Computer Science and Geology

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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 Computer Science and Geology.

Key facts

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Tom Rye-Weller, Communications Director at PepsiCo, New York

"Keele prepared me for my future as it is unlike many other universities; its dual honors curriculum doesn’t take you down one path and you’re encouraged to learn different subject areas" - read more about Tom Rye-Weller, Communications Director at PepsiCo, New York

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.

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.

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