Scientific investigations
On this page
This online course provides an innovative introduction to designing experiments and interpreting results. These are key scientific skills that you will learn by devising and performing experiments at home. You will not be alone in your task. Collaboration is important in science and you will work with a small group that, for part of the course, discusses experimental design, collects data and compares results. The experiments and study materials draw on examples from the breadth of science. S155 is an online course within which you will use a variety of communication methods, including scheduled online forums.
Fees 2012
See fees and funding options for study from September 2012.
Course facts
An undergraduate course in Science.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | S155 |
| Credits | 10 |
| OU Level | 1 |
| SCQF level | 7 |
| FHEQ level | 4 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| End-of-module assessment |
| No residential school |
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
This course is about the experimental method in science. You will learn about designing and planning experiments by working through the course text, which will be illustrated with case studies taken from the published work of professional scientists. By carrying out experiments yourself and discussing both the design and the results with other students in your group, you will learn practical skills in making measurements and observations accurately. You will also learn about the process of reaching conclusions that are supported by the experimental results.
Towards the end of the course you will get an opportunity to design and carry out an experiment with your group. This will help you to understand the role of hypotheses in experiments and that detailed planning is necessary for successful and safe experimentation. By working in groups you will appreciate the role of group work and discussion in science.
Entry
Scientific investigations complements:
- The 60-credit key introductory course Exploring science (S104), and is particularly suitable if you’re taking that course or have already taken it. (However, if you choose to study S155 alongside S104, you should be prepared to study for 26 hours a week for your first ten weeks of study.)
- The residential school course Practising science (SXR103), and may be taken either before or after that course.
You should have basic mathematical skills (including drawing and interpreting graphs, and measurement and use of angles, using degrees). You should also have an understanding of basic scientific concepts. Both skill sets are covered in Exploring science (S104). You can test your mathematical skills, or refresh them, using the Maths Skills ebook.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
Study material will be delivered online but will include printable versions of web pages for students to print off themselves should they wish. Students with hearing impairments may have difficulty participating in the audio conferences but should be able to participate fully in online forum discussions. Transcripts of audio-visual clips will be included in the study materials. Students with manual dexterity problems may need assistance to complete some experiments. Other alternative formats of the study materials may be available in the future. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
As the course is web-based, you will need to make extensive use of a personal computer and the internet. If you use specialist hardware or software to assist you in operating a computer or with the types of material outlined above you are advised to talk to the Student Registration & Enquiry Service about the support which can be given to meet your needs.
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 publication Meeting your needs.
Study materials
What's included
All study materials and assessment material will be delivered online.
You will need
A webcam or digital camera is highly desirable to show images of experiments.
You will need a certain amount of space to perform some of the experiments, and for one of them you will need access to soil. You should be prepared to set aside several periods of up to half a day for completing some of the experiments. This course may not be suitable for you if you are unable to study regularly or will not have access to the internet throughout the 10-week course.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new Windows computer since 2005 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual. Please note that you cannot use an Apple Mac or Linux computer unless it is running Windows using Boot Camp or similar dual-boot system.
You will need a headset, with a microphone and earphones, to talk to your tutor and other students online during some of the course activities.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the study material and experiments, and whom you can ask for academic advice and guidance. If you are new to The Open University, you will find that your tutor is particularly concerned to help you with your study methods.
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.
All assessments must be submitted online.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in October 2012 and February 2013. We expect it to be available twice a year.
Fees 2012
See fees and funding options for study from September 2012.
Course facts
An undergraduate course in Science.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | S155 |
| Credits | 10 |
| OU Level | 1 |
| SCQF level | 7 |
| FHEQ level | 4 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| End-of-module assessment |
| No residential school |
Study explained
- Financial support
- - find out if you qualify for support with your fees with our eligibility checker.
- Study explained
- - all you need to know about distance learning with the OU.
Student Reviews
I enjoyed this course, it introduced me to new areas of science (or perhaps things I had forgetten from High ...
Read more
I was so pleased when this course became available, because it meant I could finish my Level one study towards ...
Read more
Your questions
We may have already answered it in our frequently asked questions.
Or contact an adviser in our Student Registration & Enquiry Service Email or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90+44(0) 845 366 60 35
Browse the prospectus
Get a prospectus
Download or
order
Share
This PageThe University wishes to emphasise that, while every effort is made to regularly update this site, the material on it is subject to alteration or amendment in the light of changes in regulations or in policy or of financial or other necessity.