Postgraduate Diploma in Science and Society

Course Code: E35 Course Level: Postgraduate Subject Area: Science Course Qualification: Diploma This course is available for study in: Globally

What you will learn

This postgraduate diploma is for students who want to explore aspects of science and society at postgraduate level through taught modules. It offers an opportunity to pursue contemporary issues in science communication, science education and public engagement with science. You will experience the innovative teaching methods pioneered by The Open University and develop a wide range of skills associated with postgraduate study.

Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.

Time required and cost

To achieve the Postgraduate Diploma in Science and Society you must successfully gain 120 credits. We expect you to take no more than one module a year, and to complete the programme within seven years. However, if you wish to proceed to the MSc in Science and Society or MSc in Science, you will need to complete this diploma within a shorter period.

For details on module cost please see the table at the bottom of this page. The total cost of the qualification depends on the modules studied. As a guide the total fee for 2012/13 academic year was £4380.

NB: Prices and course details shown below are subject to change.

Career impact

Completing this postgraduate diploma course will equip you with some key transferable skills which will be relevant to current debates about science and society. You will learn to critically evaluate current research in this field of study as well as evaluating a range of research methodologies. You will learn to deal with complex issues and make judgements and decisions in complex and unpredictable situations.

You will learn to communicate information and conclusions to specialist and non-specialist audiences including professional audiences, demonstrate originality in tackling and solving problems and plan and implement tasks at a postgraduate level.

The nature of this qualification will develop your independent learning skills and enhance your skills in searching, filtering and assessing the credibility of information from a range of sources, and communicating with others in both professional and academic contexts.

Key dates

Please see the tables shown at the bottom of this page.

Entry requirements

To study for this postgraduate diploma you must hold a bachelors honours degree in a science or science-related subject from a UK university or other recognised degree-awarding body, or a qualification at equivalent level in science, or other relevant honours degree related to the modules of this qualification. Relevant honours degrees include communications, museum or media studies, science education, or qualifications in the history, philosophy or sociology of science.

You will also need good computing skills, for example you must be able to search the Web, use email, use word processing packages and take part in online forums.

You will also need to be proficient in English, to an IELTS standard of 7.0. If you are unsure you will be able to take a free English test as part of the registration process.

Classification of course

On successful completion of the required modules you can be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Science and Society, entitling you to use the letters PG Dip Sci Soc (Open) after your name.

You may continue your studies and add a further 60 credits to your diploma to gain the MSc Science and Society or MSc in Science.

Credits

For information on Credits, click here.

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the following regulations:

• Student Regulations
• Module Regulations
• General Qualification Regulations
• Postgraduate Diploma in Science and Society.