Engineering, Computing and Life Sciences Foundation
Academic structure
Core modules
Foundation English skills 1
Develop your ability to read academic texts, write extended texts, write subjective notes, listen effectively and participate in classroom discourse.
Foundation English skills 2
Improve the abilities developed in part 1 with greater accuracy, speed, coherence, organisation and presentation.
Study skills in the British environment
Learn to use your study time more effectively, improve your use of, and range of, information sources and develop your research skills in preparation for producing an extended, referenced, academic essay.
Project study
Complete a self-study project on a topic that you will take, in consultation with your tutor, from the academic discipline that you will subsequently study at degree level. This will also include computer (word processing) skills.
Pure mathematics 1
Understand and interpret straight lines and linear equations, set theory and probability, statistics, linear programming, indices and logarithms and experimental laws.
Route modules
You choose between 2 subjects for each module:Applied mathematics 1
Vectors, forces and equilibrium, relative motion, Newton’s Laws of Motion, friction and work, energy and power.
OR
Chemistry 1
Formulae, equations and moles, atomic structure, introduction to redox systems, thermodynamics and bonding.
Applied Mathematics 2
Advanced vectors, forces as fixed vectors, centres of gravity/centres of mass and particle dynamics.
OR
Chemistry 2
Equilibria, acid-base equilibria, kinetics and organic chemistry.
Physics 1: properties of matter and waves
Sound, reflection, refraction, interference, diffraction, electromagnetic waves, strengths of solids, fluids, heat and gases and the structure of the atom.
OR
Biology 1: cell biology
Biological molecules, cellular structure, cell division, movement through cell membranes, enzymes and metabolic pathways.
Physics 2: electricity, electronics and fields
Electrical current and charge, potential difference, resistance, capacitance, transistors and amplifiers, electrical fields, gravitational fields, magnetic fields and electromagnetic fields.
OR
Biology 2: physiology
The cardiovascular system, the respiratory system, the digestive system, osmo-regulation, control and co-ordination and reproduction.
Pure mathematics 2
Further algebra, co-ordinate geometry, trigonometry, differentiation, integration, numerical methods and vectors.
OR
Further studies in Biology and Chemistry
Genetics, ecology and plant biology plus inorganic chemistry, oxidation/reduction reactions
This foundation route leads to degrees in:
- Automotive Engineering
- Biochemistry
- Biological Sciences
- Biomedical Sciences
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Science
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Environmental Sciences
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Pharmacy
- Physics with Astronomy
- Planning and Property Development
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Sport Sciences
Full list of degree options.
