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New Natural Sciences Students

Hello everyone.

I'm new to the student room and thought I'd say hello to everyone and see if there are any other natural science students starting this year?

I'm going to be studying the biology pathway. It'd be nice to meet others doing the biology pathway or science in general. Say Hello! :smile:
Well I'm in my last year of Natural Science (Biology) so technically I don't count... But good luck with your studies


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Student at the Open University
Open University
Milton Keynes
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Original post by Dr.Lazy
Hello everyone.I'm new to the student room and thought I'd say hello to everyone and see if there are any other natural science students starting this year?I'm going to be studying the biology pathway. It'd be nice to meet others doing the biology pathway or science in general. Say Hello! :smile:


I'm new here too! I'm planning on doing the natural science course, however I'll be starting next year as I've decided to do the science access course first to ease me back into things - it's been a long time since school - so I'll be a year behind you.

I'm thinking of going down the Astronomy route although Earth Sciences is coming up close behind too, I'm studying more for interest than anything else so I'll see what I think when I have to choose!
Reply 3
Original post by Lambert87
Well I'm in my last year of Natural Science (Biology) so technically I don't count... But good luck with your studies


Nice to 'meet' you and thanks! I'm a little nervous to be honest, as my science knowledge is limited, but I've been doing a lot of reading and catching up on stuff before the course starts, so I'm not too concerned. Is the level one stuff hard? I'm doing 120 credits in the first year as I want the degree in 3 years. I've got loads of time to devote to it, but I'm still a little concerned etc.

Original post by ShatnavMcCoy
I'm new here too! I'm planning on doing the natural science course, however I'll be starting next year as I've decided to do the science access course first to ease me back into things - it's been a long time since school - so I'll be a year behind you.I'm thinking of going down the Astronomy route although Earth Sciences is coming up close behind too, I'm studying more for interest than anything else so I'll see what I think when I have to choose!



Hey and thanks for your reply. I've decided to jump straight in and do the degree, even though my knowledge of science isn't amazing. I'm doing a lot of reading and catching up, but biology comes to me easily - it's the maths element I'm stressed about lol Good luck with your studies :smile:
Hello All,

I'm half way through an Open Degree with OU but am following a Natural Science Biological route, although I did trade the level one investigative science for a maths module, as maths is a weak area of mine, hence the open choice. Looking into S294 or 215 as the next step just trying to get hold of the books second hand to get an idea of which I would prefer.

Hope the study goes well for you guys.
Original post by Patricia Pickles
Hello All,

I'm half way through an Open Degree with OU but am following a Natural Science Biological route, although I did trade the level one investigative science for a maths module, as maths is a weak area of mine, hence the open choice. Looking into S294 or 215 as the next step just trying to get hold of the books second hand to get an idea of which I would prefer.

Hope the study goes well for you guys.


Having done both (well I did S205.. It's now S215) I'll give you some advice!!

S294 is a very good course and it will bode with for S317 which you will probably study at level 3... S215 is an intense course and if your following a biological route it won't really help at all (chemistry at level 3 helps with biology but not essential) s294 would help with other biology modules such as SK320 and even SD329 to an extent!


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Original post by Lambert87
Having done both (well I did S205.. It's now S215) I'll give you some advice!!

S294 is a very good course and it will bode with for S317 which you will probably study at level 3... S215 is an intense course and if your following a biological route it won't really help at all (chemistry at level 3 helps with biology but not essential) s294 would help with other biology modules such as SK320 and even SD329 to an extent!


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Thanks for the input it's definitely helpful, I really enjoyed the Chemistry involved in S104 but had reservation over S215 because the other modules I've taken so far focused on biology. Looking ahead S377 is of interest, although its being replaced soon so just trying to figure what gives the best foundation for future courses whilst keeping me engaged.
Original post by Patricia Pickles
Thanks for the input it's definitely helpful, I really enjoyed the Chemistry involved in S104 but had reservation over S215 because the other modules I've taken so far focused on biology. Looking ahead S377 is of interest, although its being replaced soon so just trying to figure what gives the best foundation for future courses whilst keeping me engaged.


S377 is being replaced by S317 (one I mentioned above) it's cell biology combined with evolution... Apparently the module is amazing!


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Original post by Lambert87
S377 is being replaced by S317 (one I mentioned above) it's cell biology combined with evolution... Apparently the module is amazing!


