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The Open University

Diploma

Code
E02
Level
Undergraduate
Made up of
130 points

Description

This diploma provides evidence of achievement along similar lines to the BSc (Hons) Geosciences, but at pre-degree level for students who wish to use it for career purposes before their degree is complete, or who want to obtain an interim qualification on their way to a full degree.

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Planning your studies

The Diploma in Geosciences is mainly made up of Level 2 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.

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.

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Courses

For this 130-point diploma you require:

A minimum of 70 points at Level 2 from any combination of the optional courses listed below, which must include one of the residential schools specified:

Level 2 optional courses Points Next start
Environmental science (S216)

This wide-ranging course draws together biology, chemistry, Earth science and physics. It fosters a holistic approach, studying the processes that link together different environments.

See full description.

60 Feb 2010
Environmental science in the field (SXR216)

Gain practical observational, data gathering and analytical skills for studying landforms, soils, water and vegetation in this in this one-week, field-based environmental science residential school.

See full description.

10 Apr 2010
Geology (S276) NEW

Introduces the fundamentals of scientific study of the Earth and the practical skills required understand and interpret geological features and processes.

See full description.

30 Jan 2010
Observing the Universe (SXR208) *

Gain experience of doing practical astronomy and planetary science under professional supervision at the well-equipped Observatori Astronòmic in Mallorca on this one-week residential school.

See full description.

15 Feb 2010
Our dynamic planet: Earth and life (S279)

This course explores the structure of the Earth from its core to the atmosphere, and investigates how the Earth system works from a geological perspective.

See full description.

30 Feb 2010
Planetary science and the search for life (S283)

Explore how our solar system formed and has evolved, and the rapidly-changing field of astrobiology – could there be intelligent life elsewhere in the universe?

See full description.

30 Feb 2010
The geological history of the British Isles (SXR260) **

Undertake the practical fieldwork and complementary laboratory experience you need for degree-level studies in Earth sciences at this one-week residential school.

See full description.

10 May 2010

Or subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued courses S236, S237, S260, S267, S268, S269, S278, S281. Note that only 60 points in total may be counted from S267, S269 and S279.

*students including this course will accumulate 135 points for the diploma overall

**students who satisfactorily attended the residential school that was previously a component of S260 or S236 may count this instead and will only need 60 points in this category, and 120 overall for this diploma 

And a further 60 points from any of the courses listed above and / or from the following, with a minimum of 30 of these further points at Level 2. All 60 points in this category may be taken from Level 2 courses if you wish:

Level 2 optional courses Points Next start
Environmental control and public health (T210)

Gain an understanding of environmental and pollution management; how our natural resources are affected by human activity; effects of pollution on health; monitoring and legislation.

See full description.

60 Feb 2010 FINAL
Science in context (S250)

This course covers interesting, contemporary issues with a scientific dimension: BSE/vCJD; near-Earth objects; water and well-being; medicinal plants; climate change; genetic manipulation and nanotechnology.

See full description.

30 Jan 2010
Level 3 optional courses Points Next start
Ancient mountains: practical geology in Scotland (SXR339) *

Study igneous, metamorphic and structurally complex rocks in their natural settings on field trips at this six-day geology residential school in the Scottish Highlands.

See full description.

10 May 2010
Ecosystems (S396)

Explore the interactions between organisms and their environment that together form an ecosystem – from simple microbial communities to entire rainforests, and even the Earth itself.

See full description.

30
Environmental change: the record in the rocks (SXR369) *

Undertake practical fieldwork and supplementary laboratory experience appropriate to an Earth sciences degree, investigating the interpretation of fossil environmental indicators, with this six-day residential school.

See full description.

10
Evolution (S366)

Investigate evolutionary science's key concepts, including natural selection, and how these account for the characteristics of living organisms and the history of life on Earth.

See full description.

30 Feb 2010
Oceanography (S330)

Oceans cover seventy percent of the Earth’s surface. This course investigates their physics, chemistry and biology, and the structure of the basins that contain them.

See full description.

30 Feb 2010
The environmental web (U316) **

Examine contemporary issues such as biodiversity and climate change, drawing on different disciplines to understand environmental changes, their consequences, and implications for action.

See full description.

60 Feb 2010
The geological record of environmental change (S369)

Explore evidence of environmental change in the geological record, including sedimentary sequences, climatic and tectonic processes, the ‘greenhouse’ Cretaceous world, and the Ice Age. 

See full description.

30 May 2010
Understanding the continents (S339)

This wide-ranging course develops your knowledge of the continents, plate-tectonic processes and related issues in depth: its theme is crustal evolution in contrasting environments.

See full description.

30 Feb 2010

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, at Level 2 the discontinued courses S292, ST240, at Level 3 the discontinued courses S328, S338, S365

* A single Level 3 residential school course is planned to replace these 2 courses.

** 60 point-course of which 30 points can count towards this diploma

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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.

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Credit for previous study elsewhere

For this qualification, we do not allow you to count credit for study you have already done elsewhere.

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On completion

On successful completion of the required courses you will be awarded a Diploma in Geosciences.

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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.

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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.

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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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