BSc (Hons) Astrophysics and Chemistry

Astrophysics is active wherever the laws of physics are being tested to the limit – and beyond. You’ll develop your mathematics and computing skills, and apply them to solving a range of problems in the laboratory and beyond (you’ll have access to Keele’s own on-site observatory). We are committed to supporting you throughout your studies, providing you flexible access to our staff to seek advice or feedback. You will learn to use chemistry in problem-solving and to present your theories and findings confidently and imaginatively.  Chemistry teaching is likely to take place in the Central Science Laboratories and you may gain experience using industry-standard equipment and instrumentation. This combined course is accredited by the Institute of Physics. If you chose to specialize in Chemistry in the final year of your course and graduate with a Chemistry with Astrophysics BSc,  your degree will be accredited by The Royal Society of Chemistry.

Year 1

COMPULSORY MODULES

• Mechanics, Gravity, and Relativity
• Nature of matter
• Oscillations and Waves
• Electricity and Stellar Structure
• Practical and Professional Chemistry Skills
• Chemical Structure and Reactivity

Year 2

COMPULSORY MODULES

• Quantum Mechanics
• Optics and Thermodynamics
• Stellar Astrophysics
• Statistical Mechanics and Solid State Physics
• Molecular Chemistry and Reactions
• Spectroscopy and Analysis (Combined Honours)
• Physical and Structural Chemistry (Combined Honours)

Year 3

COMPULSORY MODULES

• Electromagnetism
• Astrophysics Group Project and Science Communication – ISP
• Topics in Chemistry

OPTIONAL MODULES

• Binary Stars and Extrasolar Planets
• Data Analysis and Model Testing
• Particle Physics and Accelerators
• Cosmology
• Quantum Mechanics II
• General Relativity, Black Holes, and Gravitational Waves
• Chemical Kinetics, Photochemistry, and Inorganic Reaction Mechanisms
• Advanced Organic Chemistry
• Inorganic, Physical and Solid State Chemistry
• Materials Chemistry and Catalysis
• Chemistry/Medicinal Chemistry Research Project
• Chemistry/Medicinal Chemistry Dissertation

Employability

96% of Keele graduates were in a job or further study within six months of graduating (DLHE, 2017). An Astrophysics degree from Keele will prepare you for many different careers, which need not be directly related to astrophysics. You could take up all sorts of roles in industry, management, and public services, including teaching, health, and finance. Many employers recognize that the versatility and flexibility of astrophysics mean that graduates possess a wide range of very valuable skills, from independent and critical thinking to the solving of sophisticated problems. From your study of chemistry, you might work in industry, research or education; you could choose to become a chemical engineer, research scientist, toxicologist, patent lawyer, analytical chemist, or technical writer. Many students go on to higher study after the first degree in chemistry, allowing them to specialize in an area of interest such as analytical, forensic, synthetic, or materials chemistry and eventually work in a wide range of other specialist roles.

Jobs that a graduate of this course could go on to do:

• Research Scientist
• Geophysicist
• Science Teacher
• HE Lecturer
• Medical Physicist
• Operational Researcher
• Software Engineer
• Radiation Practitioner
• Clinical Biochemist
• Forensic Scientist
• Toxicologist
• Clinical Research Associate
• Analytical Chemist
• Chemical Engineer
• Pharmacologist