[shakeydude]

Hi,

There seems to be a lot of conversation on OU at the moment and looking back on the archieves people have studied Maths or Stats with the OU. I was wondering if anyone has experience of how they found the course and more specifically was it worth it for a career perspective. I am considering starting but I doubt that the course will kick start a career as an acturary.

Failing that is there any other recommended distance learning maths/stats course??

Cheers,

Shakeydude

[theboytaylor]

Half thinking of getting involved with this myself, would be great to hear other people's experiences.

I think you can kind of take one course at a time and dip your toe in the water so to speak and eventually build up to a masters getting certs and diplomas as you go, which might be a good way to go, considering the uncertainty.

[npc_100]

If you are interested in becomming an actuary, you should look at the faculty of actuaries website. The cost of the courses would probably work out the same (or cheaper) then the OU over a number of years. The maths is no more difficult then what you would do with the OU, the exams are tricky due to the volume of material required for exam exam. they are piloting a scheme in the UK (not sure if it is available here), that allows non-members do the first financial maths paper, might be worth looking into.

[shakeydude]

thanks for bringing this thread back up npc 100, I had forgotten that I had submitted it.

I am looking to do some maths course part time and if it could push on to actuary in years to come how bad but I just want something to test myself in the evenings rather than spending my time on boards.

I am an engineer so I have a good maths basis behind me but OU seems to be the best option for doing a maths and/or stats degree by distance learning. Surely someone else has done something similare on boards....

[rainbowtrout]

Originally Posted by shakeydude

thanks for bringing this thread back up npc 100, I had forgotten that I had submitted it.

I am looking to do some maths course part time and if it could push on to actuary in years to come how bad but I just want something to test myself in the evenings rather than spending my time on boards.

I am an engineer so I have a good maths basis behind me but OU seems to be the best option for doing a maths and/or stats degree by distance learning. Surely someone else has done something similare on boards....

I'm doing the Maths and Stats degree with OU and the moment and I find them great. I did three modules over the last 18 months and i'm doing another 3 starting in February. I find the materials really well laid out and the tutorials are really good. I'm hoping to finish the degree in 3 years.

[shakeydude]

Rainbow Trout,

Thanks for the reply.

The maths/stats degree is what I am looking at and the responses all seem to be positive from the OU website. I wouldnt be able to start in January because I am doing another course unfortunately.

How do find the course time wise? How much does each module work out to be?

Do you hope to get a job from your degree or are you just on a quest for knowledge?

Shakeydude

[rainbowtrout]

most modules run from february - october with a few running from october - june. the first module that you would have to do has 2 starts one in october and one in february, i recommend starting that one next october and then sign up for the follow on in february. modules are done at level 1, 2 and 3 which is basically equivalent to first, second and third year of a regular college. you can see the complete list of modules and compulsory/elective modules here.

http://www3.open.ac.uk/courses/bin/p12.dll?Q01B36

you have to gain 360 credits for the degree, 300 of these must be from the courses listed including the compulsory ones and 60 remaining credits can be either more maths or anything you want. if you already have a degree you can use it for free credit transfer to make up the last 60 credits (and save a bit of money)

modules are either 30 or 60 credits - most in maths are 30. OU recommends 8 hours per week on the 30 credit modules and 16 on the 60 credit modules. it really depends on your own ability and experience. The first maths module is about equivalent to leaving cert higher level maths so although i started the course in october, they sent out the materials in august and i had it finished by christmas which left me more time for the modules i was starting in february. the ones i'm doing this year are going to be more time consuming.

i already have a science degree and I'm a teacher so i'm not finding the maths so far too difficult and of course i've a lot of time in the summer to work at it, but there are plenty doing it with regular 9 to 5 jobs that don't have as much time off. I was always interested in maths but never got to study it and i picked the maths and stats over their other maths degrees because it doesn't have a summer school (available in UK only, so involves travelling) and it's recognised here for teaching purposes.

cost - £755 per 30 credit module, so it is expensive, but that includes everything. as sterling is weakening at the moment my fees for next year are going to work out a lot cheaper than last year. at today's exchange rates a 30 credit module is working out around €810.

PM if you want any more information.

[coup1917]

Hey all,

I'm looking to start my next OU module in the next month hopefully and would really appreciate some advice or direction with my choice of course.
Basically my course history to date is:
M150 Data, Computing & Information
T175 Networked Living Information & Communication Technologies--Both Level 1s completed for a Cert in Computing & IT.

