Course content

For the Computer Science element of the course, you will learn the underpinning theories of software, hardware and computing techniques – and how to apply them in the real world. You’ll learn to use technology to create new opportunities and to solve a wide range of problems, benefiting every aspect of society from the home to business, government and beyond. This means your skills are likely to be in high demand when you graduate. Our teaching is informed by our cutting-edge research, and we also reflect what’s happening now in industry.

Combined honours students can follow a set of modules providing a specialism in information systems, evolutionary systems, or creative computing, whilst single honours students cover all these strands. There’s a strong emphasis on programming – but don’t worry if you don’t have Maths A-level, because the course covers what you need to know. 

You’ll have 24/7 access to our own computing labs, based on Microsoft Windows and Linux, plus a wide range of software. This degree builds the essential skills which are in demand from employers looking for systems analysts, software engineers and consultants. You’ll graduate with a wide range of computing skills plus a highly developed approach to problem solving.

For the Geology element of the course, you will look at rocks, minerals and fossils, how they were formed, how they might have been deformed or altered over geological time and what they can tell us about the history of the Earth and its past environments. It also covers geological processes such as earthquakes, volcanoes and plate tectonics, and how these processes produce different geological materials. 

Geology is a practical subject with applied problem-solving laboratory classes and field courses where you will learn how to interpret and map geological features, and explore for future geological resources. Furthermore, you will complete a comprehensive and integrated UK and overseas fieldwork programme with no cost options.

 

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.

Computer 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, with at least 60 credits at each level of study (Levels 4, 5 and 6). This document has information about Computer Science modules only; please also see the document for your other subject.

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

* in year 3 there is the option to choose to specialise in one of your subjects, taking a minimum of 105 credits in this subject rather than taking modules from both subjects

Geology - The Geology programme is modular in structure and must be taken in Levels 4 and 5 in combination with another principal subject. Students may select to study only Geology modules at Level 6, or transfer to study M. Geology at Levels 6 and 7 (see M. Geology Programme Specification for details), or continue with the Combined Honours scheme at Level 6.

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 Geology 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	45	45	0	0
3*	45	75	75	0	0

* at Level 6 (year 3) there is the option to choose to specialise in one of your subjects. These are the credits if you choose to specialise in Geology in your final year

Year 1 (Level 4)

Computer Science Year 1 (Level 4)

Compulsory modules	Credits	Optional modules	Credits
Fundamentals of Computing	15	Natural Computation	15
Programming I - Programming Fundamentals	15	Introduction to Interaction Design	15
Requirements, Evaluation and Professionalism	15	Computer Animation and Multimedia	15
		Systems and Architecture	15
		Cybercrime	15

Geology Year 1 (Level 4)

It is assumed that students have no previous geological knowledge and therefore the programme starts from basics. The programme provides a broad-based introduction to geological topics at Levels 4 & 5 with emphasis on the characteristics of rocks, minerals and fossils, together with the processes that govern their formation and development.

Compulsory modules	Credits	Optional modules	Credits
Minerals, Rocks and Fossils †	30	None
Earth Structure and History †	30

† Module contains fieldwork

Year 2 (Level 5)

Computer Science Year 2 (Level 5)

Compulsory modules	Credits	Optional modules	Credits
Software Engineering	15	Programming II - Data Structures and Algorithms	15
		Database Systems	15
		Mobile Application Development	15
		Computational and Artificial Intelligence I	15
		Web Technologies	15
		Advanced Programming Practices	15
		Individual Study Topic in Computer Science	15
		Digital Forensics	15

Geology Year 2 (Level 5)

During Level 5 particular attention is paid to first hand observation, recording and interpretation of geological phenomena in the field and laboratory. This year includes a major overseas field course. By the end of the level you will have been given a complete grounding in geology that will allow you to carry out your own independent studies.

Compulsory modules	Credits	Optional modules	Credits
Petrology †	30	None
Field Techniques †	30

† Module contains fieldwork

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 a geologically-focussed company or organisation. Students take the year-long, non-credit bearing module:

Core modules	Credits
Work Placement Year	n/a

International Year

Information relevant to students taking the International Year is available in Annex A.

