Biology and Geology

Biology and Geology - BSc (Hons)

From the complexity of biological processes and human impact on our environments, to climate change and global catastrophes, our Biology and Geology BSc will equip you with the scientific, practical and employability skills needed for a career within a variety of sectors.

Year of entry

2023 - for 2022 entry see here

Course type

Combined Honours

Location

Keele University campus

Subject area / School

School of Life Sciences School of Geography, Geology and the Environment

UCAS code

CF16

Duration of study

3 years / 4 years with international or placement year

Enquire about this course Book an open day Chat to students

Why study Biology and Geology at Keele University?

5th for student satisfaction in England for Biology (National Student Survey, 2021)

Our unique 600-acre campus offers a fantastic natural environment to learn a variety of fieldwork skills and complete research projects

Professional accreditation pathways are available

Develop core practical skills in Keele's state-of-the-art laboratories

Course overview

Choosing our combined honours in Biology and Geology will allow you to develop skills and experience in two engaging and exciting subjects.

Most of society's global challenges are connected to biology - from assessing the effect of medication on the human body to exploring methods to prevent species extinction. Today's modern society is based on the work of geologists - in the hunt for natural resources for energy and materials for contemporary living.

Studying Biology covers a range of fundamentals, as well as topics including physiology and anatomy, ecology and plant biology, and animal behaviour and microbes, viruses and parasites.

Geology is the science that investigates how the Earth was formed, how life arose and evolved, why the Earth looks like it does today, what resources it contains and how we can find them. You will study topics such as the structure, formation, composition and history of the Earth, natural hazards, minerals and rocks, and paleontology. Beyond that, a range of optional modules allow you to tailor your degree towards your individual interests and career aspirations. Our courses are strongly aligned to the role of geoscience in the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.

To equip you with the scientific skills needed for your future career, you will have access to our state-of-the-art David Attenborough Laboratories and Central Science Laboratories, to develop your practical, analytical, observational and interpretative skills.

Geology fieldwork

Fieldwork is an essential component of a Geology degree, it provides the opportunity to relate the theory and practical activities covered in class to a natural laboratory. Fieldwork is embedded into core modules throughout your studies to help you acquire key geological observation and interpretation skills. It is a great way to foster connections with academics and peers and apply your learning to real-world situations.

In previous years our students have undertaken field courses in the UK to Pembrokeshire, the Peak District, Snowdonia, Mull in western Scotland and overseas destinations including Almeria in Spain and southern Italy.

Learn from our campus - our own living laboratory

Our unique 600-acre campus offers a fantastic experimentation environment to perform fieldwork, test new ideas and discover solutions to real-world problems. It's also a great way to foster connections with academics and peers and apply your learning to real-world situations. From our lake system, grasslands and woodlands to local zoos and nature reserves, you will have the opportunity to study in an authentic environment whilst practicing in a sustainable manner.

Study abroad

In between years two and three of your studies you can choose to spend time studying abroad. This exciting opportunity will enable you to understand your field from different cultural perspectives and to establish international networks. It also shows you have the personal attributes to embrace new experiences which can enhance your employability. We offer exchange opportunities with a wide variety of partner institutions.

Support

We offer a multi layered support structure to help you meet your academic and personal needs. Our open-door policy enables you to engage with us directly, meaning you can seek support, gain feedback or discuss any matters related to your course on a regular basis. You will benefit from an assigned academic mentor and the support of Keele's Student Experience and Support team.

Next Steps

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Accreditation and professional recognition

This programme is accredited by the Geological Society of London or the Royal Society of Biology if you specialise in Biology.

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Additional opportunities

Foundation year Placement year International year Study abroad Explore more

There are a range of additional opportunities available when studying this course.
Please note, undertaking one may impact upon the availability of another.

Entry requirements

Keele strives to be a place where learning, living and working is a positive experience for our entire community, and we're committed to ensuring equality of opportunity to all our applicants with the potential and motivation to succeed, regardless of background. That's why we operate a range of 'alternative offer' schemes with clear eligibility criteria, including contextual offers, offers for those studying within the Keele region, and recognising a range of additional qualifications in your offer.

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 ABC/BBB
To include one Science A-level. Science subjects include: Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Science, Food Science/Technology, Further Maths, Geography, Geology, Human Biology, Maths, Physics, Psychology, Sports Science and Statistics.

GCSE requirements

Maths at C (or 4)
English at C (or 4)

BTEC

BTEC requirements DDM in a Science based subject
BTEC Subsidary in Applied Science accepted.

International Baccalaureate

30 points to include a Higher Level Science at 6 or above.

Access to HE Diploma requirements

Obtain Access to Higher Education Diploma with 122 UCAS Tariff points including 30 Level 3 credits at Distinction. You must also have taken sufficient Science credits, please contact us for advice.

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

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.

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.

