Qualification dates| Start | End |
|---|
| 03 Oct 2026 | Jun 2027 |
Discover how our planet has been shaped over millions of years, from the landscapes around you to the powerful forces at work deep below the surface. You’ll begin with the familiar features you see every day, then uncover the stories told by rocks, fossils and sediments as you explore volcanoes, glaciers, mountains and shifting sands on Earth and Mars. As the module unfolds, you’ll build a richer understanding of Earth as a dynamic system, and of how Earth science helps us make sense of the environmental and geological challenges facing the world today.
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.
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).
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:
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.
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.
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