A postgraduate course in Science.

This masters-level project course, which is entirely online, is an opportunity for you to carry out an in-depth investigation into a subject of your own choice as part of your MSc in Professional Science (F60). The only constraint on the subject is that it must be linked to one or more knowledge-based learning objectives of each of your previous MSc in Professional Science modules. 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.

Register for the course

This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees and financial support may vary by country.

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 SXB810 website and online forums frequently. This course also includes group discussions in online tutorials.

Entry

You must have declared the MSc in Professional Science (F60) as your study intention and have successfully completed 120 credits from the optional modules for this MSc.

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 course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.

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.

Qualifications

SXB810 is a compulsory module in our:

• MSc in Professional Science (F60)

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.

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 our Student Registration & Enquiry Service before registering.

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the Module Regulations and the Student Regulations which are available on our Essential documents website.

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. 

Study materials

What's included

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

Computing requirements

You will need a computer with internet access to study this course which includes online activities. You can only access these using a web browser with Flash and Java.

You will also need a headset, with a microphone and earphones, to talk to your tutor and other students online during some of the course activities.

• If you have purchased a new desktop or laptop computer running Windows since 2006 you should have no problems completing the online activities.
• If you’ve got a netbook, tablet or other mobile computing device check our Technical requirements section.
• If you have an Apple Mac or Linux computer – please note that you can only use it for this course by running Windows on it using Boot Camp or a similar dual-boot system.

You can also visit the Technical requirements section for further computing information including the details of the support we provide.

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 our Student Registration & Enquiry Service 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.

Future availability

The details given here are for the course that starts in November 2013. We expect it to be available once a year.

How to register

To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button.

Distance learning

The Open University is the world’s leading provider of flexible, high quality distance learning. Unlike other universities we are not campus based. You will study in a flexible way that works for you whether you’re at home, at work or on the move. As an OU student you’ll be supported throughout your studies – your tutor or study adviser will guide and advise you, offer detailed feedback on your assignments, and help with any study issues. Tuition might be in face-to-face groups, via online tutorials, or by phone.

For more information about distance learning at the OU read Study explained.

Your questions

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