Are you ready for science?

In addition to the Science, technology and maths Access

module (Y033), all students can benefit from completing the
diagnostic quizzes at www.open.ac.uk/science/learn/ayrf.
These quizzes will help you decide whether you are ready
to tackle science degree study with the OU and will give you
advice on any preparatory work you might need to do.

BSc (Hons) Natural Sciences (Q64)

Credits:

360

Start:

Oct 2015 (registration closes 10 Sep 2015)

Feb 2016 (registration closes 07 Jan 2016)

We live in a society that depends on science, but how many

of us really understand the science behind the important
issues that feature in the news? Whether youre keen to study
a specific area of science, or youre not yet sure where your
interests lie say in physics or biology this degree is for you.
It starts with a wide-ranging introduction to highly topical areas
of modern science, giving you a good grounding in each. You can
then continue with a broad-based approach, or concentrate
your studies in a particular area choosing from astronomy
and planetary science; biology; chemistry; Earth sciences;
environmental sciences; or physics. Flexible, accessible study
arrangements mean you can choose to take part in laboratory
and field work at specific locations, or do all the practical work
online in your own home.

Career relevance and employability

Science graduates particularly those with good communication
and interpersonal skills, together with some workplace
experience are in demand in the jobs market. The logical,
reasoned approach needed for science study is relevant to a
wide range of contexts, including business, finance and the
public sector. By the end of your studies, youll be an adaptable
graduate with a range of valuable transferable skills such as
analytical, numerical and communication skills, teamworking,
problem-solving and proficiency in IT. Youll also have a good
understanding of where your strengths and interests lie,
and be well prepared for your next step whether its further
study or employment.

What you will study

Stage 1 120 credits
Stage 1 is common to all routes through this degree.
This degree starts with a wide-ranging and absorbing
introduction to the study of science. Exploring science (S104)
will develop your study skills while introducing you to the
fundamentals of biology, chemistry, Earth sciences,
environmental sciences, physics, astronomy and planetary science.
Youll investigate the major scientific issues affecting
contemporary society, and develop important scientific
concepts and skills to give you a solid basis for higher level
study. Youll then be introduced to practical science through
Investigative and mathematical skills in science (S141).
For your remaining 30 credits, you can choose from: Topics in
science (S142), Topics in health sciences (SK143) Essential
mathematics 1 (MST124), or a non-science module. You must
study MST124 if you want to choose physics or astronomy and
planetary science at Stage 2.

Stage 2 120 credits

Throughout this stage, youll continue to develop your analytical,
numerical, teamwork and problem-solving skills. You can carry
on with a broad-based approach, or focus on an area of
particular interest.
Broad-based route:
This option allows you to choose modules from more than one
subject area.
Astronomy and planetary science:
Investigate Earths place in the Universe, the stars and their life
cycles, galaxies and quasars, planetary processes, the origin of
the Universe, and evidence for extra-terrestrial life; then study
maths and practical science, focusing on physics and astronomy.
Biology:
From cell biology, through whole organism biology to survival,
covering adaptation and natural selection. Then choose from
a broad range of science modules, including human biology or
more practical science.
Chemistry:
Chemistry touches nearly every facet of life. Everyday materials,
medicines and microchips are all developed with the expertise
of professional chemists study the essential concepts, and
then choose options from other sciences and mathematics.
Earth sciences:
Learn about the Earths structure, why volcanoes and
earthquakes occur, how plate tectonics have shaped the Earth,
and the structure and geological history of rocks and minerals,
and then choose options from other sciences and mathematics.

Environmental sciences:
Take a holistic approach to the science of our environment
Earth, air, water and life investigating topics such as global
warming, water resources, pollution and conservation, and
then choose options from other sciences and mathematics.
Physics:
Learning physics will change the way you think about the world,
and discoveries being made now will change your life. Find out
about energy, the behaviour of light, radioactive decay and
universal processes then study mathematics and practical
science, focusing on physics and astronomy.

