Credits: 12 (0,24,0) - Prerequisite: None

Course Description:

The Intensive English Program is designed for students with limited experience of using English who need intensive instruction and practice in all aspects of the English language to help them to succeed in PSU’s Preparatory Year Program. This course specifically aims to build the students’ basic English skills in reading, writing, listening, speaking, vocabulary, grammar, and critical thinking.

Course Learning Outcomes

• Can use information from a variety of everyday written and visual materials.
• Can read very short, simple texts as required.
• Can write descriptions of people, places, everyday life, and culture.
• Can produce short and simple sentence structures relating to unit topics.
• Can use basic vocabulary of words and phrases related to familiar situations.

Grammar and vocabulary 001/002

• Can demonstrate use of a range of grammatical and lexical structures at an A1 -A1+/A2 level.

Credits: 4 (0,10,0) - Prerequisite: None

Course Description:

Academic Reading and Writing I (ENG 010) is a required introductory course for incoming students to help them read and write at the literal and analytical level. The primary objective is to make students better & informed readers and writers who can discuss and contribute ideas and vocabulary learned to various language learning situations

Course Learning Outcomes

• Can analyze short to medium length academic texts on everyday topics at A2-B1 border.
• Can perform a variety of activities related to academic texts on everyday topics.
• Can write medium length paragraphs in different genres (plan, draft, edit, proof) to answer a specific question.
• Can compose an academic essay on a familiar topic to answer a specific question.

Grammar and vocabulary 010/020

• Can demonstrate use of a range of grammatical and lexical structures at an A2 -A2+/B1 level.

Credits: 4 (0,10,0) - Prerequisite: None

Course Description:

This course prepares students to communicate effectively in English speaking environments, both academic/professional and social. By the end of the course students will develop and strengthen skills in the following areas: listening comprehension (listening for main ideas and specific information), pronunciation, speaking (on a variety of discussed topics), note-taking, and critical thinking. Students will also increase their fluency by sharing in class discussions, role plays and presentations. A significant part of the course will be dedicated to students’ vocabulary development (expanding colloquial expressions and functional language used in everyday speech and in academic contexts).

Course Learning Outcomes

• Can follow complex lines of argument on everyday topics in short lectures when the presentation is an everyday accent, clearly structured and slightly below normal speed.
• Can follow complex lines of argument on everyday topics in a variety of accents and at normal speed or slightly slower.
• Can demonstrate rehearsed talk or presentation on an everyday topic
• Can discuss everyday topics, accounting for and sustaining his/her opinions
• Can perform in an interview as an interviewee, expanding and developing the point being discussed if occasionally prompted by the interviewer.
• Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a direct exchange of information on everyday topics and activities.

Grammar and vocabulary 010/020

• Can demonstrate use of a range of grammatical and lexical structures at an A2 -A2+/B1 level.

Credits: 4 (0,10,0) - Prerequisite: ENG 010

Course Description:

Academic Reading and Writing II is a required course (the second in a two-course sequence) for students who have completed the first course, Academic Reading and Writing I (ENG 010). This course further enhances and builds upon reading strategies, writing processes and study skills taught in ENG 010. It aims to introduce deeper text analysis to broaden students’ academic vision. Students will develop critical thinking skills while working with texts which require understanding at different levels of cognition and linguistic proficiency which are necessary for students to succeed in college-level coursework.

Course Learning Outcomes

• Can use short to medium length academic texts on everyday topics at B1/B2 border level of difficulty.
• Can perform a variety of activities related to academic texts on everyday topics.
• Can write a medium length academic essay (plan, draft, edit, proof) to answer a specific question.
• Can write a short academic style report (plan, draft, edit, proof) if provided with the content of the report.
• Can write a short academic essay on everyday topics under exam conditions to answer a specific question.

Grammar and vocabulary 010/020

• Can demonstrate use of a range of grammatical and lexical structures at a B1 -B1+/B2 level

Credits: 4 (0,10,0) - Prerequisite: ENG 020

Course Description:

ENG 040 is the second and final listening, speaking and grammar course in the English Preparatory Year Program. This course enables students to understand a wide variety of listening texts in different environments (interviews, documentaries, articles and lectures). At the end of this course, students should be able to express themselves fluently and effectively with accurate, level-appropriate grammar on different academic and general subjects.

