Anyone doing Environmental Studies, Science or similar with OU or a normal Uni?

[lunavix]

I've been looking at Environmental Studies with OU but I think I'd prefer something hands on? Not sure if I can make the commitment to a 'proper' Uni, but if it was the right course...

Just wondering if anyone is doing something similar and how they're finding it?

My dh did environmental science degree and masters donkeys years ago in Uni. Don't know if that would help - but I could ask him some questions if you like?

What does he do now out of interest? Does he use it?

Nope never used it unfortunately - couldn't get a job in the field. He was really really passionate about it back then (14 years ago) but no interest now. He works for veterinary science, dept of agriculture. Loves the lab work but I feel (not sure he does) that he is wasted. Sorry not trying to paint negative picture! If he had gone for Phd he probably would have got a job in field but he found nothing available back then - probably has changed now?

hmm lol

just wondering if it took anyone anywhere interesting!

bump for anyone else!

There are residential parts to some courses and depending on the course you might gets kits to go out and get hands on yourself.

For example the Discovering Science course has an associated residential course and you get rock samples etc. Other courses have experiment kits.

I tooks an environmental policy degree at Cheltenham, I really loved it, worked in the voluntary sector for a couple of years then went off to teach English. I'm doing a part time PGCE now so although Iloved it I can really say it led me into any jobs. Mind you my three year old does tell people off if they don't recycle so it is doing some good.

am doing science with OU, I really want to do biochemistry but its not offered so am wavering between chemistry and biology

When you say hands on - how do you mean? OU science degrees pretty much all have around 3-4 compulsory residentials-you can do more if you wish! - and I know the chemistry degee I am leaning toward has a compulsory project module.

Its very much-cram in the theory and then use it in practice, really.

Oh and you WILL have lots of experiments. You are sent kits. (they are, thus far, all safe around kids!). You also have tutorials, at which experiements are often done.

Teaching with the OU is utterly top notch.

I have a "regular" degree from Edinburgh. The OU is far and away better. I know way, way more, largely because of the really excellent presentation but also because they are very good at getting you to self motivate

go for it!

(ps I am conviced that you are a knitter in spirit)

oh i am thinking, partly on tamum's advice, that i will need to do a MA to get a job, mainly to get the actual lab experience though

oh yes discovering science is GREAT

you have one experiment a month

learnt how much i HATE geology, also

just wondering if it took anyone anywhere interesting!
yes - campaigning with others for all sorts of things. starting a farmers' market. writing for magazines. being the editor of an alternative magazine.
all of which brought me virtually no money 'though

If I'd had the chance, I'd had decided what I wanted to do (water management or town planning) then done in a degree in that subject because I can honestly say that doing a BSC Geography didn't help me get a related job. I did use it quite a bit in the end (working for DEFRA) but not in the areas I'd have liked. So if you know what you want to do in the long run, it's be easier than doing a more general degree then having to do a masters later on (if time is limited with kids for example).
As it is I'm now hopefully going to do a GTP so perhaps I should have done a degree in education!!!

I did Georgraphy for my first degree and ised it - Geog teacher!! Not very hands on except on firld trips (measuring lichen sizes to estimate glacial retreat in Iceland anyone) but I loved it at the time.

Now back at college updating MA in Geog with BA n Theology - how times change!

I've been doing a distance learning course in Environmental Studies with Exeter, but unfortunately it's closing down, and I'm only going to get to certificate level. I too had been wondering about the OU, but am not sure it offers the courses I want to do. I know several people studying at Birkbeck, but their workload seems very heavy indeed - I really can't spare two to three evenings a week plus occasional weekends.

Fillyjonk, I was very interested in what you said about the experiments in kits, having previously shared lunavix's view that it didn't look very hands-on. I still wonder whether the fluffiness might overwhelm me (you mentioned having to write about your feelings towards mathematics on an earlier thread iirc - are they now allowing you to be a rational analytical being?)