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MSc project module

This masters-level project module in science, which is entirely online, is an opportunity for you to carry out an in-depth investigation into a subject of your own choice. The only constraint on the subject is that it must be linked to one or more of the knowledge-based objectives of your previous science MSc modules (excluding Developing research skills in science (S825)). Your project can be literature based, involve laboratory or fieldwork, or include the design and use of a questionnaire. You will have the support and guidance of a tutor, both by email and telephone.

Qualifications

S810 is a compulsory module in our:

#MSc in Earth Science [F53]#
MSc in Science (F12)

This module can also count towards F48 and F50 which are no longer available to new students.

Some postgraduate qualifications allow study to be chosen from other subject areas. We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this module can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change.

Postgraduate Loans

If you study this module as part of an eligible qualification, you may also be eligible for a Postgraduate Loan available from Student Finance England. For more information, see Fees and funding.

Excluded combinations

Sometimes you will not be able to count a module towards a qualification if you have already taken another module with similar content. To check any excluded combinations relating to this module, visit our excluded combination finder or check with an adviser before registering.

Module

Module code: S810
Credits: 60
Study level: Postgraduate
Study method: Distance learning
Find out more in Why the OU?
Module cost: See Module registration
Entry requirements: Find out more about entry requirements.

Module details Entry requirements Module registration Study materials

What you will study

The study materials provide guidance on planning your project and help with searching literature, analysing data and writing the report. As part of your first piece of assessment you will develop a proposal for a project on your chosen subject. Two intermediate submissions will help you to keep your project on track. You are expected to check the S810 website and online forums frequently. This course also includes group discussions in online tutorials.

Teaching and assessment

Support from your tutor

You will have a supervisor who will provide individual support and guidance for your project and will mark and comment on your written work. Electronic communication will be used extensively.

Contact us if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.

Assessment

The assessment details can be found in the facts box above.

You will be expected to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) and end-of-module assessment (EMA) online through the eTMA system unless there are some difficulties which prevent you from doing so. In these circumstances, you must negotiate with your tutor to get their agreement to submit your assignment on paper.

Your project report takes the place of an examination.

Course work includes

4 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs)

End-of-module assessment

No residential school

Course satisfaction survey

See the satisfaction survey results for this course.

Future availability

The details given here are for the module that starts in November 2017. It starts once a year – in November.

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations which are available on our Essential Documents website.

Entry requirements

To register for this module you must have successfully completed at least one of the following modules: Concept to clinic (S827), Earth science: a systems approach (S808), Introduction to mental health science (S826), Molecules in medicine (S807), Space science (S818) or the discontinued modules S802, S804, S809, S811, S819, SD805, SD815, SEH806, SH804. These modules introduce many of the skills required to undertake this project module.

You will also need good computing skills (e.g. able to search the Web, use email and use word processing packages).

All teaching is in English and your proficiency in the English language should be adequate for the level of study you wish to take. We strongly recommend that students have achieved an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of at least 7. To assess your English language skills in relation to your proposed studies you can visit the IELTS website.

If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.

Preparatory work

You may find reading the following book useful before and during your studies:

Divan, A., Communication skills for the Biosciences (2009), Oxford University Press, ISBN 978-0-19-922635-1.

Register

Start	End	England fee	Register
04 Nov 2017	Oct 2018	£2333.00	Registration closes 12/10/17 (places subject to availability) Register
This module is expected to start for the last time in November 2020.

Future availability

The details given here are for the module that starts in November 2017. It starts once a year – in November.

Additional costs

Study costs

There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as a laptop, travel to tutorials, set books and internet access.

Study materials

What's included

Web-based text, software and access to The Open University Library.

Computing requirements

You will need a device with internet access to study this module as a web browser is used to access learning materials and activities. Any other computer-based activities you will need to carry out, such as word processing, using spreadsheets, taking part in online forums, and submitting files to the university for assessment, are specified in the module materials. If any additional software is needed for these tasks it will either be provided or is freely available. You may need administrative privileges to install software required for this module. Windows 10 S is not suitable as it restricts software installation to software available in the Windows Application Store.

Suitable devices are:

A Windows desktop or laptop running Windows 7 or later operating system
A Macintosh desktop or laptop running OS X 10.8 or later operating system.

Some software will not run on Linux, iOS or Android devices.

A netbook, tablet, smartphone or Linux computer that supports one of the browsers listed below may be suitable. However, these devices may not be suitable for some activities. If you intend to use one of these devices please ensure you have access to a suitable desktop or laptop device that uses the Windows or OS X operating system in case you are unable to carry out all activities on your mobile device.

Recent versions of the following browsers are suitable for carrying out web-based activities:

Safari
Chrome
Firefox
Edge

Or Internet Explorer 9 and above.

Using a browser upgraded to the latest version will maximise security when accessing the internet.

Using company or library computers may prevent you accessing some internet materials or installing additional software.

To be able to talk and listen in our online discussions you will need both a microphone and speakers/headphones.

Devices with small screens may make it difficult to view the material provided and carry out the activities. However, a device that has a resolution of at least 1024 pixels horizontally and also at least 768 pixels vertically should be adequate.

See our Skills for OU study website for further information about computing skills for study and educational deals for buying Microsoft Office software.

If you have a disability

Your project, whatever its nature, must include an appropriate literature review.

You will need to spend considerable amounts of time using a personal computer and the internet. The course requires you to access literature resources electronically and relies on online forums. Written transcripts of any audio components and Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of printed material are available. Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader and mathematical and scientific materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way.

If you have particular study requirements please tell us as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Find out more about our services for disabled students.

MSc project module

Qualifications

Postgraduate Loans

Excluded combinations

Module

What you will study

Teaching and assessment

Support from your tutor

Assessment

Course work includes

Course satisfaction survey

Future availability

Regulations

Entry requirements

Preparatory work

Register

Future availability

Additional costs

Study costs

Study materials

What's included

Computing requirements

If you have a disability

Bachelor degrees

Masters degrees

Degree subjects

Change language

Connect with us

Grundständige Studiengänge

Masterstudiengange

Grad

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The Open University

What you will study

Teaching and assessment

Support from your tutor

Assessment

Course work includes

Course satisfaction survey

Future availability

Regulations

Entry requirements

Preparatory work

Register

Future availability

Additional costs

Study costs

Study materials

What's included

Computing requirements

If you have a disability

Bachelor degrees

Masters degrees

Degree subjects

Change language

Connect with us

Grundständige Studiengänge

Masterstudiengange

Grad

Sprache ändern

Connect with us

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