Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework
Natural Sciences
BSc (Hons)
- Year of entry
- 2020
- Course type
- Single Honours
- Duration of study
- 3 years/ 4 years with International Year
- Location
- Keele University campus
- Subject area / School
- Institute of Liberal Arts and Sciences
- UCAS code
- CFG0
Course overview
Keele brings together the study of diverse sciences in a rigorous but stimulating single honours course, which you can tailor to your own interests. You could find yourself exploring biosciences, forensic science, chemistry, psychology, physics, maths, environmental science, computer science, earth science and physical geography.
Course content
You’ll begin by studying two core natural science subjects (chosen from a range in the physical sciences, biosciences and geosciences) plus a supporting science subject and a bespoke, interdisciplinary module. In your final year, you could stay with that broad base or specialise more in your chosen science. You could also choose to extend your degree programme to a four year undergraduate master's (MSci Natural Sciences).
In addition, the Grand Challenges lectures will introduce you to eminent speakers and their perspectives on the complex questions that face us in the world. You'll consider the contribution of Natural Sciences here and work with Liberal Arts students in learning sets to develop fresh responses.
The interdisciplinary nature of the BSc Natural Sciences degree programme means that different students will take different combinations of compulsory, optional and elective modules depending on their chosen pathway through the Natural Sciences programme.
Full details of indicative modules are shown in the Table in the Natural Sciences BSc and MSci Pathways (PDF)
Detailed information is available in our Natural Sciences Undergraduate brochure
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.
The interdisciplinary nature of the BSc Natural Sciences degree programme means that different students will take different combinations of core, optional and elective modules depending on their chosen pathway through the Natural Sciences programme. Full details are shown in the Tables below. All Natural Sciences students take the following compulsory modules, which are bespoke to the BSc Natural Sciences degree programme:
|
Year |
Compulsory Modules |
Credits |
|
1 |
Science and Society |
15 |
|
2 |
Research Skills for Natural Scientists |
15 |
|
3 |
Grand Challenges in Society |
15 |
|
Natural sciences Research Project |
30 |
In addition, students studying Natural Sciences take two science subjects as ‘core’ (45-credits per subject) plus EITHER a third science subject as a ‘supporting’ science (15-credits) OR an elective module (15-credits) in Years 1 and 2. In Year 3, students choose optional modules, subject to pre-requisites, from the range available within their core science subjects. The exact combination of subjects available to students is dependent upon timetabling restrictions and shown below:
|
Core Science 1 (45 credits) |
Core Science 2 (45 credits) |
Possible ‘Supporting Science Subjects’ (students choose one subject) (15 credits)* |
|
Chemistry |
Biology |
Earth Sciences OR Environmental Science OR Forensic Science |
|
Chemistry |
Environmental Science |
Biology |
|
Chemistry |
Earth Sciences |
Biology |
|
Chemistry |
Forensic Science |
Biology |
|
Physical Geography |
Biology |
Earth Sciences OR Environmental Science OR Forensic Science |
|
Physical Geography |
Forensic Science |
Biology |
|
Physical Geography |
Earth Sciences |
Biology |
|
Physical Geography |
Environmental Science |
Biology |
|
Biology |
Forensic Science |
Computer Science OR Psychology OR Physical Geography |
|
Biology |
Earth Sciences |
Computer Science OR Psychology OR Physical Geography |
|
Biology |
Environmental Science |
Computer Science OR Psychology OR Physical Geography |
|
Mathematics |
Physics |
Computer Science OR Psychology OR Physical Geography |
|
Mathematics |
Astrophysics |
Computer Science OR Psychology OR Physical Geography |
|
Mathematics |
Biology |
Computer Science OR Psychology OR Physical Geography |
|
Mathematics |
Chemistry |
Biology |
|
Mathematics |
Physical Geography |
Biology |
For modules which are available as part of more than one core science pathway, students will only gain credits for that module in one of their core sciences (i.e. the same module cannot be counted more than once in terms of credits).
The table below provides a summary of the content of the Natural Science programme for those science subjects which can be taken as core. Further information about specific modules can be found online.
