Practising science
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| End-of-course assessment | Residential school |
Register for the course
This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees may vary by country.
Summary
This one-week residential school provides hands-on experience of working with laboratory and field equipment, and builds your confidence in practical techniques across a range of science disciplines – biology, chemistry, Earth sciences and physics. It introduces the skills of recording, reporting and interpreting data; and literature and web-based research. You’ll also develop team-working, problem solving and oral communication skills. There is some pre-school preparation, and an end-of-course assessment afterwards. The school is held in Brighton with a choice of dates in July – register early if you have a preference, as unfortunately we can’t always offer your first choice.
Course content
Throughout the school you will be working in science laboratories and at a field site, with students who have similar interests to your own. There will also be a programme of evening tutorials and workshops.
Before the school there is some preparatory study to do (working through the Practising Science Study Book, attempting self-assessment questions, and looking at workbooks used at the school), so that you have the theoretical background you need to participate satisfactorily in the investigations. After the school you will be required to complete an end-of-course assessment (ECA) based on some of the work you have carried out during the residential week. This ECA is submitted at the start of September.
The school will be held at the University of Sussex (Brighton). You will be asked to choose your preferred week when you register for the course. Places are allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis, so you should register as soon as you can. See our Residential Schools website for more information.
Entry
Practising science complements the 60-point introductory science course Exploring science (S104) (and the discontinued course S103), and is particularly suitable if you’re taking that course or have already taken it.
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, especially in chemistry and biology. Both skill sets are covered in Exploring science (S104) (and the discontinued course S103).
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 SXR103? 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.
Qualifications
SXR103 is a compulsory course in our:
- BSc (Honours) Geosciences (B25)
- BSc (Honours) Life Sciences (B28)
- BSc (Honours) Molecular Science (B26)
- BSc (Honours) Natural Sciences (B16)
- BSc (Honours) Secondary Education in Physics (B56)
SXR103 is an optional course in our:
- Certificate in Contemporary Science (C70)
- Diploma of Higher Education in Analytical Sciences (E53)
- Foundation Degree in Analytical Sciences (G15)
- Foundation Degree in Paramedic Sciences (G11)
- Diploma of Higher Education in Paramedic Sciences (E52)
- Foundation Degree in Health Sciences (G12)
- Diploma of Higher Education in Health Sciences (E49)
- Foundation Degree in Operating Department Practice (G19)
- Diploma of Higher Education in Operating Department Practice (E58)
- BSc (Honours) Physical Science (B27)
It can also count towards most of our other degrees at bachelors level, where it can help to weight your degree towards a BSc. We advise you to refer to the relevant award descriptions for information on the circumstances in which the course can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements of a qualification may change.
This course can be studied as part of the ‘2 plus 2’ scheme which allows you to gain your degree by studying two years part-time with the OU followed by two years full-time with one of our partner universities.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
Every effort will be made to accommodate disabilities at the school. Extra support will be available to students with additional requirements in the residential school weeks. Because of the essentially visual nature of the investigations and the observational skills required, the course may be challenging if your sight is severely impaired. The laboratories are accessible to wheelchair users, but if you have impaired mobility you may have difficulty accessing some/all of the field locations. At the school, an interactive study DVD, based on these locations, will help you to achieve the learning outcomes for the fieldwork. Please ask your regional or national centre about this. After you have registered you will receive detailed information about the residential school sites and the facilities available to help with the academic programme. The course materials are available on audio in DAISY Digital Talking Book format. The written course material is available in comb-bound format. Written transcripts of audio-visual material are available. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
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 booklets Meeting your needs and Meeting your residential school needs, which you can download or request from our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
You can also find information about accessible course 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.
Course materials
What's included
Printed preparatory materials; course website; a residential week of mainly laboratory and field investigations.
You will need
Scientific calculator. While laboratory coats will be provided you are welcome to bring your own.
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 2002 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 give you advice and support throughout the school. Support will also be provided after the school (via a telephone helpline and online forum) to help you prepare the ECA. You will have tuition from specialist tutors during each of the laboratory and field activities.
Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
There is an ECA to be completed after the school and submitted at the start of September. To pass the course you must pass this assessment, and participate satisfactorily in all the activities at the residential school.
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 May 2010. We expect it to be available once a year. Although you are not required to attend the residential school until July, you should be aware that there is some preparatory work which you must complete before your residential school week begins.
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button. For more information and advice about registration see OU Study Explained.
About this page
An undergraduate course in Engineering and Technology and Science.
Study explained
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- Study explained
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Student Reviews
Quite an enjoyable course - best part of it was definitely the field trip! Beautiful scenery along the coast, and ...
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Days can seem long, but extremely interesting. There is something for everyone, regardless of which science discipline you are interested ...
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