Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Astrophysics and Geology

at Keele University United Kingdom

The course involves three main aspects:

• the study of theories and ideas about media and cultural production in a global context
• the critical analysis of cultural texts and practices from around the world
• engagement in practical creative production.

The MA in Global Media and Culture seeks to explore the relationship between these three areas and to show how knowledge of each informs and influences the others. In addition, it will provide you with the skills necessary for academic study at an advanced level, either for those wishing to go on to further academic research, or as advanced preparation for those interested in pursuing careers in a range of media and culture industries.

The emphasis of the programme is the critical and analytical study of the contemporary global framework of media and cultural studies, the production and continuation of localised cultural identities within a global context, and a theoretically-informed approach to the creative production of media texts.

The Global Media and Culture programme at Keele University represents the multidisciplinary coming together of academics and practitioners from a range of fields. The distinctive nature of Keele as a pioneer for interdisciplinary academic study provides the Global Media and Culture Programme with an ideal basis for the development of cross-subject study.

International law is an increasingly important field of study and practice. Never before has international law taken such a central position in public debates. The regulation of financial markets, environmental protection, the management of migrations or the prosecution of war criminals are all areas in which international law plays a central role.

International law does not only affect the behaviour of states and intergovernmental institutions; neither is it a discipline of diplomats, academics and philosophers. International law today dominates the activity of transnational corporations, NGOs and inpiduals, from footballers to victims of human rights violations. As a result, governments, international institutions, NGOs, businesses and law firms are increasingly looking for inpiduals capable of dealing with complex issues of transnational law.

If you choose this combination, you will develop an understanding of issues affecting contemporary education in Britain and elsewhere in the world. You will analyse the significance of historical, social, political and economic contexts for education policy and learners from all parts of the world.

You'll explore a range of topics in Human Biology that address issues that relate to our ever-changing lifestyles, have a global perspective and have improved our understanding of health and disease. Human Biology has a multidisciplinary approach supported by input from experts in their field. You will benefit from a supportive environment as well as our well-equipped laboratory 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.

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. 

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.

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.

International Business will help you to appreciate the diversity of international work cultures and acquire the skills to help manage them. You’ll learn about the global business environment, international business strategies, supply chains and cross-cultural management. In Marketing you will learn how to plan and implement successful marketing strategies. There are exciting opportunities to explore branding and digital marketing and how to implement these in the context of international business. There’s also a firm grounding in the wider social context of organisation and a broad reflection on the ethics of business and marketing. The variety of optional modules available on this course will also enable you to further develop your skills and insights. 

Our Environmental Science course at Keele draws on the expertise of scientists within the disciplines of life sciences, chemical sciences and geosciences to emphasise the role and importance of scientific understanding and practical skills in the analysis and management of environmental problems.

The course emphasises the role and importance of scientific understanding and practical skills in the analysis and management of environmental problems, ensuring a course which is targeted at employment in the environmental sector.

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. You’ll also have the opportunity to complete fieldwork in the UK and gain valuable work experience or study abroad at one of our partner institutions. This course is accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES), meaning students can gain free membership of the IES to support their personal and professional development in the environmental sector. The course is also accredited by the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA).

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.