International Foundation Programme (Computer Science) - Credit

This module provides an introduction to programming. Software pervades many aspects of most professional fields and sciences, and an understanding of the development of software applications is useful as a basis for many disciplines. This module covers the development of simple programs. Concepts common to all types of programming – such as sequence, selection and iteration – are covered to provide an understanding of the basic principles of software. In addition, object-oriented concepts are introduced, including classes, objects, constructors, methods and fields. The course includes an introduction to an educational software development environment, as well as other electronic tools, such as electronic mail, a web browser and printing facilities.

Through this module, students will develop their analytical and problem solving skills to successfully complete other related modules on the IFP. The programme of study will be divided into lectures in calculus, algebra and statistics.

As part of the orientation process, students will take a pre-course test which, along with other factors, will determine whether they go into the upper or lower band. This will involve an in class test in the first week. Students will then be grouped according to their mathematical ability and academic focus. The teaching in the upper bands will be geared more towards systematically working towards a solution while that in the lower bands will deal with mathematical techniques.

Through this module, students will improve the transferable academic skills necessary to successfully complete all the other modules on the IFP and to succeed on their future undergraduate programme. The programme of study will cover critical and analytical skills in both written and spoken format.

Students will attend regular seminars/workshops each week, focusing on furthering their academic skills: they will receive input on seminar participation and presentation skills, and will develop the knowledge to produce EITHER a simplified written Case Study OR an essay (the 'project'). They will also have the opportunity to meet with their tutor four to five times during the term for a tutorial, to discuss their project and progress on the module.

Students will create an electronic Portfolio consisting of reflective journal entries based on the progression of their project, which will be assessed and personal skills development on the Academic Skills and Foundation Project modules. in an reflective interview. . Students will engage in seminars, for which they choose the topic and undertake the research, one of which will provide the basis of a group presentation. At the end of the term, students will submit their individual complete Project Essay OR Case Study on an issue researched through the literature review..

Through this module, students will develop the transferable linguistic and academic skills necessary to successfully complete all the other modules on the IFP. The programme of study will cover academic writing, reading, speaking and listening skills.

Through this module, students will develop the transferable linguistic and academic skills necessary to successfully complete all the other modules on the IFP. The programme of study focuses primarily on grammar, vocabulary and academic writing skills but will include all language skills.

The module begins with an intensive revision of language structures and goes on to embed these structures into academic writing. Students will learn key steps in the writing process and be introduced to a range of written academic genres. Throughout the module, students will also develop their academic vocabulary through reading and writing tasks specially designed for this.

The module will be divided into six main topics of study which are intended to challenge the student to ask questions about their social world and to explore their own individual and cultural experiences within a wider context. In particular, students are encouraged to examine their common-sense assumptions by 'thinking sociologically'.

To do this requires not only the development of a sociological imagination but also the use of appropriate methodology and theoretical approaches. This module will introduce these skills to students through a consideration of a number of topics such as: the sociological imagination; families and intimate relationships; the transformation to the age of modernity/postmodernity; sex, gender and gender relations; crime and deviance; globalising processes and culture; poverty in Britain.