Expand+This Autumn Trimester there will be two ‘start times’ for students:

1st September: Continuing Open Learning students

14th September: New students and those who are waiting to hear from the CAO before deciding whether to pursue Open Learnin...

Hide-This Autumn Trimester there will be two ‘start times’ for students:

1st September: Continuing Open Learning students

14th September: New students and those who are waiting to hear from the CAO before deciding whether to pursue Open Learning for 2020.

When will my classes begin?

This depends on the modules you choose, but in general classes start towards the end of September (view key dates at https://www.ucd.ie/students/keydates.htm ).

If you are attending Level 2 modules, Autumn Trimester starts on 21st September.

If you are attending Level 1 modules, Autumn Trimester will start on 28th September.

Your individual timetable will be available on your online student account (SISWeb). Depending on the modules you select, your classes may be a mixture of online and face-to-face delivery

Expand+Pre-registration for September 2020 entry will open on August 18th. Please join our mailing list for updates.

Complete an online pre-registration form
Accept your Open Learning offer. It will usually take one working day to receive your offer, w...

Hide-Pre-registration for September 2020 entry will open on August 18th. Please join our mailing list for updates.

Complete an online pre-registration form
Accept your Open Learning offer. It will usually take one working day to receive your offer, which will arrive via email. You can also check if you’ve received your offer by going back into your application.

What do I do once I am pre-registered and how do I select my modules?

After accepting your offer, you’ll be emailed with a ‘start time’. This is when you'll be able to go onto your UCD student account (SISWeb), to select and register for your modules, agree to UCD’s terms and conditions and to confirm your contact details.

Please keep in mind that Open Learning module offerings and details are subject to change and are available on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Expand+Scholarship and Financial Support

You may be eligible to apply for a PATH Open Learning Scholarship. Further information and eligibility criteria are outlined on the PATH Open Learning Scholarship webpage.
https://www.ucd.ie/all/cometoucd/applyin...

Hide-Scholarship and Financial Support

You may be eligible to apply for a PATH Open Learning Scholarship. Further information and eligibility criteria are outlined on the PATH Open Learning Scholarship webpage.
https://www.ucd.ie/all/cometoucd/applying/openlearning/openlearningscholarship/

Alternatively, support may also be available to you through the Sanctuary Programme or the Part-Time Student Support Fund.
https://www.ucd.ie/all/cometoucd/financialsupport/scholarships/sanctuaryprogramme/
https://www.ucd.ie/all/cometoucd/financialsupport/studentassistancefund/

Expand+GEOL10040 Earth, Environment and Society
Academic Year 2020/2021

Planet Earth is a complex interconnected system in which human activities can have disproportionate and unintended impacts. The effect of human activities on the `health' of our pla...

Hide-GEOL10040 Earth, Environment and Society
Academic Year 2020/2021

Planet Earth is a complex interconnected system in which human activities can have disproportionate and unintended impacts. The effect of human activities on the `health' of our planet is now a major concern globally, not only to scientists, but also to economists, policymakers and governments. This open elective module explores the causes and consequences of human induced changes and how they interact with Earth's natural processes. Key topics include climate change and geohazards, the carbon economy, the global energy landscape, the role of sustainable and renewable energy, as well as the provision of metal, non-metal and water resources for a rapidly expanding human population in the 21st century. The module also deals with possible approaches for the mitigation of climate change and environmental degradation, the effects of societal decisions on greenhouse gas emissions and the possible role of geo-engineered solutions. The concept of sustainable development and the near and long-term future of Planet Earth are also discussed. This module complements GEOL10050 Earth and Humanity. GEOL10040 focusses on how humans affect the environment, whereas GEOL10050 deals with how the Earth has affected and continues to influence humanity.

What will I learn?
Learning Outcomes:
The overall goal of this open elective module is to provide undergraduate students from across the University with a sound knowledge of Earth systems so that they can make rational judgements about the problems surrounding climate change, environmental degradation and possible solutions. Students will learn about the interconnected nature of Earth's systems and the strong coupling that exists between the solid Earth and its hydrosphere, biosphere and atmosphere, using climate change as an example. Students will also learn to quantitatively assess the nature of risk, comparing natural (geohazard) risks with those associated with human behaviour. The module will provide students with a global view of important issues that impact on Earth's environment ranging from energy usage to societal attitudes surrounding the use and recycling of Earth's resources.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The module is delivered via 22 lectures (2 per week over 11 weeks). The lecture content is supplemented by 12 weekly online student-directed online learning exercise, released weekly, in which information is presented as text, graphics, videos and web links.

