Open University

自然科学（地球科学）理学士（荣誉）学位

The degree provides opportunities for you to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:

Knowledge and understanding

When you have completed this degree you will have systematic knowledge and a critical understanding of:

• The fundamental facts, concepts, principles, theories, classification systems and terminology used in the main branches of science
• Appropriate methods of acquiring, interpreting and analysing scientific data and information
• Accuracy, precision, uncertainty, and ambiguity in the context of science; the limits of current scientific knowledge; and the role of science in the world around us
• A selected area of science, at or informed by research and/or literature at the forefront of the discipline.

Cognitive skills

When you have completed this degree you will be able to:

• Use and correctly apply knowledge and understanding of scientific facts, concepts, principles and theories in familiar and unfamiliar contexts
• Describe, critically analyse and interpret scientific information and data presented in a variety of ways, including texts, tables, graphs, diagrams and figures, numerical and mathematical descriptions and computer-based media
• Critically evaluate particular aspects of current scientific research.

Practical and/or professional skills

When you have completed this degree you will be able to:

• Conduct practical investigations in a responsible, safe and ethical manner taking proper account of risk assessment and health and safety regulations
• Obtain, record, collate and analyse data derived from practical investigations, and interpret and report their significance in the light of underlying theory, practical issues and relevant information from other sources
• Initiate, design, conduct and report on investigations that may involve the acquisition of primary or secondary data
• Plan your own learning and be adept at time management and organisation so that you can work independently or with others in ways appropriate for continuing personal and professional development.

Key skills

When you have completed this degree you will be able to:

• Locate scientific information from a variety of sources (e.g. textual, numerical, graphical, computer-based), including reviews and primary sources, and use it to address scientific problems
• Prepare, process, interpret and present data using appropriate qualitative and quantitative techniques, including the use of statistics
• Communicate scientific information accurately and effectively using written, visual and numerical forms in a style that suits the purpose and audience
• Use mathematical skills appropriate to the level and context
• Use ICT to enhance your learning, for data analysis and for communicating scientific information to others
• Work effectively with others to explore aspects of science.

This degree has three stages, each comprising 120 credits.

• In Stage 1, you’ll study two 60-credit modules.
• In Stage 2, you’ll study one 60-credit module and choose 60 credits of option modules.
• In Stage 3, you’ll study one 60-credit module, choose one 30-credit module and complete a 30-credit project module.

Stage 1 (120 credits)

• Questions in science (S111)
• Science: concepts and practice (S112)

Stage 2 (120 credits)

You'll study the following:

• 地球科学（S209）

You'll choose 60 credits from:

• Stage 2 option modules

Stage 3 (120 credits)

You'll study the following:

• 地球过程（S309）

You'll choose one from:

• Evaluating contemporary science (S350)
• Terrestrial ecosystems (S397)

You'll study the following:

• Science project course: geosciences (SXG390)

Assessment

Our assessments are all designed to reinforce your learning and help you show your understanding of the topics. The mix of assessment methods will vary between modules.

Computer-Marked Assignments

• Usually, a series of online, multiple-choice questions.

Tutor-Marked Assignments

• You’ll have a number of these throughout each module, each with a submission deadline.
• They can be made up of essays, questions, experiments or something else to test your understanding of what you have learned.
• Your tutor will mark and return them to you with detailed feedback.

End-of-Module Assessments

• The final, marked piece of work on most modules.
• Modules with an end-of-module assessment won’t usually have an exam.

Exams

• Some modules end with an exam. You’ll be given time to revise and prepare.
• You’ll be given your exam date at least 5 months in advance.
• Most exams take place remotely, and you will complete them at home or at an alternative location.
• If a module requires you to take a face-to-face exam, this will be made clear in the module description, and you will be required to take your exam in person at one of our exam centres.

职业发展技能

在您获得资格证书后，您将成为一名适应能力强的毕业生，拥有一系列在劳动力市场上备受推崇的可转移技能，例如分析、数字和沟通能力、团队合作、解决问题和熟练使用计算机。您还将充分了解自己的优势和兴趣所在，并为下一步做好充分准备——无论是继续学习还是就业。

雇主还会寻找工作经验作为证据，以证明通过学位获得的技能。要取得成功，毕业生需要灵活且具备多种技能，并能够在多学科环境中工作。

职业相关性

理科毕业生适合从事科学和非科学工作。科学研究所需的逻辑性和推理性与金融、商业和公共部门的广泛就业相关，因此理科毕业生——尤其是那些具有良好沟通和人际交往能力的毕业生——很受欢迎。

雇主包括中央和地方政府、国民保健服务、水务行业、食品和饮料公司、媒体和通信、园艺行业、跨国石油公司、制药行业、保护机构和大学，职责包括：

• 研究与调查
• 产品设计开发
• 分析和诊断
• 科学信息管理
• 科学传播
• 科学销售
• 自然资源的勘探和开采
• 健康和保健相关职业
• 废物管理、回收和可持续性
• 环境管理、保护和养护
• 教学（科学是中学阶段的短缺学科，因此可能有激励措施来培训成为物理、化学或数学教师）。

预计增长领域包括：环境、能源和可持续性；生物技术和生物医学工程；医疗保健；电信；制药；生物信息学；以及技术转让（将科学专业知识转移到商业产品）。

通过我们独特的远程学习方法，您可以在家中、在工作中或在旅途中学习。

你需要满足一些评估截止日期，但除此之外，你可以自由地在适合自己的时间学习，将学习安排在工作、家庭和社交生活之间。

对于每个模块，您要么只使用在线资源，要么结合使用在线和印刷材料。

您学习的每个模块都会有一个模块网站

• 每周的学习计划，为你提供循序渐进的学习指导
• 课程材料，如阅读材料、视频、录音和自我评估活动
• 用于与其他学生进行讨论和合作活动的模块论坛
• 每项作业的详细信息及其截止日期
• 辅导预订系统、在线辅导室以及导师的联系方式
• 一些印刷模块材料和资源的在线版本。