BSc (Honours) Natural Sciences: pathway

Stage 1

You’ll begin your studies with the compulsory 60-credit introductory module Exploring science (S104)Exploring science::This key introductory Level 1 course is an ideal starting point for studying the natural sciences – astronomy and planetary science; biology; chemistry, earth and environmental science; and physics. Using a blend of text and online study materials, this wide-ranging course investigates the major scientific issues affecting human society in the twenty-first century. You will explore the fundamentals of modern science and develop important scientific concepts and skills to give you a solid foundation for studying science at a higher level. You should have some basic mathematical skills and knowledge of basic science concepts before you begin.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q64-3,module,S104,,1. You’ll develop your study skills while engaging with a broad and absorbing introduction to a range of science subject areas including:

• biology and health sciences
• chemistry and analytical science
• Earth and environmental sciences
• physics
• astronomy and planetary science.

Using a blend of text and online study materials, this wide-ranging module investigates the major scientific issues affecting contemporary society. You’ll explore the fundamentals of modern science, and develop important scientific concepts and skills to give you a solid basis for higher level study.

You’ll be introduced to practical science through the compulsory 30-credit module Investigative and mathematical skills in science (S141)Investigative and mathematical skills in science::Designed to follow our key introductory course in science – Exploring science (S104) – this course focuses on developing your experimental, investigative and mathematical skills. You’ll gain confidence in using mathematics as a scientific tool by working through questions in a study book with worked examples. You’ll investigate weather patterns and events around the world, and develop your observational skills by studying your local weather to make your own short-term forecast. And you’ll learn key scientific skills by doing experiments at home, and working online with a small group to discuss experimental design, collect data and compare results.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q64-3,module,S141,,1. 

You’ll also choose one of four 30-credit modules according to your particular scientific interest:

• Introducing health sciences: a case study approach (SDK125)Introducing health sciences: a case study approach::This introductory Level 1 course explores the scientific and social aspects of disease and disability in a global context through seven case studies: water and health in an overcrowded world; pain; alcohol; screening for breast cancer; chronic lung disease; trauma and accidents; and visual impairment. Each case study integrates the biological, chemical, and physical sciences with psychology, health statistics, and social studies to illuminate underlying causes and personal and societal consequences. You’ll develop skills in: evaluating evidence; understanding and using key scientific terms and concepts; handling numbers; and interpreting graphs and tables. You’ll also learn to study using ICT – including interactive DVDs, internet and online resources.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q64-3,module,SDK125,,1
• Topics in science (S142)Topics in science::In this course you will study three exciting topics in contemporary science which will provide you with a broad understanding of Level 1 science. These topics include Human genetics and health issues, which deals with our genes – an area at the forefront of medical science and Empire of the microbes, which explores the intriguing world of bacteria, viruses, yeast and other microscopic organisms. To allow some specialisation between studying health sciences or environmental sciences you will have a choice between Molecules, medicines and drugs, which explores drug development, infection and disease and The frozen planet, which explains the science behind the polar regions.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q64-3,module,S142,,1
• Topics in health sciences (SK143)Topics in health sciences::This course gives an overview of two medical conditions that present a major global health problem; cardiovascular disease and cancer. Many of us will encounter these medical conditions either through professional involvement in health, or through affected family members or friends. Your study of cardiovascular diseases will develop your understanding of heart and circulatory diseases, and the anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system. Cancers result from defects in cell proliferation, so you’ll study the properties of cells, how they divide and how tumours are formed and spread. Both topics consider risk factors and methods of detection, treatment and prevention worldwide.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q64-3,module,SK143,,1
• Using mathematics (MST121)Using mathematics::This broad, enjoyable introduction to university-level mathematics assumes some prior knowledge, as described on our MathsChoices website. The course shows how mathematics can be applied to answer some key questions from science, technology, and everyday life. You will study a range of fundamental techniques, including calculus, recurrence relations, matrices and vectors and statistics, and use integrated specialist mathematical software to solve problems. The skills of communicating results and defining problems are also developed. This is not a course for beginners – at the MathsChoices website (mathschoices.open.ac.uk) there are quizzes, sample material and advice to help you determine if this course is right for you.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q64-3,module,MST121,,1 or from February 2014 Essential mathematics 1 (MST124)Essential mathematics 1::This key introductory course provides a broad and enjoyable foundation for university-level mathematics, but you do require some prior knowledge. It teaches you the essential ideas and techniques that underpin university-level study in mathematics and mathematical subjects such as physics, engineering and economics. You’ll study a range of fundamental topics – including calculus, vectors, matrices and complex numbers – and use mathematical software to solve problems. You’ll also develop your skills in communicating results and defining problems. This is not a course for beginners. Our MathsChoices website (mathschoices.open.ac.uk) contains quizzes, sample material and advice to help you decide if this is the right course for you.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q64-3,module,MST124,,1. 

