This interdisciplinary science module introduces you to many branches of science – astronomy and planetary science, biology, chemistry, Earth science, environmental sciences and physics. You’ll consider a series of eleven intriguing questions that each explore a different area of science, from the special properties of water to life on other planets, with a final topic examining the principles of good scientific practice. Learning key scientific concepts, gaining critical thinking skills to help you understand and use scientific information, and developing investigation skills through practical experimentation will prepare you for further study and help surface your particular areas of interest.
What you will study
This module consists of 11 topics with questions to help you start thinking like a scientist. The final topic, What is ‘Bad science’? brings together the principles of good science practice that you will learn throughout the module.
Topic 1: Can you make a hole in water?
Water is essential for life as we know it, and its many special properties distinguish it from other substances, making it of interest to all scientists. This topic will introduce you to some fascinating science, including chemistry, Earth sciences, and physics.
Topic 2: How do you know what is alive?
This topic will focus on the biological functions used to define ‘life’. First, you learn about the diversity of living things and what living organisms are made up of. You will learn about the basic functions of life: growth, reproduction, metabolism, and response to stimuli or adaptation to the environment.
Topic 3: Why does it snow in winter?
You will gain a basic understanding of what makes the weather on Earth and its seasonal cycle. The topic starts with forces and then investigates gravity, the orbit of Earth around the Sun, and the orbit of the Moon around Earth. Finally, it looks at how these forces combine to give Earth its distinctive climatic zones.
Topic 4: Is there life on Mars?
Life is found in all environments across Earth, with vast diversity and abundance. Some organisms have developed ways to live and thrive in extreme environments such as hot deserts or deep oceans. Knowing how these organisms survive lets us consider whether life might exist on Mars.
Topic 5: Why do metals corrode?
This topic explores the main characteristic properties of metals. You will look at the chemical interactions of metals with different surrounding environments (in air, soil and water) and how the reactivity of different metals varies greatly. Easy ways of preventing metal deterioration are also discussed. You will build a battery using galvanised nails and copper wire, and conduct simple chemistry experiments with copper coins and iron nails.
Topic 6: How similar am I to a plant?
The diverse organisms on Earth seem to have very little in common besides being ‘alive’ as described in Topic 2. You will learn about the principles of inheritance and genetics, consider how different humans are from one another and investigate this yourself.
Topic 7: Does the Earth move under your feet?
Earth is very diverse, yet we see similarities between separate parts of the world in the geology and the species living there. How has this come about? Is it the result of moving plants and animals or a moving Earth? This topic discusses the different mechanisms underlying the movement and distribution of organisms around the world, including ocean and wind currents, continental drift and sea-level change, as well as the role of humans and the influence of evolution.
Topic 8: Are waves everywhere?
What are waves, and how do they form? There are waves you can see and waves you cannot see. You will develop an understanding of what waves are, why and how they happen, and how humans can exploit some of their properties. This topic is also about the conservation of energy and restoring forces.
Topic 9: Can we lead a chemical-free life?
This topic examines some common misconceptions, responsible for turning the word chemical into a shorthand for “unpleasant additive". Are synthetic chemicals dangerous? Are natural chemicals better for us? We look at chemicals within the Earth and their use as ‘natural resources’; chemicals in our diet and inside our homes; and chemicals as treatments for disease. This topic includes a home experiment on investigating the impact of household products on early root growth in seeds.
Topic 10: Why does the Sun shine?
The Sun provides the energy necessary for life on Earth, but how does it work? We look at the physical properties of our own star and the physical processes that power it. In the latter part of this topic, we examine the Sun in a broader astronomical context, relating it to other stars, examining its evolution and death in the far future and the intimate role played by the death of stars in the birth of life.
Topic 11: What is ‘Bad Science’?
The module concludes with a discussion of the ethics of scientific experimentation and good practice in experimentation to ensure unbiased and scientifically sound results. This final topic leads to the final assessment, which looks back over the experiments undertaken throughout the module.
Entry requirements
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 the ability to:
add, subtract, multiply and divide simple numbers
read and understand written English of a style and complexity characteristic of scientific articles or magazines
write clearly and concisely, structuring short pieces of writing so that they flow coherently
log on to the internet, find websites and communicate by email
create, save and retrieve documents using basic word-processing skills.
Are you ready for S111?
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
marking your assignments and offering detailed feedback to help you improve
providing individual guidance, whether that’s for general study skills or specific module content
guiding you to additional learning resources
facilitating online discussions between your fellow students in the dedicated forums.
Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available.
The School of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences offers optional laboratory schools in Milton Keynes at an additional cost. Laboratory schools are not part of this module but may be of interest if you wish to gain relevant hands-on laboratory experience.
Further information and instructions for booking are on the SS011 website.
What's included
You’ll have access to a module website, which includes:
a week-by-week study planner
course-specific module materials
audio and video content
assessment details and submission section
online tutorial access
access to student forums.
Additionally, the website includes:
interactives and animations
alternative format materials (e.g. PDF, EPUB, Word).
access to learning events that support your study skills
access to our Discover labcast, recorded from our laboratories in Milton Keynes
access to Good academic practice tutorials that support your skills development.
You will need
a device to take digital images of your work (e.g. a phone/digital camera or scanner)
a scientific calculator
everyday household items to conduct simple experiments.
Computing requirements
Primary device – A desktop or laptop computer with at least 8 GB of RAM and a quad-core processor (2.4 GHz minimum speed). It’s possible to access some materials on a mobile phone, tablet or Chromebook; however, they will not be suitable as your primary device.
Peripheral device – Headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone for online tutorials.
Operating systems – Windows 11 or the latest supported macOS.
Internet access – Broadband or mobile connection.
Browser – Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge are recommended; Mozilla Firefox and Safari may be suitable.
Our OU Study app operates on supported versions of Android and iOS.
Software – Any additional software will be provided or is generally available for free.
If you have a disability
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying S111 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our Disability support website.
Future availability
Questions in science (S111) starts twice a year – in October and January.
It will next start in January 2027.
We expect it to start for the last time in January 2028.