Year 3 (Level 6)

Computer Science Year 3 (Level 6)

Compulsory modules	Credits	Optional modules	Credits
30-credit Project	30	Software Engineering Project Management	15
		Advanced Information Systems	15
		Advanced Databases and Applications	15
		Games Computing	15
		Bioinformatics	15
		Evolution of Complex Systems	15
		Computational and Artificial Intelligence II	15
		Communications and Networks	15
		Advanced Web Technologies	15

Geology Year 3 (Level 6)

This year starts during the summer vacation when you will carry out an independent field project, which normally takes 3 weeks. During the autumn semester you will prepare a dissertation based upon this field project. In addition, there is a choice of option modules from a wide range of geological subject areas. The method and approach to teaching changes emphasis from staff-centred instruction at Levels 4 & 5 to more student-oriented activities, with components of several modules based upon independent or team-based project work.

There is also a change from modules based upon pure aspects of geological study to more applied aspects. It is intended that students should select their option modules according to their interests and career aspirations. Much of the content of these Level 6 option modules is based on research at the forefront of the discipline and helps to strengthen links between teaching and research.

Compulsory modules	Credits	Optional modules (Choose 45 Credits)	Credits
Independent Fieldwork Project (ISP) †	15	Structure and Geodynamics †	15
		Natural Hazards	15
		Hydrological and Engineering Geology	15
		Exploration Geophysics for Hydrocarbons	15
		Micropalaeontology: Principles and Applications †	15
		Economic Geology †	15
		Advanced Topics in Sedimentology †	15

 

If you choose to specialise in Computer Science in your final year you require at least 105 Computer Science credits. These 105 credits must include the compulsory 30-credit Project module.

In choosing options, students should also be mindful that some level 5 modules are required in order to be able to take certain level 6 optional modules.

 

If you choose to specialise in Geology in your final year you will study the following modules:

Compulsory modules	Credits	Optional modules (Choose 75 Credits)	Credits
Independent Fieldwork Project (ISP) †	15	Structure and Geodynamics †	15
Geological Communication Skills	15	Natural Hazards	15
Volcanic and Magmatic Processes †	15	Hydrological and Engineering Geology	15
		Exploration Geophysics for Hydrocarbons	15
		Micropalaeontology: Principles and Applications †	15
		Economic Geology †	15
		Advanced Topics in Sedimentology †	15
		Glaciers and Glacial Geomorphology *	15
		Global Environmental Change *	15
		Water Resources *	15
		Coastal Environments *	15

* No more than two of these Physical Geography modules may be taken

† Module contains fieldwork

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 BBC

GCSE requirements

• Maths at C (or 4) if not taken at A Level or AS-Level
• English at C (or 4)

BTEC

• BTEC requirements DMM
  

International Baccalaureate

• 30 points 

Access to HE Diploma requirements

• Obtain Access to Higher Education Diploma with 112 UCAS Tariff points including 15 Level 3 credits at Distinction.

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.

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)

Recent computing graduates from Keele have gone to work for companies as diverse as Apple, BAE Systems, Barclays, Capgemini, EA Games, Experian, Microsoft and the Ministry of Defence. You’ll also have the solid grounding you’ll need to apply for postgraduate study.

Career opportunities in geology are excellent because industry and modern society depends on geologists to find natural resources such as oil, gas, coal, minerals, metals, aggregates and water. Geologists are also needed for designing foundations, tunnels and other engineering projects. You could go on to work in mining, the oil and gas industry, hydrogeology or geotechnical engineering. Geologists are also required for environmental projects such as radioactive waste disposal or carbon dioxide capture and storage. Degrees studying Geology combined with another science subject are accredited by the Geological Society of London.

Recent employers

• Base Energy Services Ltd
• Cyient
• GB Geotechnics Limited
• RSK
• Thomas Broadbent
• BAE Systems Applied Intelligence
• Bitjam
• Capqemini
• FIDESSA
• Hong Kong Esports
• Playtech
• Capita
• Rolls-Royce
• Vodafone
• British Airways

Jobs that a graduate of this course could go on to do:

• IT Consultant
• Database Administrator
• Systems Analyst
• Multimedia Programmer
• Games Developer
• IT Technical Support Officer
• Network Engineer
• Information Systems Manager
• Geophysicist
• Wellsite Geologist
• Hydrogeologist
• Seismic Interpreter
• Mudlogger
• Geochemist
• Engineering Geologist
• Geoscientist

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.