Description
This qualification is only available until 31 December 2016.
To claim this qualification, you must complete the required 240 credits by this date.
If you have any questions about your eligibility for this qualification please contact the Credit, Qualifications and Ceremonies Centre on +44(0) 1908 653003 or by email .
The needs of staff already employed in an analytical sciences setting are central to the development of this foundation degree course. This means it will benefit both you and your workplace through enhancing the skill base of the workforce. It values and builds on your experience. The foundation degree combines work-based and distance learning, allowing you to remain in employment while you study. The Level 1 study is interdisciplinary in approach. At Level 2, you will be able to continue with this general approach, while at the same time tailoring your study to your precise needs, with opportunities for specialisation in biology, chemistry or environmental science. Responsibility for your learning is shared between your employer and The Open University (OU). The OU provides study materials and tutorial support and manages the assessment procedures, while your employer substantially manages the work-based learning on the programme. The OU is able to offer support in training staff identified as practice assessors.
The foundation degree is a qualification in its own right. However, if you wish to progress further, by studying an additional 120 credits at Level 3 you may be able to ‘top up’ this foundation degree to an honours degree – a #BSc (Hons) Natural Sciences [B64]# for example.
The programme of study for this foundation degree is also offered as the #Diploma of Higher Education in Analytical Sciences [E53]#. The Diploma of Higher Education might be of particular interest to those living and working in Scotland.
Planning your studies
Whether or not you’re new to study with the OU we recommend that you start with a module at Level 1 and that you complete your Level 1 study before going on to Level 2.
For this foundation degree we recommend that you start with Exploring science (S104).
Entry requirements – Although some modules in the foundation degree are available to all students who live in the UK, the work-based learning modules are only available to those who are employed within an analytical science setting and are being supported in their practice learning by their employer. For further information, employers and individuals are invited initially to contact us.
You should note that the University’s unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 80 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you. Before being awarded any intermediate qualifications, we advise you to check that you’ll have sufficient new credits to qualify for your foundation degree.
Please note – if you are including discontinued modules towards this qualification they may cease to be countable five years after their final presentation.
Career relevance and employability
The Open University’s Foundation Degree in Analytical Sciences is suitable for staff working in a variety of analytical science settings such as the water, food and fragrance industries, health sciences, material manufacturing, generic analytical test houses, human and animal drug testing, petrochemicals and the pharmaceutical industries. Through the foundation degree, you will have the opportunity to develop knowledge, skills and competencies which underpin practice across many professions in the analytical sciences sector.
On successful completion of the foundation degree course, it is expected that you’ll have completed the first steps towards obtaining competency within the Water Industry competent analyst framework, or equivalent within other analytical science industry settings.
Careers and Employability Services have more information on how OU study can improve your employability.
Modules
For this 240-credit foundation degree you require:
100 credits from the following compulsory modules:
Level 1 compulsory modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- The discontinued 30-credit module S104
|
|
- Maths for science (S151)
|
10 |
|
- The discontinued 30-credit module S130
-
|
And 20 credits from the following optional modules:
Level 1 optional modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- Molecules, medicines and drugs: a chemical story (SK185)
|
10 |
|
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, at Level 1 the discontinued module S154, S155, S171, S187, SA188, SK183, SK195, SXR103, at Level 2 the discontinued module SXR205, SXR270
And 60 credits from the following compulsory modules:
Level 2 compulsory modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- Analytical science: health, heritage and environments (S240)
|
30 |
|
- The discontinued 30-credit module S230
|
And 60 credits from the following optional modules:
Level 2 optional modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- Cell biology (S294)
|
30 |
|
- Chemistry: essential concepts (S215)
|
60 |
|
- Environmental science (S206)
|
60 |
|
- Practical science: biology and health (SXHL288)
|
30 |
|
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules S204, S205, S216, SXL288
Credit for previous study elsewhere
If you have already completed some successful study at higher education level at another institution we may be able to give you credit for this study that you can count towards this Open University qualification. You can find out more on our Credit Transfer site. If you make a successful claim for transferred credit it may affect your choice of modules so you are advised to investigate this option as soon as possible.
On completion
On successful completion of the required modules you will be awarded a Foundation Degree in Analytical Sciences and will be entitled to use the letters FD (Open) after your name.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
How to register
If you want to study 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
module you wish to study first and ensure it is suitable for you before following the registration procedure for that module.
During the registration procedure you will be asked to declare which qualification you are studying towards.
See a full list of modules available for this qualification