Foundation Course.
College Summer Course
In many countries schools and colleges have summer classes. They offer summer programs; they teach intensive summer courses. Below is a sample outline of an intensive foundation summer program. Intensive summer courses are suitable to new candidates with high school /secondary school certificates who wish to enter a university degree program. Summer courses usually last from four weeks to two months.
Duration of the program below is 6 weeks.
Basic Information About the Courses / Modules
Total hours per week: 22
Self-study time: 1-3 p.m
Contact tutorial time: 9-12 a.m.
Contact (tutorials and lectures) hours per week: 12
Minimum self-study hours per week: 10
Modules
Description
The courses focus on giving presentations, listening to academic lectures and note taking (also note making), developing discussion strategies, participating in group discussions, comprehending academic texts and lectures, practicing summary writing and citing techniques, writing a research project and developing the Internet and library skills. Tutorial activities include discussions of lectures and helping students to solve basic academic research problems.
Objectives
Prepare for successful study of Degree / Diploma courses in the fields of academic writing, listening and note-taking, academic research, critical thinking and academic presentation skills.
Outcomes
On successful completion of the courses the students are expected to communicate effectively in the academic environment of Bachelor Degree programs both in the written and in the spoken forms.
Requirements and Regulations
Each student must fulfil the following requirements
1. Attend all lectures and tutorials, take lecture notes and actively participate in discussions on various topics by asking questions and giving short presentations, whenever required by the tutor.
2. Study regularly handouts, books, lecture notes and online materials. Use the learning tools and materials which are provided by the tutors. Informal assessment will be conducted every week.
3. Every student must spend at least 10 hours per week for self-study. Self-study includes revision of lecture notes, preparation for discussions of lectures, collecting and selecting research materials for the chosen topic in the Internet and in the library, formulating research questions, writing a research paper (a research project, or as advised by the tutor) on a chosen topic, preparing to discuss the paper with the tutor and preparing an oral presentation of the research project.
4. Students are not allowed to walk or chat loudly with each other during the lesson without a teacher’s permission. If a student ignores the teacher’s remarks, uses offensive words or offensive body language, leaves the classroom early and without the teacher’s permission, is late for classes or insults other students and the teacher, behaves in an arrogant manner or in any other inappropriate way, the student will be severely punished including expulsion from the College. Expulsion implies that the student should not consider the college for further education.
5. Students are expected to comply with the college-wide requirements for academic integrity. The College is committed to academic integrity—the honest, fair, and continuing pursuit of knowledge, free from fraud or deception. This implies that students are expected to be responsible for their own work. Presenting another individual’s work as one’s own and receiving excessive help from another individual will qualify as a violation of academic integrity. Plagiarism is cheating. Using another person’s words or ideas as one’s own without giving credit, producing a memorized piece (either one’s own or someone else’s), or having someone do any portion of his/her work is cheating. Students are expected to complete their own, original work by using their own words. A hand-written Statement of Originality, signed by the student, must be attached to the completed research project.
Computer Lab Regulations
Students must keep the computer lab clean at all times and be courteous to other lab users. Food, drinks, excessive noise and mobile phones in the computer lab are prohibited. In addition, students are not allowed to
1) remove any equipment from the lab without a tutor’s permission;
2) reconfigure the operating systems, network or cables;
3) download files from an unknown source into lab computers;
4) transmit unauthorized music or media files;
5) save personal files or data into lab computers;
6) browse any prohibited websites;
7) check e-mail unless requested by the tutor.
Examinations and Assessment
On Week 5 students must submit their research projects. On Week 6 students take three examinations. Examinations include the skills which are needed for the students’ successful studies in their Degree or Diploma program.
Total assessment consists of 100 marks. The following skills are assessed.
1. Research project (assessment: 20 marks).
2. Presentation of the research project: the duration of the presentation is 15 minutes (assessment: 10 marks).
3. Oral face-to-face examination: conversation on topics related to various academic issues (assessment: 10 marks).
4. Integrated written examination which includes general English, computer based study, academic research and academic reading skills (assessment: 60 marks).