The purpose of the weekly online material is two-fold. First it provides more detailed explorations of selected topics and case studies that help to deepen the student's knowledge within selected topics, linked to the weekly lectures. Second, it provides student feedback via weekly quizes in which the student is advised about the reasons that particular quiz responses are correct or incorrect.

The module is assessed using a mid-term (week 4) and an end of semester MCQ exam accounting for 35% and 65% of the marks respectively.

Expand+Accumulating Open Learning Credits
Open Learners who successfully complete a credit module will be awarded 5 credits.

5 credits can be used by mature students (23 years and older) in place of the MSAP exam when applying for a place on relevant un...

Hide-Accumulating Open Learning Credits
Open Learners who successfully complete a credit module will be awarded 5 credits.

5 credits can be used by mature students (23 years and older) in place of the MSAP exam when applying for a place on relevant undergraduate degree programmes at UCD through the Mature Years Entry Pathway.

30 credits (6 modules) can be used to obtain an NFQ Level 7 Certificate in Open Learning, which can then be used for entry to selected UCD undergraduate degree programmes.

60 credits (12 modules) can be used to obtain a Diploma in Open Learning.

Open Learners who successfully complete 30 credits (6 modules) will be awarded an NFQ Level 7 Certificate in Open Learning and can progress to the following degree programmes:

Pathway to Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences and Law
An Open Learning Certificate can be used to apply through the CAO for progression onto one of the following undergraduate degree programmes at UCD, provided that you achieve a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.6 or higher:

BA Arts (DN520)
BA Humanities (DN530)
BSc Social Sciences (DN700) *
BSocSc Social Policy & Sociology (DN750)
BCL Law (DN600) **
* Please note that an Open Learning Certificate does not currently offer progression onto BSc Psychology (DN720), but may be an option through the MSAP alternative (see below).

** (For entry to Law you must also be at least 23 on 1 January prior to entry, and your Certificate must include at least 20 credits of modules from the School of Law. There is a limit of 5 places for Open Learners progressing onto DN600 each year)

Pathway to Science
This is a pilot progression pathway and places are limited. If you are interested in joining this pathway, please email jennifer.doyle@ucd.ie to register your interest. Students on this pathway must achieve a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.08, pass 6 modules and complete the required maths module MATH00010. Offer an entry pathway to:

BSc Science (DN200)***
BSc Computer Science (DN201)***
*** These are pilot progression routes and places are limited

MSAP Alternative
If you are a mature student (23+) and intend to apply to UCD on the basis of the Mature Years Entry Pathway, you can choose to take any Open Learning module for credit instead of taking the MSAP exam. For more information on the Mature Years Entry Pathway to various undergraduate degree programmes at UCD, please see the dedicated UCD Registry webpage.

Expand+We have a dedicated team who support the Open Learning programme:

Jenny - jennifer.doyle@ucd.ie
Dr Jenny Doyle is Project Manager in UCD Access and Lifelong Learning. Jenny can offer you direction and support in all aspects of our part-time progr...

Hide-We have a dedicated team who support the Open Learning programme:

Jenny - jennifer.doyle@ucd.ie
Dr Jenny Doyle is Project Manager in UCD Access and Lifelong Learning. Jenny can offer you direction and support in all aspects of our part-time programme. She supports Open Learning students from pre-entry to when you exit with your degree offer. If you’re interested in progressing to a degree programme, please get in touch with Jenny.

Colin - colin.smith1@ucd.ie
Colin provides administrative support for the Open Learning programme and can assist you with any difficulties you might encounter while applying to the programme or while registering for modules.
Gillian, Emily, Irina and Paolo are members of our Operations Team and they can also help you with your queries. Get in touch with us by emailing all@ucd.ie

To stay fully up to date about our Open Learning programme you can join our mailing list.
https://www.ucd.ie/all/news/mailinglist/

You can also view a list of our Frequently Asked Questions for answers to most questions.
https://www.ucd.ie/all/cometoucd/applying/openlearning/openlearningfaq/