Prepare For Your Science Degree
Gain academic skills and insights into university life to help you successfully transition to studying science at degree level.
545 enrolled on this course
Duration
3 weeksWeekly study
2 hours100% online
How it works
Prepare For Your Science Degree
Learn what to expect as a new undergraduate student in science
Transitioning to studying science at university level can feel daunting. This three-week course will take away some of that apprehension, offering you support and insight to help you prepare for your time at university.
You’ll learn what to expect as an undergraduate student at university, gaining an understanding of university jargon, types of teaching, and crucial academic skills.
What’s more, you’ll receive useful resources you can take to university with you so you can start your science degree with confidence.
Develop an understanding of studying science at university
During week one of the course, you’ll explore the ins and outs of university to understand what you need to successfully get started.
You’ll unpack what teaching looks like at a degree level as you discover working in labs and lectures as well as the different types of assessments you may complete.
Then, you’ll create a useful document with all your key information – from your new address and course lead name to the doctors to register at once you move.
Gain essential academic skills
Next, you’ll develop key academic science skills to help you thrive in a university setting. You’ll learn how to search literature, read critically, reference, and write at an academic level.
You’ll finish this week with a top tips sheet for academic skills.
Learn from the experts at the University of Nottingham
Finally, you’ll develop a plan to help you manage your time, balance work and social life, and identify different opportunities at university, such as societies and sports teams.
Learning from the experts at the University of Nottingham, you’ll finish your course with the knowledge and confidence to start your science degree at university.
Syllabus
Week 1
Exploring University
Getting Started
Start the course by meeting your lead educators and student guide. You will also have chance to reflect on how prepared you feel for starting your science degree before taking this course.
Understanding University Jargon
Universities operate in a different way to schools and colleges. In this section we will explore key university structures and terms.
Summary
Overview of the key points for this week.
Week 2
Skills for success
Welcome to Week 2
Welcome to week 2! Find out what you will learn this week.
Academic skills
Learn about the skills you will develop at university and how you can use them at university and beyond.
Notetaking
Effective notetaking is a key skill for university study. Find out why taking notes is useful and explore different notetaking techniques.
Academic reading
Academic reading is a big part of university study, even on a science degree. In this activity, we will explore how to find information to support your studies. We will also look at key reading skills such as critical evaluation.
Scientific writing
Depending on the course you are hoping to study, you will be required to write in different formats for assessments. This section covers different written formats, structuring your writing and referencing your work.
Week Two Summary
Review what you have learnt in week two.
Week 3
Preparing for Success
Welcome to the final week
An introduction to the final week of the course.
Opportunities at university
There are so many ways to get involved with university life beyond the lecture hall. In this activity, find out how you can enrich your university experience, make friends and have fun while studying!
Balancing your studies and social life
University is about much more than just your course. But with so much to get involved in, it's important not to lose focus of your studies. In this section we'll explore the balance between your studies and social life.
Support at university
University life is exciting! Studying a subject you love and exploring new interests with new friends can feel amazing. However, there will also be challenging times. This section will highlight how we can support you.
Planning ahead
"Fail to prepare and you prepare to fail." How many times have you heard this saying? In this section we will share our advice to help you plan for success.
Final thoughts
As we reach the end of this course, let's bring together all of our learning and reflect on how prepared you feel now compared to at the start of the course.
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Explore the structure of a university, degree course and the extracurricular opportunities available to university students
- Reflect on the preparation and development of key academic skills for starting university level study
- Improve confidence and develop tools and techniques for approaching university level academic assignments
- Apply academic reading and writing skills to example exercises
- Explore the support services available for students at the University of Nottingham
Who is the course for?
This course is designed for anyone looking to study a science-based course at university.
It will be most beneficial for those who want to gain insight into what life at university is like.
Who will you learn with?
I'm an Education and Student Experience Manager in the Faculty of Science at the University of Nottingham. I'm passionate about supporting learners into and through their educational journey.
Who developed the course?
The University of Nottingham
The University of Nottingham is committed to providing a truly international education, inspiring students with world-leading research and benefitting communities all around the world.
Ways to learn | Subscribe & save | Buy this course | Limited access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choose the best way to learn for you! | $349.99 for one year Automatically renews | $54/one-off payment | Free |
| Develop skills to further your career | Fulfill your current learning need | Sample the course materials | |
| Access to this course | tick | tick | Access expires 22 Dec 2024 |
| Access to 1,000+ courses | tick | cross | cross |
| Learn at your own pace | tick | tick | cross |
| Discuss your learning in comments | tick | tick | tick |
| Certificate when you're eligible | Digital only | Printed and digital | cross |
Cancel for free anytime |
Ways to learn
Choose the best way to learn for you!
Buy this course
$54/one-off payment
Fulfill your current learning need
- Access to this course
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible
Subscribe & save
$349.99 for one year
Automatically renews
Develop skills to further your career
- Access to this course
- Access to 1,000+ courses
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Digital certificate when you're eligible
Cancel for free anytime
Limited access
Free
Sample the course materials
- Access expires 22 Dec 2024
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades) | |||
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
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