Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Astrophysics and Education including an International Year

at Keele University United Kingdom

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.

Our Single Honours programme builds upon the core topics defined by the UK Institute of Physics to provide breadth of study, modules informed by the research of our astrophysics staff, with additional emphasis on mathematics and computing as tools for (astro)physical problem-solving.

The language of the universe is physics and mathematics. You will explore these, along with computational and statistical techniques, and apply these skills to tackling problems as diverse as stellar interiors, galaxies, black holes and the evolution of the universe itself.

You will gain an understanding of the fundamentals of physics and the essential ability to plan investigations, analyse results and present your work. Regular laboratory sessions, including access to our on-campus observatory, enable you to investigate unfamiliar phenomena and develop valuable transferable skills such as scientific writing and programming.

This course draws on the expertise of scientists within the disciplines of life sciences, chemical sciences and geosciences. You will develop the scientific understanding and practical skills needed to tackle many of the world’s major environmental and societal problems such as climate change, food security, water resources, pollution and conservation. Alongside studying topical global environmental issues, you will have the opportunity to develop a broad range of practical, laboratory and field-based skills to take into future employment.

Combining this course with BSc (Hons) Geography allows you to focus specifically on your preferred area of physical geography. You will explore the Earth's varied landscapes and the complex, potentially fragile, global systems that connect them. You will also 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. This programme has been accredited by the Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers).

This programme is accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES), meaning you can gain free membership of the IES to support your personal and professional development in the environmental sector. The programme is also accredited by the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) and therefore you may apply for free Student Membership of the IEMA which provides a range of benefits.

Ongoing developments in IT, transport and communications have accelerated the pace of globalisation leading to increased interconnectedness of national economies and an integration of markets in the world’s economy. Employers, large and small, need managers who can see the big picture when it comes to spotting opportunities and solving business issues, who understand the impact of different cultures, markets and geographies.

Grounded in theory and practice, our MSc focuses on developing your understanding of business and management within a global context, offering a deep insight into areas such as strategic management, cultural management issues, ethical and environmental issues and international value chains.

Referring to real-life business examples and hearing direct from practitioners, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of the strategic and tactical challenges of operating internationally when confronted with, for example, mergers and acquisitions or foreign direct investment. We’ll also share our own research, for example, studying the role of Chinese trade union organisations on collective wage consultation and strikes, and the challenges of developing countries’ labour market, income and employment.

We’ll uncover some of the different and often fascinating trade practices that exist across continents and countries, such as the varying age restrictions on child labour, often influenced by historical, cultural and social background. You’ll also be exposed to the unique challenges of identifying, managing and training a global workforce with diverse staff of multiple nationalities and ethnicities, with the chance to take part in a practical mock interview scenario.

The programme's interdisciplinary approach to understanding some of the world’s most pressing problems means you’ll study a wide range of subjects, including the social sciences, arts, humanities and the natural sciences. We adopt an innovative approach to teaching, for example, previous students have engaged in 'living labs' where students have explored local issues and their potential solutions through field trips.

You will have the opportunity to apply knowledge and generate evidence and understanding by engaging with living communities and landscapes. Students will pursue hands-on research into Britain’s industrial, social, economic and cultural history as well as current/future-oriented issues which may include economic regeneration, social and political challenges and environmental sustainability, citizenship and creativity with opportunities for learning analytical, communication, presentational, writing and research skills. Whilst hosted in the School of Social, Political and Global Studies, Liberal Arts is closely associated with the Institute of Liberal Arts and Sciences (ILAS). As part of ILAS, our Liberal Arts students are encouraged to engage fully in the Institute's lively events programme, including the Grand Challenges Lectures series, interdisciplinary workshops, discussion groups and research seminars.

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.

For the Medicinal Chemistry element of the course, 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. You’ll develop valuable skills for employment, such as problem solving, presentation and communication.

For the Neuroscience element of 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. You’ll consider areas such as how we learn and remember, how our brains control our body, and how the brain regenerates and repairs itself.

You could study interesting disciplines such as neuroanatomy, neuropharmacology and neuropathology. Working in diverse ways, including in our superb 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 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.

You will study accountancy with a specialism in finance, exploring the design and use of accounting and financial systems and how they are affected by individuals, organisations, markets and society. Core financial and management accounting modules will be supported with the opportunity to study specialist topics such as taxation, corporate governance and audit. Finance modules are designed to introduce and explore the theories leading to the design of financial institutions, the services they provide and the products they sell. Observational and analytical skills will be developed and practiced throughout your study. 

The research centre is also an EPSRC Doctoral Training Centre for Regenerative Medicine, an Arthritis UK Centre and a UK Regenerative Medicine Platform Research Hub.  This multidisciplinary environment enables close interaction with leading academics and clinicians involved in cutting-edge, and clinically transformative research.

The course provides support from the basics of human anatomy and physiology, through to development of novel nanotechnologies for healthcare. Due to the teaching and research involvement of clinical academic staff within the department, there are exciting opportunities to be exposed to current clinical challenges and state-of-the-art developments. Clinical visits and specialist seminars are offered and students will be able to select dissertation projects that span fundamental research to clinical translation of technologies – a truly ‘bench to bedside’ approach.

The aim of the course is to provide multidisciplinary Masters level postgraduate training in Cell and Tissue Engineering to prepare students for future employment in healthcare, industrial and academic environments. This involves building on existing undergraduate knowledge in basic science or engineering and applying it to core principles and current issues in medicine and healthcare.