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BSc (Honours) Environmental Sciences

Distance learning degree qualification

QUALIFICATION LEAFLET

This interdisciplinary degree course combines aspects of biology, geography, chemistry, technology and social science to help you understand the whole picture. The BSc (Honours) Environmental Science will also develop the scientific and technical knowledge and skills required to understand fundamental environmental patterns and processes, and to address local and global environmental issues. You’ll investigate the problems we face in understanding our environment and in managing it sustainably, as well as developing your scientific, interpretive and creative thinking skills.

Career relevance and employabilityThe broad and specialist skills you’ll develop in this degree course will equip you to work in a variety of jobs. Environmental science skills are in demand from government and regulatory bodies, the private sector, consultancies and conservation organisations. Careers directly related to the degree include: pollution control, waste management and recycling, water quality and resources, energy management, planning and sustainability, environmental management and consultancy, ecology and nature conservation, environmental education. Your studies will also be relevant to financial, business and public sector work.As a graduate of the BSc (Honours) Environmental Science, you’ll have gained breadth and depth of understanding in scientific, technical and environmental issues. You’ll be able to think creatively; tackle multifaceted issues; and collect, analyse and interpret complex quantitative and qualitative data.

Entry requirements There are no formal entry requirements to study this degree, although you will need to have a proficiency in English as all course material, exams and tutor support is in English.

Credit for previous study elsewhereIf you have already completed some successful study at higher education Stage at another institution you may be able to transfer credit for this study and count it towards an Open University qualification. If you wish to apply to transfer credit you must do so as soon as possible, and before you register for your chosen qualification. If you are awarded credit for study completed elsewhere, you may find that you need to study fewer OU modules to complete your qualification with us.

Course durationTypically it takes six years part-time study to complete this qualification, but you can take anything from four (full-time study equivalent) to 16 years.

Modules and pathwaysAs part of your registration you can choose a pathway. Pathways are different sets of module options, allowing you to specialise in certain subjects to complete your degree.There is currently only one pathway for this qualification available to international students:

To complete your degree you need to achieve 360 credits; 120 credits at Stage 1, 120 at Stage 2, and 120 at Stage 3; with each module being 30-60 credits. Modules can be compulsory, in which case you must study them, or optional, in which case you can select the ones you prefer to study. To see full details of how you can choose from the modules listed overleaf please visit our website, www.openuniversity.edu

Qualification detailsEnvironmental science is a vital and vibrant subject, exploring the complexities of the natural environment and our relationship with it. Our environment is fascinating – but it’s under threat from climate change, biodiversity loss and resource depletion.

For more information and to register go to www.openuniversity.edu, or call +44 845 241 6555

Standard pathway

For a full list of modules available, please refer to our website, www.openuniversity.edu.

Assessment keyEMA = End-of-module assessment iCMA = Interactive computer marked assessmentTMA = Tutor-marked assignment

What you will studyStage 1

Environment: journeys through a changing world (U116)

Credits: 60 at Level 1

Assessment: 7 TMAs

Our world is changing fast – we are experiencing pressure from climate change, growing demands for finite resources and the extinction of many plants and animals. Environment: journeys through a changing world introduces you to environmental studies and the issues arising from environmental change. It shows how people are seeking positive solutions to environmental challenges where you live, in the Arctic, Africa, the Amazon and China.

Exploring science (S104)

Credits: 60 at Level 1

Assessment: 6 TMAs, 7 iCMAs, 1 Examination

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.

Stage 2

Environmental Science (S206)

Credits: 60 at Level 2

Assessment: 7 TMAs, 1 Examination

This broad course draws together biology, chemistry, Earth science and physics. You will develop a

holistic approach encompassing the processes, links, interactions and feedback mechanisms that operate within different environments. Two multimedia interactive field trips feature in the course, in which you explore an area visually, observe habitats, gather data and analyse your observations. By the end of the course you will be able to ‘lead’ a group of students through a new virtual environment; make critical analyses of landforms, soils and water flows; identify habitats of flora and fauna; and comment on anthropogenic influences and their likely consequences.

Analytical science: health, heritage and environments (S240)

Credits: 30 at Level 2

Assessment: 4 TMAs, 4 iCMAs, 1 Examination

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.

Energy and sustainability (T213)

Credits: 30 at Level 2

Assessment: 3 TMAs, 1 iCMA, 1 Examination

Are fossil fuels running out? Can nuclear power, carbon capture and storage or renewable energy sources provide solutions to the problem of global warming? How can we provide clean, safe, sustainable energy supplies for the UK, and the world, despite increasing population Levels and affluence? In this course you will look at the basic principles underlying the design and efficient use of energy and energy supply systems.

