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.

Course structure

Our degree courses are organised into modules. Each module is usually a self-contained unit of study and each is usually assessed separately with the award of credits on the basis of 1 credit = 10 hours of student effort. An outline of the structure of the programme is provided in the tables below.

There are three types of module delivered as part of this programme. They are:

• Compulsory modules: a module that you are required to study on this course;
• Optional modules: these allow you some limited choice of what to study from a list of modules;
• Elective modules: a free choice of modules that count towards the overall credit requirement but not the number of subject-related credits.

Biology - A summary of the total credit requirements per year is as follows, with a minimum of 90 subject credits (compulsory plus optional) required for each year across both of your Principal Subjects. This document has information about Biology modules only; please also see the document for your other subject.

Year	Compulsory	Optional		Electives
		Min	Max	Min	Max
1	60	0	0	0	0
2	30	30	30	0	30
3*	15 or 30	30 or 45	30 or 45	0	0

* in year 3 there is the option to choose to specialise in one of your subjects, taking a minimum of 90 credits in this subject rather than taking modules from both subjects

Students take four Biology modules at Levels 4 and 5, two in each semester. At Level 5, there is also the option of studying abroad for one of the two semesters, or for a whole academic year between levels 5 and 6.  At Level 6, students take four modules in Biology, of which one must be an independent study module: Life Sciences Experimental Project or Work Placement Year. Combined Honours students combining Biology with Biochemistry must take a 30-credit ISP (Independent Study Project), i.e. a Life Sciences Double Experimental Project (with research skills assessment) or a Work Placement Year Project.

Environmental Science - A summary of the total credit requirements per year is as follows, with a minimum of 90 subject credits (compulsory plus optional) required for each year across both of your Principal Subjects. This document has information about Environmental Science modules only; please also see the document for your other subject.

Year	Compulsory	Optional		Electives
		Min	Max	Min	Max
1	60	0	0	0	0
2	60	0	0	0	0
3*	15	30	45	0	15

* in year 3 there is the option to choose to specialise in one of your subjects, taking a minimum of 90 credits in this subject rather than taking modules from both subjects

Year 1 (Level 4)

Biology Year 1 (Level 4)

Compulsory modules	Credits	Optional Modules	Credits
Biodiversity, Ecology & the Environment	30
Cellular Genetics & Evolution	30

Environmental Science Year 1 (Level 4)

The first year of the Environmental Science programmes start by emphasising the fundamental principles of the sciences underpinning the field of Environmental Science and how these are integrated in the discipline of Environmental Science in order to address environmental issues. This broad scientific foundation in the first year leads on to the detailed study of a range of Environmental Science issues and concepts in years 2 and in the final year.

Students take 60 credits of compulsory core modules in their first year as shown in the table below, with the exception of students studying Environmental Science in combination with Chemistry or in combination with Biology. Environmental Science and Chemistry students take an additional optional or elective module to replace Introductory Environmental Chemistry.  Environmental Science and Biology students take an additional 30 credits of modules to replace Biodiversity, Ecology and Environment, 15 credits of which must be from the list of optional modules

Compulsory modules	Credits	Optional modules***	Credits
Studying the Environment	15	Fundamentals of Physical Geography	15
Biodiversity, Ecology and Environment*	30	People and the Environment	15
Introductory Environmental Chemistry**	15	Greening Business: Employability and Sustainability	15
		Introductory Geology for the Environmental Sciences****	15

*Biodiversity, Ecology and Environment is not taken by students combining Environmental Science and Biology.  These students must choose 30 credits of option or elective modules, 15 credits of which must be from the optional module list.  **Introductory Environmental Chemistry is not taken by students combining Environmental Science with Chemistry or Medicinal Chemistry. These students must choose an additional optional or elective module.

*** Optional modules are only available to students combining Environmental Science with Chemistry or Medicinal Chemistry or Biology.

****Introductory Geology for the Environmental Sciences is only available for students combining Environmental Science and Biology.

Field Courses
Studying the Environment (local area)	Introductory field day to explore the different aspects of environmental science at a local field site (1 day).
Studying the Environment (Centre for Alternative Technology)	A residential weekend to the Centre for Alternative Technology, exploring renewable energy, sustainable living and building, and the geology and physical landscape of the local area.
Environmental Science Skills (North Wales)*	Residential field course in North Wales, looking at the ecology, hydrochemistry and biogeochemistry of aquatic and terrestrial environments and the environmental impacts of historical mining activities, includes a day of laboratory work at Keele (5 days).

*Note about field courses: these may change depending on factors such as staff availability, staff changes, staff expertise, costs, student numbers, other factors outside of our control (earthquakes, volcanic eruptions etc.). Locations of 'local area' field days change on a year by year basis.

