The Foundation Program is a maximum four-semester program designed to help students meet the entrance requirements for their discipline program of choice by offering preparatory English, Mathematics, and Science courses.
Students enroll in the required preparatory English, Mathematics and Science courses according to their UDST placement test scores and their planned program of study. Depending on their level at entry, students may complete the Foundation Program in as little as one semester.
Students may also be eligible to enroll in discipline program- related credit-bearing courses in the final semester of their Foundation Program pending course availability and overall number of contact hours.
Program Duration:
One to Four Semesters
Accreditation:
The Foundation English Language Program at UDST is accredited by the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA), for the period August 2016 through August 2026, and UDST agrees to uphold the CEA Standards for English Language Programs and Institutions. CEA is a rigorous credential, recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency for English language programs and institutions in the U.S.
For further information about this accreditation, please contact CEA, 1001 North Fairfax Street, Suite 630, Alexandria, VA 22314, (703) 665-3400, www.cea-accredit.org.
Admission Requirements:
Admissions to the Foundation Program is based on an applicant’s future College program. As such applicants must meet the basic program requirements for admissions for entry to the Foundation Program.
Admission to the Foundation Program is competitive and applicants should strive to complete both the University English and Math Placement Tests to the best of their ability.
Program Objectives:
Dependent on individual student need, during their Foundation Program (FP) students may be required to complete one or more of the following:
- PO01. Listen and respond to listening tasks up to seven minutes long about targeted academic topics
- PO02. Read and respond to texts about targeted academic topics up to 750 words
- PO03. Give a seven-minute presentation on a targeted academic topic
- PO04. Write targeted academic essays of up to 300 words
- PO05. Solve, analyze and apply linear equations
- PO06. Use graphing techniques, data management analysis, and algebraic manipulations
- PO07. Discuss the fundamental principles of Biology
- PO08. Discuss fundamental concepts of Chemistry and perform basic chemical calculations
English Learning Outcomes:
|
INDEPENDENT USER |
High B1 |
FL1140 |
|
INDEPENDENT USER |
Low B1 |
FL1130 |
|
BASIC USER |
High A2 |
FL1120 |
|
BASIC USER |
Low A2 |
FL1110 |
Study Plan:
The following sample study plan is for a full 4-semester Foundation Program, including preparatory mathematics and science courses. Students who test at a higher level may be exempt from some of the courses, thereby shortening the length of their individualized Foundation Program study plan.
| COURSE NUMBER |
COURSE TITLE | REQUISITE | HOURS/WEEK | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Req | Co-req | CR | LEC | LAB | ||
| SEMESTER 1 (15 WEEKS) | ||||||
| FL1110 | Academic English I | - | - | 0 | 150 |
60 |
| SEMESTER 2 (15 WEEKS) | ||||||
| FL1120 | Academic English II | FL1110 | - | 0 | 150 | 60 |
| SEMESTER 3 (15 WEEKS) | ||||||
| FL1130 | Academic English III | FL1120 | - | 0 | 150 | 60 |
| MA1029 | Preparatory Mathematics | - | FL1130 | 0 | 90 | - |
| CH1012 | Preparatory Chemistry | FL1120 | FL1130/MA1029 | 0 | 45 | - |
| SEMESTER 4 (15 WEEKS) | ||||||
| FL1140 | Academic English IV | FL1130 | - | 0 | 150 | 60 |
| BL1012 | Preparatory Biology | FL1130 | FL1140 | 0 | 45 | - |
| Various | Selected Credit Courses | See UDST Academic Catalog for course descriptions. | ||||
Grading Basis
Percentage marks are as awarded:
- 70% is required to pass Foundation English Courses.
- 60% is required to pass Foundation Math and Science Courses.
| COURSE NUMBER |
COURSE TITLE | CEFR DESCRIPTOR | CEFR RANGE |
OOPT RANGE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FL1140 | Academic English V | Independent User – Threshold Plus | B1 – B1.2 | 57 - 64 |
| FL1130 | Academic English III | Independent User - Threshold | B1.1 – B1 | 49 - 56 |
| FL1120 | Academic English II | Basic User – Waystage Plus | A2 – A2.1 | 39 - 48 |
| FL1110 | Academic English I | Basic User – Waystage | A1.1 -A2 | 25- 38 |
Course Descriptions:
Prerequisites: FL1130 Co-requisites: FL1140
This course introduces students to the fundamental principles of biology including the cell, cell processes, and genetics. Students also learn how the scientific method is used in biology.
Prerequisites: FL1120
Co-requisites: FL1130, MA1029
The course introduces students to the fundamental concepts of chemistry including the atom, compounds, and chemical reactions. Students also learn to do chemical calculations related to moles and stoichiometry.
Prerequisites: Academic English I-level score on the UDST English Placement Test
This course is for students with English proficiency at the Basic User level of CEFR High A1. It is taught using an integrated approach, and aims to improve students’ ability to complete activities in English with competence. The course focuses on familiar and less familiar contexts of language used with topics related to home, school, lifestyle, and work. Success strategies are embedded within the course. Upon course completion, students will have English proficiency at the Basic User level of CEFR Low A2.
Prerequisites: Academic English II-level score on the UDST English Placement Test OR FL1110
This course is for students with English proficiency at the Basic User level of CEFR Low A2. It is taught using an integrated approach, and aims to improve students’ ability to complete activities in English with competence. The course focuses on familiar and less familiar contexts of language used with topics related to home, school, lifestyle, and work. Success strategies are embedded within the course. Upon course completion, students will have English proficiency at the Basic User level of CEFR High A2.
Prerequisites: Academic English III-level score on the UDST Placement Test OR FL1120
This course is for students with English proficiency at the Basic User level of CEFR High A2. It is taught using an integrated approach. It aims to improve students’ ability to complete activities in English with competences. The course focuses on a range of language contexts, including unfamiliar and academic topics. Success strategies are embedded within the course. Upon course completion, students will have English proficiency at the Independent User level of CEFR Low B1.
Prerequisites: Academic IV-level score on the UDST Placement Test OR FL1130
This course is for students with English proficiency at the Independent User level of CEFR Low B1. The course is taught using an integrated approach, and aims to improve students’ ability to complete activities in English with competence. The course focuses on academic contexts of language use, and incorporates topics related to information technology, business, engineering, and health science. Success strategies are embedded within the course. The course prepares students for their future program of studies. Students who complete this course are better able to write a variety of standardized, internationally recognized English assessment tools. Upon course completion, students will have English proficiency at the Independent User level of CEFR High B1.
Prerequisites: Appropriate score on the University Math Placement Test
Co-requisites: FL1130
Students learn how to solve linear equations, analyze the equation of a line, and apply linear equations to solve rates and proportions. Students also demonstrate an understanding of graphing techniques, right angle triangle trigonometry, and algebraic manipulations.
Future Pathways:
Upon successful completion of their Foundation Program courses students are eligible to enroll in UDST discipline programs.
Request More Information:
We are excited that you are interested in joining UDST's community. You can request more information or contact us for general inquiries.