Alternatively, you could choose 30 credits from a non-science module if you prefer.

Stage 2

Chemistry touches nearly every facet of life. Everyday materials, medicines and microchips are all developed with the expertise of professional chemists. It’s also a science that shapes tomorrow’s world, involved in almost every technological innovation and important breakthrough.

In the first module, The molecular world (S205)The molecular world::Chemistry is of enormous importance in everyday life: almost everything we are, see, make and eat is composed of molecules. This course offers a wide-ranging introduction to chemistry and its applications, integrating the three main branches of chemistry: organic, inorganic, and physical. It covers the reactions of metals; the solid state; molecular shapes; thermodynamics; kinetics; the synthesis of organic compounds; spectroscopic methods of determining structure; bonding theory; periodic trends and non-metals. Multimedia materials provide interactive teaching of key concepts. Nine case studies cover topics of current interest including polymers, batteries, catalysis, drug design, liquid crystals, and forensic science.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q64-3,module,S205,,1, you can find out how molecules – their shape, structure and how they are made – are the linchpin for all the sciences.

You’ll then have a choice of modules. Chemists might be particularly interested in Analytical science: health, heritage and environments (S240)Analytical science: health, heritage and environments::Have you ever wondered … How are sport drug cheats caught? How many calories are there in a burger? How do pregnancy testing kits work? How old is the Earth? How do X-rays work? How are antiquities dated? How do we know our water is safe to drink? How are diseases diagnosed? This course explains how analytical scientists know the answers to these and other fascinating questions, and introduces the major concepts in analytical science. Using examples from medicine, science and the arts you will learn about the major biological, chemical and physical techniques employed in improving the quality of our lives.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q64-3,module,S240,,1, which explores topics like how diseases are diagnosed, how sport drug cheats are caught, how pregnancy test kits work, how old the Earth is, how antiquities are dated and how we know our water is safe to drink. You’ll be introduced to the major analytical techniques (biological, chemical and physical) and use examples from everyday life to investigate how analytical science contributes to improving the quality of our lives.

Alternatively, you could choose a module from a chemistry-related area such as Cell biology (S294)Cell biology::Cell biology explores the fascinating and diverse world of cells, from single-celled micro-organisms to the specialised cells that form complex tissues in plants and animals. It develops the key aspects of cell and molecular biology introduced in Exploring science (S104) and Introducing health sciences: a case study approach (SDK125). The origins of cells and the generation of cell diversity, as well as the common features of cellular structure and function – how they obtain energy, synthesise new molecules, communicate, proliferate and survive – are explored. There is an emphasis on the fundamental importance of cell biology in modern science, particularly in relation to cell technologies and health.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q64-3,module,S294,,1 or Science in context (S250)Science in context::This course covers a range of interesting, contemporary issues with a scientific dimension: BSE/vCJD; near-Earth objects; water and wellbeing; climate change; genetic manipulation and nanotechnology. It deals with the underlying science and its ‘real world’ relevance. The topics are analysed in terms of four themes: communication; risk; ethical issues; and decision-making. The course will equip you to examine critically similar issues that might arise in future. You are assumed to have studied a range of scientific disciplines at Level 1 and to have an interest in science in its broad social context.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q64-3,module,S250,,1 which deals with science and its ‘real world’ relevance.

Your final study at Stage 2 will be Practical science: chemistry and analysis (SXC288)Practical science: chemistry and analysis::The activities in this practical science course explore a range of topics in chemistry and analytical science from fundamental synthesis and analysis to the vital themes of water and biochemistry. It will give you the opportunity to use a range of laboratory equipment, much of it via the internet from the comfort of your own home, in various combinations of observation and experiment. Or you can choose to go to a three-day residential school – the cost of accommodation and travel is not included in the course fee. The course ends with an exciting team project, where you will work with students from other courses in this Practical science series.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q64-3,module,SXC288,,1 which will develop the practical skills you need to complement these modules. Throughout your studies you’ll continue to develop your analytical, numerical, teamwork and problem-solving skills.