|
Core Science (students choose two) |
Year 1 (Level 4)
|
|
Astrophysics |
45-credits of compulsory modules: PHY-10024: Nature of Matter (Sem1) |
|
Physics |
45-credits of compulsory modules: PHY-10024: Nature of Matter (Sem1) |
|
Chemistry
|
45-credits of compulsory modules: CHE-10063: Chemical Structure and Reactivity (Sem1-2) CHE-10057: Practical and Professional Chemistry Skills for Natural Sciences (Sem1-2) |
|
Earth Sciences |
45-credits of compulsory modules: ESC-10036: Planet Earth (Sem1) ESC-10047: Data Visualisation (Sem1) ESC-10048: the Earth System (Sem2) |
|
Environmental Science |
45-credits of compulsory modules: ESC-10045: Introductory Geology for the Environmental Sciences (Sem1) CHE-10044 Introductory Environmental Chemistry * (Sem2) ESC-10061: Studying the Environment (Sem1-2) *Students taking Chemistry as a core science replace CHE-10044 with ESC-10043: Greening Business: Employability and Sustainability (Sem2) |
|
Forensic Science |
45-credits of compulsory modules: CHE-10039:Forensic Science Principles (Sem1) CHE-10037:Forensic Analysis (Sem2) |
|
Physical Geography |
45-credits of compulsory modules: ESC-10039: Fundamentals of Physical Geography (Sem1) |
|
Mathematics
|
45-credits of compulsory modules: MAT-10046: Calculus (30-credits) (Sem1-2) MAT-10045: Introduction to Algebra (Sem1-2) |
|
Biology |
45-credits of compulsory modules: LSC-10062: Biodiversity, Ecology and the Environment (30-credit module) (Sem1-2) LSC-10032: Genetics and Evolution (15-credit module) (Sem2) |
The following table lists the subjects which can be taken as a supporting science and the specific modules students will be required to take:
|
Supporting Science Subject |
Year 1 (Level 4) |
|
Biology |
|
|
Computer Science |
CSC-10024: Programming 1 (Sem1) |
|
Psychology |
PSY-10034 Introduction to biological and cognitive psychology (Sem2) |
|
Earth Sciences |
ESC-10045: Introductory Geology for the Environmental Sciences (Sem1) |
|
Environmental Science |
ESC-10043: Greening Business (Sem1)? |
|
Forensic Science |
|
|
Physical Geography |
The table below provides a summary of the content of the Natural Science programme for those science subjects which can be taken as core. Further information about specific modules can be found online
|
Core Science (students choose two) |
Year 2 (Level 5) |
|
Astrophysics |
45-credits of compulsory modules: PHY-20027: Optics & Thermodynamics |
|
Physics |
45-credits of compulsory modules: PHY-20027: Optics & Thermodynamics |
|
Chemistry
|
Students choose to follow EITHER a Materials Chemistry pathway OR a Medicinal Chemistry pathway as follows (45-credits compulsory modules in either pathway): Materials Chemistry pathway: CHE-20067: Molecular Chemistry and Reactions (Natural Sciences) CHE-20061: Spectroscopy and Analysis CHE-20065: Physical and Structural Chemistry Medicinal Chemistry pathway: CHE-20067: Molecular Chemistry and Reactions (Natural Sciences) CHE-20061: Spectroscopy and Analysis CHE-20027: Medicinal and Biological Chemistry 1 Note choice of pathway at Level-5 has implications for the optional modules available to students at Level-6 |
|
Earth Sciences |
45-credits of compulsory modules ESC-20036: Palaeoclimate and Quaternary Studies* ESC-20084: Geology and Society (30-credits)** * Includes a one-day field course which usually takes place during semester one ** Includes a one-day field course which usually takes place during semester two |
|
Environmental Science |
45-credits of compulsory modules: ESC-20017: Human Impacts on the Environment ESC-20079: Environmental and Sustainability Impact Assessment and Research Planning (30-credits)1 1This module is associated with a week-long residential field course, which usually takes place during the Easter vacation of Year-2. |
|
Forensic Science |
45-credits of compulsory modules: CHE-20011: Spectroscopy and advanced analysis |
|
Physical Geography |
45-credits of compulsory modules: ESC-20050: Dynamic Geographies (15 credit, Physical Geography options only) ESC-20030: Regional Landsystems GEG-20018: Concepts and Debates (Physical Geography route) |
|
Mathematics
|
45-credits of compulsory modules: MAT-20008: Differential Equations |
|
Biology |
Students choose 45-credits of optional modules from the following list: LSC-20055: Life at the Extremes+ LSC-20056: Research and Analytical Skills LSC-20052 Nutrition and Energy Balance + This module is associated with an 8-day residential field course which usually takes place during the summer vacation before Year 2 of the programme - you will therefore need to have made this module choice before the end of Year 1 and confirmed your place on the field trip |
The location of field courses is subject to 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.).
The following table lists the subjects which can be taken as a supporting science and the specific modules students will be required to take:
|
Supporting Science Subject |
Year 2 (Level 5) |
|
Biology |
LSC-20055: Life at the Extremes+ OR +This module is associated with an 8-day residential field course which usually takes place during the summer vacation before Year 2 of the programme - you will therefore need to have made this module choice before the end of Year 1 and confirmed your place on the field trip |
|
Computer Science |
|
|
Psychology |
|
|
Earth Sciences |
ESC-20037: Geoscience and Society * * Includes a one-day field course which usually takes place during semester two |
|
Environmental Science |
|
|
Forensic Science |
|
|
Physical Geography |
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 BBB
- Including 2 Science A Levels. Science subjects could include Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, Maths or Physics.
- The following additional entry requirements are required for students choosing these subjects as a 'core science':
- Mathematics – grade B in A-level Mathematics
- Chemistry – grade B in A-level Chemistry
- Forensic Science – grade B in either A-Level Chemistry or Biology
- Life Sciences – grade B in A-level Chemistry or Biology
GCSE requirements
- Maths at B (or 6)
- English at C (or 4)
BTEC
- BTEC requirements DDM
- You must have taken sufficient Science units, please contact us for advice
International Baccalaureate
- 32 points to include 2 Higher level Science subjects at 6 or above. Science subjects could include Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, Maths or Physics.
- Please note Core Sciences also have specific Science subject requirements e.g. Chemistry will require Higher Level Chemistry.
Access to HE Diploma requirements
- Obtain Access to Higher Education Diploma with 122 UCAS Tariff points including a minimum of 30 Level 3 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)
A degree in Natural Sciences from Keele will open up a huge range of careers (not just in the sciences) as well as opportunities for higher study. Keele enjoys high rates of graduate employment, achieving 96% graduate employability in 2017 in the Destination of Leavers from Higher Education survey. Employers value natural sciences graduates because of the breadth of their understanding and their independent and creative approach to problem solving.
You’ll also have an excellent set of transferable skills, in areas such as communication, teamwork and the ability to assimilate and use information quickly and effectively.
The four year MSci degree is ideally suited for those wanting to pursue a career in academic or commercial research. Keele has a long history of interdisciplinary research, teaching and learning, and a founding commitment to the development of graduates with the skills to address complex problems in changing workplaces.