Successful completion of examinations does not guarantee that a candidate will automatically become a university Bachelor degree student. The candidate will be interviewed by senior teachers/lecturers who will determine his/her suitability for degree studies.
Weekly Outline of Summer Courses
Weeks
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Lectures
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Tutorial
Activities
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Self-study
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1
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1. Introduction to the Course. Study Skills: Time Management, Note taking, Active and Passive Listening, Critical Thinking Skills. Basic Academic Reading Skills.
2. Introduction to Basic Concepts of Research. Research Question. Thesis Statement. Research Proposal. Collection of data with appropriate use of the Internet, the library, textbooks, reference books, dictionary and thesaurus.
3. How to Write a Research Proposal. Writing an Introduction and Conclusion for Research Project. Layout. Formatting.
4. Designing effective Questionnaires and using graphs to analyze the results obtained. Conducting Interviews. Proofreading and Editing.
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Classroom activities:
Discussion of the lecture. Introductions and discussions on various topics. Students speak about their short-term and long-term goals. Writing a summary of a lecture. Face-to-face communication. A visit to the library: with the assistance of a qualified tutor, learn how to choose and use reference books, dictionaries and encyclopaedia. Develop critical thinking skills.
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Study in the computer lab and in the library:
- Prepare to speak about yourself.
- Complete home assignments from the “Project Book” and handouts.
- Find information about a research topic.
- Write an outline of basic ideas about the research project.
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2
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1. What is bibliography? Using the Harvard system of referencing.
2. How to speak in public? Writing an outline of the presentation.
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Classroom and lab activities: oral face-to-face communication: conversation on topics related to various academic issues.
Discussions. Choosing topics for the project. Questionnaires and interviews. Case studies. Writing research proposals.
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Study in the computer lab and in the library:
- Prepare for discussion of the lecture.
- Conduct Internet and library research. Retrieve information from the Internet and the library.
- Start collecting information for Research Project.
- Design a questionnaire. Conduct Internet and library research.
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3
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1. Overview of basic concepts of research.
2. Problems of writing a research project. Tips: how to write a good research project. Questions-answers session.
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Computer lab activities. Conduct Internet research under the supervision of the tutors. oral face-to-face communication: conversation on topics related to various academic issues.
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Study in the computer lab and in the library:
- Revise lecture notes and handouts.
- Study in the computer lab and in the library.
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4
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1. Early presentations of the research projects, if any.
2. Brief presentations on topics related to various academic issues.
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Practice in the computer lab. Conduct Internet research. Write a research project.
Oral face-to-face communication: conversation on topics related to various academic issues.
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Study in the computer lab and in the library:
- Prepare a questionnaire and interview questions.
- Study conversation questions. Prepare for face-to-face communication on topics given by the tutor.
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5
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No Lecture. Tutorial and lab activities.
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Consistency in format and layout: journals, magazines, newspapers, brochures, books, articles, encyclopaedias, websites, dictionaries, e-books, email and some other specific cases. Face-to-face communication: conversation on topics related to various academic issues. Submit research project. Writing an outline of the presentation. Submitting an outline of the presentation. Describing graphs. Practicing public presentations in class.
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Study in the computer lab and in the library:
- Write a rough draft of the Project.
- Revise / proofread questionnaire.
- Write final version of the research project. Study in the computer lab and in the library:
- Revise lecture notes and handouts.
- Complete the research project.
- Start preparing a presentation of the research project.
- Study in the computer lab and in the library: prepare for final examinations.
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6
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Final Examinations
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1. Oral examination
2. Project presentation
3. Written examination
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Study in the computer lab and in the library:
Prepare for the final examinations.
1. Face-to-face conversation on topics related to various academic issues.
2. The duration of the presentation is 15 minutes.
3. Integrated English language written examination consists of general English, computer based study, academic research and intensive reading skills.
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Handouts: hard copies provided by the lecturer.
Internet sites advised by tutors.
Schedule of Lectures in the Lecture Theatre
21/07
Week 1
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Introduction to the Course. Study Skills: Time Management, Note taking, Active and Passive Listening, Critical Thinking Skills. Basic Academic Reading Skills.
