An undergraduate course in Science.

Electromagnetism is central to our understanding of the physical world and to modern technology. This residential school features experiments that develop your understanding of electromagnetic concepts, showing how our knowledge is based on observations. You’ll also investigate modern applications, and use computers both to simulate the motion of charged particles in magnetic fields and to solve Laplace’s equation. The one-week school will be held at The University of Sussex, with a choice of dates in July and/or August. Register early if you have a preference, as unfortunately we can’t always offer your first choice of date and venue.

Register for the course

What you will study

The school will give you experience of doing experimental physics in well-equipped laboratories under professional supervision.

Before the school you will be expected to study a course book that presents the theory and background to the experiments you will perform. You will also receive a laboratory handbook that gives you specific details concerning the experiments you will carry out.

During the laboratory part of the residential school, you will complete one substantial experiment and a number of shorter ones. You will be expected to keep a written record, in a suitable notebook, of your laboratory activities. This will be particularly important when you come to the end-of-module assignment.

You will also perform computer simulations that exemplify how computers are used ‘in real life’ – in science or industry – to solve problems that cannot be solved with pencil and paper. They will also help you to visualise how electromagnetic fields vary in space and in time.

There will be tutorials, lectures and example classes covering the theory and background mathematics of electromagnetism. These sessions will be at the level of the associated course Electromagnetism (SMT359)  and will be of direct benefit to students who are taking that course, but they should also be sufficiently general in nature to be of value to those who are taking the residential-school course only. 

After the school you will be assessed on your understanding of the experimental work and on the material presented in the course book. In particular, you will be expected to write a full account of one of your experiments, making use of the record in your laboratory notebook.

The residential week will be held at The University of Sussex during July/August. You will be asked to choose your week when you register on the course. Places are allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis, so you should register as early as you can. 

Entry

This residential school supports and complements the 30-credit course Electromagnetism (SMT359), and students taking that are advised to take the residential school course in the same year if possible. It is also appropriate if you are taking physics, other science or engineering courses, either with The Open University or elsewhere, and you would like a course based on experiments and computer simulations in electromagnetism.

This is a Level 3 course. Level 3 courses build on study skills and subject knowledge acquired from studies at Levels 1 and 2. They are intended only for students who have recent experience of higher education in a related subject, usually with the OU. The associated course SMT359 requires a good pass in an applied mathematics course at the level of Mathematical methods and models (MST209), as well as a physics background such as from The physical world (S207) . This mathematics and physics background is also essential for SMXR359, but in addition you must have further knowledge equivalent to the first half of SMT359. It is also desirable for you to have taken the residential-school course Physics by experiment (SXR207) (now discontinued), which provides essential preparation for carrying out and recording physics experiments. It is essential that you establish whether or not your background and experience give you a sound basis on which to tackle the course, since students who are appropriately prepared have the best chance of completing their studies successfully. The Science Faculty has produced a booklet Are You Ready For SMXR359? to help you to decide whether you already have the recommended background knowledge or experience to start the course or whether you need a little extra preparation. This can be viewed or printed from the Science Faculty website.

If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.

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 or additional requirement

Support services can be offered at the school, and every effort will be made to accommodate disabilities. After you have registered you will receive detailed information about the residential school site and the facilities available to help with the academic programme.

If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our publications Meeting your needs and Meeting your residential school needs.

You can also find information about accessible study materials, the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.

Study materials

What's included

Residential week of tuition; course book, laboratory handbook, other printed material, CD-ROM containing the computer simulations.

You will need

A scientific calculator.

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.

• If you have purchased a new desktop or laptop computer 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 use an Apple Mac you will need OS X 10.5 or later.

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 tutors who will give you advice and support throughout the residential week.

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 for this course can be found in the facts box above.

There will be a computer-marked assignment (CMA) before the residential week, and a written assignment, submitted on paper, at the end of the course. To pass the course you must pass this assessment, as well as participate satisfactorily in all the experimental sessions at the school.

Future availability

The details given here are for the course that starts in May 2012 when it will be available for the last time.

Students also studied

Students who studied this course also studied at some time:

• Electromagnetism (SMT359)
• Mathematical methods and models (MST209)
• The physical world (S207)
• The quantum world (SM358)
• Science project course: radiation and matter (SXP390)

How to register

We regret that we are currently unable to accept registrations for this course. Where the course is to be presented again in the future, relevant registration information will be displayed on this page as soon as it becomes available.

Student Reviews

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 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.

Study explained

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