Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Chemistry and Geology

at Keele University United Kingdom

On this course you will look at rocks, minerals and fossils, how they were formed, how they can be exploited as a resource, and what they can tell us about the history of the Earth. You will also cover geological processes such as earthquakes, volcanoes and plate tectonics.

Geology is a practical subject with applied problem-solving laboratory classes and field courses where you will learn how to interpret and map geological features, and explore for future geological resources. We focus particularly on applied research skills: you will learn to collect, analyse and interpret different types of geological data, and to carry out your own research using specialist software and equipment. Furthermore, you will complete a comprehensive fieldwork programme.

Physics will involve regular laboratory sessions, enabling you to investigate unfamiliar phenomena and develop valuable transferable skills such as scientific writing, programming and presentation. Your course will be informed by the research interests of staff.

On this course, you’ll be studying life at the molecular level, investigating the most exciting areas of contemporary life science and medical research. You might explore the secrets of the human genome, or the individually tailored molecular therapies of the future.

Particular emphasis is placed on human and mammalian biochemistry, especially relating to health and disease. This Single Honours course includes more Biochemistry modules and also includes choices from a pool of elective modules (either directly related or free choice). You also have the opportunity to do a work/industrial placement year between the second and third year, making it a four year degree. 

Whether you want to understand Brexit, the crisis in the Middle East or climate change, you need to understand why governments make particular decisions and how different groups interact within states and across borders.

A degree in International Relations and Politics at Keele will equip you with the necessary tools to understand and explain how power operates and how we might begin to tackle the most pressing domestic and global challenges. You will study contemporary and policy-relevant issues such as democracy, global inequality, protest, globalisation, regime change, energy security, environmental sustainability, human rights, gender politics and terrorism.

You can underpin these issues through an in-depth study of particular countries such as Britain, the United States and Russia, as well as regions in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

The MSc in Smart Energy Management is aimed at developing an advanced knowledge of the underlying principles and concepts of smart grids, enabling technologies of smart energy such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence (AI), as well as cross-disciplinary issues such as sustainability.

The course will also develop and extend the practical skills that are necessary for the designing, building, and evaluation of smart energy systems such as strategy management and consultancy skills.

Graduates from this programme should be able to undertake both development and management roles. The course recognises the wide variety of potential destinations for students after completion of their course and as such uses compulsory modules to deliver key skills and enable students to obtain the required knowledge.

The course also teaches you the skills needed to become a consultant through dedicated modules where you are taught and assessed through applying your learning to real-world problems. The programme will be delivered in conjunction with the £15M SEND (Smart Energy Network Demonstrator) at Keele University. SEND centres on strong collaborations between Keele, Siemens and local SMEs with the aim to create Europe’s first ‘at scale’ Smart Energy Network Demonstrator on Keele campus – a living laboratory where new smart energy, data analytics, and IoT technologies can be researched, developed and tested.

You’ll learn to use technology to create new opportunities and to solve a wide range of problems, benefiting every aspect of society from the home to business, government and beyond.

Our teaching is informed by our cutting-edge research, and we also reflect what’s happening now in industry. There’s a strong emphasis on programming – but don’t worry if you don’t have A Level Mathematics, as the course covers what you need to know.

You’ll have access to our own computing labs, based on Microsoft Windows and Linux, plus a wide range of software. Our excellent central location is ideal for industrial placements, with over 40 companies situated on the Keele Science Park alone.

Computer game development requires a deep understanding of the architecture of computer systems, a thorough knowledge of practical software engineering in multimedia contexts and a strong ability to program complex graphical applications in C++. By following the 'Games' route through our undergraduate programme you will gain these skills and more, strengthening your CV and solidifying your understanding of high-performance Computer Science. You will have the opportunity to explore your interests in this area extensively, and will have the option to tailor your dissertation project to showcase your learning in a large project.

On this course, you will develop a solid foundation of theory and practical skills, building to cover advanced concepts and contemporary issues in chemistry in later years. You will learn to use chemistry in problem solving and to present your theories and findings confidently and imaginatively. You may also have the opportunity to tailor your studies to reflect your interests, and learn how to pursue your own research, as well as gain experience with scientific instruments and techniques.

Geology is a science fundamental to modern day living, with geologists discovering society’s major resource needs including metals, minerals, energy and groundwater. The combined honours Geology course covers a range of topics which may include looking at rocks, minerals and fossils and geological processes.

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. You will develop problem-solving skills and the ability to research, evaluate and synthesise information from diverse sources.

Our staff's diverse research interests and creative methods reflect 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.

Studying Sociology will enable you to think independently, critically, and imaginatively about the issues that shape our everyday lives and our futures. You will gain a solid understanding of the key areas which make up this discipline such as inequalities, social theory, and research methods. Our programme also covers a wide range of topics including families, activism and protest, social media, globalisation, and belief systems.

This course includes training in professional and research skills, and opportunities for either a module or a whole year of work placement.

You will have the opportunity to develop your creative practice skills alongside the analytical study of screen and literary texts. You will explore the core areas of Film Studies, with Keele’s combined emphasis on local and global film cultures, and its focus on the key concepts and issues in film history and theory. Looking across a range of films and filmmaking contexts, you will analyse, discuss and debate the cultural significance and creative possibilities of this powerful medium as well as having the opportunity to develop your screenwriting skills. Alongside this, you will study literature and creative writing in every semester, experimenting with prose and poetry to develop your skills and to become a mature practitioner. You’ll be taught by a team of researchers and practitioners who are active and experts in their fields, with a commitment to lively and innovative teaching methods.

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 engaging biological topics which may include the  complexity of biological processes and mechanisms at molecular, cellular, organismal and ecosystem levels, philosophical and ethical issues. You’ll develop your practical skill set through a range of activities which may include sampling, recording and analysing data in the field and in our well-equipped labs.

Through your study of computer science, you’ll learn to use technology to create new opportunities and to solve a wide range of problems, benefiting every aspect of society from the home to business, government and beyond. You'll consider how biology and computer science have influenced each other, as is evident from the success of evolutionary algorithms, which you may explore through topics which could include Natural Computation and Computational and Artificial Intelligence.