S103 Discovering Science Diary



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2nd February

Received my TMA01 back from Clare, with some nice comments and a 92% mark. Of course I'm happy with that - but it's quite meaningless really as the TMA's only real intention was for our tutors to test areas where we might be lacking.

8th January 2003

Sent off TMA01 to Clare Smith.

2nd December 2002

On Saturday (30th Nov), I sat and read through the entirety of the Block 1 book! (Mainly as I had a hangover and was unfit for more strenuous or more brainstretching exercises). It was all pretty straightforward as was expected from an induction book. A lot of it was interesting though, including the sweat mechanisms and the puzzler of how many times you could halve a raindrop and still be able to recognise it as water (67 times; 68 times and it's no longer water). I have done most of the (practise) TMA01, but it cannot be sent until (a) we know who our tutor is and (b) yet.

s1031.jpg - 11169 BytesWater for Life - Block 1 contents

Life in the desert?
Bones in the desert
People don't live in deserts
How much water do we use?
Saving water
Water for life

Water in living organisms

Water - the vital ingredient
How much water?
Camels and cacti
Properties of water
Water, ice and water vapour
Why does ice float?
Sweating to keep cool
Dissolving
The water cycle

Communicating Science

Water, society and the environment
'Water, water, everywhere ...'
The need for water
'Sweet Thames run softly ... '
A world where water is scarce

Afterword
The activities of scientists
The responisibilities of scientists

26th November 2002

It appears that I am one, of an exclusive little club, who do not, as yet, have entry to the S103 conferences (ie our logos aren't on our desktops!). So, what are we missing?

I am not so panicked about things now. I've given a cursory glance through Block 1 and it's all very straightforward. I've also (roughly) done the vast majority of TMA01, which is mainly sums of a manageable nature. Still left to do; a short summary on human sweating.

20th November 2002

Despite that it still says that course materials have not yet been despatched on the despatch portal, they most certainly have as I received mine this morning! Usually I would be excited on receiving a load of OU materials, but I was far from that this morning. I was so "organised" with the fossils and maths - and now I'm not! I ranted to the conference that they *really* should make it obvious on the course description page that the course *really* starts in November! It's scary; the fact that the first TMA must be in by 31st January, when I already have 2 course assignments to be in by that date!!

So, what was in the box? Course books 1-3; course workthingies 1-3; loads of stuff on computers and TV programmes; a glossary; a poster (of the earth); 3 TMAs and 3 of those forms that go with them; a whacking great file (that I've filed away); 2 CD-ROMS; 1 video. Too much! Agh!!

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the sitting room floor this morning


Course Materials Despatch



2nd November 2002

Eek!! The first lot of course materials were due to be sent out on 18th October (still not despatched) - so we ARE expected to do a bit of work on this! Actually, the first TMA (no marks) is due by the end of January! It would've been nice to have been informed of this on the course description page ...... Anyway, I've cancelled Tina's offer of the book, in the hope that I'll get my own copy(ies) very soon.

31st October 2002

I'm getting a little bit worried about the workload of this course and, after reading the students' course comments on the OUSA pages I decided to take Tina (S260 fellow student) up on her offer and have asked her if she would kindly send me her spare copy of the Block 1 course book, so that I can take a look and get a feel! Although the course doesn't start until 1st February, the FC conference opens as early as 21st November - so perhaps they *do* expect you to really get a move on! Worrying with the 2 short courses I'm doing!

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