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Earth science

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This module introduces a scientific study of the earth across the scale spectrum – from shifting continents to the microscopic. And across time – from the 4.5 billion-year age of Earth to geological processes that happen in a flash. Your studies will include fossil life, erupting volcanoes, mountain building, and the record of Earth’s changing surface environments. The teaching materials will develop your practical skills using geological maps, microscopes, and field data, alongside developing your general science and study skills. You’ll also learn fieldwork skills via virtual field trips or an optional four-day residential field school.

What you will study

The module will give you fundamental knowledge about how the earth works, and demonstrate the extent to which earth science is a part of everyday life.

The online material in this module is particularly exciting and innovative as you use a virtual microscope and a digital kit (containing minerals, rocks and fossils) for interactive practical activities. It also teaches map work and field skills using a number of virtual field trips and integral 3D software. Following an introduction to the module the topics covered include: minerals, rocks - the basics, constructing geological histories from maps and landforms, fossils, sedimentary processes, sedimentary environments and their geological record, the solid earth, volcanoes and magmas, recrystallizing the earth, deforming the earth, Cyprus case studies, and current issues in earth science.

This module teaches field skills using home-based, online activities, available to all students, including virtual field trips, case studies and the chance to carry out a local, field-based or literature-based investigation.

You will learn

This module offers an exceptionally wide range of skills, many of which are transferable to other areas, as well as those you will need to progress to other modules in earth, environmental and natural sciences. It will also enable you to be much better informed about, and enhance your understanding of, the physical world around you.

Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements for this module.

At The Open University, we believe education should be open to all, so we provide high-quality university education to anyone who wishes to realise their ambitions and fulfil their potential.

Even though there are no entry requirements, you’ll need appropriate knowledge of science and basic mathematics to study the module successfully.

Are you ready for S209?

Preparatory work

If you’ve studied S112, re-familiarise yourself with the geological principles and terminology in the earth science parts (Topics 2–4).

Or visit your local library for suggestions of good introductory texts on geology and earth science.

What's included

Study materials, including activities and assessment, will be delivered online only.

You will need

You will need to draw diagrams, or to annotate by hand, diagrams that you download, and then use either a scanner or a digital camera to produce files of these diagrams to include in your assessment. A printer is desirable.

You will also need to purchase two geological maps (costing about £15 in total) using a special order form on the module website.

If you take part in a local field tutorial, field-based investigation or the optional 4-day residential school, you will require a hard hat (costing about £5).

Computing requirements

You’ll need broadband internet access and a desktop or laptop computer with an up-to-date version of Windows (10 or 11) or macOS Ventura or higher.

Any additional software will be provided or is generally freely available.

To join in spoken conversations in tutorials, we recommend a wired headset (headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone).

Our module websites comply with web standards, and any modern browser is suitable for most activities.

Our OU Study mobile app will operate on all current, supported versions of Android and iOS. It’s not available on Kindle.

It’s also possible to access some module materials on a mobile phone, tablet device or Chromebook. However, as you may be asked to install additional software or use certain applications, you’ll also require a desktop or laptop, as described above.

Teaching and assessment

Support from your tutor

Throughout your module studies, you’ll get help and support from your assigned module tutor. They’ll help you by:

  • Marking your assignments (TMAs) and providing detailed feedback for you to improve.
  • Guiding you to additional learning resources.
  • Providing individual guidance, whether that’s for general study skills or specific module content.
  • Facilitating online discussions between your fellow students, in the dedicated module and tutor group forums.

Module tutors also run online tutorials throughout the module. Where possible, recordings of online tutorials will be made available to students. While these tutorials won’t be compulsory for you to complete the module, you’re strongly encouraged to take part.

Assessment

The assessment details for this module can be found in the facts box.

Field school

This module has an optional residential field school.

The Field Studies Council runs the residential field school Geology. This 4-day programme (at FSC Blencathra in Cumbria) includes outdoor exercises and follow-up laboratory work.

The residential field school fee for 2023/24 was £464 (£364 if you don’t need accommodation); you must also pay for your travel.

Instructions for booking will be on the module website.

If you have a disability

The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying S209 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.

Future availability

Earth science (S209) starts once a year – in September/October.

This page describes the module that will start in October 2024.

We expect it to start for the last time in October 2025.

Course work includes:

6 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs)

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