Ancient mountains: practical geology in Scotland
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The Scottish Highlands are the roots of a once much larger mountain range formed more than 400 million years ago. At this six-day residential school, you’ll study the field evidence for the growth and demise of this ancient mountain range – gaining the practical fieldwork and complementary laboratory experience needed for a qualification specialising in Earth sciences. In particular, you’ll study igneous, metamorphic and structurally complex rocks in their natural settings. The school is held in Scotland, with a choice of dates in July and August – register early if you have a preference, as unfortunately we can’t always offer your first choice.
Fees 2012
See fees and funding options for study from September 2012.
Course facts
An undergraduate course in Science.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | SXR339 |
| Credits | 10 |
| OU Level | 3 |
| SCQF level | 10 |
| FHEQ level | 6 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| 1 Tutor-marked assignment (TMA) |
| End-of-module assessment |
| 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 school illustrates and expands on the teaching in the associated course Understanding the continents (S339). The greater part of the school will be devoted to field trips – including visits to the deformed rocks of the Dalradian basin, the Caledonian granites, and the Highland Border Complex – with laboratory sessions and tutorials in the evenings. A text book is included, giving an outline of the geological history of Scotland – with particular emphasis on the areas you will visit during the residential week. It also teaches the techniques used to interpret igneous, metamorphic and structural events. The school will be held in Scotland in July or August. You will be asked to choose your preferred week when you reserve a place on the course. Places are limited and allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis, so you should register as early as you can. See our Residential Schools website for more information.
Entry
This course builds on the knowledge and skills of Understanding the continents (S339), so you are strongly advised not to take SXR339 unless you are currently studying or have already completed S339. It would also be an advantage to have taken The geological history of the British Isles (SXR260) (now discontinued), or to have attended a residential school as part of other Level 2 geology courses. If you already have some geological knowledge or experience, you may be able to complete SXR339 without this background, but bear in mind that it is a Level 3 course.
If you would like more information on Science at the OU please visit the Faculty's website.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Preparatory work
If you are taking, or will have taken, S339 you should be adequately prepared. The fieldwork at the school may be physically demanding if you are unused to outdoor exercise, so it would be a sensible idea to go for a few good countryside walks beforehand.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
At the residential school you will be required to observe and interpret rocks in the field. In the laboratory you will be using microscopes and studying maps, so good visual acuity and, preferably, the ability to distinguish colours are required. Coach trips to field sites are uninterrupted journeys of about 90 minutes each way. Students will be accommodated in twin rooms. The residential school fieldwork is likely to be very challenging – or even unsafe – if your mobility is significantly restricted, or if you have a severe medical condition. Before registering for the course you should seek advice from the curriculum manager, telephone (01908) 653576 or email SXR339-Team@open.ac.uk.
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. You will need to spend considerable amounts of time using a personal computer and the internet. After you have registered you will receive detailed information about the residential school site and the facilities available to help with the academic programme. 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 publications Meeting Your Needs and Meeting your residential school needs.If you have concerns about taking this course or the support that you would have, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service or the Disability Resources Team for advice.
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
Residential week of study, text book, website, and other printed and online material.
You will need
Outdoor clothing suitable for inclement weather, and strong footwear. As some study materials will only be available online, you will need access, preferably, to a printer.
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 full-time tuition at the residential school. There will also be online support both before and after the school. Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
There is one assignment to complete after the school. To pass the course you must pass this assessment, as well as participating satisfactorily in the fieldwork and other activities at the 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 in May 2012 when it will be available for the last time.
Fees 2012
See fees and funding options for study from September 2012.
Course facts
An undergraduate course in Science.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | SXR339 |
| Credits | 10 |
| OU Level | 3 |
| SCQF level | 10 |
| FHEQ level | 6 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| 1 Tutor-marked assignment (TMA) |
| End-of-module assessment |
| 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
Unlike the S369 and SXR combination I don't think that SXR339 is essential to passing S339 because the concentration of ...
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A great course, terrific location, and really dedicated staff who made it all the more interesting and accessible. Criminal its ...
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