Year 2 (Level 5)

Biology Year 2 (Level 5)

Compulsory modules	Credits	Optional Modules NB: students choose 2 modules from:	Credits
Life at the Extremes*	15	Animal Adaptations	15
Research and Analytical Techniques	15	Human Genetics	15
Life at the Extremes (semester two)**	15	Living Together: Behaviour, Cooperation and Conflict	15
		Nutrition and Energy Balance	15
		Health and the Environment	15
		Current Topics in Biology	15
		Microbes, Viruses and Parasites***	15
		Study Abroad Modules	30

* This module includes a field course

** This module is compulsory for students who chose to study abroad in semester one of level 5

***This module is a prerequisite for Human Parasitology at Level 6

 Environmental Science Year 2 (Level 5)

Students study 60-credits of compulsory core modules.  Students studying abroad for one semester do not take the 30-credit module ESC-20079 (Environmental and Sustainability Impact Assessment and Research Planning), and instead take 15-credits of this module in the semester that they remain at Keele for.

Compulsory modules	Credits	Optional modules	Credits
Human Impacts on the Environment: Scientific Perspectives	15	None
Environmental and Sustainability Impact Assessment and Research Planning	30
Environmental Analytical Methods	15

 

Field courses
Environmental and Sustainability Impact Assessment and Research Planning (local)	Based in a local country park, students work in project groups to undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).  (1 day)
Environmental and Sustainability Impact Assessment and Research Planning (residential)	A residential field course investigating issues of environmental science and management (6-8 days depending on dates of Easter vacation).   In 2016/17 options were the Lake District, UK or Bordeaux, France.

*Note about field courses: these may change depending on factors such as staff availability, staff changes, staff expertise, costs, student numbers, other factors outside of our control (earthquakes, volcanic eruptions etc.). Locations of 'local area' field days change on a year by year basis.

Work Placement Year

Students taking the 4-year with ‘work placement year’ undertake their work placement between Year-2 and Year-3 of their degree programme. During the work placement year, students undertake a work placement (minimum 30 weeks full time (1,050 hours) or equivalent) with an environmentally-focussed company or organisation. Students take the ESC-30042 (non-credit bearing) Work Placement Year module.

Core modules	Credits
Work placement year	n/a

Year 3 (Level 6)

Biology Year 3 (Level 6)

Compulsory modules	Credits	Optional Modules NB: students choose 3 modules from:	Credits
Students taking Biology and Biochemistry: Life Sciences Double Experimental Project (with research skills assessment) Or Double Applied Life Sciences Placement1,2	30   30	Applied Insect Ecology	15
		Conservation Biology	15
		Human Parasitology3	15
		Applied Regenerative Medicine	15
Students taking Biology and a subject outside the School of Life Sciences: Life Sciences Single Experimental Project (with research skills assessment) Or Life Sciences Dissertation Or Single Applied Life Sciences Placement1	15   15   15	Trees in their Environment	15
		Cancer Biology	15
		Human Evolution	15
		Communication Skills for Biologists	15
		Life Sciences Dissertation	15
		Tropical Biology Field Course4	15

¹ The Applied Life Sciences Placement modules may replace Life Sciences Experimental Project (with research skills assessment) modules if the nature of the placement is deemed suitable and the work carried out meets the criteria of the research project module.  

² If a student fails the Life Sciences double experimental project module (or the alternative Double Applied Life Science placement module) but has it condoned, then they will not be eligible for an RSB accredited degree, but shall instead be eligible for the award BSc Studies in Biochemistry

³ This option is only available to students who have taken Microbes, Viruses and Parasites at Level 5

⁴ This module includes a field course at USM Malaysia which takes place during the summer vacation between Levels 5 and 6.

Environmental Science Year 3 (Level 6)

Level 6 (combined Honours) students study the Dissertation module (15 credits) and two or three option modules from the list below (45 credits). It is the programme norm and it is expected that combined honours students will take the single (15 credit) project module. However, in discussion with the Programme Director and project supervisor, where it is deemed appropriate combined honours students may be permitted to take the 30 credit Dissertation module (and choose only two option modules).   

Compulsory modules	Credits	Optional modules	Credits
Dissertation	15	Contemporary Topics in Environmental Science	15
		Clean Technology	15
		Conservation Biology	15
		Applied Insect Ecology	15
		Applied Fish Biology	15
		Trees in their Environment	15
		Natural Hazards	15
		Global Environmental Change	15
		Applied GIS	15
		Coastal Environments	15
		Water Resources	15
		Glaciers and Glacial Geomorphology	15

 

The module details given above 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.

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)

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.

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

Not got the grades?

If you don't think you'll meet the entry requirements specified, Foundation Year offers an alternative route to study for this degree.

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.

Fees and funding

Going to university can be a daunting as well as an exciting experience. It can be difficult to understand the true costs of being a student, as well as the financial support that is available to help you meet those costs.

We can help you to manage your funds, create a budget and ensure that you receive any funding for which you may be eligible. We also offer financial support such as the Keele University Hardship Fund and emergency loans.

For more information visit our money, advice and guidance section.

Career prospects

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

Keele enjoys high rates of graduate employment, where in 2016, were recognised nationally as 1st for employability in the Destination of Leavers from Higher Education survey.

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.

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