Geology (S276)

Credits: 30 at Level 2

Assessment: 3 TMAs, 2 CMAs, 1 Examination

Geology is the scientific study of the Earth, its origin, structure, processes and composition. This wide-ranging course introduces the fundamentals of geology in an exciting way, as well as the practical skills needed to understand and interpret geological features and processes. It covers five main areas: description and identification of minerals and rocks; interpretation of geological maps; the formation of igneous and metamorphic rocks and their associated structures; fossils; and sedimentary processes and environments.

Modules

For more information and to register go to www.openuniversity.edu, or call +44 845 241 6555

1 QUALIFICATION LEAFLET BSc (Honours) Environmental Sciences (Q52) 2

Science in context (S250)

Credits: 30 at Level 2

Assessment: 3 TMAs, 1 EMA

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.

Stage 3

Oceanography (S330)

Credits: 30 at Level 3

Assessment: 4 TMAs, 1 Examination

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.

The geological record of environmental change (S369)

Credits: 30 at Level 3

Assessment: 3 TMAs, 1 Examination

This course explores how we can track environmental change through the geological record. It begins with the sedimentary sequences produced by changes in relative sea Level, and the likely role of climatic and tectonic processes in producing these changes. You’ll also examine the greenhouse world of the Cretaceous and its tropical/subtropical marine environments; high latitude terrestrial environments; the effect on the environment of large igneous provinces and meteorite impacts; and the mass extinction event at the end of the period. Finally, the course documents the Ice Age, offering possible explanations for the natural climatic changes during the last 2.6 million years.

The environmental web (U316)

Credits: 60 at Level 3

Assessment: 6 TMAs, 1 EMA

This course examines issues such as biodiversity and climate change in order to develop your environmental literacy, and enable you to take part in informed debate and action. It draws on a wide variety of disciplines to investigate environmental changes, their consequences, and implications for action. You will explore environmental materials on the web used to publish data, implement policy, debate issues, and promulgate views – learning how to navigate, analyse and evaluate such information.

Renewable energy (T313)

Credits: 30 at Level 3

Assessment: 2 TMAs, 1 Examination

What does a sustainable energy system look like? How might renewable energy provide a much greater proportion of our energy needs in the coming decades? In this course you’ll explore these questions by systematically reviewing the eight main renewable energy technologies.

Ecosystems (S396)

Credits: 30 at Level 3

Assessment: 4 TMAs, 1 Examination

This course considers the interactions between organisms and their environment that together form an ecosystem – which can range from a simple microbial community to the biodiverse rainforests of the tropics. You’ll develop your understanding of the terrestrial environment as a habitat for a vast array of different organisms; the connections between them and their surroundings; and their resilience to anthropogenic changes.

Science project course: environmental science practical project (SXE390)

Credits: 30 at Level 3

This course is the project module for the BSc (Hons) Environmental Science. You will undertake an independent practical investigation of a topic within the area of Environmental Science. You will design your investigation, collect data (this may be in the field, in a laboratory or at home), analyse it and produce a scientific report.

BSc (Honours) Environmental Sciences (Q52)

For more information and to register go to www.openuniversity.edu, or call +44 845 241 6555

Can I study in any country?This course is available in most countries worldwide. Please use the Course Finder menu at www.openuniversity.edu to see what courses are available in your country.

Is an OU qualification recognised in my country?An OU degree is equal in academic standard to a degree from any other British university. The University is subject to the same quality assurance procedures, through the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA), as all other British universities, and uses external assessors and examiners to ensure comparability of standard and level in its courses.A leaflet is available on how you can apply for formal recognition in your country. To download the leaflet, please go to www.openuniversity.edu/brochures/recognition.pdf.

What tutor support will I receive?The OU excels in its unrivalled support for students. You’ll have email and online support from a tutor and you will be able to discuss your study in online tutor group discussions, using our customised learning environment. Our community websites Platform and OpenLearn offer a different perspective on your subject, and a huge range of OU resources on YouTube and iTunes U can expand your understanding. In addition, you can tap into a range of enthusiastic and welcoming OU social network groups on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Are there any entry requirements?For most undergraduate qualifications you don’t need any formal qualifications, or to pass an entry test to study with us. Our undergraduate qualifications are open to all because we believe anyone who is keen to succeed should have the opportunity to study.As part of the registration process, however, you will be asked to confirm your proficiency in English. (If you are unsure, you can take a short online test, which you will find when completing the online registration form.)

Can I count previous study towards an OU qualification?Any higher-education level studies you’ve successfully completed elsewhere may count towards your OU degree or other qualification. We enable you to do this by awarding you a certain amount of ‘transferred credit’. By transferring credit gained from previous study, you can reduce the amount you need from OU study to achieve your qualification. For more information please go to www.openuniversity.edu.

