Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Forensic Science with International Year

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.

For the Computer Science element of this course, you will learn the underpinning theories of software, hardware and computing techniques – and how to apply them in the real world. 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 research, and we also reflect what’s happening now in industry.

You'll have the opportunity to explore topics linked to a range of specialisms which may include information systems, evolutionary systems, or creative computing. You’ll have access to our own computing labs, based on Microsoft Windows and Linux, plus a wide range of software.

Studying Neuroscience, you’ll explore a range of topics which may include 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.

On this Combined Honours degree you will learn about different methodological approaches to understanding individuals and the societies in which we live.

The psychological content of this degree will challenge you with exciting ideas and findings from across the psychology curriculum. Of particular relevance are the study of developmental psychology, social psychology, cognitive psychology and individual differences. Indicative topics include school bullying and the social dynamics of crowds.

The psychology modules on this course are accredited by the British Psychological Society, a necessary first step for many professional careers in psychology, such as clinical, counselling, educational, forensic, occupational or sports psychology, and a prerequisite to becoming a Chartered Psychologist.

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

The programme is ideal for individuals looking to develop more critical and theoretical perspectives on a broad range of educational matters. The MA Education provides an excellent opportunity for you to develop both intellectually and professionally.

Successful Masters level study will enable you to further develop and reflect on your practice. Our practice-focused modules, such as ‘Reflecting on Practice’, will allow you to reflect critically on aspects of your own practice, and widen your understanding of the latest teaching developments and education research at local, regional, national and international levels. For example, we believe our MA teaching fits well with the latest government strategies and policies published under the Teacher Recruitment and Retention Strategy and the Early Career Framework. We would anticipate that the programme will prepare you to make positive changes in your learning communities and to become an effective mentor for both, early career and more experienced colleagues.

Undertaking our MA will enable you to demonstrate to employers a level of critical and intellectual rigour, which can place you at the forefront of developments in practice. You will have the opportunity to demonstrate the capacity for sustained and systematic engagement with current evidence-driven curriculum, pedagogy, assessment and contemporary policy matters. This can potentially put you in a stronger position for progression, promotion and leadership in education

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. 

Physiotherapists play a vital role in healthcare and are actively engaged in a broad range of career paths from clinical practice through to leadership and management roles. The physiotherapy course at Keele will help you develop high standards of academic and professional competence, combined with interprofessional learning alongside other healthcare profession students, to promote an awareness of present and future demands in healthcare.

Our course embraces a vision of patient-centred care within a wide range of healthcare settings, and you will gain invaluable experience in public and private sector based clinical, rehabilitation and sport environments. You will study in inclusive and supportive learning environments, that encourage reflection and that are enriched by cased-based and evidence-based learning. You will be taught by highly experienced lecturers, clinicians and leading researchers in physiotherapy.

Aims of the course
You will be provided with an environment where you are supported and motivated to develop academically, professionally and personally. The course will focus on your skill development, to enable you to:

• Promote reflective thinking, reflective practice, and self-evaluation.
• Develop the process of critical and evaluative thinking, writing, and communication.
• Transfer scientific knowledge from theory into practice.
• Develop research skills to provide students with a sound academic core to their clinical practice in physiotherapy.
• Develop a scientific approach to the evaluation of current practice in physiotherapy.
• Promote interdisciplinary perspectives and a holistic approach to the management and rehabilitation of person.

On this course, you will integrate understanding of our physiology with the holistic and behavioural approach of psychology. You'll cover a broad range of topics which may include health and disease, social, cognitive and biological psychology and research methods. Human Biology provides a broad understanding of the physiology of the body’s major systems as well as human health and disease and the relationship between the human body with the environment.

You will be challenged with exciting ideas and findings from psychology and human biology. In Psychology, you will deal with social and developmental psychology, cognitive and biological psychology and research methods. You will explore issues that relate to our ever changing lifestyles and will be taught through a multidisciplinary approach that is supported by input from experts in their field. You’ll benefit from a supportive environment as well as fantastic lab facilities and equipment.

The goal of medicinal chemistry is to support the search for new drugs to treat conditions such as heart disease and cancer. You’ll work in well-equipped laboratories, and learn to conduct effective independent research. This course prepares you to help solve problems at the intersection of chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology and pharmacology. You’ll develop essential skills for employment, such as problem solving, presentation and communication.

For the Forensic Science element of the course, you will be taught by academics and forensic professionals, as well as gaining valuable lab and crime scene experience, helping you to stay ahead in this fast-moving science. You will be taught in our modern laboratory facilities and have access to equipment and our dedicated Crime Scene House.

This course will provide you with a broad education in the core areas of forensic science. Your studies will explore key topics in forensic chemistry, analytical science, forensic biology and criminalistics science. You will develop your analytical science skills, enabling you to analyse a variety of forensic of evidence.

This is complemented by additional emphasis on professional practice and an understanding of the roles of the crime scene investigator and the forensic scientist as an expert witness in the court. You may be able to study abroad for a semester (dependant on subject scheduling) or a year at one of our partner universities.

This course aims to provide you with a realistic perspective on how to manage across borders. You will explore the contemporary concepts, debates and practical challenges in sustainable global management. Through a selection of real-life projects, international virtual teamwork activities and other innovative learning methods, you will learn about the difficulties and benefits of managing people, strategies, processes and structures across cultures and languages. 
Your first year will introduce basic concepts and practices for the study of management and international business. During the second year, you will have the opportunity to deepen your understanding of international management by studying specialised modules. 

The MA/MRes in Politics and International Relations is distinctive as it is one of the most diverse collections of Masters pathways in the UK. The programme offers the possibility of developing an individual specialism as well as learning about broader issues in the pathway, and in wider fields of Politics and International Relations. You will gain a thorough grounding in the philosophical and practical issues underpinning study and research in Politics and International Relations. You will study 3 compulsory core taught modules, 4 optional modules and a dissertation over 12 months (full-time) or 24 months (part-time). 

Key benefits of studying for the MA/MRes in Politics and International Relations include; small class sizes, expert dissertation supervision on cutting-edge issues and debates, a dynamic academic community, strong student-staff relations and stimulating extra-curricular seminars and workshops. Staff and students regularly organise research events, which provide important opportunities for learning, networking and collegial debate on contemporary political and philosophical issues. For example, we host an annual Royal Institute of Philosophy lecture series, a bi-annual European Consortium on Political Research environmental politics PhD summer school, and in recent years have organised several ESRC-funded (Economic and Social Research Council) seminar series.