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Biology and Environmental Science - BSc (Hons)

Year of entry: 2021
Course type: Combined Honours
Duration of study: 3 years / 4 years with international or placement year

Location: Keele University campus
Subject area / School: School of Life Sciences; School of Geography, Geology and the Environment
UCAS code: FC7C

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Course overview

This combined honours course combines studies in the disciplines of Environmental Science and Biology to help you develop the theory and the practical, laboratory and field-based skills needed to analyse and tackle a wide range of environmental problems.

Keele Undergraduate Enquiries Form

Please submit your question in the form below and a member our enquiries team will be in touch with you shortly.

Your Name

Date of Birth (dd/mm/yyyy)

Please provide a contact telephone number *

Country of Residence

Year of Entry

Please Select a Course

Are you interested in a Foundation Year

YesNo

Please enter your question below:

Your Preferences

Please keep me informed using email

YesNo

Please keep me informed using phone

YesNo

Please keep me informed using messages/texts

YesNo

What we’re going to do with your data and why?

We will securely store your data and send you essential information (examples include updates on an application or booking confirmations for events such as Open Days).

How long are we keeping it?

We will keep your data for the year that you first enquire with us plus 6 subsequent years. This is to ensure that you are legally protected should you have any issues with the use of your data.

Unsubscribe

What to do if I change my mind?

Gold

In the Teaching Excellence Framework Also Top 5 in the UK (THE ranking, broad-based universities)

Top 3

in England for overall Student Satisfaction NSS 2019 (broad-based universities)

97%

of research world leading, or of international importance Research Excellence Framework, 2014

Student testimonials

Colin Nye, Applied Environmental Science with Biology

"Keele is more than a place to study, it's an environment focused on helping you to achieve your potential, and you'll enjoy yourself whilst doing so!" - read more about Colin Nye, Applied Environmental Science with Biology

Amy Collier, Applied Environmental Science with Physical Geography

"At Keele you are treated as an individual – not a student number or a face in a lecture theatre – and that quality is lost on some competitor institutions. There is a reason for the sentimentality and fondness shown by all former students: Keele really is one of a kind." - read more about Amy Collier, Applied Environmental Science with Physical Geography

Course content

During your Biology and Environmental Science degree, you’ll learn 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’ll consider the complexity of biological processes and mechanisms at molecular, cellular, organismal and ecosystem levels, exploring related philosophical and ethical issues.Through the Environmental Science course you will supplement your biology background with a foundation in the sciences of geology and chemistry and their application to environmental management. You’ll sample, record and analyse data in the field and in our excellent 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 learn 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 programme is accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES). Students enrolled on IES accredited programmes may apply for Student Membership of the institution. This programme is also accredited by the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA). Students on IEMA accredited programmes may apply for free Student Membership of the IEMA which provides a range of benefits.

Biology can also be studied in the following combinations:

Environmental Science can also be studied as a Combined Honours degree in the following combinations:

You may also be interested in:

Variations to 2020/21 courses

Entry requirements

The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the likely offer or range of offers which would be made to candidates along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate’s application. Read more about our undergraduate entry requirements for United Kingdom, European Union and International students.

A Level requirements

A Level requirement ABC/BBB
To include 1 science A level (Biology, Human Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Maths, Geography, Environmental Science, Applied Science, Statistics, Sports Science and Psychology)

If you don't think you'll meet the entry requirements specified, you may be able to gain entry to this course with 64 UCAS points via a Foundation Year.

GCSE requirements

Maths at C (or 4)
English C (or 4)

BTEC

BTEC requirements DDM in a Science based subject. You must also have taken sufficient Science credits, please contact us for advice.

If you don't think you'll meet the entry requirements specified, you may be able to gain entry to this course with 64 UCAS points via a Foundation Year.

International Baccalaureate

32 points to include Higher Level Science at 6 or above.

Access to HE Diploma requirements

Obtain Access to HE Diploma with 122 UCAS Tariff points including a minimum of 30 L3 credits at Distinction. You must also have taken sufficient Science credits, please contact us for advice.

Please note

* Reformed GCSE grades for England are stated in brackets
** Science practical only required from applicants taking reformed A level Biology, Chemistry or Physics in England
*** If applicant has not had opportunity to sit AS level in England, please contact the Admissions team

PREPARATION PROGRAMMES FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

International students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for this course have the opportunity to study an International Foundation Year programme.

These courses are designed to prepare international students to enter into Keele University undergraduate degrees.

Foundation year

Foundation Year Overview

If you do not meet the requirements for direct entry into the BSc (Hons) Biology and Environmental Science course, our Foundation Year can provide an alternative route into your degree.

Keele University is consistently ranked among the top universities for student satisfaction, and we have over 70 years’ experience of teaching a foundation year to students. On the Keele Foundation Year, you’ll study on campus, joining our community from the outset, and you will have access to a range of support.