Have just completed a Level 3 T320 Ebusiness Technologies by the skin of my teeth so I'm just wondering if anyone has completed similar modules and what qualifications they are aiming for..?
My initial thoughts were to just go for a Diploma in IT, but have faced up to the fact I need a degree..
Would anyone advise specialising in a certain subject area, am considering working towards a BSc or BA open so I could vary my course modules but am not convinced on any option yet..
Any help would be greatly appreciated ( while there is currently good value on sterling...!!)..

[mimmi]

I think you need a clear idea of what blend of knowledge you want to derive from your OU study. You did a Level 3 course after Level 1 !!!! Most IT jobs apart from tech support are about applying IT solutions to business. Personally I would blend IT and Business studies modules. So look at Level 2 courses in both these areas, and keep away from Level 3 for now.

Oh, I agree getting a Level 8 degree is where it's at these days, I dont think a Diploma will be enough in the present job market.

[coup1917]

Originally Posted by mimmi

I think you need a clear idea of what blend of knowledge you want to derive from your OU study. You did a Level 3 course after Level 1 !!!! Most IT jobs apart from tech support are about applying IT solutions to business. Personally I would blend IT and Business studies modules. So look at Level 2 courses in both these areas, and keep away from Level 3 for now.

Oh, I agree getting a Level 8 degree is where it's at these days, I dont think a Diploma will be enough in the present job market.

Ya I'm definetly heading back to a Level 2 course for now, although I'm glad I got a Level 3 done. It was a first time presentation and was compressed from May to October as a trial.......it was a bit rushed on certain areas including time available for study but overall worthwhile.

I do have an interest in studying some business modules alright, so might blend these with some science/engineering subjects...One at a time for now anyway...

[the46gang]

Hi Rainbow,

I am planning on doing OU maths in order to become a maths teacher.
however i could just do pure maths via the OU or go for a mix as you did Math/Stats.

Option 2 would seems a bit easier as stats I believe is abit easier than going down the pure maths route.

why did you do the mix of stats and maths? why not pure maths?
And how are you finding the course?
Are you doing the degree in order to teach maths in post primary?

Thanks,
the46gang

[rainbowtrout]

Originally Posted by the46gang

Hi Rainbow,

I am planning on doing OU maths in order to become a maths teacher.
however i could just do pure maths via the OU or go for a mix as you did Math/Stats.

Option 2 would seems a bit easier as stats I believe is abit easier than going down the pure maths route.

why did you do the mix of stats and maths? why not pure maths?
And how are you finding the course?
Are you doing the degree in order to teach maths in post primary?

Thanks,
the46gang

Hey,

you're right on choosing option 2 for a few reasons. From what I've seen so far stats is not as difficult or time consuming. I could be eating my words next year when i do the Level 3 courses. The follow on from the Level 2 stats courses is Probability type courses which is a topic I've always liked, so it suits me on that count.

Also I mentioned in the previous post that there is a compulsory summer school in the Mathematics Degree. It's a one week course that takes place in June/July. It's not a requirement in the Maths and Stats degree. While I would have no problem doing it, it is expensive and I correct Leaving Cert exams in the summer to pay my college fees. So I would lose out on the double if I gave up corrections for the summer to go to the summer school. That's really the main reason.

I wouldn't mind teaching maths in second level, I already have a permanent job teaching science and computers so it fits in with those subjects. My principal is aware that I'm doing the course so he may give me maths classes in the future, but I'm not doing it so I'll get classes. I always wanted to study maths, that was the main reason. I picked a course that would be recognised for teaching, because if I am going to pay for it, it might as well be useful and it does give me more options for the future.


I'm enjoying the course. I've just started three new modules. The stats one is handy enough so far, I'm flying through that, there is a really interesting module called graphs, networks and design, which is a lot about logic so far and the last one is called optimization, it's fairly labour intensive on calculations but is fine. I'll just have to keep on top of them!

[motherfunker]

I am about to finish a level 7 engineering degree this june and I want to bring it to a level 8 degree through the Open University. How many modules would I have to complete with the OU to gain a recognised level 8 degree?

[BuffyBot]

It may vary on which OU qualification you're planning to go for, and what credit they give for your previous qualification.

Try asking them - the staff are generally pretty good an answering queries. You can talk to the Credit Transfer department by going here http://www3.open.ac.uk/credit-transfer/contact.shtm.

[mimmi]

If you are happy with a BSc Hons Open (this is L8 on HETAC framework), you'll need 120 pts at Level 3 - choose what you like subject wise but I guess you'll stay with topics/areas relevant to engineering.

The B.Eng requires a few more compulsory bits and bobs but 'You can apply to transfer a maximum of 210 points of relevant study towards the BEng (Hons).'

http://www3.open.ac.uk/courses/bin/p12.dll?Q01B24

also see:-

http://engineering.open.ac.uk/