Landscapes
You’ll begin with landscapes: the features that shape our view of the world and reveal the Earth's long history beneath them. As you learn to describe and map landforms, you’ll relate them to the rocks below, where layers of strata tell stories of geological time. From there, you’ll explore the processes that create and reshape landscapes, from weathering and erosion to volcanism, and consider how human activity influences the environments around us. You’ll bring these ideas together by interpreting a real landscape through a 3D virtual experience.
Surface processes and sediments
From the surface, you’ll move into the story of sediments, following individual grains from their origins to the places where they settle and, over time, become rock. By studying sedimentary strata, you’ll reconstruct ancient environments, past climates and changing sea levels, while also discovering how sedimentary rocks can become valuable resources. You’ll also examine major hazards such as tsunamis and submarine landslides, and the impacts they can have.
Palaeobiology
The story of past worlds becomes richer still through palaeobiology. Here, you’ll explore how fossils form, how we should collect them responsibly, and how they help us identify major groups of organisms, including dinosaurs. As you investigate the history of life on Earth, you’ll also consider patterns of diversity, the biases of the fossil record, and the ways evolution and extinction connect to environmental and climatic change.
Volcanism and igneous processes
You’ll then turn to volcanism and igneous processes, following the path of magma from its formation deep within the Earth to its cooling as crystalline rock. Using microscopic observations and geochemical data, you’ll investigate how melting happens, how magma evolves, and how volcanoes are fed. Alongside the science, you’ll explore the wider significance of volcanic processes, from their role in climate, geothermal energy, carbon storage and mineral resources to questions of volcanic risk and sustainable mining.
Tectonics and deformation
From there, you’ll dig deeper into tectonics and deformation, linking the composition and temperature of rocks to the ways they bend, break and move under stress. You’ll study how these processes produce earthquakes and shape the large-scale movement of rock masses, both vertically and horizontally, and you’ll learn to map the structures they leave behind. As you interpret deformation histories, you’ll also see how these skills are used in real-world exploration for natural resources.
Metamorphism
That leads naturally into metamorphism, where rocks are transformed by heat, pressure and extraordinary events. You’ll discover how rocks change when buried deep underground, heated by nearby magma, or altered by the impacts of meteorites and even lightning strikes. Along the way, you’ll consider the everyday uses of metamorphic materials, and use metamorphic evidence to interpret events such as subduction and mountain building. You’ll also reflect on the colonial histories associated with some gemstones and on what responsible fieldwork looks like in practice.
Earth system
As the module draws to a close, you’ll step back and bring these themes together through the study of Earth as a system. Revisiting what you’ve learned, you’ll connect processes and ideas across the module to build a more integrated understanding of how the planet works. New topical material will help you explore key Earth processes and cycles in the round, showing how they interact to keep the planet dynamic, interconnected and alive.
As you work through this module, you’ll build the knowledge, understanding and practical skills that underpin Earth science as a subject and as a way of exploring the planet. You’ll become familiar with the key concepts, principles, terminology and measurement systems used in the discipline, and learn how Earth science can contribute to addressing wider societal and sustainability challenges.
Alongside this, you’ll develop your ability to apply Earth science ideas and theory in meaningful ways, and to gather, process and interpret information and data with confidence. You’ll learn how to evaluate evidence from a range of sources, bring different kinds of information together, and draw well-supported conclusions. You’ll also strengthen your ability to communicate Earth science clearly to different audiences and in different formats, work effectively with others, and plan, carry out and report on the independent collection of raw data in a rigorous, safe, professional and ethical way.
This module will be particularly valuable if you work, or hope to work, in areas such as environmental agencies, the minerals industry, heritage organisations, geospatial roles or education. As well as deepening your understanding of Earth science, it will help you develop transferable skills in problem-solving, observation, practical investigation and information literacy, including through fieldwork and report writing.
You’ll also gain experience in using computers for learning, communication and data analysis, and in using geographic information systems (GIS) to map, interpret and analyse spatial data. Together, these skills will support further study and can open up opportunities across a wide range of environmental, scientific and education-related careers.
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available.
Tutors on the module also lead optional day field trips at locations across the UK, with virtual field trips typically available as well. These are open to all students on the module and offer opportunities to deepen your geological knowledge, develop field skills, and meet other students and tutors.
Course work includes:
This module has an optional residential field school.
The Field Studies Council runs the residential field school Geology. This four-day programme (at FSC Blencathra in Cumbria) includes outdoor exercises and follow-up laboratory work.
The residential field school fee for 2025/26 was £507 (£407 if you don’t need accommodation); you must also pay for your travel.
Instructions for booking will be on the module website.
You’ll have access to a module website, which includes:
Additionally, the website includes:
You can study this module on its own or use the credits you gain towards an Open University qualification.
S229 is an option module in our:
Earth science: understanding our planet (S229) starts once a year – in October.
It will next start in October 2026.
We expect it to start for the last time in October 2033.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations, which are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
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 basic science and mathematics to study the module successfully.
If you’ve studied S112, re-familiarise yourself with the geological principles and terminology in the earth science parts (Topics 2–4).
Before you start this module, please check that your computer can display 3D content.
If you use Windows 10 or Windows 11, you can do this with the built-in 3D Viewer app. Type 3D Viewer into the Windows search bar and open the app. If your computer supports 3D rendering, a 3D model of a bee should appear automatically and move on screen. You should also be able to use your mouse to rotate the model.
If the bee does not appear, your computer may not support basic 3D rendering. You may need to upgrade your graphics hardware or memory.
You should also check that your web browser supports WebGL2 by visiting get.webgl.org/webgl2.
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying S229 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.
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There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.
If your income is not more than £25,000 or you receive a qualifying benefit, you might be eligible for help with some of these costs after your module has started.
There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.
This module offers an optional residential field school, for which an additional charge applies. You’ll also need to pay for your travel. See course details for more information.
If your personal income is £25,000 or less, or you’re on certain benefits, you could qualify for a grant and OU top-up funding to cover 100% of your course fees. Apply online at the same time as you register on your module.
For more information on how to apply, visit our Part-Time Fee Grants for students in Scotland page.
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Read more about Open University Student Budget Accounts (OUSBA).
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For more information about combining payment options, contact an adviser.
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