SXC288 - Signed up

The Open University has finally opened registration for the new SXx288 Practical science modules and I have duly registered for SXC288 Practical science: chemistry and analysis.

This will only be the second OU module that I have done on its first presentation and from previous experience there may be some teething troubles to begin with (maybe the various false starts for registration will be the only ones but I doubt it).

I must admit I've been obsessing over this module for a while now as there is a mini residential (3 days) associated with it and I wanted a specific date (the long weekend option). I've been checking pretty much every day since 1st July and registered at 07:09 this morning (after a tip off in the OU Science programme website yesterday).

The module starts in February next year so I've still got a while to wait before it starts but S205 begins next month so I've got something to keep me occupied.

Oh and I'm still completing the S104 EMA which I will probably post a bit about when I'm done.

New practical science courses - Update 3

Online registration for any of the SXx288 courses is still not available for online registration. I've emailed the OU Student Registration and Enquiry Service requesting a date when they will be available and am awaiting a reply.

In the meantime here is a leaflet I picked up whilst on SXR103 with some information about them:

I know its not much but its something.

New practical science courses - Update 2

Well its the 1st July and none of the SXC2xx courses are available for online registration. So I decided to call the Student Registration and Enquiry Service to see if I could register over the phone.

Apparently the information passed to them (and on to me) previously was incorrect. The new date for registration to open is 16th July.

Although this is a little frustrating it does mean that it is after ive attended SXR103. This is good as I have asked whether information will be available on these practical courses during the week in Brighton, which has been confirmed.

So 15 days til registration opens, and counting ...

New practical science courses - Updated

I contacted the OU yesterday via email enquiring about SXC288 Practical science: chemistry and analysis and received a reply today.

The OU say that registration opens on 1st July and that the fees have not yet been confirmed but that the website will be updated when they are.


I hope the fees are confirmed by the time registration is open or it will be a bit of a leap of fate to register without knowing how much you need to stump up.


I hope the next posting I do on this subject will be more definitive...

New practical science courses

The Open University appears to be retiring most if not all of its level 2 science summer schools, which I think is a shame. now it appears that they are going to offer alternatives.

 

I was interested in studying SXR205 Exploring the Molecular World which is the companion summer school for S205. However this was discontinued in May 2011.

 

Now the Open University have some new courses listed under the umbrella term Practical Science. They are

 

Practical environmental science (SXE288)

Practical science: biology and health (SXL288)

Practical science: chemistry and analysis (SXC288)

Practical science: Earth and environment (SXG288)

Practical science: physics and astronomy (SXP288)

 

 

All are scheduled for first presentation in February 2012, however at the time of writing there are no prices available.


I am especially interested in SXC288, which includes a 3 day residential school at Bristol University (down from 7 days for the previous summer school).

I have made the following notes:-

• SXC288 is worth 30 points whereas SXR205 was only worth 10.
• SXC288 runs from February to October, much like a traditional OU course.
• There are also online labs to do throughout the year, including a very exciting sounding week long data gathering exercise using a remote webcam!!
• The cost of the residential school is included in the cost of the course (whatever that may be) but accommodation is not.
• The residential school is optional

Overall I am keen to do this course. If I start S205 in October (as planned) then I can start this one in February and the end of course assessments shouldn't clash.

Im just waiting for the prices to be posted and online registration to be opened.