Open University Finally Decided but need a bit more advice :)

OUStudent

Hello all

OK after much deliberation I have finally decided on my initial modules these are to be:

M150 Data, Computing and Information
&
T175 Networked Living

both of these are 30 point modules.

I want to do 1 other module as well in mathematics this is where I cannot decide what to do

Now when I was at school I was excellent in Maths but time has passed and although I still class myself as being able I am a little nervous about making the right module choice, the last thing I want to be doing is failing modules.............

I have 3 options I can do a open starter module Y162 Introductory to mathematics which as far as I know is only a 10 point module, although this should "brush up" my maths knowledge in order to stay on course in gaining the BSC Hons degree I would in another year have to do 120 points instead of the 90 per year I had planned which at level 2 or 3 could well be a bit of a tall order.

My other 2 options are MU123 Discovering Mathematics or MST121 Using Mathematics, both of these modules are 30 points so if I were to do one of these I would stay on track for 90 points per year, after completing the online tests on the maths website I did well for both these module scoring an average of around 90% however it was a challenge and I had to re-read the questions a good few time before it all "sank" in, quite complex algebra which of course will get more and more complex, so I am looking for a bit of advice from anyone who has taken these courses.

I am concerned that the course may just set questions and assignments assuming I have the knowledge needed to answer correctly, this may be wrong but I am finding it quite difficult to find out, for example does the course have "refresher" exercises where it explains things before it ask the questions? Am I over thinking the whole thing? Should I just go for it bearing in mind I will have the backup of tutor, online course forum and of course good old Google?

I am a self taught techie geek so am not expecting the 2 level 1 computing courses to be that much of a challenge this would then leave me with "extra" time to concentrate on one of the 30 point maths ones, as said though the last thing I want to do is start failing modules.

What do you think? How did you find these maths courses? Out of the 2 30 point ones which one would you recommend?

I really need to make decision quickly as I dont want to send the finance forms in until I have registered for all the courses I wish to take, I am registered on the 2 computing ones I just need to make the final decision on the maths module.

As always thanks on advance for taking the time to reply I appreciate it

amiehall

I would definitely not recommend Y162 to you. If you were reasonable at maths when you were at school, even if that was a while ago, you'll be fine to start with MU123 or MST121.

Which of these courses is hard to judge. I'm on MST121 at the moment. I do have a fairly recent Maths A Level but a lot of people on the course haven't studied maths in a long time. There is a big revision pack that arrives well before the start of the course where you can brush up on what you're expected to know before you start.

If it were me personally, I might be tempted to enrol for this one. There are two assignments at the start of the course where the marks don't count towards your score and if you find these too hard, there's the option at that point to move onto MU123 or your tutor can recommend that to you at this point.

I'm not sure what else to add as I'm afraid I haven't taken MU123. People on my course at the moment did find it a good preparation. It just depends what level your maths is at to start with. I think if you're just a bit rusty, you should try out the MST121 revision pack and move over at that stage if you can't manage it.

OUStudent

amiehall wrote: »

I would definitely not recommend Y162 to you. If you were reasonable at maths when you were at school, even if that was a while ago, you'll be fine to start with MU123 or MST121.

Which of these courses is hard to judge. I'm on MST121 at the moment. I do have a fairly recent Maths A Level but a lot of people on the course haven't studied maths in a long time. There is a big revision pack that arrives well before the start of the course where you can brush up on what you're expected to know before you start.

If it were me personally, I might be tempted to enrol for this one. There are two assignments at the start of the course where the marks don't count towards your score and if you find these too hard, there's the option at that point to move onto MU123 or your tutor can recommend that to you at this point.

I'm not sure what else to add as I'm afraid I haven't taken MU123. People on my course at the moment did find it a good preparation. It just depends what level your maths is at to start with. I think if you're just a bit rusty, you should try out the MST121 revision pack and move over at that stage if you can't manage it.