Course Learning Outcomes

• Can follow complex lines of argument on everyday topics in short lectures when the presentation is in a variety of accents at normal speed or slightly slower.
• Can follow complex lines of argument on everyday topics in extended classroom discussions when the discussion is in a variety of accents at normal speed or slightly slower.
• Can give a short talk or presentation on an everyday topic.
• Can take an active part in discussions about everyday topics, accounting for and sustaining his/her opinions if given time to prepare.
• Can participate in an interview as an interviewee, expanding and developing the point being discussed if occasionally prompted by the interviewer.

Grammar and vocabulary 010/020

Can demonstrate use of a range of grammatical and lexical structures at a B1 -B1+/B2 level

Credits: 4 (3,1,0) - Prerequisite: None

Course Description:

The main aim of this course is to aid students in their acquisition of a solid foundation in Algebra which will prepare them for other courses such as MATH 002, Calculus, Finite Mathematics, and other college-level math courses.

Course Learning Outcomes

• Recognize and calculate basic operations on real and complex numbers and different types of expressions.
• Solve different types of equations and inequalities using various techniques.
• Interpret and transform graphs of functions, combination and composite functions and their inverses.
• Factor, evaluate, graph, and analyze polynomial functions.

Credits: 4 (3,1,0) - Prerequisite: MATH 001

Course Description:

This is the second of the two-course sequence. It examines exponential and logarithmic functions, trigonometry, matrix algebra and conic sections needed for more specialized study in computer science, engineering and other related fields.

Course Learning Outcomes

• Evaluate exponential and logarithmic functions, graph their equations, and construct their applications.
• Solve systems of equations and inequalities using algebraic techniques including matrices and determinants.
• Recognize and evaluate trigonometric functions, solve equations and illustrate applications.
• Identify different conic sections, state their equations and graph them.

Credits: 1 (1,0,0) - Prerequisite: None

Course Description:

Personal Development Skills courses help develop basic competencies and soft skills that students need in their day-to-day academic and personal life. The theme of PDS 001 is ‘College Transition’ – how a new student can quickly and effectively adjust to the demands of undergraduate university life. Course facilitators promote the application, understanding and appreciation of participants’ roles as active, engaged and responsible learners in a college context. Core skills covered at the 001 level are: goal setting & planning your study at a University, effective time management, understanding our learning preferences, teamwork, participating in discussions, reflective writing, and giving oral presentations.

Course Learning Outcomes

• Identify factors contribute to University success
• Create long-term and short-term goals
• Analyze the characteristics of SMART goals
• Evaluate your own time management skill
• Discuss strategies to manage your time effectively
• Create a weekly or monthly timetable and a daily to-do-list
• Identify your learning styles and how they affect your academic success
• Recommend effective learning strategies for your learning preferences

Credits: 1 (1,0,0) - Prerequisite: PDS001

Course Description:

This course is offered in a blended format using teaching and learning activities which use information communications technologies such as learning management systems (LMS) and the Internet, significantly reducing the scheduled face-to-face lecture and tutorial time. Students work with a web-based learning management system called Moodle (LMS) which is introduced during the first stages of the course. Materials and assignments are provided through this PDS course site. Discussion groups are formed and students participate in online conference sessions with others. Students are also expected to use email to respond to the course instructor and other students about assigned topics. The main purpose of this course is to help students to continue to make the adjustment from high school to academic life at university level. Core skills covered in this course include career exploration, critical thinking, and information literacy skills.

Course Learning Outcomes

• Solve a problem using critical and creative thinking
• Identify strategies for improving the quality of your decisions
• Learn the process of making a logical and rational decision-making process
• Evaluate sources for reliability, credibility, currency and accuracy
• Describe strategies for finding appropriate information sources
• Explain how technology impacts you and your education
• Describe a career exploration plan using interests, skills, personality and values
• Create a plan to prepare for the academic choices that college demands
• Create a resume and cover letter

Core skills

• college transitions (changing from high school to university)
• goal setting & planning
• effective time management
• understanding learning preferences
• teamwork
• reflective writing
• presentation skills.
• career exploration
• critical thinking
• problem solving
• Information literacy and basic research skills