I might as well share what I'm studying seen as I've called this thing the diary of a mature student (that's me by the way, I'm mature now, like cheese) It's been fifteen years since I was in college last, and I've been working that entire time, I finally decided to take the course I would have gone for at 18 if I had been allowed to go to university. (long sob story for another time)
I'm working towards a BSc (Hon) in Earth Sciences with the Open University.
This degree has three stages, each comprising 120 credits.
Stage 1 has a 60-credit introductory science module, then continues with another 60-credit introductory science module.
Stages 2–3 focuses on your specialist area of Earth sciences. At Stage 2 we’ll study one 60-credit module and a further 60 credits from a range of science modules. At Stage 3, we’ll study a 60-credit module, choose a further 30-credit module and complete the degree with a 30-credit project module.
Each 60 credit module is a years study part time so stage 1 will take me two years, stage 2 another two years and stage 3 a final two years, six years in total when studying part time as I am, or three years if you're studying full time.
I'm about to start Stage 1 part 1, called Questions in Science. This module has eleven parts to it and starts at the end of January 2018 finishing in September 2018, I've figured out we'll have about 2.5 weeks on each topic, 16 hours study a week is advised so that's approx 40 hours study for each topic.
The topics covered are;
Topic 1: Can you make a hole in water?
Water is essential for life as we know it and water has many special properties singling it out from other substances, making it of interest to all scientists. This topic will introduce you to some fascinating science including chemistry, Earth sciences and physics.
Topic 2: How do you know what is alive?
This topic will focus on the biological functions which are used to define 'life'. First you learn about the diversity of living things, and what living organisms are made up of. You will learn about the basic functions of life; growth, reproduction, metabolism, and response to stimuli or adaptation to the environment.
Topic 3: Why does it snow in winter?
You will gain a basic understanding of what makes the weather on Earth, and its seasonal cycle. The topic starts with forces, then investigates gravity, and the orbit of the Earth around the Sun, and the Moon around the Earth. Finally the topic looks at how these forces combine together to give the Earth its distinctive climatic zones.
Topic 4: Is there life on Mars?
Life can be found all over the Earth, with a huge range of diversity and abundance. Some organisms have developed ways to live and thrive in extreme environments such as hot deserts or deep oceans. Knowing how these organisms survive enables us to consider whether life might exist on Mars
Topic 5: Why do metals corrode?
This topic explores the main characteristic properties of metals. You will look at the chemical interactions of metals with different surrounding environments (in air, soil and water) and how the reactivity of different metals varies greatly. Easy ways of preventing metal deterioration will be also discussed. You will build a battery using galvanized nails and copper wire and carry out simple chemistry experiments with copper coins and iron nails.
Topic 6: How similar am I to a plant?
The diverse array of organisms that exist on Earth seem to have very little in common, apart from being ‘alive’ as described in Topic 2. You will learn about the principles of inheritance and genetics and you will be asked to consider how different humans are from each other and to investigate this yourself.
Topic 7: Does the Earth move under your feet?
The Earth is very diverse, yet we do see similarities between separate parts of world in the geology, and the species living there. How has this come about? Is it the result of moving plants and animals or a moving Earth? This topic discusses the different mechanisms underlying the movement and distribution of organisms around the world, including ocean and wind currents, continental drift and sea-level change, as well as the role of humans and the influence of evolution.
Topic 8: Are waves everywhere?
What are waves and how do they form? This topic is all about conservation of energy and restoring forces. There are waves you can see as well as waves you cannot see. You will develop an understanding of what waves are, and why and how they happen, as well as how we as humans can exploit some of their properties.
Topic 9: Can we lead a chemical-free life?
This topic examines some common misconceptions, responsible for turning the word chemical into a shorthand for “unpleasant additive". Are synthetic chemicals dangerous? Are natural chemicals better for us? We look at chemicals within the Earth and their use as ‘natural resources’; at chemicals in our diet and inside our homes; and at chemicals as treatments for disease. This topic includes a home experiment on toxicity and a field trip to survey the ‘health’ of a local water body.
Topic 10: Why does the Sun shine?
The Sun provides the energy necessary for life on Earth but how does it work? We look at the physical properties of our own star and the physical processes that power it. In the latter part of this topic we examine the Sun in a wider astronomical context, relating it to other stars, examining its evolution and death in the far future and the intimate role played by the death of stars in the birth of life.
Topic 11: What is ‘Bad Science’?
The module concludes with a look at the ethics of scientific experimentation; a discussion of good practice in experimentation to ensure results are unbiased and scientifically sound. This final topic leads to the final piece of assessment which looks back over experiments undertaken throughout the module.
The first two years covers a broad range of sciences so you have a sound basis in sciences before narrowing down your field, currently my plan is to aim at geology/volcanology. But it's two years before I narrow my field so I'm not saying I won't change my mind in that time.
Each of those topics sound fascinating in their own ways, I'm hoping 2.5 weeks per topic is enough to drum it into my head as I do have memory problems these days, problems of being older see. Memory problems, glasses, exhaustion, aches, pains but thankfully no wrinkles (yet).
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