School of Life Sciences Undergraduate & Postgraduate Courses 2020 2020 Entry | Page 17

Undergraduate Programmes 2020 | 17
Human Biology (Combined Honours)
BSc (Hons)
Why study this course?
Human Biology 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.
INDICATIVE MODULES
First Year
• Physiology and Anatomy
• Cellular Genetics and Evolution
Second Year
• Human Genetics
• Nutrition and Energy Balance
• Microbes, Viruses and Parasites
• Molecular, Cellular and Structural
• Immunology
• Learning and Memory
• Research and Analytical Skills
Third Year
• Advances in Medicine
• Cancer Biology
• Human Parasitology
• Human Evolution
• Life Sciences Experimental
• Research Project
• Life Sciences Dissertation
The Human Biology course starts with a core first year
with option modules becoming a major part of the
course in years 2 and 3. A number of modules in the
second and third year address issues that relate to our
ever changing lifestyles and have a global perspective,
including nutrition, advances in scientific research and
technologies and parasitology that have improved our
understanding of health and disease. Students can
specialise in Human Biology in year 3.
The multidisciplinary approach to Human Biology is
supported by input to the programme from staff with
diverse expertise in wide ranging aspects of Human
Biology including Medical School staff and research and
clinical staff at Keele University, University Hospitals of
North Midlands and the Guy Hilton Research Centre
(affiliated to Keele University and NHS - a world-leading
centre for translational research), physiotherapists,
geographers and conservation biologists.
You can add a year with an Applied Life Sciences work
placement or one year Study Abroad Placement between
the second and third years.
What will this mean for my future?
Human Biology graduates have pursued diverse careers
including industry, genetics research, medical statistics,
scientific writing, management and sales. Several 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.
Combined Honours specialising in Human Biology or
Combined Honours with Biochemistry are accredited by
the Royal Society of Biology.
ALEXANDER BRATHERTON
STUDIED HUMAN BIOLOGY WITH
PSYCHOLOGY (MAJOR ROUTE
IN HUMAN BIOLOGY)
“Upon beginning Keele
I first enrolled on the dual
honours route, where
I combined Human Biology
with Psychology. Although
this choice offered a flexible
learning approach, I decided
that majoring in Human
Biology would best suit my
scientific interests. Despite
focussing exclusively on
one subject field, I found
the major route to be
anything but restrictive. For
example, Human Evolution,
Behavioural Neuroscience and
Parasitology were just some of
the modules I studied during
my final year. Furthermore,
the major route allowed me
to complete two dissertation
style projects in separate topic
areas; a choice that helped
refine my knowledgebase
and future career intentions.
Overall, I would gladly
recommend the major route
to anyone considering it
during their course. “
KEY INFORMATION
UCAS Code - CC81
Foundation Year
Yes
Indicative entry
requirements
Combined Honours
A level: BBB/ABC
BTEC: DDM
Course duration
3 years or 4 years
with an international or
placement year
Placement Year
Yes
Study abroad
Yes
International Year
Yes
For information on courses that combine subjects please visit keele.ac.uk/ugcourses