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Accessibility statement
This module introduces a scientific study of the earth across the scale spectrum – from shifting continents to the microscopic. And across time – from the 4.5 billion-year age of Earth to geological processes that happen in a flash. Your studies will include fossil life, erupting volcanoes, mountain building, and the record of Earth’s changing surface environments. The teaching materials will develop your practical skills using geological maps, microscopes, and field data, alongside developing your general science and study skills. You’ll also learn fieldwork skills via virtual field trips or an optional four-day residential field school.
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 fascinating 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 several 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, recrystallising 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. These include virtual field trips, case studies, and the chance to carry out a local, field-based, or literature-based investigation.
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?
If you’ve studied S112, re-familiarise yourself with the geological principles and terminology in the earth science parts (Topics 2–4).
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:
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 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.
You’ll have access to a module website, which includes:
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying S209 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.
Earth science (S209) starts once a year – in October.
This page describes the module that will start in October 2025.
Our new module, Earth science: understanding our planet (S229), will replace this module from October 2026.
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