What you will study
The module will give you fundamental knowledge about how the earth works, and demonstrate the extent to which earth science is a part of everyday life.
The online material in this module is particularly exciting and innovative as you use a virtual microscope and a digital kit (containing minerals, rocks and fossils) for interactive practical activities. It also teaches map work and field skills using a number of virtual field trips and integral 3D software. Following an introduction to the module the topics covered include: minerals, rocks - the basics, constructing geological histories from maps and landforms, fossils, sedimentary processes, sedimentary environments and their geological record, the solid earth, volcanoes and magmas, recrystallizing the earth, deforming the earth, Cyprus case studies, and current issues in earth science.
This module teaches field skills using home-based, online activities, available to all students, including virtual field trips, case studies and the chance to carry out a local, field-based or literature-based investigation.
You will learn
This module offers an exceptionally wide range of skills, many of which are transferable to other areas, as well as those you will need to progress to other modules in earth, environmental and natural sciences. It will also enable you to be much better informed about, and enhance your understanding of, the physical world around you.
Vocational relevance
This module should be of particular interest to those employed, or seeking employment, in environmental agencies, the minerals industry and heritage organisations, as well as the educational sector. The module will also develop your problem-solving abilities, observational, practical and information literacy skills in a wide range of contexts (including fieldwork and report-writing), and the use of computers for learning, analysing data and communication. All these skills are likely to be useful in the work environment, particularly for jobs requiring a precise and quantitative approach.
Entry
There are no formal entry requirements for this module.
At The Open University, we believe education should be open to all, so we provide high-quality university education to anyone who wishes to realise their ambitions and fulfil their potential.
Even though there are no entry requirements, you’ll need appropriate knowledge of science and basic mathematics to study the module successfully.
Are you ready for S209?
Preparatory work
If you’ve studied S112, re-familiarise yourself with the geological principles and terminology in the earth science parts (Topics 2–4).
Or visit your local library for suggestions of good introductory texts on geology and earth science.
Study materials
What's included
Study materials, including activities and assessment, will be delivered online only.
You will need
You will need to draw diagrams, or to annotate by hand, diagrams that you download, and then use either a scanner or a digital camera to produce files of these diagrams to include in your assessment. A printer is desirable.
You will also need to purchase two geological maps (costing about £15 in total) using a special order form on the module website.
If you take part in a local field tutorial, field-based investigation or the optional 4-day residential school, you will require a hard hat (costing about £5).
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
Throughout your module studies, you’ll get help and support from your assigned module tutor. They’ll help you by:
- Marking your assignments (TMAs) and providing detailed feedback for you to improve.
- Guiding you to additional learning resources.
- Providing individual guidance, whether that’s for general study skills or specific module content.
- Facilitating online discussions between your fellow students, in the dedicated module and tutor group forums.
Module tutors also run online tutorials throughout the module. Where possible, recordings of online tutorials will be made available to students. While these tutorials won’t be compulsory for you to complete the module, you’re strongly encouraged to take part.
Assessment
The assessment details for this module can be found in the facts box.
Field school
This module has an optional residential field school.
The Field Studies Council runs the residential field school Geology. This 4-day programme (at FSC Blencathra in Cumbria) includes outdoor exercises and follow-up laboratory work.
The residential field school fee for 2024/25 was £487 (£387 if you don’t need accommodation); you must also pay for your travel.
Instructions for booking will be on the module website.