Read on to find information about:

Foundation Year indicative modules for the September intake
Foundation Year entry requirements
How to apply
UCAS code for this course

The information within this page is for students wishing to start their studies in September. If you would like to start this course in January, please visit our January pages for further details.

Course Content

Our Foundation Year allows you to develop your critical thinking, academic reading, writing, and communication study skills along with subject-specific knowledge and skills which will be invaluable in your academic studies and beyond. Upon meeting the progression criteria and successfully completing our Foundation Year, you will automatically progress into your Keele undergraduate degree with the confidence that you have the skills, and knowledge needed to successfully complete your course.

The Keele Foundation Year is a two semester programme which provides a tailored pre-degree programme of study to better prepare you for the BSc (Hons) Biology and Environmental Science degree. For example, the Foundations of Life Sciences module looks at basic cell biology in terms of structure and function and go on to examine how cells obtain their energy and raw materials. It considers how organisms interact and analyses the effects of climate change on ecosystems. In addition, the Foundations of Geography, Geology and the Environment module will provide knowledge of the basic underlying principles and concepts associated with the origins, evolution and structure of the Earth as a system. Course content has been developed in collaboration with degree teaching teams, so that by the time you begin Year 1, you will be ready to excel at your studies, as the majority of our Foundation Year students do.

Find out more about the Keele Foundation Year, including information about teaching and assessment methods by visiting the Foundation Year homepage.

Course Structure

The module details given below are indicative and will give you a good idea of the range of subjects that we teach. We regularly review our teaching to ensure that the modules we offer are up-to-date; therefore, the modules available to study are liable to change.

Semester One Modules

FYO-00185	Practical and Academic Skills in Science	15 credits
FYO-00211	Foundations in Numerical and Quantitative Methods for Scientists	15 credits
FYO-00193	Foundations of Geography, Geology and the Environment	15 credits
FYO-00197	Foundations of Life Sciences	15 credits

Semester Two Modules

FYO-00191	Advancing Life Sciences	30 credits
FYO-00195	Advancing Geography, Geology and the Environment	30 credits

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Between 40-56 UCAS points from at least 1 A level/level 3 qualification or equivalent, or
Relevant work experience

AND

GCSE English Language at grade 4 (C), or Level 2 Functional Skills, or
IELTS 5.5 (with 5.5 in all subtests)

AND

GCSE Mathematics at grade 4 (C) or above

How to Apply

UK or EU students will need to apply for Biology with Foundation Year (UCAS code C103) through UCAS at www.ucas.com. You will be contacted to confirm your second subject by a member of our team.

Direct Entry Students

If you are a UK or EU student, already have your qualifications, are not expecting any further results and only wish to apply to Keele, please contact the Admissions Office directly.

International Entry

International students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for this course have the opportunity to study an International Foundation Year programme.

These courses are designed to prepare international students to enter into Keele University undergraduate degrees.

All applications for the International Foundation Year can be made through UCAS using the UCAS codes below.

Y002 - International Foundation Year (IFY)

Career prospects

96% of Keele graduates were in a job or further study within six months of graduating (DLHE, 2017)

Environmental Science and Biology are interrelated disciplines which are highly relevant to many of the issues facing society today. This means that graduates with this blend of skills are in demand from a wide range of employers. You could choose a career in conservation, or in environmental management or consultancy. Alternatively you might decide to work as a research scientist or to continue your studies at postgraduate level.

With a degree in Biology and Environmental Science you will be in an excellent position for employment in environmental consultancy and regulation, water resource management, geospatial analysis, conservation, quality control in the food industry, the pharmaceutical industry or as a scientific writer, research scientist or teacher. The programme also provides excellent training for further postgraduate study and research. If you take our work placement year, you’ll graduate with the advantage of a significant level of work experience in biology, or the environmental sector, to take to potential employers.

To make sure you’re prepared for a range of work, the course utilises real world case studies including environmental impact assessments and technical reports mimicking work in different areas of employment.

Accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences.

Recent employers

Our graduates have gone on to work at:

Boots
Higher Education Providers
ESF Consultants
LGC
Bentley
NHS
United Utilities
Education First
Mott MacDonald Bentley
LGSS

Regardless of which career you pursue after Keele, employers will want evidence of the range of skills and personal qualities you possess and which are required for the job. Your degree is clearly important in this respect but don’t forget the extra-curricular activities, positions of responsibility, jobs and voluntary work you may have been engaged in while studying at Keele. These activities allow you to demonstrate the skills and personal qualities required by employers and will be vital in your attempts to secure graduate employment.

It is estimated that 60% of jobs are open to graduates of any discipline. This demonstrates the flexibility of many graduate employers when setting out their academic requirements and that students are not necessarily restricted to careers related to their degree.

Find out more about our careers and employability services, including career planning, alumni mentoring, jobs, internships, starting your own business and much more.