Top 10 in England for Overall Student Satisfaction, NSS 2021 (broad-based public universities)
Human Biology and Medicinal Chemistry - BSc (Hons)
- Year of entry
- 2022 - for 2023 entry see here
- Course type
- Combined Honours
- Duration of study
- 3 years/ 4 years with International Year
- Location
- Keele University campus
- Subject area / School
- School of Life Sciences
- School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
- UCAS code
- CF1C
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 Human Biology and Medicinal Chemistry.
Student testimonials
Course content
The Human Biology element of this course is ideal if you’re interested in biology but are looking for a particular focus on the human body and how we’ve adapted to our environment. This course provides a broad understanding of the physiology of the body’s major systems as well as human health and disease and the relationship between the human body with the environment. The multidisciplinary approach to Human Biology is supported by input to the programme from staff with diverse expertise.
The Medicinal Chemistry element of the course will enable you to develop a deep understanding of the complex chemical and biological processes involved in the design and manufacture of drugs and other therapies for treating disease. This course prepares you to help solve problems at the intersection of chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology and pharmacology. The goal of medicinal chemistry is to support the search for new drugs to treat conditions such as heart disease and cancer. You’ll work in well-equipped laboratories, and learn to conduct effective independent research. You’ll develop essential skills for employment, such as problem solving, presentation and communication.
RELATED COURSES
Human Biology can also be studied in the following combinations:
- Biochemistry and Human Biology
- Chemistry and Human Biology
- Data Science and Human Biology
- Forensic Science and Human Biology
- Human Biology and Mathematics
- Human Biology and Psychology
Medicinal Chemistry can also be studied as a Combined Honours degree in the following combinations:
- Astrophysics and Medicinal Chemistry
- Biochemistry and Medicinal Chemistry
- Environmental Science and Medicinal Chemistry
- Medicinal Chemistry and Forensic Science
- Medicinal Chemistry and Geology
- Medicinal Chemistry and Mathematics
- Medicinal Chemistry and Neuroscience
- Medicinal Chemistry and Physics
- Medicinal Chemistry and Biology
You may also be interested in:
- Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry
- Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry with Industrial Placement Year
- Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry with Integrated Master's
Two of our staff will tell you about some of the distinctive modules that we offer at Keele. Medicinal Chemistry will allow you to specialise if you are thinking about a career in the pharmaceutical industry, whereas the Environmental & Sustainable Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry modules allow you to apply the core knowledge that you have learned to real world problems. Dr Katherine Haxton recently won a green gown award for her work on sustainability.
- Dr Katherine Haxton will introduce you to one of our distinctive first year modules, that is becoming increasingly relevant to society: Environmental & Sustainable Chemistry
- Dr Katherine Haxton will introduce you to one of our distinctive second year modules, that allows you to apply the core knowledge that you have learned to real world problems: Industrial Chemistry
- Dr Tess Phillips will introduce you to Medicinal Chemistry at Keele, which you may be interested in if you are considering a career in the pharmaceutical industry
Our Course Information Documents (CIDs) are designed to give you all of the details you need to make an informed decision about what and where to study.
Download Human Biology Combined Honours 2022-23 CID
Facilities
The David Attenborough Laboratories have significantly expanded the School of Life Sciences’ teaching and research areas, and provide two additional state-of-the-art teaching laboratories with space for 120 students between them. A grant from the Higher Education Funding Council England (HEFCE) of £3.75 million helped to part-fund the project, which will enable Keele to meet the growing demand to study life sciences subjects.
The redevelopment is just one part of a total £45 million investment that Keele is making to create new state-of-the-art science facilities on its campus over the next two years, including an additional brand new physical sciences building with laboratories and teaching spaces, as part of the biggest single investment in learning and teaching in the University’s history.
The David Attenborough Laboratories also boasts two additional research laboratories and offices to support the increased recruitment of staff and postgraduate research students, enabling high quality research to be central to the School of Life Sciences. The research laboratories will make a significant contribution to the Global Health Initiative at Keele, and will be home to researchers working on neurological disorders including Parkinson’s disease, spinal injury, oncology, viral infections and carbohydrate biochemistry.
