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Science project course: geosciences

Qualification dates
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In this module, you’ll investigate and produce an in-depth literature-based or practical-based project on an aspect of geosciences. Topics can include natural hazards (e.g. atmospheric and hydrologic hazards, earthquakes, landslides, meteorite impacts, volcanoes and tsunamis) and past environmental change. You’ll undertake individual investigations and need access to scientific literature from electronic library sources. For practical-based projects, you’ll collect primary or secondary data on a geosciences topic that interests you. We provide complete guidance to the skills needed for project work.

What you will study

Early in the module, the study materials, tutorials and discussions with your tutor will guide you to select a specific aspect of your chosen topic to investigate in depth. Initial decisions may be whether to undertake a literature- or practical-based project. For the latter, you may want to decide whether it is a field, laboratory, online database project, or combination. This form will depend on the facilities available to you and the topic area you choose. Deciding on your project will be an iterative process after reading the online study materials, doing some early research and discussing your ideas with your tutor (the most vital part).

You might have to spend up to two-thirds of your time identifying suitable material to inform your choice of project topic in the early part of the module. In discussion with your tutor, you’ll define your investigation that must address the relevant themes for your project type (e.g. for geohazards: the cause, effect and mitigation of your chosen natural hazard; if you choose the past environmental change topic, you’ll need to address the description, interpretation, process and implications of your chosen change). For any practical-based project, the themes are contextualisation of the project in geoscience literature, experimental design, data collection and analysis, and where next (project limitations and future research ideas).

Entry requirements

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 geology obtained through:

  • OU level 1 to 3 study
  • equivalent work at another higher education institution.

Are you ready for SXG390?

Preparatory work

We recommend you’ve completed:

We also recommend familiarising yourself with the Library search tool and referencing guide.

What's included

You’ll have access to a module website, which includes:

  • a study planner
  • course-specific module materials
  • assignment details and submission section
  • online tutorial access.

Computing requirements

You’ll need broadband internet access and a desktop or laptop computer with an up-to-date version of Windows (10 or 11) or macOS Ventura or higher.

Any additional software will be provided or is generally freely available.

To join in spoken conversations in tutorials, we recommend a wired headset (headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone).

Our module websites comply with web standards, and any modern browser is suitable for most activities.

Our OU Study mobile app will operate on all current, supported versions of Android and iOS. It’s not available on Kindle.

It’s also possible to access some module materials on a mobile phone, tablet device or Chromebook. However, as you may be asked to install additional software or use certain applications, you’ll also require a desktop or laptop, as described above.

Teaching and assessment

Support from your tutor

Throughout your module studies, you’ll get help and support from your assigned module tutor. They’ll help you by:

  • Marking your assignments and providing detailed feedback for you to improve and develop your project.
  • Guiding you to additional learning resources.
  • Providing individual guidance, whether that’s for general study skills or specific module content.
  • Facilitating online discussions between your fellow students, in the dedicated module and tutor group forums.

Module tutors also run online tutorials throughout the module. Where possible, recordings of online tutorials will be made available to students. While these tutorials won’t be compulsory for you to complete the module, you’re strongly encouraged to take part.

Assessment

The assessment details for this module can be found in the facts box.

If you have a disability

The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying SXG390 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.

Future availability

Science project course: geosciences (SXG390) starts once a year – in January/February.

This page describes the module that will start in February 2025.

We expect it to start for the last time in February 2030.

This module ends in September, so you’ll receive your final results in late October rather than June/July. You should consider this if you’re planning further study and wish to use your degree as an entry qualification.

Course work includes:

3 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs)
End-of-module assessment