I dumped S339, because it was HARD and I didn't need to do it (is that a good enough excuse?!). I seem to be in a no-man's land at the moment. The government is stopping funding for people who already have degrees - ie, they will not subsidise the courses, so that, instead of (say) £350 for a 30-point course, the cost will be around £1000, which is ridiculous. (See Government's response to petition). So I am trying to 'squeeze' in that BA before I move onto the MSc (which will not be affected, fees-wise, as the government hardly subsidises those anyway and they DO cost £1000+ !!) With this in mind, I'm starting A215 (Creative Writing) in September. I need to then, somehow, get in another 10-point course and another 60 point level 3 course, before the new rules hit. That means I need to register for them and registration isn't open yet - grrh!
This page is a mess at the moment - something happened to it, and I'm not sure what. This is the tidiest I have time to make it, for now. But I did pass AT272, Grade 2 - whoo! :)
Another U-turn .... I dumped the archaeology course - not because it wasn't quite interesting, but because I realised I was wasting my time, energy and money on doing an arts degree - my heart just isn't in it. I'm going to do a couple of level 3 Earth science courses, which I missed out when doing the degree. Hopefully these will fill a couple gaps, in time for the MSc. AND, in yet another U-turn, I've decided to do A215 from next September and A300 the following year, so that I can claim my BA and also a Diploma in Literature and Creative Writing! (We'll see!)
4th August 2007 - UPDATE (a bit late!). I am now officially a graduate, having gone through the rigmarole on 12th April at Torquay's Riviera Centre. It was a nervewracking experience, but I'm glad I did it. My 'gap year' lasted precisely 3 months, as I decided to 'go for a BA' in the quickest possible time! If I've worked things out properly, I only need 100 new points to get this degree and I can do these whilst hanging around waiting for the MSc in Earth Systems to materialise (promised for 2009 - but who knows). So, I started AT272 - Ancient and medieval cities: a technological history (10 points), at the beginning of May. It was a terrible course, but I did manage to complete it by the end of July. I'm starting the new World Archaeology course (A251 - 30 points) in September (although I already have the course book, which does a good job of sending me to sleep at night), which will end in February - and then I start AA310, Film & Television History (60 points), which promises to be a hoot!!! That would do it. I think. I can honestly say, that I totally loathe the arts courses, and, in particular, history .....
(so I scrapbook ....)
************
9th February 2007 - Yesterday, I cancelled my A103 registration as I couldn't summon up the enthusiasm or motivation required. I decided I needed a break - so this is my gap year! :)
4th January 2007 - I decided to have a play with the arts! It will be a brief interlude, I think - but I *might* get a BA out of it .... (I really love science).
| 14 December 2006 - passed both SXG390 and S330 (just!), so now have my honours degree! Awaiting confirmation of 2.1 classification. 18 December 2006 - confirmation got! :)   |
I started my first course with the Open University in February 2002; it was something I had always wanted to do - and I've loved every minute of it (barring the revision slogs and S293!) I have already been awarded a Certificate in Natural Sciences and a Bachelor of Science degree (unclassified). As I write this (28 Oct 2006), I'm awaiting the results of SXG390 (pretty confident of a pass) and S330 (pretty confident of a non-pass), which, together would give me a 2:1 honours degree. While waiting, I'm currently studying S194 to complete my Certificate in Contemporary Science. Links to the courses I've taken, over there --**********************************************************************
**********************************************************************At approximately 16:45, Thursday 15th December 2005 (with a full moon!), I learnt that I had passed the course U316, The Environmental Web (with a distinction!) and therefore had attained my goal of a Bachelor of Science degree. WHOOO!!! This is a very SPECIAL feeling - and, in time honoured (even if corny!) tradition, a million thanks, hugs and kisses to all who have supported, helped and believed in me over the last few years!
Now onwards to the honours!
Scientist
1. Wicked, elitist, narrow-minded member of tiny unelected aristocracy which does not share the beliefs of the great majority of people. "How can metaphysical life [New Age] theories and explanations taken seriously by millions be ignored or excluded by a small group of powerful people called 'scientists'?" [Andrew Ross, Strange Weather]
2. A bourgeois, legitimator of capitalist exploitation. "Science is the ultimate legitimator of bourgeois ideology." [Lewontin, Kamin and Rose, Not in our Genes] See Starbucks [a place where scientists drink coffee].
3. A dull, plodding, unimaginative person who only knows how to count things; a bore; a geek, a nerd, a swot, a grind.
(Butterflies and Wheels)
Current Courses
Completed Courses
- SXG390 Geohazards Project
- S330 Oceanography
- U316 The Environmental Web
- S260 Geology
- S269 Earth and Life
- S280 Science Matters
- S292 Explaining the Emergence of Humans
- S293 The Fats of Life
- TT280 Web Application: Design, Development and Management
- S103 Discovering Science
- S151 Maths for Science
- S180 Life in the Oceans: Exploring our Blue Planet
- S182 Studying Mammals
- S186 Volcanoes, Earthquakes and Tsunamis
- S193 Fossils and the History of Life
- S194 Introducing Astronomy
- S198 Exploring Mars
- A174 Start Writing Fiction
- AT272 Ancient and medieval cities: a technological history (awaiting result)
Future Courses
- T189 Digital photography: creating and sharing better images
- A363 Advanced Creative Writing (from Sept 2009) or
- A300 20th Century Literature: texts and debates (from Sept 2009)
- MSc in Earth Science - hopefully, starting Feb 2010
Points
- 390
Awards
- Bachelor of Science (Hons)
- Certificate in Natural Sciences
- Certificate in Contemporary Science
Links
- home
- open university home
- ou student home
- ou library
- sesame
- ousa
- routes
- marxonline
- my del.icio.us
- wikipedia
- firefox
