S111 Questions in science
Introduction to S111
This item contains selected online content. It is for use alongside, not as a replacement for the module website,
which is the primary study format and contains activities and resources that cannot be replicated in the printed
versions.
Unless otherwise stated, copyright © 2016, 2023, 2024 The Open University, all rights reserved.
Contents
1 Welcome to S111 3
2 Where to start 5
2.1 Questions, questions and yet more questions 5
2.2 StudentHome 6
2.3 Study Home 7
2.4 The S111 module website 7
3 Support while you study 9
3.1 Your tutor 9
3.2 Your Student Support Team 9
3.3 Tutorials 10
3.4 Forums 11
3.5 Library services 13
3.6 Computing support 14
4 Studying S111 15
4.1 Getting ready for online study 15
4.2 Setting up your computer 16
4.3 Are you ready to study using a computer? 18
4.4 Organising your study time 18
4.5 Planning your study time 19
4.6 Learning outcomes 21
4.7 S111 Topics and skills 22
5 Assessment in S111 24
5.1 TMAs and emTMA 25
5.2 iCMAs 28
6 Skills developed in S111 29
, 21/10/24
6.1 Techniques for reading online material 29
6.2 Notetaking skills 30
6.3 Developing academic writing 31
6.4 Maths skills 32
6.5 Practical skills 35
6.6 Collaborative skills 36
6.7 Personal development planning (PDP), Employability and 37
FutureYOU
7 Accessibility 43
8 Contributors 44
Unless otherwise stated, copyright © 2016, 2023, 2024 The Open University, all rights reserved. 2 of 46
,1 Welcome to S111 21/10/24
1 Welcome to S111
Welcome to S111 Questions in science and, if this is the first module you have studied
with The Open University, welcome to the University!
Questions in science is an introduction to science, based on asking questions. Scientists
have enquiring minds and ask questions all the time. Albert Einstein, one of the most
famous scientists ever, wrote rather humbly in a letter to a colleague, in 1952:
I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.
Albert Einstein (1879–1955)
This quote is apt for this module as you do not need any special talents to study S111.
Although you will need some maths and computing skills, the main requirements are time,
curiosity and a keen interest to learn and discover more about science.
The module is designed around a series of 11 questions that form the title and subject of
11 topics, starting with ‘Can you make a hole in water?’ As you work your way through the
topics you will:
● learn scientific principles and concepts
● learn and practise skills that will help with your study
● undertake practical work in all of the scientific disciplines covered in S111:
○ astronomy and planetary science
○ biology
○ chemistry
○ Earth and environmental sciences
○ physics
● learn how the sciences can be brought together to look at the world in an
interdisciplinary way
● develop your ability to formulate your own answers to topic questions.
S111 is written as an online module, with hands-on practical experiments, and we hope
that as you study this module you will appreciate the opportunities it offers in terms of
multimedia and interactivity. We have really enjoyed putting this module together and
hope that you enjoy studying it, but before you go any further it is important to check that
you really are ready to study S111.
Activity 1 Am I ready to study S111?
You should allow about 1 hour for this activity.
Before you start, we would like you to consider carefully how prepared you are for
studying S111. We don’t just mean whether you have the digital or maths skills
needed to get started, but also whether you have the time.
You may have already accessed OU induction resources to help introduce you to
OU study, but please complete the Are you ready to study S111? quiz. Even if you
did this before registering, your answers may change if you have accessed OU
resources.
After completing the quiz, come back and answer one further question (note that
this question is for your personal use and reflection only):
Unless otherwise stated, copyright © 2016, 2023, 2024 The Open University, all rights reserved. 3 of 46
, 1 Welcome to S111 21/10/24
Interactive content is not available in this format.
Unless otherwise stated, copyright © 2016, 2023, 2024 The Open University, all rights reserved. 4 of 46
Introduction to S111
This item contains selected online content. It is for use alongside, not as a replacement for the module website,
which is the primary study format and contains activities and resources that cannot be replicated in the printed
versions.
Unless otherwise stated, copyright © 2016, 2023, 2024 The Open University, all rights reserved.
Contents
1 Welcome to S111 3
2 Where to start 5
2.1 Questions, questions and yet more questions 5
2.2 StudentHome 6
2.3 Study Home 7
2.4 The S111 module website 7
3 Support while you study 9
3.1 Your tutor 9
3.2 Your Student Support Team 9
3.3 Tutorials 10
3.4 Forums 11
3.5 Library services 13
3.6 Computing support 14
4 Studying S111 15
4.1 Getting ready for online study 15
4.2 Setting up your computer 16
4.3 Are you ready to study using a computer? 18
4.4 Organising your study time 18
4.5 Planning your study time 19
4.6 Learning outcomes 21
4.7 S111 Topics and skills 22
5 Assessment in S111 24
5.1 TMAs and emTMA 25
5.2 iCMAs 28
6 Skills developed in S111 29
, 21/10/24
6.1 Techniques for reading online material 29
6.2 Notetaking skills 30
6.3 Developing academic writing 31
6.4 Maths skills 32
6.5 Practical skills 35
6.6 Collaborative skills 36
6.7 Personal development planning (PDP), Employability and 37
FutureYOU
7 Accessibility 43
8 Contributors 44
Unless otherwise stated, copyright © 2016, 2023, 2024 The Open University, all rights reserved. 2 of 46
,1 Welcome to S111 21/10/24
1 Welcome to S111
Welcome to S111 Questions in science and, if this is the first module you have studied
with The Open University, welcome to the University!
Questions in science is an introduction to science, based on asking questions. Scientists
have enquiring minds and ask questions all the time. Albert Einstein, one of the most
famous scientists ever, wrote rather humbly in a letter to a colleague, in 1952:
I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.
Albert Einstein (1879–1955)
This quote is apt for this module as you do not need any special talents to study S111.
Although you will need some maths and computing skills, the main requirements are time,
curiosity and a keen interest to learn and discover more about science.
The module is designed around a series of 11 questions that form the title and subject of
11 topics, starting with ‘Can you make a hole in water?’ As you work your way through the
topics you will:
● learn scientific principles and concepts
● learn and practise skills that will help with your study
● undertake practical work in all of the scientific disciplines covered in S111:
○ astronomy and planetary science
○ biology
○ chemistry
○ Earth and environmental sciences
○ physics
● learn how the sciences can be brought together to look at the world in an
interdisciplinary way
● develop your ability to formulate your own answers to topic questions.
S111 is written as an online module, with hands-on practical experiments, and we hope
that as you study this module you will appreciate the opportunities it offers in terms of
multimedia and interactivity. We have really enjoyed putting this module together and
hope that you enjoy studying it, but before you go any further it is important to check that
you really are ready to study S111.
Activity 1 Am I ready to study S111?
You should allow about 1 hour for this activity.
Before you start, we would like you to consider carefully how prepared you are for
studying S111. We don’t just mean whether you have the digital or maths skills
needed to get started, but also whether you have the time.
You may have already accessed OU induction resources to help introduce you to
OU study, but please complete the Are you ready to study S111? quiz. Even if you
did this before registering, your answers may change if you have accessed OU
resources.
After completing the quiz, come back and answer one further question (note that
this question is for your personal use and reflection only):
Unless otherwise stated, copyright © 2016, 2023, 2024 The Open University, all rights reserved. 3 of 46
, 1 Welcome to S111 21/10/24
Interactive content is not available in this format.
Unless otherwise stated, copyright © 2016, 2023, 2024 The Open University, all rights reserved. 4 of 46
