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.

* 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.

* 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)

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

*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.

*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)

* 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.

*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.

Year 3 (Level 6)

Biology Year 3 (Level 6)

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).