BSc (Hons) Astrophysics and Environmental Science

In Astrophysics, you will learn to formulate and tackle problems – from below the level of the atomic nucleus to astronomical scales. Astrophysics is active wherever the laws of physics are being tested to the limit – and beyond. Keele will help you to use astronomical observations, mathematical models, and computer simulation to develop theories explaining some of the most complex phenomena. Alongside this, you will be studying Environmental Science. This course crosses the traditional divide between the natural and social sciences, providing the necessary holistic perspective to understand environmental and sustainability issues and to develop strategies to work towards a more sustainable future. For society to tackle the environmental and sustainability problems we now face, we need people who can grapple with both the scientific and human aspects of those issues. That’s why this innovative course is taught across three different faculties, integrating a range of disciplines that might include, geo and environmental sciences, life sciences, chemical sciences, politics and international relations, management, and health. There is a strong emphasis on the development and application of skills, including practical fieldwork and engagement with professionals working in the environment sector.

Year 1

COMPULSORY MODULES

• Mechanics, Gravity, and Relativity
• Nature of matter
• Oscillations and Waves
• Electricity and Stellar Structure
• Studying the Environment
• Academic, Professional, and Fieldwork Skills
• Introductory Environmental Chemistry
• Climate Change: The Scientific and Societal Context

Year 2

COMPULSORY MODULES

• Quantum Mechanics
• Optics and Thermodynamics
• Stellar Astrophysics
• Statistical Mechanics and Solid State Physics
• Human Impact on the Environment, scientific perspectives
• Environmental and Sustainability Impact Assessment
• Environmental Analytical Methods
• Research and fieldwork planning

Year 3

COMPULSORY MODULES

• Electromagnetism
• Astrophysics Group Project and Science Communication – ISP
• Dissertation (15-credit)

OPTIONAL MODULES

• Binary Stars and Extrasolar Planets
• Data Analysis and Model Testing
• Particle Physics and Accelerators
• Cosmology
• Life in the Universe
• Quantum Mechanics II
• General Relativity, Black Holes, and Gravitational Waves
• Glaciers and Glacial Geomorphology
• Natural Hazards
• Global Environmental Change
• Clean Technology
• Applied GIS
• Ecotoxicology and Risk Assessment
• Animals and Society
• Applied Insect Ecology
• Conservation Biology
• Work Placement Year
• Water Resources
• Coastal Environments
• The Science of Soil
• Plant Science and Sustainability

Employability

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.

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
• Waste Management Officer
• Recycling Officer
• Nature Conservation Officer
• Environmental Education Officer