How do you work towards a qualification? We measure the size of our qualifications in credits – an honours degree is 360 credits, made up of three 120-credit stages.Each stage is made up of a number of modules which cover different parts of the subject. Modules are also measured in credits and are set at different ‘levels’. Levels give an indication of a module’s relative complexity and/or depth of learning. Most modules are worth either 30 or 60 credits and are set at Levels 1, 2 and 3, which roughly equates to studying in the first, second and third year at a campus-based university. So for a typical three-stage honours degree you would study: 120 credits at Stage 1, taking modules worth 30 or 60

credits at Level 1 120 credits at Stage 2, taking modules worth 30 or 60

credits at Level 2 120 credits at Stage 3, taking modules worth 30 or 60

credits at Level 3. In the example given above, each stage could consist of two 60-credit modules or one 60-credit module and two 30-credit modules, or four 30-credit modules.

How long does it take? Our qualifications are designed to be flexible. So if you want to vary the amount of time you spend studying, you can. The table below is a guide on the time required, but call us today to discuss how you can vary the study intensity and therefore the time taken to complete your course.

Undergraduate qualifications

Credits required

Time required to complete1

Certificate of higher education (Cert HE)

120 1 years full-time study or 2 years part-time study

BSc degree with honours

360 3-4 years full-time study or 6 years part-time study

How much will it cost?If you are studying with us for the first time our standard fee for 2012/2013 is £5,000 – based on 120 credits of study – which is equivalent to a year’s full-time study at a campus-based university. Of course you don’t have to study 120 credits a year and the price you pay will be proportionate to the standard fee. So, for example, if you only study 60 credits a year, you will pay 50 per cent of the standard fee.

UNDERGRADUATE GUIDE 2013

FAQs

For more information and to register go to www.openuniversity.edu, or call +44 845 241 6555

3 QUALIFICATION LEAFLET BSc (Honours) Environmental Sciences (Q52) 4

Credit studied each year1

Percentage of standard fee

Cost per year

Time taken to complete a 360-credit honours degree

120 credits a year

100% £5,000 3 years full-time study

60 credits a year

50% £2,500 6 years part-time study

1For illustrative purposes only – in most cases you can vary the number of credits taken per year and therefore the time taken to complete the course. Please note: prices are approximate and subject to change. Visit our website or call us for latest details.

When can I start?To give you more opportunities to start, most qualifications have two intakes a year – October and February. To start in October 2013, for example, you need to register no later than 10th September 2013.

What payment options are there?Your payment options include spreading the cost over monthly instalments with our own affordable student budget account, OUSBA (for certain EU countries). For more information please go to www.open.ac.uk/ousba.

Can I meet and network with other students?Definitely – when you start with the OU you automatically become a member of the Open University Student Association (OUSA). OUSA also runs a popular student forum site. For more information, go to www.ousa.org.uk. Once you have gained your qualification, you can join the OU Alumni Association, our vibrant and active alumni community with 280,000 members worldwide. You will enjoy many membership benefits, including regular newsletters, good networking opportunities and access to the alumni website.

How is my privacy protected?We record your personal information when you contact us and use this to manage registration, study, examination and other services. When you register, we’ll tell you more about how we process and use your personal information.

When should I apply?Apply as early as you can – particularly if you wish to claim for credit for previous study. Registration open dates are shown in the Courses section at www.openuniversity.edu.

For more information and to register go to www.openuniversity.edu, or call +44 845 241 6555

It’s no exaggeration to say that from the moment I started

studying with The Open University everything fell into place. I could easily have drifted when I left the campus-based university after a year, but The Open University completely transformed my life. Lucy Rycroft-Smith, Open University student

Go to www.openuniversity.edu, select the Courses section and the degree you require. You will then be asked to select a pathway to register. (Pathways are different selections of course modules to complete your degree.)

Alternatively call us on +44 845 241 6555.

Don’t worry, you don’t need to pay anything at this stage.

As soon as you have registered you’ll get an email confirmation which contains your login details.

5 QUALIFICATION LEAFLET

What do I need to do next?

It takes just 2 simple steps.Begin the process to secure your place. Here's how easy it is.

Before you start studying you will need to choose and register on your first modules and arrange payment; instructions for this will be emailed to you. Once complete you will officially be an Open University student – welcome!

For more information and to register go to www.openuniversity.edu, or call +44 845 241 6555

2. Choose your first module, make payment to enrol

1. Register now

BSc (Honours) Environmental Sciences (Q52) 6

The Open University is incorporated by Royal Charter (RC 000391), an exempt charity in England and Wales and a charity registered in Scotland (SC 038302).While we have done everything possible to make sure the information in this publication is accurate, it may change due to regulations or policy, or because of financial or other reasons.

Copyright © 2013 The Open University.

All details shown in this leaflet are correct as at February 2013, but are subject to change. Please call +44 845 241 6555 for the latest details.