Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Environmental Science and Physics with International Year

at Keele University United Kingdom

Our programme is designed as a balanced blend of mathematics, statistics and computer science, tailored to understand the business context of AI and data science applications. You will study fundamental statistical techniques alongside modern software development methods applicable in areas of business such as finance and econometrics. You will also explore the ethical, psychological and social aspects of such applications.

In our computing laboratories, you will have the opportunity to apply your learning immediately using authentic datasets. You will undertake significant hands-on projects, including a final year data science dissertation led by academics with research specialties currently in artificial intelligence, big data and statistical modelling. You will explore a range of advanced technical topics which may include game theory, or international finance, as well as academic research, and practical problem-solving in order to become a skilled professional able to manage data complexity in a field in high demand, both in industry and research.

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.

BSc (Hons) Geography at Keele allows you to focus specifically on your preferred area of physical geography, or to explore Geography as an integrated discipline concerned with people and their environment. You will develop interdisciplinary perspectives, problem-solving skills and the ability to research, evaluate and synthesise information from diverse sources.

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

This program has been accredited by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG).

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.

Media and Sociology is a distinctive combined degree which enables you to explore the sociological implications of social media, popular culture, and the mass media, whilst offering opportunities to engage in creative media practice such as film-making and photography.

You will attend lectures led by an interdisciplinary team of experts in their field, participate in seminars, and get hands-on experience of media production including pre- and post-production techniques. You will have access to media production facilities and the opportunity to try a range of media forms including photography, digital video, magazine production, newsmaking and social media.

The media modules combine a distinctive balance of theory and practice so you can develop as a critical and thoughtful practitioner. You will study the role of media in society, the impact of the political economy on media content and the relationship between content and audiences. You will analyse popular cultural forms such as TV, memes, film and news, think about their meaning in contemporary social life and explore your ideas through media production.

Immerse yourself in literary texts from the English Renaissance to contemporary American graphic novels. As an English and American Literature student at Keele, you'll examine the full chronological range of English and American literature, considering their direct intersections from the nineteenth century onwards. You might study poets like Lord Byron, Derek Walcott and Allen Ginsberg, dramatists including Shakespeare, Oscar Wilde and Tennessee Williams, and novelists such as Harriet Beecher Stowe, Henry James and Jackie Kay. Our intellectually stimulating and engaging approach to exploring a wide variety of literary genres  produces intelligent, perceptive, socially aware and compassionate individuals who are able to make a real impact.

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.

Biology at Keele focuses on the amazing world of organisms – from how they’ve evolved to their relationships with the environment and each other. 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 biological concepts which may include the complexity of biological processes and mechanisms at molecular, cellular, organismal and ecosystem levels, and the related philosophical and ethical issues. You’ll engage in activities to strengthen your skillset which may include sampling, recording and analysing data in the field and in our well-equipped labs.

BSc (Hons) Geography Combined Honours at Keele allows you to focus specifically on your preferred area of physical geography. This course explores the Earth's varied landscapes and the complex, potentially fragile, global systems that connect them. 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.

You will look at philosophical topics about knowledge, ethics, language and the nature of the mind and world from both historical and contemporary perspectives. You will learn reasoning skills, how to evaluate arguments and be encouraged to present and defend your own views. You'll explore a broad range of topics which may include the Philosophy of Mind and Philosophy of Science, which specifically address philosophical questions concerning psychology.

In psychology, you will learn about what the latest psychology research, including studies published by our own friendly and approachable staff, tells us about human behaviour from social, developmental, biological and cognitive perspectives. We will show you how to design and conduct your own psychological studies in our well-equipped laboratories, using a range of techniques including interviews, surveys and experiments. You will also learn about how our understanding of psychology changes over time.

Politics is not just a concern of politicians. It is about big issues such as the environment and human rights. Political engagement can change lives and encourage changes in government in the UK and elsewhere. Politics at Keele seeks to understand society and the events and forces which shape it, engaging with questions of power, justice, conflict, legitimacy, accountability, and governance. You will explore why citizens are increasingly disillusioned with politics; what a democracy is; when and how it’s legitimate to protest; and the effects of different models of government. You can tailor your studies to your interests, whether theoretical, historical or oriented to specific issues. You can study abroad for a year, or learn a language as part of your course. Politics at Keele is informed by our research expertise which currently includes environmental politics, security studies, European and American politics, and international relations.