Science project course: science in society project
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This course is the project module for the BSc (Hons) Natural Sciences. You will undertake an individual investigation of a topic within the area of natural sciences, such as: climate change; agriculture; biological conservation; nuclear power; or genetic engineering. You’ll cover the underpinning science and place your chosen topic in its broad social context, analysing it in relation to communication, risk, ethics and decision-making. Investigations will be literature–based, so you’ll need access to scientific literature, probably from electronic library sources. The study materials provide a guide to planning and conducting project work; help with searching and using the literature; and writing a report.
Fees 2012
See fees and funding options for study from September 2012.
Course facts
An undergraduate course in Science.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | SXN390 |
| Credits | 30 |
| OU Level | 3 |
| SCQF level | 10 |
| FHEQ level | 6 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| 3 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) |
| 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 designed to build on the knowledge, understanding and skills developed in Science in context (S250) and your Level 2 and Level 3 study in the BSc (Hons) Natural Sciences. SXN390 is intended to be the final module in this degree.
Early in the course you will be guided by the study materials and by your tutor to choose an appropriate topic to investigate in depth. Unless you have access to an academic library, you may find that you have to spend up to two thirds of your time in the early part of the course online, identifying suitable material to inform your choice of project topic from the electronic journals available via the Open Library website. You will need to develop a good understanding of the science underpinning your chosen topic and also to be able to explain this clearly to a non-scientist. However, the distinctive feature of this course is its emphasis on aspects of the interaction of science and society. How can the science behind controversial issues best be communicated to the public? How can the public’s understanding of the very difficult concept of risk be enhanced? How can the public have a say in what science is done on its behalf? Each project should consider communication, risk, ethical issues and decision making in the chosen topic.
Entry
SXN390 is a Level 3 course. Level 3 courses build on study skills and subject knowledge acquired from previous studies at Levels 1 and 2. They are intended only for students who have recent experience of higher education in a related subject.
You should study this science project course as the final module of your BSc (Hons) Natural Sciences, as you will need to apply knowledge and skills from your prior studies. Normally you should have passed at least 60 credits of the Level 3 requirements for the your degree – as well as Science in context (S250) – before embarking on your project course.
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 Your Science Level 3 Project Course? 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.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
The study materials are available on CD-ROM or the website in Adobe (PDF) format. Components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader and mathematical, scientific, and foreign language materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way. Your project requires you to complete an appropriate literature review. Many literature sources and parts of the course guidance are accessed electronically, and much of the contact with your tutor will be by email and online forums, so the time spent using a computer and the internet will be considerable. If you use a screen reader to access material on screen, you should check that it is compatible with the Library's electronic databases and resources before you start the course.
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
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 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.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will initiate contact at key points during the course, will mark and comment on your written assignments, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. Much of your contact with your tutor will be by email or computer conferencing. There is no face-to-face tuition for this 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 TMAs help you to record progress with your investigation and build up the elements required for the project report. The project is a serious piece of science writing and comprises a substantial part of the examinable component. It must be word processed and submitted as hard copy. You will be expected to keep a log of your project work and to submit your cumulative log with your TMAs and with the examinable component.
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 February 2012. We expect it to be available once a year with a revised version planned for 2013.
Fees 2012
See fees and funding options for study from September 2012.
Course facts
An undergraduate course in Science.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | SXN390 |
| Credits | 30 |
| OU Level | 3 |
| SCQF level | 10 |
| FHEQ level | 6 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| 3 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) |
| 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
Excellent course. Being able to choose a subject of personal interest made research and completion of project easier. More about ...
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