Thanks for taking the time to reply I really appreciate it

That is just the kind of insight I was looking for I think I will forget all about the Y162 so just now need to decided between the 2 30 point ones mmmmmmmmmmmmm decisions decisions

Back to the OU website I suppose and have a look at both if them a little more indepth.

Thanks again

OUStudent

After looking at the 2 30 point courses a little further I think the MU123 might be the way to go, it is a level 1 course and does not sound as challenging as the MST121 so I fell quite confident about this one.

Would be interested in any other views? I will hold of registering for it until later this evening just in case

amiehall

Good luck

OUStudent

Just registered for the MU123 no backing out now................................

I cant wait really looking forward to the challenge and a bit of focus in my life, truly the start of a whole new chapter

mc2705

I have just started Y162. Much the same as you, I was worried about my maths and so decided to start at the bottom as it were. I am not bothered how long it takes me to get a degree though (only doing it for personal development).

Now I have only just finished Chapter 2 but am finding it really easy at the moment and wouldn't say I had learned anything. I am expecting it to get harder but so far anybody reasonably decent at maths would probably want to start higher.

Having said that I am enjoying it and am not regretting taking the course. It is doing wonders for my confidence, comes with a scientific calculator (I didn't have one at home!) and should hopefully be good for 10 points.

nodiscount

I've just registered for OU myself. Your circumstances are similar to mine: self taught techie, and I'm started with M150 in feb.
You seem to be doing two courses concurrenly. I didn't know you could do this. How will you know that you can manage the time etc?
(Can you tell I'm nervous about this?!)

OUStudent

mc27051980 wrote: »

I have just started Y162. Much the same as you, I was worried about my maths and so decided to start at the bottom as it were. I am not bothered how long it takes me to get a degree though (only doing it for personal development).

Now I have only just finished Chapter 2 but am finding it really easy at the moment and wouldn't say I had learned anything. I am expecting it to get harder but so far anybody reasonably decent at maths would probably want to start higher.

Having said that I am enjoying it and am not regretting taking the course. It is doing wonders for my confidence, comes with a scientific calculator (I didn't have one at home!) and should hopefully be good for 10 points.

Well done on taking the first steps and I am glad to hear you are enjoying the course My decision to skip this was mainly based on the 3 maths test available on the maths website, I scored no less than 90% in all of them so it told me to go for the 30 point one, still make me nervous though lol

nodiscount wrote: »

I've just registered for OU myself. Your circumstances are similar to mine: self taught techie, and I'm started with M150 in feb.
You seem to be doing two courses concurrenly. I didn't know you could do this. How will you know that you can manage the time etc?
(Can you tell I'm nervous about this?!)

Hello

So we are on the same course starting at the same time we will have to get our own thread going I am working towards a IT degree eventually but am currently unsure which degree to opt for so I decided to do the 2 level one IT modules and also the maths one as they seem to be relevant to any of the IT degrees.

As far as I am aware you can study upto 120 points per year, I have opted for 90 per year meaning I should graduate in 4 years meaning I can then use my new degree to hopefully secure some decent paid employment.

I am currently on Incapacity Benefit and have been for a few years now, I have a bit of light at the end of the tunnel though and within the next coupe of years I should be having a very long awaited operation that will see me ready for work again Bearing this in mind the 90 points are really all I will be concentrating on for the next couple of years at least, 90 points equates to about 24 hours a week in study so even if in a couple of years I find myself back at work with a bit of self discipline and organisation it should still be possible.

HTH

sausagenmelons

Hi

I'm also starting the M150 & T175 in Feb. Im considering starting a maths module later in the october so ill have all my level 1's done in the first year. I'm looking to count it towards a Bsc Computing x

[Deleted User]

I too decided on the MU123 course - starting in Jan. Good to know there's someone else in the same boat. What I really wanted to do wa the MST121 course, but I think I should start with MU123 and build up.

Good Luck