Geology
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Geology is the scientific study of the Earth, its origin, structure, processes and composition. This wide-ranging course introduces the fundamentals of geology in an exciting way, as well as the practical skills needed to understand and interpret geological features and processes. It covers five main areas: description and identification of minerals and rocks; interpretation of geological maps; the formation of igneous and metamorphic rocks and their associated structures; fossils; and sedimentary processes and environments. In addition to course texts, you’ll receive a returnable home kit (with maps, rocks, minerals and fossils) and teaching materials on DVD (including a new digital kit and virtual microscope).
Fees 2012
See fees and funding options for study from September 2012.
Course facts
An undergraduate course in Science.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | S276 |
| Credits | 30 |
| OU Level | 2 |
| SCQF level | 8 |
| FHEQ level | 5 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| 3 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) |
| 2 Computer-marked assignments (CMAs) |
| Examination |
| 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
The main part of the teaching is in three course texts, carefully integrated with other study materials, some of which are computer-based.
Book 1 Minerals, Rocks and Maps explores the nature of common minerals and rocks. It introduces techniques for describing and identifying them, using specimens in the home kit. It also introduces investigation of their microscopic properties by means of a virtual microscope on DVD-ROM. Other materials on DVD-ROM, including digital mineral and rock specimens, supplement and enhance the teaching of the practical elements introduced in the home kit. This book also introduces the interpretation of geological maps and – with the aid of digital mapping techniques and global examples – investigates the relationship between the landscape and underlying rocks, showing how the geological history of any area can be interpreted from a geological map. Material on DVD-ROM also helps you to visualise and interpret geological structures in three dimensions.
Book 2 Magmas and Mountains describes the formation of igneous rocks by crystallisation from a molten liquid (magma) and the formation of metamorphic rocks under high temperatures and pressures. It also looks at the deformation of rocks by folding and faulting during crustal movements and mountain building, including information and evidence that may be obtained from geological maps. Activities on DVD-ROM enable you to explore the effects of folding and faulting in 3-D, and a simple virtual field trip investigates the effects of an igneous intrusion upon surrounding rocks.
Book 3 Fossils and Sedimentary Rocks introduces the main groups of fossils and how these may be used, in conjunction with sedimentary features observed in the geological record, to reconstruct and understand past environments. It also describes, with the aid of a full-colour poster and material on DVD-ROM, the physical, chemical and biological processes that weather and erode the land, and how transport and deposition of sediment lead to the formation of sedimentary rocks. The home kit contains replicas of representatives of all the main fossil groups, supplemented and enhanced by digital specimens on DVD-ROM.
You will learn
This course offers an exceptionally wide range of observational, practical and IT skills, many of which are transferable to other areas, as well as those that you will need to progress to other courses in Geosciences. Even if you do not wish to study further Geosciences courses, it will enable you to be much better informed about, and enhance your understanding of, the physical world around you.
Vocational relevance
This course should be of particular interest to those employed, or seeking employment, in environmental agencies, heritage organisations and the minerals industry, as well as the education sector. Geology students are currently entitled to apply for Candidate Fellowship of the Geological Society.
Entry
This is a Level 2 course, but as it is an introductory course in geology, it should be accessible to anyone who has a basic scientific background. However, 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 booklet Are You Ready For S276? may be viewed or downloaded from the Are you ready for science? website.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Outside the UK
You will be sent the home kit, but you will be expected to pay for postage on return at the end of the course. Most kit specimens are also included as digital versions on DVD-ROM. Most of the printed study materials should be available as downloadable PDFs from the website.
Preparatory work
The most useful preparation is to make yourself familiar with modern basic geological principles and terminology by reading the Earth science books of Exploring science (S104) (Books 2 and 6) or an introductory text such as Teach Yourself Geology by D.A. Rothery (2008, Teach Yourself Books), or Earth: Portrait of a Planet by S. Marshak (2011, Norton).
If you have a disability or additional requirement
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 some scientific materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way. 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.
Because the course includes many practical materials and digital images involving the differentiation of colours and observation of small scale features and structures, it may be very difficult for students with colour blindness or poor visual acuity to achieve all the learning outcomes of the course. Some activities (and the home kit specimens) are presented in virtual form on DVD-ROM, which may be more accessible to some students.
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.
You can also find information about accessible study materials, financial support and 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
Course books, other printed materials, DVD-ROMs, home kit, a website.
You will need
You will need broadband access to the internet in order to complete some of the assessment.
You may 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 for inclusion in your assessment.
You will also require a hard hat (costing about £5) if you take part in a field trip.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave. Some of your course software will be provided on disk.
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.
Materials to buy
Students need to buy two maps using a special order form on the module website.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the study material and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. You should also be offered at least one day school and a regional field trip that you are encouraged, but not obliged, to attend. You will also receive a list of field trips that may be available in other areas. Where these are held will depend on the distribution of students taking the course.
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.
You will be expected to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) 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.
The computer-marked assignments (CMAs), must be submitted online.
Professional recognition
Geology students are currently entitled to apply for Candidate Fellowship of the Geological Society.
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 November 2012. We expect it to be available once 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 | S276 |
| Credits | 30 |
| OU Level | 2 |
| SCQF level | 8 |
| FHEQ level | 5 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| 3 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) |
| 2 Computer-marked assignments (CMAs) |
| Examination |
| 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 absolutely loved this course! There are three books (the first a little dry) which progressively becomes more enjoyable. The ...
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This was an excellent course but definitely not one of the easier modules. It wasn't helped by the fact that ...
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