You will be expected to have a basic grounding in chemistry. This module develops the concepts in physical, inorganic and organic chemistry required for studying at degree level in physical sciences, engineering or biological sciences.

It also includes laboratory and project work to supplement theoretical studies.

This module is designed to help you develop your skills and confidence in academic English. Four key skill areas are developed in an integrated and task-oriented way:

• reading
• writing
• listening
• speaking

The module will encourage you to take responsibility for your learning and a lot of emphasis is placed on:

• private study
• student research
• student-led presentations
• seminar discussions
• e-learning
• group work

This module builds on basic mathematical knowledge to prepare you in areas of mathematics and statistics required in biological sciences and some physical sciences (excluding mathematics, physics, chemistry and engineering).

The module covers mathematics, from basic algebra through to an introduction to differential and integral calculus, while the statistics covered focuses on key data handling, presentation and analysis skills.

This module is designed to help you adjust to the specific nature, demands and expectations of UK higher education.

The skills covered will include:

• taking notes in lectures and making notes from texts
• library and information skills
• using and interpreting data
• planning, preparing and checking assignments
• team-working skills
• oral presentation skills
• seminar skills
• examination and revision techniques
• proofreading
• using dictionaries and academic reference books
• information literacy and time management

You will also develop competence in core ICT skills including:

• the use of Word
• Excel
• PowerPoint
• graphs and interpreting data
• web-based learning systems

This modules provide an introduction to cell biology to give you a strong understanding of the processes involved in cellular life and their roles in the function, reproduction and development of living organisms.

Topics include:

• enzymes
• biochemistry of energy production
• molecular genetics
• genetics of inheritance

It combines theoretical, laboratory and case-study work. Your learning experience is also supplemented with field trips to the Centre for Life and Newcastle University’s Electron Microscopy Unit.

This module builds on basic physics knowledge to develop the descriptive and mathematical understanding of principles required for studying physical sciences and engineering at higher levels.

The module combines theoretical principles, practical applications and laboratory work.

Teaching

Class hours

• 26 hours per week minimum

Class sizes

• Maximum of 16 students per class for English language teaching

Age requirement

• 17 years and above

Assessment

Entry to all honours degrees at Newcastle University is highly competitive, and students hoping to progress to Newcastle must maintain high standards throughout their programme.

Whilst your grades in the Foundation programme do not count towards the final degree, your performance will be used to determine whether you meet the specified progression grades for direct entry to your chosen degree at the University. Assessment is both formal and informal.

Informally you will be given advice and feedback throughout your programme from your teachers. You will also be assessed via a combination of examinations at the end of each semester and coursework including:

• written essays
• reports
• field notebooks
• practical exercises
• group and individual research projects
• bibliographical searches
• oral and video presentations
• problem solving

You need to have completed 12 years of schooling (or the local equivalent to meet the same standard) with good grades.

Three term: a minimum of IELTS 5.5 (with a minimum of 5.0 in any subskill) or an equivalent score

Four term: a minimum of IELTS 5.0 (with a minimum of 4.5 in all subskills) or an equivalent score

If you do not meet the minimum English language requirements you should apply for Academic English.

You need to be 17 years old, or older. If you want to start this course in September then you must be 17 by 31 December.

For all other start dates, you must be 17 years old by the time the course starts.