BSc (Honours) Natural Sciences
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Degree
- Code
- B16
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Made up of
- 360 credit points
Description
Working towards the Natural Sciences degree will introduce you to knowledge and techniques of biology, chemistry, Earth sciences, environmental sciences, physics, astronomy and planetary sciences. You will develop knowledge and understanding of science across these disciplines, and find how such breadth can contribute to addressing current issues with a scientific basis. This degree focuses on developing a wide science knowledge coupled with in-depth study of selected aspects and an appreciation of the impact of science on society. We want to develop your skills as an effective learner with a lifelong interest and enthusiasm for science.
Planning your studies
If you’re new to study or to the OU, we recommend that you start with a course at Level 1. For this degree we recommend starting with Exploring science (S104) and Practising science (SXR103). If you have not studied science or basic maths before – or perhaps not for some time – we recommend you study Science starts here (S154) before S104. These should provide you with an appropriate background in scientific thinking, knowledge, methods and skills to progress to the compulsory Level 2 course Science in context (S250).
You can register your intention to study for this degree when you reserve your place on individual courses, or you can ask us at any time to link courses that you have already studied towards the degree. This gives you the flexibility to delay your decision or to change your mind as your studies progress. There is no time limit for obtaining the required credit points for this qualification unless you are including discontinued courses which may cease to be countable at some point after their final presentation. You must include at least 120 points from OU courses that have not been counted in any other OU diploma or first degree that you may have been awarded. If you have graduated with an OU BSc degree without honours this requirement is reduced to 60 points.
Career relevance and employability
You will gain an understanding of how scientific knowledge develops, an appreciation of the limits of scientific knowledge and an understanding of its impact on society. Science graduates are well placed to enter a range of both scientific and non-scientific jobs. The study of science develops good analytical and numerical skills, and students also become proficient in using computers. Skills such as these are sought by a wide range of financial, business and public sector employers, so science graduates – particularly those who have good communication and interpersonal skills – are in demand.
Ask our Student Registration & Enquiry Service for the careers publication OU study and your career if you want to find out more about the process of career development and about sources of careers information and guidance.
For planning your next career steps, visit the OU Careers Advisory Service.
There’s more information about the career relevance of degrees on the national HE Prospects website.
Courses
For this 360-point honours degree you require:
100 points from the following compulsory courses:
| Level 1 compulsory courses | Points | Next start |
|---|---|---|
|
60 | Jan 2010 |
|
10 | Jun 2010 |
| Level 2 compulsory course | Points | Next start |
|---|---|---|
|
30 | Jan 2010 |
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, at Level 1 the discontinued course S103*, at Level 2 the discontinued course S280
*students who satisfactorily attended the residential school that was previously a component of S103 may count this instead, and therefore need only 60 points
And a minimum of 70 further points from current Level 2 courses beginning with ‘S’ including at least 10 points from an associated SXR course. (Your choice of courses at Level 2 should be guided both by your particular interests, and by the need to prepare yourself for your Level 3 course choices – see the Entry section of the Level 3 courses below for the recommended Level 2 course.)
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued courses S203, S236, S237, S246, S247, S267, S268, S269, S271, S272, S281, SD206, SK220, ST291 may be included.
And at least 60 points from the following optional courses:
| Level 3 optional courses | Points | Next start |
|---|---|---|
|
30 | |
|
30 | Feb 2010 |
|
30 | Feb 2010 |
|
30 | Feb 2010 |
|
30 | Feb 2010 |
|
30 | Feb 2010 |
|
60 | Feb 2010 |
|
30 | May 2010 |
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued courses S328, S365
*of which 30 points count in this category and 30 towards the category which can include any OU undergraduate courses – see the last paragraph of these qualification requirements
And 30 points from the following compulsory course (this should normally be taken as your final Level 3 course):
| Level 3 compulsory course | Points | Next start |
|---|---|---|
|
30 | Feb 2010 |
And you will also need further points from current courses with codes beginning with an S to bring your total number of natural sciences points to 300.
Within this category you may also include, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued courses AS208, S203, S236, S237, S246, S247, S267, S268, S269, S271, S272, S281, SD206, ST291, SK220, SM355, SMT356, SXR204, S324, S327, S338, SXR370, SXR371, SXR372, SXR373, T172
To complete the 360 points needed for an honours degree, the remaining points up to a maximum of 60 points can be from any OU undergraduate courses. You must ensure that you have the required 120 points at Level 3.
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Key skills
Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.
Credit for previous study elsewhere
If you have already completed some successful study at higher education level at another institution we may be able to give you credit for this study that you can count towards this Open University qualification. You can find out more on our Credit Transfer site. If you make a successful claim for transferred credit it may affect your choice of courses so you are advised to investigate this option as soon as possible.
Credit transfer details for this qualification:
Classification of your degree
On successful completion of the required number and type of courses you will be awarded a Bachelor of Science (Honours) Natural Sciences degree. Your honours degree will be classified either as first-class honours, upper second-class honours, lower second-class honours or third-class honours.
The class of degree is determined by the best grades you achieve in 240 points from courses above Level 1. These 240 points must include all the compulsory Level 2 and Level 3 requirements of the award as specified, and must include at least 120 points at Level 3.
You will have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony to collect your award certificate.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the Award Regulations and the Student Regulations.
Award Regulations
- Introduction to the Award Regulations
- General Award Regulations
- BSc (Honours) Natural Sciences
- Schedule A to the Award Regulations
Student Regulations
The Student Regulations (including the Code of Practice for Student Assessment and the Code of Practice for Student Discipline) are available on our Policy Documents for Students website.
How to register
To register for this qualification, read the description and check you meet any specific requirements (for example, some of our qualifications, require you to be working in a particular environment, or be sponsored by your employer). Then select the course you wish to study first and ensure it is suitable for you before following the registration procedure for that course.
About this page
An undergraduate qualification in Science.
Study explained
- Credit points
- - show how much study is required to complete a course or qualification. One credit point represents roughly 10 hours of study.
- Level
- - indicates how difficult a course is. Undergraduate study starts at Level 1.
- Financial support
- - find out if you qualify for support with your fees with our eligibility checker.
- Study explained
- - all you need to know about studying with the OU.
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