Physics:
Study core modules in electromagnetism and quantum
physics, and how mathematics is used to state and apply
the fundamental laws of modern physics. Then broaden out
to study subjects like astrophysics or cosmology, or choose
advanced mathematics modules before finishing with a
project investigating a topic such as quantum entanglement,
gravitational lensing or physics education.

Qualification structure
Click on module titles for detailed module descriptions.

Stage 3 120 credits

Key

Broad-based route:

You can continue to combine modules from across the science

curriculum, but most students narrow their focus at this point,
based on their choices at Stage 2. Youll complete your degree
with a project module.
Astronomy and planetary science:
Explore the astrophysics of stars and exoplanets planets
beyond our Solar System and develop your understanding
of the relativistic Universe. Then choose modules in
electromagnetism, applied mathematics or quantum physics,
completing your degree with a project on radiation and matter.

o Optional module
Choose a topic-based route
Study order as listed. Modules marked * can be taken in any order.
Qualification structure and module availability is subject
to change.

Stage 1 module summary

Compulsory modules 90 credits

Biology:
Explore in more depth a range of advanced topics in biological
science from evolution to cell and molecular biology, further
developing your key research skills. Then choose between study
of ecosystems, science of the senses or infectious diseases and
public health, and complete your degree with a project module.

Explore chemistry in the context of the natural world, from its

role in the environment, to that in plants and animals.
By incorporating experimental work, youll discover the subtle
interplay between molecular structure, chemical reactivity and
their practical consequences.
Earth sciences:

Environmental sciences:
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. Then study related modules from other
sciences, finishing with a practical investigation of a topic in
environmental science.

Credits

Exploring science (S104)

60

Investigative and mathematical

skills in science (S141)

30

Optional module 30 credits

Select one from:

Chemistry:

Explore evidence of environmental change in the geological

record, and develop your knowledge of plate tectonics and
the Earths crustal evolution. Then take a wide-ranging module
in ecosystems, finishing with a project investigating a topic in
geosciences such as geohazards or past environmental change.

Compulsory module

Credits

Topics in science (S142)

30

Topics in health sciences (SK143)

30

Essential mathematics 1 (MST124)1

30

Or 30 credits from any key

introductory Stage 1 modules

30

Compulsory for these routes: physics; astronomy and

planetary science.

Choose a topic-based route:

Broad-based natural sciences
Stage 2 module summary
Optional module(s) 60 credits
Select from:
Cell biology (S294)

Credits
o

30

Science project course: frontiers

in chemistry (SXM390)

30

60

Science project course:

geosciences (SXG390)

30

30

Science project course: radiation

and matter (SXP390)

30

Science project course: science

in society project (SXN390)

30

Chemistry: essential concepts (S215)

60

Earth science (S209)

60

Environmental science (S206)

The biology of survival (S295)

Optional module(s) 60 credits

Select from the previous list or
from a wide range including:

Credits

Analytical science: health, heritage

and environments (S240)

30

Astronomy (S282)

30

Stage 2 module summary

Human biology (SK277)

30

Compulsory modules 120 credits

Mathematical methods (MST224)

30

Astronomy (S282)*

30

Physics: from classical to

quantum (S217)

60

Planetary science and the

search for life (S283)*

30

Planetary science and the

search for life (S283)

30

Practical science: physics

and astronomy (SXPA288)

30

The science of the mind: investigating

mental health (SDK228)

30

Mathematical methods (MST224)

30

Astronomy and planetary science

Credits

Stage 3 module summary

Stage 3 module summary

Compulsory modules 60 credits

Optional modules 90 credits

Select from a wide range including:

Credits

Astrophysics (S382)

30

Biological science: from

genes to species (S317)

60

Chemistry: further concepts

and applications (S315)

60

Ecosystems (S396)

30

Electromagnetism (SMT359)

30

Infectious disease and

public health (SK320)

Signals and perception: the

science of the senses (SD329)