Chemistry is a practical subject and much of your training will be undertaken in our superb laboratories. The Central Science Laboratories is a world class facility in which to learn how to become a professional chemist. You will gain hands-on experience with modern state-of the art equipment and instrumentation which gives you the opportunity to undertake novel Chemical and Medicinal Chemistry research.
The new state of the art Chemistry laboratories in the Central Science Laboratories are an integral part of the Lennard-Jones laboratories where Chemistry academics and researchers are located. The two new teaching laboratories, a 35 fume hood teaching lab and a large open lab, have been designed to complement the exisiting excellent teaching facilities which include our large teaching laboratory, the spectroscopy suit, the analytical labaratory and the NMR suite. These now create an interconnected collection of Chemistry laboratories all on one floor with a large faculty computor teaching facility two floors above.
Entry requirements
Keele is committed to ensuring equality of opportunity to all our applicants with the potential and motivation to succeed, regardless of background. On that basis we operate a range of 'alternative offer' schemes with clear eligibility criteria.
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 and International students.
A Level requirements
- A Level requirement - BBB/ABC
- A Level Chemistry at grade B or above.
If you don't think you'll meet the entry requirements specified, you may be able to gain entry to this course via a Foundation Year.
GCSE requirements
- Maths at C (or 4)
- English at C (or 4)
BTEC
- BTEC requirements DDM
- You must have taken sufficient Chemistry units, please contact us for advice
If you don't think you'll meet the entry requirements specified, you may be able to gain entry to this course via a Foundation Year.
International Baccalaureate
-
30 points to include Higher Level Chemistry at 6 or above
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 Chemistry units, 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.
Foundation year
You may choose to study this course via foundation year.
If you’re returning to education following a break, wish to study a new subject or don’t have the grades or sufficient equivalent experience for direct entry to this course, a foundation year may be a good option for you.
Following successful completion (including any additional progression requirements) of the foundation year you can progress on to this course.
The foundation year offers September starts across all subjects, and January starts across all science, humanities, social sciences and business routes.
The January intake excludes the Veterinary Medicine and Surgery degree with Foundation Year and other health-related foundation Year degree
For more details visit our foundation year webpages.
Foundation year
Foundation Year Overview
If you do not meet the requirements for direct entry into the BSc (Hons) Human Biology and Medicinal Chemistry course, our Foundation Year can provide an alternative route into your degree.
Keele University is consistently ranked among the top universities for student satisfaction, and we have over 70 years’ experience of teaching a foundation year to students. On the Keele Foundation Year, you’ll study on campus, joining our community from the outset, and you will have access to a range of support.
Read on to find out about:
- Foundation Year indicative modules for the September intake
- Foundation Year entry requirements
- How to apply
- UCAS code for this course
The information within this page is for students wishing to start their studies in September. If you would like to start this course in January, please visit our January pages for further details.
Course Content
Our Foundation Year allows you to develop your critical thinking, academic reading, writing, and communication study skills along with subject-specific knowledge and skills which will be invaluable in your academic studies and beyond. Upon meeting the progression criteria and successfully completing our Foundation Year, you will automatically progress into your Keele undergraduate degree with the confidence that you have the skills, and knowledge needed to successfully complete your course.
The Keele Foundation Year is a two semester programme which provides a tailored pre-degree programme of study to better prepare you for the BSc (Hons) Human Biology and Medicinal Chemistry degree. For example, the Foundations of Life Sciences module will look at basic cell biology in terms of structure and function and go on to examine how cells obtain their energy and raw materials. It considers how organisms interact and analyses the effects of climate change on ecosystems. In addition, the Advancing Chemistry module aims to increase your knowledge and understanding of the principles and concepts of chemistry in a theoretical context, while also demonstrating the application of concepts in a practical environment. All of the modules you take will prove useful in your degree and professional career. Course content has been developed in collaboration with degree teaching teams, so that by the time you begin Year 1, you will be ready to excel at your studies, as the majority of our Foundation Year students do.
