Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Human Biology and Psychology

at Keele University United Kingdom

On this course, you will explore how humans relate to the natural environment, and how to address some of the biggest threats to the world’s environmental and ecological systems. You may also cover a range of biological concepts which could include the complexity of biological processes and mechanisms at molecular, cellular, organismal and ecosystem levels, exploring related philosophical and ethical issues.

You will develop your practical skill set through a range of activities which may include sampling, recording and analysing data in the field and in our labs, developing practical and field work skills in different environments, as well as experience in utilising Geographic Information Systems. At the same time you will explore how biology and environmental science can help to improve the quality and sustainability of life.

Topical environmental issues (such as conservation, habitat management, biodiversity loss and climate change) require a strong understanding of how humans interact with the natural environment, and how we impact on different ecosystems. You’ll explore aspects of science such as biodiversity, evolution and biological processes, but you will also consider debates around genetic crop modification, nutrient loss and food security.

This combination is ideal for students wishing to study the relationship between human behaviour and the social context and structures in which crime, harm and victimisation occur.

Criminology is broadly concerned with how crime and deviance are understood, the efforts made to control crime, and the consequences of crime for offenders, victims and society. You'll explore the nature and development of the Criminal Justice System, the various agencies that this system is comprised of and their formal roles and responsibilities in the delivery of justice. Agencies examined could include The Ministry of Justice; The Police Service; The Prison Service; The Probation Service; The Courts Service; The National Offender Management Service; The various Inspectorates and Ombudsmen who oversee/monitor these agencies and the Criminal Justice Voluntary Sector and various private sector organisations. You will learn about the nature and causes of crime and offending and also explore the methods used to collect and analyse criminological data. 

The Psychology element of the programme examines exciting ideas and findings from a wide range of areas in psychology including developmental psychology, psychobiology, social psychology, cognitive neuropsychology and a variety of contemporary applied topics. Our courses are informed by cutting-edge research and will develop your own critical thinking and research skills. Accredited by the British Psychological Society, the course is 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.

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 research, and we also reflect what’s happening now in industry.

You will follow a set of modules providing a specialism in 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. This degree builds the essential skills which are in demand from employers looking for systems analysts, software engineers and consultants. You’ll graduate with a wide range of computing skills plus a highly developed approach to problem solving.

With almost 2.5 million untrained ‘accidental managers’ in the UK alone, the need to upskill future business leaders is widely accepted as one of the top organisational priorities. Poor management costs this country around £84bn in lost productivity each year, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Grounded in theory and practice, our MSc will equip you with the necessary knowledge, skills and techniques to overcome some of the problems associated with substandard management – low staff morale, loss of talent, inadequate budgeting, reduced productivity and missed commercial opportunities.

Instead, we’ll prepare you to perform executive duties in ways which motivate others and achieve business objectives successfully, with the flexibility to adapt and thrive in rapidly changing and uncertain external environments.

Referring to real-life business examples and hearing direct from businesses, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of the strategic and operational challenges that can arise, in areas such as leadership, ethics or sustainability, for example. The Business School’s Grand Challenges lecture series invites key speakers to provide fresh perspectives on the political, ethical and intellectual problems we face as a world today, while our Lunchtime Lectures centre on leadership in the context of complexity and inclusion.

Your final project will give you the opportunity to directly transfer your learning to the workplace by researching a current management topic, responding to a specific business issue or undertaking a ‘live’ work-based project.

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. The course looks 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. It also covers geological processes such as earthquakes, volcanoes and plate tectonics.

It provides a diverse range of specialist options. 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. You will also complete a comprehensive and integrated UK fieldwork programme with no cost options.

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.

Keele’s Biochemistry programmes offer broad and stimulating coverage of modern biochemistry. You might explore the secrets of the human genome, or the individually tailored molecular therapies of the future. You will focus on areas of biochemistry which could include human and mammalian biochemsitry relating to health and disease.

This combined honours degree includes Medicinal Chemistry, where you’ll develop deep understanding of the complex chemical and biological processes involved in the design and manufacture of drugs and other therapies for treating disease. This course prepares you to help solve problems at the intersection of chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology and pharmacology. 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. Keele also offers support to find an industrial or research placement for a summer. You’ll develop essential skills for employment, such as problem solving, presentation and communication. 

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. 

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.

Film and Media Studies are the study of screen art and communication forms that have become central to every aspect of contemporary life. Alongside the detailed analytical and historical study of film, you will analyse diverse cultural texts such as television, photography, advertisements, magazines, digital media and news. You will investigate the relationship between historical and cultural movements and media and film production, exploring how these forms are products of their time and place. You will also combine the analytical and technical study of film and media with the opportunity to produce work of your own, ranging from photography and video to magazines online.