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22/07
Week 1
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Introduction to Basic Concepts of Research. Research Question. Thesis Statement. Research Proposal. Collection of data with appropriate use of the Internet, the library, textbooks, reference books, dictionary and thesaurus.
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23/07
Week 1
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How to Write a Research Proposal. Writing an Introduction and Conclusion for Research Project. Layout. Formatting.
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24/07
Week 1
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Designing effective Questionnaires and using graphs to analyze the results obtained. Conducting Interviews. Proofreading and Editing.
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28/07
Week 2
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What is bibliography. Using the Harvard system of referencing.
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30/07
Week 2
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How to speak in public. Writing an outline of the presentation.
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04/08
Week 3
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Overview of basic research concepts.
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06/08
Week 3
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Problems of writing a research project. Tips: how to write a good research project. Questions-answers session.
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Recommended Topics for Research Projects
1. Using the Internet as a Learning Tool: Application in Foundation Programs and in Specialized Areas of Study.
2. The Internet for ESL students: Advantages, Current Trends. Case Study-curriculum of a college/university using IT as a teaching and learning resource.
3. Hospitals and Computers: Computerization of Hospital Departments such as Pharmacy, Staff Records, Patient Records etc. Case Study.
4. Plastic Surgery: Procedure. Moral Implications. Values in today’s world. Case Study.
5. Computer Virus-Types. Causes. Effects. Preventive Measures. Case Study
6. Higher Education. Quality Assurance Mechanisms. Case Study.
7. The place of English as a Foreign Language an the Educational System: Past and Present
8. Studying abroad. Problems. Advantages. Increased Value in the Job Market. Case Study.
9. Study of Cultures worldwide; Attitudes and Real Problems
10. Attendance problems; Analysis, Causes, Effects, Solutions
11. College Information System (CIS) Applications. Problems. Advantages. Case Study
12. Your area of specialization and its importance in your life.
13. Games Technology. Value in the Job Market. Case Study.
14. IT and Entertainment. Applications. Case Study
15. Laser technology. Applications. Research done on Advantages and Disadvantages. Case Study
16. The Use of Multimedia. One Application. Advantages. Disadvantages. Case Study
17. Overdependence on technology. Analysis, Case Studies, Causes, Effects, Predictions
18. Artificial Intelligence - a Boon or a Bane?
19. Should we Develop Advanced Robots that can make Decisions of their own? Current progress, Case Studies, Predictions
20. Stem Cell Research: Current State of Progress. Moral implications.
21. Cloning: A Question of Ethics
22. Technology and Medicine: Biotechnology. Case Study
23. Java and the world of animation: Applications. Case Study
24. Chemical computers. Fundamentals. Current Stage of Development. Advantages. Disadvantages. Predictions.
25. Networking. Basic Principles. Advantages. Disadvantages. Case Study
26. Programming Languages. Types. Applications. Case Study
27. Computer Security. Its importance today. Case Study
28. Contact Lenses: Advantages. Disadvantages
29. Global Positioning System (GPS) in your country. Case Study
30. Microwave Ovens; Analysis of studies done on advantages and disadvantages. Case Study
31. Computerized Library Systems; Your College/School as a Case Study
32. IT support in a college; Services, Procedures, Problems
33. Distance Education: Courses offered through the Net. Quality. Case Study
34. Use of Design in IT: Application. Case Study
35. Use of IT in Fashion Designing. Analysis. Case Study
36. Marketing Trends in Fashion: Case Study
37. Is Creativity in IT essential? Analysis. Case Study
38. Censoring websites. Current situation. Advantages. Disadvantages. Case Study
39. Quality Assurance and the Internet: Current Situation. Advantages. Disadvantages. Case Study
40. Satellite Communication (choose one area with case studies e.g. in war, weather forecasting, communication, etc.)
41. Privatization, its advantages and disadvantages. Case study
42. Job Market Trends in the world; campus interviews, number of graduates joining the workforce annually, the most wanted professions.
43. Students can choose other topics. These topics must be discussed with the tutor and approved by the Coordinator of Summer Courses.
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