30

The quantum world (SM358)

30

Compulsory module 30 credits

Depending on your other Stage 3
modules, select one from:

30

Credits

Researching biology and

health science (SXL390)

30

Science project course:

environmental science practical
project (SXE390)

30

Credits

Astrophysics (S382)*

30

The relativistic Universe (S383)*

30

Optional module 30 credits

Select one from:

Credits

Electromagnetism (SMT359)

30

Mathematical methods and

fluid mechanics (MST326)

30

The quantum world (SM358)

30

Waves, diffusion and variational

principles (MS324)

30

Compulsory module 30 credits

Science project course: radiation
and matter (SXP390)

Credits
c

30

Stage 3 module summary

Biology
Stage 2 module summary

Compulsory module 60 credits

Compulsory modules 60 credits

Credits

Cell biology (S294)*

30

The biology of survival (S295)*

30

Optional modules 60 credits

Select 60 credits from the broad-based natural
sciences Stage 2 modules

Stage 3 module summary

Compulsory module 60 credits
Biological science: from
genes to species (S317)

Credits
c

Optional module 30 credits

Select one from:

60

Credits

Ecosystems (S396)

30

Infectious disease and

public health (SK320)

30

Signals and perception: the

science of the senses (SD329)

30

Compulsory module 30 credits

Researching biology and
health science (SXL390)

Credits
c

30

Optional module 30 credits

Select one from:

60

Credits

Ecosystems (S396)

30

Infectious disease and

public health (SK320)

30

Signals and perception: the

science of the senses (SD329)

30

The geological record of environmental

change (S369)

30

The relativistic Universe (S383)

30

Understanding the continents (S339)

30

Compulsory module 30 credits

Science project course: frontiers
in chemistry (SXM390)

Credits
c

30

Earth sciences
Stage 2 module summary
Compulsory module 60 credits
Earth science (S209)

Credits
c

60

Optional modules 60 credits

Select 60 credits from the broad-based natural
sciences Stage 2 modules

Chemistry
Stage 2 module summary
Compulsory module 60 credits
Chemistry: essential concepts (S215)

Chemistry: further concepts

and applications (S315)

Credits

Credits
c

Optional modules 60 credits

Select 60 credits from the broad-based natural
sciences Stage 2 modules

60

Stage 3 module summary

Compulsory modules 120 credits

Credits

The geological record of

environmental change (S369)*

30

Understanding the
continents (S339)*

30

Ecosystems (S396)

30

Science project course:

geosciences (SXG390)

30

Environmental sciences

Physics
Stage 2 module summary

Stage 2 module summary

Compulsory module 60 credits
Environmental science (S206)

Credits
c

60

Optional modules 60 credits

Select 60 credits from the broad-based natural
sciences Stage 2 modules

Stage 3 module summary

Compulsory modules 120 credits

Credits

Ecosystems (S396)

30

The environmental web (U316)

60

Science project course:

environmental science
practical project (SXE390)

30

Compulsory modules 120 credits

Credits

Physics: from classical to

quantum (S217)

60

Practical science: physics and

astronomy (SXPA288)*

30

Mathematical methods (MST224)*

30

Stage 3 module summary

Compulsory modules 60 credits

Credits

Electromagnetism (SMT359)*

30

The quantum world (SM358)*

30

Optional module 30 credits

Select one from:

Credits

Astrophysics (S382)

30

Mathematical methods and

fluid mechanics (MST326)

30

The relativistic Universe (S383)

30

Waves, diffusion and variational

principles (MS324)

30

Compulsory module 30 credits

Science project course: radiation and
matter (SXP390)

Credits
c

30

Your next step

Ready to find out more? See more details about
how much time you need to study, how to apply,
and your fees and funding options.
Find out more

Student Recruitment Team,

The Open University, PO Box 197,
Milton Keynes, MK7 6BJ, United Kingdom.
www.openuniversity.co.uk/contact
Copyright April 2015 The Open University.