chronologically from the medieval period to the present, and span the globe. You will be introduced to a wide range of history – from political, social, economic and cultural history to the history of gender, health, sexuality and religion. Throughout your first year, you may engage in modules that encourage you to explore topics such as how European rulers tried to strengthen their authority with the increase of military power between the late fifteenth and late seventeenth centuries, or some of the key defining moments in History which may include the 1720 South Sea Bubble in Britain, the 1791 Haitian Revolution or the 1933 Bauhaus movement.

Throughout the Geography element of the degree you'll focus specifically on your preferred area of human geography. This highly interdisciplinary course provides you with a strong theoretical and practical background in human geography giving you the understanding and professional geographical skills to explore an array of world issues from different perspectives. Our staff's diverse research interests and creative methods reflect a modern human geography that can develop your skills to address contemporary societal issues such as climate change, sustainability, health and migration from political, economic, social and cultural perspectives. What you learn here will equip you for future employment and for a lifelong appreciation of the world around you.

In Astrophysics, you will learn to formulate and tackle problems – from below the level of the atomic nucleus to astronomical scales. Astrophysics is active wherever the laws of physics are being tested to the limit – and beyond. Keele will help you to use astronomical observations, mathematical models and computer simulation to develop theories explaining some of the most complex phenomena.

The course is run by the School of Medicine in collaboration with the Research Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine.

Teaching takes place at the Guy Hilton Research Centre, a dedicated research facility located on the Royal Stoke University Hospital site, and also at the main University Campus. The School of Medicine is one of the top-ranked in the UK, and the research institute has an international reputation for world-leading research in medical engineering and healthcare technologies.

The School embraces specialists working in Royal Stoke University Hospital, County Hospital in Stafford and specialist Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital in Oswestry. You therefore have the opportunity to specialise in any of the varied clinical disciplines offered at these hospitals.

The School also runs MSc courses in Biomedical Engineering and in Cell and Tissue Engineering, and an EPSRC and MRC-funded Centre for Doctoral Training, ensuring a stimulating academic environment for students and many opportunities for engaging with further study and research.

At Keele we pride ourselves on the applicability of our degrees to the work environment graduates are entering. The course structure and ethos have been designed to ensure that you will hit the ground running, giving you the subject and industry knowledge and transferable skills so that you can make an immediate contribution to your employer or indeed your own company.

This course covers the main aspects of pharmaceutical discovery and development, including product formulation, manufacture and quality assurance, and explains how such pure and applied sciences fit into the global pharmaceutical business, legal and regulatory frameworks. This includes elements of clinical development and the role of the pharmaceutical scientist within the industry team that take a drug from research to the clinic. 

Our programme explores key themes around accountancy, which may include: organisational behaviour, financial and management accounting, operations and quality management, audit and business strategy.

Core modules, such as financial and management accounting, organisational behaviour, operations and quality management, audit, and business strategy, may be supported with options, such as, marketing, business law, economics, taxation, and international finance. This will allow you to explore new and different areas of study.

You will study fundamental mathematical and statistical techniques alongside modern software development methods. You will have the opportunity to apply your learning using authentic datasets in our cutting-edge computing laboratories.

You'll explore a range of advanced technical topics which may include cloud computing, as well as academic research, industry-focused professional skills and practical problem-solving ensure you are fully equipped for an exciting and intellectually stimulating journey as a Data Scientist.

On this programme, you will also combine the key principles of Neuroscience with more specific areas of the subject such as neuroanatomy, neuropharmacology and neuropathology.

Working in diverse ways, including our well-equipped labs, you’ll develop independent research skills as you learn to acquire, interpret and analyse data from multiple sources. You will also understand how neuroscience can help us understand medical problems and improve the quality of life. 

By taking this combined programme, you will study educational practices and processes from a variety of perspectives. You will define, describe and work with key concepts such as equality of opportunity, class, gender, marketization and social exclusion. You will learn to relate contemporary education policy to wider processes of global, economic, cultural and social changes and have opportunities to observe how these processes affect teaching practice by doing placements.

The compulsory sociology modules will provide you with a grounding in the key areas of the discipline: inequalities, social theory, and research methods. Our programme also covers a wide range of topics such as families, activism and protest, social media, globalisation, and belief systems. Studying Sociology enables you to think independently, critically, and imaginatively about the issues that shape our everyday lives and our futures.

On this course, you will learn to use chemistry in problem solving, and to present your theories and findings confidently and imaginatively. You will explore scientific instruments and techniques, and enjoy access to dedicated IT facilities. You also may have the opportunity to tailor your studies to reflect your interests, and learn how to pursue your own research.