Find out more about the Keele Foundation Year, including information about teaching and assessment methods by visiting the Foundation Year homepage.
Course Structure
The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are prone to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.
Semester One Modules
| FYO-00185 | Practical and Academic Skills in Science | 15 credits |
| FYO-00211 | Foundations in Numerical and Quantitative Methods for Scientists | 15 credits |
| FYO-00189 | Foundations of Chemistry | 15 credits |
| FYO-00197 | Foundations of Life Sciences | 15 credits |
Semester Two
| FYO-00191 | Advancing Chemistry | 30 credits |
| FYO-00199 | Advancing Life Sciences | 30 credits |
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.
- Between 40-56 UCAS points from at least 1 A level/level 3 qualification or equivalent, or
- Relevant work experience
AND
- GCSE English Language at grade 4 (C), or Level 2 Functional Skills, or
- IELTS 5.5 (with 5.5 in all subtests)
AND
- GCSE Mathematics at grade 4 (C) or above
How to Apply
Students will need to apply for BSc (Hons) Human Biology with Foundation Year (UCAS code CF10) through UCAS at www.ucas.com. You will then be contacted to confirm your second subject by a member of our team.
Direct Entry Students
If you already have your qualifications, are not expecting any further results and only wish to apply to Keele, please contact the Admissions Office directly.
Information for International Students
International students who do not meet the entry requirements for this integrated Foundation Year course may be eligible to study an International Foundation Year stand alone programme.
Please visit the International Foundation Year pages for information on how to apply, entry requirements and course details.
Information for students returning to education
We are interested in a broad range of qualities, not just your points on entry. We would like to learn more about you, your interests, experiences and motivation to study.
We would be delighted to talk to you about your work experience (paid or voluntary) and qualifications, and help you to explore your options for study with us.
Contact us via admissions@keele.ac.uk
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 (HESA, 2017)
Human Biology graduates have pursued diverse careers including industry, genetics research, medical statistics, scientific writing, management and sales. Previous Human Biology graduates have gone into Medicine while many enter into MSc or PhD degree programmes. Human Biologists also enter careers dictated by the other subject of the combined degree programme including finance, journalism and teaching.
Our Medicinal Chemistry graduates have excellent employment prospects, whether at the cutting edge of drug discovery or in a wide range of related fields. You might go to work for a pharmaceutical company, either as a research scientist or in a more business related role. Alternatively, you might work in a different organisation as a development chemist, a research assistant, or a site chemist.
Find out more about our careers and employability services, including career planning, alumni mentoring, jobs, internships, starting your own business and much more.
Teaching
On Medicinal Chemistry you will experience a wide range of teaching styles and methods from traditional lectures and tutorials to team-based learning and screencasts, online, offline individually and in groups we aim to give you the opportunity to learn in many ways. Our assessment feedback loops combining feedback on how you can improve, with opportunities on how you present your work, are aimed at helping you improve your chemical knowledge as well as your marks. Our undergraduate students receive free online access to our core text books which, with our own bespoke online materials and lecture capture, give you the opportunity to learn in the best ways to suit you.
Three further members of staff will tell you about some of the distinctive methods of teaching that we use on our courses, to give you the best possible chance of success in your time with us.
- Dr Matt O'Brien showcases some of the interactive digital teaching methods that we use, such as interactive screencasts on key concepts
- Dr David McGarvey highlights why we are proud of the teaching that we deliver on our Chemistry/Medicinal Chemistry programmes
- Dr Laura Hancock talks about Team Based Learning (TBL) - a collaborative form of teaching that allows students to achieve as much as possible in workshops
Additional opportunities
Discover the Keele difference
Everything’s on your doorstep at Keele, and you’ll soon feel at home and make friends wherever you go.
We help students manage their money and ensure that they receive any funding for which they may be eligible.
Make yourself more employable after graduation by taking advantage of the whole host of additional opportunities.
What is it like to be a Chemistry/Medicinal Chemistry student at Keele?
Student testimonials