The Open University of Sri Lanka pioneered complete Science Degree Programmes by distance study in 1984. 822 B.Sc. graduates have been produced and the thirteenth group of students has been admitted in 1998. The programme has enabled the employed, adults, late developers and the economically underpriviledged to obtain tertiary education in science disciplines at their own pace, time and place without interrupting their livelihood. The motivation required, the independent learning methodology adopted and the synergetic influence of work experience on life long eduation have resulted in positive influences on the type of science graduate produced. A British Government sponsored aid programme has now enabled the production of better transformed multi-media study material. The restructuring of the science degree programme that commenced in 1995 also enables a more flexible and diversified programme in which inter-disciplinary courses play an important part in keeping with modern developments. Specialisation in any science discipline is now possible as part of the B.Sc. (Joint Major) Degree curriculum introduced under the restructured programme. Science practicals are conducted in an unconventional manner; they emphasize on the teaching of the basic principles rather than wasteful repetitions that are characteristic of the conventional university system. The distance study methodology is tailored to the needs of the employed, by conducting science practicals groupwise over continuous periods of time. The paper will highlight how a developing country like Sri Lanka has been able to use the open learning philosophy and distance learning methodology to teach Science efficiently at tertiary level and effectively making maximum utilisation of minimum available resources.
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