Stage 3

At Stage 3, currently you’ll explore three 20-credit modules: Chemical change and environmental applications (S345)Chemical change and environmental applications::This course deals with ‘chemical change’ – on the molecular scale, in the laboratory, in industry, in a car exhaust – or in a complex natural system like the atmosphere. Its underlying aim is to develop an understanding of the factors that guide and control a chemical reaction. The subtle interplay between different aspects of chemical reactivity, and their practical consequences, is especially important in current environmental issues; for example, those relating to industrial chemical production, pollution and energy generation. Apart from the basic cornerstones of thermodynamics and chemical kinetics, topics related to industrial and environmental catalysis, chemical reaction mechanisms and aqueous solution chemistry are covered. Throughout, there is an emphasis on understanding causes and strategies for control in selected environmental applications.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q64-3,module,S345,,1; Drug design and synthesis (S346)Drug design and synthesis::This course presents the strategy underpinning the design and synthesis of pharmaceutical molecules used to diagnose and treat diseases and illnesses. It focuses on the design of drug molecules, with emphasis on the shape and structure using molecular modelling software. Enzyme and receptor protein targets are examined, together with the mechanisms by which the drugs work. The course explores the array of chemical reactions and strategies for the synthesis of a range of drugs. Case studies including anti-cholesterol and antibiotic drugs illustrate the importance of these strategies in the development of modern medicines.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q64-3,module,S346,,1; and Metals and life (S347)Metals and life::Metals play a vital role in the metabolism of plants and animals and, increasingly, in medicine. This course examines the chemistry of the transition metals and outlines the key role they play in living systems, for example in respiration and photosynthesis. It considers how organisms acquire metals, their transport and storage, illustrated by the particular example of iron in the human body. The significant impact of metals in medicine will also be investigated, looking at their role in diagnostic imaging and therapy, as well as the effects of too much metal (metal toxicity) and of metal deficiency.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q64-3,module,S347,,1. Additional 30-credit module options are available: Molecular and cell biology (S377)Molecular and cell biology::Cells are the basic units of life. Cell biology seeks to understand not just the processes that are common to all life forms, but also the ways in which cells control their division and differentiate to form specialised tissues. This course builds from a foundation of molecular biology, with emphasis on animal cell biology. It explores how cells function and considers processes such as cell differentiation, ageing and tumorigenesis. It also develops skills in reading and understanding scientific literature and the handling of experimental data.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q64-3,module,S377,,1, Signals and perception: the science of the senses (SD329)Signals and perception: the science of the senses::This sensory neuroscience course uses fundamental concepts from biology, chemistry, physics and psychology to explain how we interact with our environment through the senses and is therefore an opportunity for you to study an interdisciplinary topic. For each of the senses, you’ll investigate how sensation begins with a stimulus that is converted into an electrical impulse; how that is transmitted to the brain; and how the brain combines these messages – to arrive at a ‘perception of the stimulus’. The course is designed to be accessible to students pursuing a wide variety of degree studies.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q64-3,module,SD329,,1 and Oceanography (S330)Oceanography::Oceans cover seventy percent of the Earth’s surface, regulating our climate and maintaining our atmosphere. They also contain virtually all the known chemical elements. This course deals with their physics, chemistry and biology, as well as the structure of the basins that contain them – covering topics like underwater volcanoes; the greenhouse effect; eddy systems; the El Niño phenomenon and its link to droughts and floods; and the global view of ocean properties that satellite technology can provide. This is a wide-ranging, multi-disciplinary course for anyone interested in the natural world.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q64-3,module,S330,,1.

Your final study will be Science project course: frontiers in chemistry (SXM390)Science project course: frontiers in chemistry::This course is a project module for the BSc (Hons) Natural Sciences. You’ll undertake individual investigations within a range of defined topics: combinatorial chemistry, fuel cells, nanotechnology, biopolymers, porous materials or transactinides, metals in medicine and drug design and synthesis. You’ll need access to scientific literature, probably from electronic library sources. The study materials provide a guide to planning and conducting project work; help with searching and using the literature; and writing a report, but ultimately this is a chance for you to plan and execute a piece of work for yourself.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q64-3,module,SXM390,,1 where you’ll undertake individual investigations within a range of defined topics, such as:

• combinatorial chemistry
• drug design and synthesis
• fuel cells
• metals and life
• nanotechnology
• biopolymers
• porous materials
• trans-actinides.