Next Steps

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Studying Geology at Keele

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The School of Geography, Geology and the Environment interactive guided tour

Use the interactive tour to explore Keele's state of the art science facilities and our beautiful living-laboratory campus that we use to enrich your learning experience.

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Your future career

96% of Keele graduates were in a job or further study within six months of graduating (HESA, 2017)

You will graduate with a strong set of transferable skills suited to a range of roles in the science, education and health sectors. You may also wish to further your knowledge by progressing to postgraduate study.

Please note: to become a chartered geologist, you will need to gather professional experience after gaining your degree to then apply for Chartered Geologist (CGeol) status.

Careers that a biology graduate might pursue include:

Environmental consultant
Ecologist
Marine biologist
Medical publishing
Microbiologist
Pharmaceutical sales
Postgraduate study
Teaching

Geology graduates are likely to be in high demand. Our modern society requires increasing amounts of energy, raw materials and other resources in which the vast majority are discovered by geoscientists.

Studying geology at degree level can lead to a job as a:

Basin analyst
Exploration geologist
Geochemist
Geoenvironmental engineer
Geological engineer
Geological surveyor
Geophysicist
Hydrogeologist
Mineral surveyor
Seismologist
Survey geologist
Teacher
Volcanologist

Enhance your employability

Keele’s Careers and Employability team (Shortlisted for Best University Careers Employment Service - National Undergraduate Employability Awards, 2021), offer a variety of personal and career development opportunities to enhance your employability. From mock interviews, careers guidance and CV advice, to careers fairs, alumni mentoring and networking events, along with helping you find part-time and graduate employment - the team will support you throughout your studies and beyond.

Find out more about our careers and employability services, including career planning, alumni mentoring, jobs, internships, starting your own business and much more.

Next Steps

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Sector-leading in sustainability education

At Keele we're leading the sector in sustainability, not just in our ambitions to become carbon neutral by 2030 but also through our teaching and our ground-breaking research into climate change and renewable technologies.

In 2021 we were awarded the prestigious title of Global Sustainability Institution of the Year (International Green Gown Awards).

Find out more about Keele’s commitment to sustainability

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Central Science Laboratories

Develop your practical skills in Keele's state-of-the-art Central Science Laboratories

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Facilities

The David Attenborough Laboratories

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 and two additional research laboratories.

Equipment and methods you will become familiar with during practical laboratory work include:

Microscopy - a vital tool for all biologists
Molecular biology methods such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
Fruit fly genetics - understand the principles of heredity through experimental investigations
Electrophysiology equipment to study nerve and muscle physiology

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.

David Attenborough laboratory pic

Central Science Laboratories

Studying Geology you will benefit from a dedicated teaching space in Keele’s state-of-the-art Central Science Laboratories (CSL).

Featuring 80 new polarising microscopes and 20 new low powered microscopes, the CSL allows us to innovate and enhance the teaching experience of our students and supports a highly tailored approach to practical learning.

Other facilities in the School of Geography, Geology and the Environment include:

Ice laboratory

Our ice lab features a dedicated freezer laboratory for water and ice samples from polar environments.

IceLab research is driven by the need to understand and develop new methods, such as analysis of ice core ‘biomarkers’, within polar environments in order to inform on key questions surrounding global ocean and atmospheric change, sea ice variability, and humanity’s role in polar ecological change.

We also have geochemistry, water chemistry and sediment laboratories, where you can conduct geochemical analysis and experiments, measure physical and chemical properties of water and analyse the compositional properties of sediments.

Weather station

Keele's weather station provides valuable data locally, nationally and for teaching and research in the school. This includes data for wind speed and direction, rainfall, humidity, sunshine/radiation, air and ground temperatures.

Foundation year

Our Foundation Year provides an excellent alternative route to Keele, providing a unique opportunity to better prepare for your chosen degree, and with guaranteed entry onto your undergraduate course once you successfully complete your Foundation Year.

This extra year of study can improve your academic skills, expand your subject knowledge, give you a better understanding of higher education and, perhaps most importantly of all, build your confidence.

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 undergraduate community from the outset, with access to all the facilities and support that you'd get as an undergraduate student at Keele.

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) Biology and Geology degree. For example, the Foundations of Life Sciences module looks 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 Foundations of Geography, Geology and the Environment module will provide knowledge of the basic underlying principles and concepts associated with the origins, evolution and structure of the Earth as a system. 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-00193	Foundations of Geography, Geology and the Environment	15 credits
FYO-00197	Foundations of Life Sciences	15 credits

Semester Two Modules

FYO-00199	Advancing Life Sciences	30 credits
FYO-00195	Advancing Geography, Geology and the Environment	30 credits

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

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 Biology with Foundation Year (UCAS code C103) through UCAS at www.ucas.com. You will 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.

Our International Foundation Year is delivered on campus through Keele University International College (KUIC). Find out more about the International Foundation Year options on the KUIC website.

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