Diploma in Natural Sciences
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Diploma
- Code
- D47
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Made up of
- 130 points
Description
This diploma provides evidence of achievement along similar lines to the corresponding BSc (Honours) Natural Sciences (B16), but at pre-degree level for students who want to obtain an interim qualification on their way to a full degree.
Planning your studies
The Diploma in Natural Sciences is made up of Level 2 and 3 courses taken from our undergraduate programme. There are no entry requirements but you must be suitably prepared for study at that level. The normal preparation would be the Level 1 course Exploring science (S104) (or the discontinued course S103). Alternatively, you may choose to start with one or more of the relevant Level 1 science short courses and then go on to S104 subsequently. If you have not studied science or basic maths before – or perhaps not for some time – we recommend you start with Science starts here (S154).
You can register your intention to study for the diploma 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 diploma. 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 40 points from OU courses that have not been counted in any other OU diploma or first degree that you may have been awarded.
Courses
For this 130-point diploma you require:
30 points from the following compulsory course:
| Level 2 compulsory course | Points | Next start |
|---|---|---|
|
30 | Jan 2010 |
And 10 points from the following optional courses:
| Level 2 optional courses | Points | Next start |
|---|---|---|
|
10 | May 2010 |
|
10 | May 2010 |
|
15 | Feb 2010 |
|
10 | Jul 2010 |
|
10 | Apr 2010 |
|
10 | May 2010 |
*Students who include this course will accumulate 135 points in total for the diploma
And at least a further 90 points from current Level 2 and Level 3 courses beginning with ‘S’, with a minimum of 60 of these points at Level 2. All 90 points may be from Level 2 courses if you wish. You may include 30 points from the 60-point course The environmental web (U316) if you choose to include Level 3 study in your diploma.
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, at Level 2 the discontinued courses S203, S236, S237, S246, S247, S267, S268, S269, S271, S272, S280, S281, SD206, SK220, ST291, SXR204, at Level 3 the discontinued courses S324, S327, S328, S338,, S365, SM355, SXR370, SXR371, SXR372, SXR373
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
For this qualification, we do not allow you to count credit for study you have already done elsewhere.
On completion
On successful completion of the required courses you will be awarded a Diploma in Natural Sciences and will be entitled to use the letters Dip Nat Sci (Open) after your name.
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
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.
Got a question?
Contact an adviser in our Student Registration & Enquiry Service
Email or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90
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