10 September 2007
Sheffield offers new route to science degrees
Students at the University of Sheffield are to be offered an exciting new route to a science degree, thanks to a special collaboration with the Open University (OU).
Under the new "2+2" scheme, which aims to increase opportunities and attract more students into science, students can now gain a Chemistry or Physics degree by studying for two years part-time with the OU, followed by two years full-time with the University of Sheffield.
The University of Sheffield is one of six universities working with the OU to offer this alternative way of gaining an honours degree. The scheme aims to encourage more people into Chemistry and Physics, which the Government has identified as strategically important.
Students will be able to start the scheme by joining the OU with no formal qualifications. Progression to the University of Sheffield is then conditional upon successful completion of their OU studies.
During their OU study students will maintain the link with the University of Sheffield by attending events in the department and by meeting regularly with their tutor.
After students have successfully completed their OU study, they will join other Chemistry and Physics students at the University of Sheffield and successful students will go on to gain a BSc Hons Chemistry or Physics degree.
Professor Paul White, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Teaching and Learning at the University of Sheffield, said: "This scheme is a great opportunity for students to gain a University of Sheffield degree without immediate commitment to full-time study. It may particularly suit those people already working in laboratory or analytical jobs, whose career progression would be enhanced by having a degree."
Dr Hazel Rymer, Associate Dean of Science at the OU, said: "Students who join the scheme will begin by studying at home with support from OU tutors and this means students can study when and where it suits them. We expect many students will be in full-time or part-time work while they study with the OU."
"This is an exciting new way to get a Physics or Chemistry degree. The flexibility of study, together with the excellent courses offered by the OU and its partner universities, represents an excellent opportunity to offer the considerable benefits of an education in the physical sciences to a broader range of students."
Anyone interested in taking part in the scheme should contact Dr Simon Jones, Chemistry Admissions tutor at the University of Sheffield, on 0114 222 9500 or email Simon.Jones@sheffield.ac.uk, or Dr Lee Thompson, Physics admissions tutor at the University of Sheffield, on 0114 2224577 or email l.thompson@sheffield.ac.uk
Notes for Editors: The Royal Society of Chemistry and the Institute of Physics are both backing the scheme.
For further information please contact: Jenny Wilson, Media Relations Officer on 0114 2225339 or email j.c.wilson@sheffield.ac.uk
« Return to news releases
|
