Open University Chat Thread

As far as I know, all the books are complusory from S104. I done most of that module last year but deferred the rest of the module until this Oct and was told all books are compulsory. Maybe its different now. Best calling up OU and asking them.

I got my study materials today. According to the guide, there has been a change: books 1-4 and the first five chapters of book 5 are compulsory. You then choose between completing 5, 6, or 7, as one of your three optionals.

That's interesting. I'm due to start s104 soon too. Regardless, I think I'll do all the books because I don't have much science knowledge so want the best grounding possible.

Gutted my modules send dates have been changed got to wait an extra week now!!! X

Yeah, apparently they have changed it because the course load is too big AND because if you know what you want to do, it seems to make little sense to make someone read irrelevant material. For example, I am doing Maths and Physics, so it makes little sense to study Biology/Geology to some depth.

I did S104 and I had to do all the books, the physics book and geology books I use little or even none of that information now so it definitely is a good thing what they are doing!!!


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What did you decide to study?

I'd love to do Physics but don't think I can handle the Maths, unless I somehow manage to self-teach Maths a-level in the next year. So it's between Chemistry or Biology.

I've done GCSEs and A Levels in all the sciences and maths. The maths required for S104 Physics is hardly A Level - it's more GCSE standard. If you know some basic algebra (how to rearrange equations) and some indices/scientific notation (manipulating powers), you'll do fine. If you don't know those things, you can teach yourself them in about 2-3 weeks, 1 hour a day.

You will need to know calculus for level 2 Physics, which is A Level, but there are MANY things in A Level Maths that you basically won't encounter in S217. For example, don't expect to be doing many binomial expansions...

Most people find Maths very offputting. When I was 10, I found my father's secondary school maths books utterly mind-boggling. I think if you approach it with a fresh and confident mind, that you will pick up most concepts within a few weeks.

What did you decide to study?

I'd love to do Physics but don't think I can handle the Maths, unless I somehow manage to self-teach Maths a-level in the next year. So it's between Chemistry or Biology.

I am in my final year now of joint biology and chemistry... Just beware Hun that chemistry at Level 3 requires higher than A level maths


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Thanks for the advice =) Do the OU modules catch you up at all, or make it clear what you need to pick up?

I'm leaning towards biology anyway, but, always good to keep your options open!

Yeah they will teach all the maths required... Which is a good thing!! Not easy though :-/

Biology is amazing... Any particular modules you looking at? Cellular bio or more human?


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I see some people on the OUSA forums are complaining about the changes to S104
But it's always been the case that you could skip books in S104 and still pass.
I skimmed the biology book and some of the geology and still got a distinction in the exam (just) by focusing on the physics/chem. I know other people did something similar.
So I think making that an approved option is a good thing. Certainly for me it would have been.

I see some people on the OUSA forums are complaining about the changes to S104
But it's always been the case that you could skip books in S104 and still pass.
I skimmed the biology book and some of the geology and still got a distinction in the exam (just) by focusing on the physics/chem. I know other people did something similar.
So I think making that an approved option is a good thing. Certainly for me it would have been.

Those of you who do the science side of things: Have any of you studied S141? OU recommends that you study it after S104 but I was wondering if it was possible to study it alongside without much science/math background.

I studied it alongside S104... It's a boring course so try and get it out of the way!


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