Each topic is of a similar length and addresses your skills balance.
The first 18 weeks of the module comprise five topics:
Earth’s climate system
This topic explores the theory and geological record of climate change. It gives you the tools to understand Earth’s climate regulation over geological timescales. The focus is on the feedback loops characterising the climate system and the nature of tipping points that can lead to rapid change when critical thresholds are crossed.
Oceans
This topic explores the world’s oceans, including their physical structure and the geological record of their history and evolution. It focuses on the oceans' relationship to Earth’s climate and ocean changes that result from human activity. Another focus is appreciating the critical role oceans will play in Earth’s future and the need for humans to adapt to changing conditions.
Hard-rock geology and resources
In this topic, you’ll explore the geology underlying the deposition of minerals that are key economic resources. It gives you tools to understand why certain minerals are deposited in particular regions and experience acquiring and analysing data. This topic will also explore the tension between mining practices and the need to minimise the climatic impacts of industrial activity.
Life and time
This topic involves studying how Earth’s ecosystems have evolved and examining how geological time is established. You’ll discuss how ancient ecosystems are represented in the fossil record and how life has responded to critical intervals of environmental change in the geological past. You’ll explore the importance of quantifying the rates of processes in the geological past and examine the significance of human impact on the earth system in the context of geological time.
Volcanoes: a GIS perspective
This topic involves exploring geographic information systems (GIS) and using them to define and examine geological issues. You’ll first learn the basic anatomy and essential functions of GIS. Then, you’ll experience how GIS software works by completing hands-on activities via a web browser – creating maps, adding data and posing geological questions. You’ll also practice your new skills using GIS analysis to solve real-world geological problems.
The final 13 weeks of the module focus on an in-depth investigation of a problem at the interface between geology and sustainability. The first part of this investigation involves scoping and summarising issues you’ve encountered in weeks 1–18 and found in the scientific literature. You’ll do this part of the investigation in collaboration with your peers. The second part of this investigation involves independently producing a website or poster summarising your investigation.
This module focuses on developing personal skills, professional skills and employability skills. In particular, effective communication with various audiences using graphical and written methods, problem-solving, critical thinking and collaboration. You’ll learn how to apply knowledge and understanding to evaluate and address challenges at the interface of geology and sustainability. You’ll further your skills in finding and utilising different lines of evidence and appreciating the limits of current knowledge. The final assessment spans the last 13 weeks of the module and culminates in the production of a website or poster. This work develops your communication, planning and collaborative skills in a supportive environment with your peers, encouraging your independence.
You’ll develop skills directly relevant to employability throughout the module. This module focuses on professional and employability skills to enable you to work more effectively independently and as part of a team. Employment opportunities exist across the public sector (including local authorities and the civil service), private sector (large and small businesses) and voluntary sectors (e.g. charities and non-governmental organisations).
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.
Course work includes:
The TMAs assess your learning in the first 18 weeks. The assessment focuses on communicating scientific concepts and issues and involves both graphical and written communication methods.
The EMA assesses your in-depth investigation of a problem (in the last 13 weeks) in two ways. The first part involves collaboration with your peers; however, we don't assess this. Instead, we assess your reflection on working with others. The second part involves your independent production of a poster or a website that communicates your investigation.
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.
S319 is an option module in our:
Geology and sustainability (S319) starts once a year – in October.
It will next start in October 2026.
We expect it to start for the last time in October 2029.
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.
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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.
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.
The Open University Student Budget Accounts Ltd (OUSBA) offers a convenient 'pay as you go' option to pay your OU fees, which is a secure, quick and easy way to pay. Please note that The Open University works exclusively with OUSBA and is not able to offer you credit facilities from any other provider. All credit is subject to status and proof that you can afford the repayments.
You pay the OU through OUSBA in one of the following ways:
Joint loan applications
If you feel you would be unable to obtain an OUSBA loan on your own due to credit history or affordability issues, OUSBA offers the option to apply for a joint loan application with a third party. For example, your husband, wife, partner, parent, sibling or friend. In such cases, OUSBA will be required to carry out additional affordability checks separately and/or collectively for both joint applicants who will be jointly and severally liable for loan repayments.
As additional affordability checks are required when processing joint loan applications, unfortunately, an instant decision cannot be given. On average, the processing time for a joint loan application is five working days from receipt of the required documentation.
Read more about Open University Student Budget Accounts (OUSBA).
Studying with The Open University can boost your employability. OU courses are recognised and respected by employers for their excellence and the commitment they take to complete. They also value the skills that students learn and can apply in the workplace.
Over 30,000 employers have used the OU to develop staff so far. If the module you’ve chosen is geared towards your job or developing your career, you could approach your employer to see if they will sponsor you by paying some or all of the fees.
You can pay part or all of your tuition fees upfront with a debit or credit card when you register for each module.
We accept American Express, Mastercard, Visa and Visa Electron.
We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may wish to pay part of your tuition fee with a debit card and pay the remainder in instalments through an Open University Student Budget Account (OUSBA).
We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may get support from your employer to pay part of your tuition fee and pay the remainder by credit or debit card.
For more information about combining payment options, contact an adviser.
Please note: your permanent address/domicile will affect your fee status and, therefore, the fees you are charged and any financial support available to you. The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2026. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our Fee Rules.
