BSc (Hons) Astrophysics and Chemistry

Keele University

BSc (Hons) Astrophysics and Chemistry

  • Country United Kingdom
  • Course Duration 36 month
  • Course Type Full Time
  • Courses Campus On Campus
  • Language Specification IELTS
  • Program Level Undergraduate
  • Education Required Grade 12 /Equivalent to 12th
  • Admission intake SEP
  • Minimum GPA 70
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Application Charges

Application Fee Tution Fee
Free GBP 17,900

Application Date

Application Start Date Application Closing Date
2023-03-03
2023-08-20

Program Description

Choosing our combined honours in Astrophysics and Chemistry will help you develop skills and experience in two engaging and exciting subjects.

In astrophysics you will apply physics to understanding how the universe works and you could possibly explore questions like 'Is there an Earth-like planet around another star?' 'Is there a black hole at the centre of every galaxy?' And 'Why is the expansion of the Universe accelerating?' These are questions that astrophysics helps you discover the answer to. From the technology we use to how we treat illnesses, chemistry is essential to our modern life and offers a wide variety of career opportunities in many fields from pharmaceuticals and food technology to forensics and teaching.

This course will provide you with a solid grounding in the underpinning theory of both subject areas with plenty of hands-on practical experience in Keele's state-of-the-art laboratories and opportunities to personalise your learning by choosing from a range of optional modules.

Astrophysics will give you the quantitative and analytic skills needed for analysing data and solving problems and is underpinned by a core physics curriculum as set out by the Institute of Physics. This includes the fundamentals of classical and quantum mechanics, electromagnetism, optics, thermodynamics, solid state, atomic and nuclear physics, together with the mathematics that is used to describe them. We have our own observatory here at Keele that students on this combined honours programme can get involved with on a volunteer basis with the potential to learn some astronomical techniques.

As you progress, you will build on your existing knowledge in familiar core areas of astrophysics including mechanics, special relativity, nature of matter, gravitation, electricity, oscillations, and waves. You will also focus on areas like the basics of stellar structure and stellar astrophysics. Later in your degree you will study electromagnetism at a deeper level, and have the option of studying cosmology, binary stellar systems and exoplanets, black holes and gravitational waves. In your final year you will be involved in a group project. In recent years these have been based on the analysis of data from NASA's Kepler and Tess missions and Keele's own robotic observatory in South Africa. The projects often contribute to the research conducted within the Keele astrophysics group.

The course will also enable you to build a strong grounding in core chemistry knowledge and will carefully guide you in understanding the mathematics underpinning chemistry. Particular attention is paid to building your practical skills and you will have access to various types of research standard equipment - such as our ultra-violet visible spectrometry which is used to follow the rate of reactions of molecules that contain chromophores. Chemistry laboratory work is an integral part of our programme that helps you to develop a variety of practical, computational and transferrable skills that employers value.

To provide context to the knowledge you are learning, you will also look at ways in which chemistry is applied to sustainable development and the environment. You will examine the political, social and economic impacts and explore topics like nuclear chemistry and energy, geochemistry, health and toxicology and green chemistry.

Throughout the course you will expand your theoretical knowledge and practical skills and start to specialise in studying areas like spectroscopy and investigate core advanced modules including physical and inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry and a wide range of analytical techniques and their applications to solving problems in analytical chemistry.

To develop your appreciation of the wider context of chemistry, optional modules provide the opportunity to also explore the economic, international and sustainability issues surrounding industrial chemistry. We provide you with the opportunity to align your Astrophysics and Chemistry BSc to your career aspirations and interests by choosing from a variety of optional modules in your final year.

INDUSTRIAL PLACEMENT YEAR

In an increasingly competitive job marketing, employers are seeking to recruit employees who have high-level knowledge, skills and an understanding of the workplace. Between years two and three of your degree, you can spend a year gaining practical experience with a chemistry focussed company or organisation. This will benefit you by providing familiarisation with the professional working environment and the opportunity to apply the chemistry skills and theories you have learnt.

INTERNATIONAL YEAR

In between years two and three of your studies you can choose to spend a year studying abroad. This exciting opportunity enables you to experience different cultures 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.

PERSONALISED LEARNING

Our small cohort size enables you to gain a more personalised learning experience and as a result we will have the resource to get to know you better and give you customised guidance throughout your studies.

SUPPORT

We offer a multi layered support structure to help you meet your academic and personal needs. This includes regular tutorials, a dedicated academic mentor, and access to Keele's Student Experience and Support team. 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.

SOCIETIES

We have a wealth of student-led societies here at Keele which cover a diverse range of interests. Joining a society related to astrophysics or chemistry is a great opportunity to continue to develop your skills away from your studies. This is another excellent way of demonstrating your genuine interest for the area and can be beneficial when it comes to applying for graduate roles. It’s also a great way to make friends and share interests with fellow students.

Other Requirements

  • CISCE / CBSE / West Bengal Class XII: 60% - 90% required depending on course. Subjects Requirements : - Maths with 70% and English with 60% All other State Boards Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) / Standard Class XII: 65% - 95% required depending on course.Subjects Requirements : - Maths with 70% and English with 60% 2 years of study must have been completed.
  • For IELTS Waiver : CISCE/CBSE Class XII: 70% or above. All other State Boards Class XII (except Punjab or Mohali School Education Board): 75% or above in English, depending on course.Study should be taught in English. Otherwise IELTS is required.

Extra Notes


* NOTE : The Tuition Fee is subject to change Semester wise, as such for exact Tuition Fee kindly see the Website of the respective University.
* NOTE : Pathways : Students who want to pursue a Graduate Degree through a particular University but are unable to meet the university requirements for the GPA, GRE/GMAT or English Language scores, have to take up an additional academic and language support i.e. pathways in order to ensure the admit and study at the desired University.