Top 10 for Student Satisfaction for Molecular Biology (National Student Survey, 2019)
Biology and Mathematics
BSc (Hons)
- Year of entry
- 2020
- 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 Computing and Mathematics
- UCAS code
- CG11
Course overview
At Keele, studying a combined honours degree will include some modules from both of the single honours degrees. In this case, your programme will be made up of a combination of modules from both Biology and Mathematics.
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 being in the top 5 for student satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2017. 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 |
|
30 |
|||
|
30 |
Mathematics Year 1 (Level 4)
|
Compulsory modules |
Credits |
Optional modules |
Credits |
|
30 |
None |
||
|
30 |
Year 2 (Level 5)
Biology Year 2 (Level 5)
|
Compulsory modules |
Credits |
Optional Modules NB: students choose 2 modules from: |
Credits |
|
15 |
15 |
||
|
15 |
15 |
||
| Life at the Extremes (semester two)** | 15 |
15 |
|
|
15 |
|||
|
15 |
|||
|
15 |
|||
|
15 |
|||
|
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
Mathematics Year 2 (Level 5)
|
Compulsory modules |
Credits |
Optional modules |
Credits |
|
15 |
15 |
||
|
15 |
|||
|
15 |
|||
|
15 |
|||
|
15 |
|||
|
15 |
|||
|
15 |
|||
|
15 |
|||
|
15 |
|||
|
Linear Statistical Models |
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 |
30
30 |
15 |
|
|
15 |
|||
|
15 |
|||
|
15 |
|||
|
Students taking Biology and a subject outside the School of Life Sciences: Life Sciences Single Experimental Project (with research skills assessment) Or Or |
15
15
15 |
15 |
|
|
15 |
|||
|
15 |
|||
|
15 |
|||
|
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.
Mathematics Year 3 (Level 6)
|
Optional modules |
Credits |
Optional modules |
Credits |
|
15 |
15 |
||
|
15 |
15 |
||
|
15 |
15 |
||
|
15 |
15 |
||
|
15 |
15 |
||
|
15 |
15 |
||
|
15 |
30 |
||
|
15 |
|
|
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
|
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. |
|||
If you choose to specialise in Biology in your final year you will study the following modules:
|
Core modules |
Credits |
Optional Modules NB: students choose 6 modules from: |
Credits |
|
Life Sciences Double Experimental Project (with research skills assessment)2 Or |
30
30 |
15 |
|
|
15 |
|||
|
15 |
|||
|
15 |
|||
|
15 |
|||
|
15 |
|||
|
15 |
|||
|
15 |
|||
| 15 |
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.
For further information on the content of modules currently offered, including the list of elective modules, please visit: www.keele.ac.uk/recordsandexams/az
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 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 Mathematics 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.
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)
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.
- Boots
- Higher Education Providers
- ESF Consultants
- LGC
- Bentley
- NHS
- United Utilities
- Education First
- Apple
- Center Parcs
- Jaguar Landrover
- BT
- Capita
- Co-op Bank
- Deloitte
- NHS
- RAC
- Local Government
Jobs that a graduate of this course could go on to do:
- Soil Scientist
- Science Teacher
- HE Lecturer
- Clinical Molecular Geneticist
- Statistician
- Secondary Teacher
- Aeronautical Engineer
- Operational Researcher
- Software Engineer
- Actuary
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.