Undergraduate Prospectus 2020 Keele Undergraduate Propsectus 2020 | Page 248

258 | Physics and Astrophysics
Astrophysics and Physical Geography
BSc (Hons)
Why study this course?
This course combines different approaches to studying the Universe and our
Natural world and environment at a range of scales. Astrophysics and Physical
Geography at Keele are consistently rated highly in the National Student Survey,
and offer high levels of contact time with academic staff engaged in world-leading
astrophysics and geography research.
Astrophysicists seek to understand the universe, from its smallest
constituents to the largest possible scales. Astrophysics students
apply physics, mathematics and computational techniques to tackle
problems as diverse as stellar interiors, black holes and the evolution of
the universe itself. As part of a Combined Honours programme, studying
Astrophysics for three years provides you with the core knowledge and
skills leading to a degree that is accredited by the Institute of Physics.
Physical Geographers are interested in the natural environment at a
human scale: landscapes, climate change, hazards and resources. We
focus particularly on research skills: you will learn to collect, analyse
and interpret different types of data, and to carry out your own research
using specialist software and equipment. Field courses, with zero-cost
overseas options, are one highlight of the programme.
What will this mean for my future?
Physical Geography students acquire a wide range of transferable
skills of enormous value to employers, such as specialist knowledge
of Geographic Information Systems. You will develop skills such as the
ability to analyse spatial data using industry standard GIS software, that
are in high demand from government, environmental agencies, insurance
companies and property developers. Previous graduates now hold senior
positions in academic, government and industrial posts.
Employers value numerate, versatile graduates who can communicate.
With a Keele Astrophysics degree you could take up roles as a research
scientist, medical physicist, or enter the space, telecommunications or
power industries. You may instead find employment as a science writer,
chartered accountant or IT consultant. In addition many of our graduates
go onto further study at Master’s/PhD level.
INDICATIVE MODULES
First Year
• Mechanics Gravity & Relativity
• Nature of Matter
• Fundamentals of Physical Geography
• People and Environment
Second Year
• Stellar Astrophysics
• Quantum Mechanics
• Practical Physical Geography
• Overseas Field Course
(typically Iceland or Almeria)
Third Year
• Electromagnetism
• Astrophysics Project
Plus options from
• Global Environmental Change
• Cosmology
• Life in the Universe
• Coastal Environments
• Glaciers and Glacial Geomorphology
• Physics of Compact Objects
• Water Resources
• Physics of Fluids
• Plasma Physics
• Atmospheric Physics
KEY INFORMATION
UCAS Code - FF58
Foundation Year
Yes
Indicative entry
requirements
Combined Honours
A level: BBC
BTEC: DDM
Course duration
3 years or 4 years
with an international
year
Study abroad
Yes
International Year
Yes
Learn a Language
Yes
For further information on entry requirements please visit keele.ac.uk/entryrequirements