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Oh that makes sense now, I couldn't see anything about the replacement module, just that February was the last presentation. I've just purchased some second hand S377 books off amazon to get an idea of the content and the step up at level 3, really skeptical about the changes to online only content that they all seem to be moving too, you must have timed it just right to be finishing before the changes.
New natural sciences student checking in :ciao:

Good luck to anyone beginning, or currently working through, this or any other course 😊
Original post by Stinktank
New natural sciences student checking in :ciao:

Good luck to anyone beginning, or currently working through, this or any other course 😊


Good luck


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I am starting in October, have already done the first third of S104 last year but some personal issues meant that I deffered. Im doing S104 with S141 in October. I also plan to take the Biology route. :smile:
I'm starting an OU course in October and at this stage I STILL can't decide between Natural Sciences and Psychology... So maybe I'll be starting with you! :smile:
Original post by Run Away
I'm starting an OU course in October and at this stage I STILL can't decide between Natural Sciences and Psychology... So maybe I'll be starting with you! :smile:


What do you plan on doing after graduation!


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Original post by Lambert87
What do you plan on doing after graduation!


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Well, I'm still working that one out! I'm a nursery teacher at the moment, I love kids and teaching, so I'm thinking of becoming a primary school teacher (but deep down that's really just my 'back up' option), in which case either degree is fine for that! However, I am really interested in how the brain learns and develops, and how different educational theories can really change the life of a child who has previously struggled in education, and I would love to delve a bit deeper into this and think a more interesting career for me (in the way way way distant future- it's SUCH a long slog!) would be as an Educational/ Child Psychologist. Which is why Psychology might be the better choice- it does lead me on a very clear career path, and I need that direction in my life.

But secretly, I am kind of leaning towards Natural Sciences, as I just love learning about the world, I have a subscription to New Scientist, the thought of being a 'scientist' is just amazingly exciting to me... haha. If only I was ten years younger or was a millionaire or something, I'd just study everything!

Sorry for the life story- in conclusion, it's a classic heart vs head dilemma :biggrin:
Original post by Run Away
Well, I'm still working that one out! I'm a nursery teacher at the moment, I love kids and teaching, so I'm thinking of becoming a primary school teacher (but deep down that's really just my 'back up' option), in which case either degree is fine for that! However, I am really interested in how the brain learns and develops, and how different educational theories can really change the life of a child who has previously struggled in education, and I would love to delve a bit deeper into this and think a more interesting career for me (in the way way way distant future- it's SUCH a long slog!) would be as an Educational/ Child Psychologist. Which is why Psychology might be the better choice- it does lead me on a very clear career path, and I need that direction in my life.

But secretly, I am kind of leaning towards Natural Sciences, as I just love learning about the world, I have a subscription to New Scientist, the thought of being a 'scientist' is just amazingly exciting to me... haha. If only I was ten years younger or was a millionaire or something, I'd just study everything!

Sorry for the life story- in conclusion, it's a classic heart vs head dilemma :biggrin:


Psychology is such a difficult subject to get into.. You have to get a PhD to even register as a psychologist.

How about neuroanatomy specialising in children education?


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Original post by Lambert87
Psychology is such a difficult subject to get into.. You have to get a PhD to even register as a psychologist.

How about neuroanatomy specialising in children education?


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I've never even heard of such an area of study, actually! Thanks. That's something to look into :smile:

Yeah, I know about having to get a PhD, but it's the kind of PhD that's funded by the NHS and you work as a trainee psychologist (and get a salary) at the same time as gaining your PhD; so although it's very difficult and time consuming, I'd consider it as the start of a career, rather than putting my life/ earnings on hold to just study more, if that makes sense. I don't mind hard work so long as it's taking me somewhere! Hence why I can't go back to a brick university and just study full time :smile:

So much to consider! I feel like I've taken over this thread though, haha. What are you going to do with your science degree? :smile:
Hello everyone. I don't start until February, but it would be handy to know what your first assignments are so I can do some prep work.

What other reading do you recommend prior to starting the course?
Hi everyone I'm starting natural sciences with no idea which pathway I'll be taking yet , but I'm super excited to get going ! If maths was a strong area for me it would have to be the astronomy and planetary sciences route , but unfortunately it is not :redface:

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