Course content

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 the complexity of biological processes and mechanisms at molecular, cellular, organismal and ecosystem levels, exploring related philosophical and ethical issues.

You’ll sample, record and analyse data in the field and in our excellent labs, and learn how biology can help to improve the quality and sustainability of life. Complete this course over three years, or it may be possible (subject combination dependant) to add an extra year with an Applied Life Sciences work placement or a one year Study Abroad Placement between the second and third year.

This degree is combined with the study of Mathematics. Our teaching is excellent, as evidenced by Mathematics at Keele having been consistently ranked in the top ten in the UK in the National Student Survey. On this course you will explore the beauty, elegance and practicality of pure mathematics, applied mathematics and statistics. You will learn to use maths to develop precise and logical arguments, construct rigorous proofs, and formulate solutions to new problems.

You will study in an intellectually stimulating environment amongst mathematicians producing world-leading research. Study abroad option could be available (subject to combined course schedule) over four years, by adding a year abroad studying (in English) at one of our partner institutions – which could be anywhere from Australia to Finland, Japan or the USA.

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.

Mathematics - 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. Combined Honours Mathematics students must study 60 Mathematics credits in each academic year. This document has information about Mathematics 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	15	45	45	0	0
3*	0	60	60	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

Year 1 (Level 4)

Biology Year 1 (Level 4)

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

Mathematics Year 1 (Level 4)

Compulsory modules	Credits	Optional modules	Credits
Algebra	30	None
Calculus	30

 

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
		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 a prerequisite for Human Parasitology at Level 6

Mathematics Year 2 (Level 5)

Compulsory modules	Credits	Optional modules	Credits
Differential Equations	15	Probability	15
		Analysis I	15
		Computational Mathematics	15
		Complex Variable I and Vector Calculus	15
		Dynamics	15
		Mathematical Modelling	15
		Abstract Algebra	15
		Analysis II	15
		Introduction to Mathematics Education	15
		Optional Modules: in each semester students take two 15-credit modules

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 Fish Biology	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
		Developmental Biology	15
		Human Evolution	15
		Communication Skills for Biologists	15
		Life Sciences Dissertation	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

Mathematics Year 3 (Level 6)

Optional modules	Credits	Optional modules	Credits
Nonlinear Differential Equations	15	Linear Algebra	15
Partial Differential Equations	15	Complex Variable II	15
Group Theory	15	Waves	15
Number Theory	15	Medical Statistics	15
Professional Mathematics	15	Mathematical Biology	15
Applied Time Series	15	Ring and Field Theory	15
Linear Statistical Models	15	Codes and Cryptography	15
Metric Spaces and Topology	15	Introduction to Mathematics Teaching	15
Graph Theory	15	Project	15
Fluid Mechanics	15	Medical Statistics Project	30
Optional Modules: students normally choose two 15-credit modules in each semester. The choice will depend on any timetabling restrictions and will be subject to the student having met the necessary prerequisites. Some modules may not be available every year.

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, Geography, Environmental Science, Applied Science, Statistics, Sports Science and Psychology) and
  Maths at grade B or above.

GCSE requirements

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

BTEC

• BTEC requirements DDM
• You must have taken sufficient Science and Mathematics units, please contact us for advice.

International Baccalaureate

• 32 points to include Higher Level Biology, Chemistry, or Physics at 6 or above, and to include Higher Level Mathematics at 5 or above.

Access to HE Diploma requirements

• Obtain Access to HE Diploma with 122 UCAS Tariff points including a minimum of 15 L3 credits at Distinction. You must also have taken sufficient Science credits, please contact us for advice.

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

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.

Biology at Keele offers both breadth and depth of knowledge, preparing you for a range of directly or indirectly related careers. You might work as a research scientist, as an environmental consultant, conservationist, in quality control areas of the food industry, in the pharmaceutical industry or as a scientific writer.

Mathematics helps you to take novel approaches to problem solving and make critical interpretations of data and text; your skills will be in demand wherever there’s a need for logical thinking. An extremely wide range of career paths is open to mathematicians, where high levels of mathematical ability are desirable. This can include fields of work as diverse as finance, data analytics, teaching, engineering, medical statistics and management consultancy.