Faculty of Science. Science Foundation at Reading

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1 Faculty of Science Science Foundation

2 Science Foundation Challenging and invaluable! Now I m well into Part 1 of my degree, I ve really come to see the value of completing the Foundation Year in Science. It thoroughly prepared me for Part 1 and I am sure will help me in the challenges of the future years. I thoroughly enjoyed myself surprisingly even the Maths! It s hard work at times, but you really see the benefit as you go forward and I would recommend it to anyone thinking of entering University at any stage of their lives. Our Science Foundation programme provides access to our worldclass science, engineering and technology degrees for those who don t meet the normal entrance requirements. If you are studying science A-levels but need to refresh some key topics, if you are studying Arts or Humanities and want to change direction, or if you are mature student who is motivated, organised and ready for University study, our Foundation programme could be just what you need. This brochure provides information about what you will study and the degrees you can access with the Foundation Programme. If you have any questions or would like to discuss your individual circumstances, contact us using the information on the back cover. Wendy Smith now studying Animal Science

3 Why Reading? We have been running successful Foundation programmes in science and engineering for nearly twenty years. Our lecturers and support systems have a real understanding of the particular needs and concerns of foundation-level students. Our dedicated Programme Office will keep you on track at all times and your Personal Tutor will be based in the department that runs the degree you wish to study after the Foundation Year. All aspects of our Foundation programme are delivered on campus, by University staff, using our own facilities. To ensure that you get the best possible preparation for your degree, the knowledge and skills we develop during the Foundation Year have been specifically chosen to lead directly into our Part 1 courses. As long as you pass your exams, you re guaranteed a firstyear place. Reading has one of the most active scientific communities in the country. The Foundation Year programme provides access to a huge variety of degrees. You can choose a classic single subject like Chemistry, a technical programme such as Electronic Engineering, or our multidisciplinary Natural Sciences course. The full range of programmes on offer to Foundation Year students is shown overleaf. Our Foundation Year provides a rich, stimulating environment in which to develop your opinions and ideas. On a typical day you might discuss climate change with a classmate who has no science experience but plans to study Meteorology, or talk through a maths problem with someone wanting to study Environmental Sciences whose background includes A-level Physics. You will move into your specialist degree with a broad view of the sciences and the ability to see connections across different disciplines. Many of our Foundation Year students go on to get First Class and Upper Second degrees. Our programme leads directly into your degree and opens the door to an exciting career or challenging postgraduate study. In your time you will develop both subject-specific and transferable knowledge and skills. Our science graduates have gone on to become engineers, developers, researchers and scientists for globally recognised organisations. Most important of all, on our Science Foundation programme you are completely integrated into University life. Most Foundation Year students live in Halls of Residence and the course is approved for financial support such as student loans. You have full access to University facilities and can take advantage of all the sporting, social and support activities of RUSU, the Reading University Students Union. I would say the Foundation Year left me much more confident and well prepared for starting my degree. I would recommend it to any student- schoolleaver or mature. It gives an introduction to how things are done at University as well as giving a good grounding in the subjects. John Lally now studying Meteorology

4 What will I study? Pathways There are three main pathways through the Foundation Year, from which you can progress directly to the degrees shown below. Pathway 1: Physics, Electrical Science and Maths Artificial Intelligence Computer Engineering Computer Science Cybernetics Electronic Engineering Information Technology Mathematics Meteorology Natural Sciences Robotics Systems Engineering Pathway 2: Biology, Chemistry and Maths Animal Science Biological Sciences Biochemistry Biomedical Sciences Biotechnology Botany Chemistry Ecology and Conservation Environmental Sciences Food Sciences Food Technology Natural Sciences Nutrition and Food Science Pharmacy* Zoology Pathway 3: Physics, Chemistry and Maths Chemistry Environmental Sciences Meteorology Natural Sciences *At present there is a limited number of places on the Foundation Year for progression to the MPharm degree in Pharmacy. Contact us for details. The University prospectus contains information about all of the programmes mentioned here. Other progression routes are available, including a variety of degrees that allow you to combine two subjects. If the degree you are considering is not shown here please contact us for more information. I didn t do as well as I should have in my A-levels. The Foundation Year gave me a much-needed fresh start and provided me with all I needed to know to start my Computer Science degree. I got involved in many things and got to know lots of people who I m still friends with now I m a first-year student. David Thai now studying Applied Computer Science

5 Modules Foundation modules cover core science material relevant to your destination degree. Every week you ll attend lectures that present theory and examples, and perform experiments to enhance your theoretical knowledge. There are also workshop sessions to allow you to develop your problem-solving skills, explore material in small-group discussions and get extra support with the topics you find most difficult. Online learning and academic support We have a hugely popular onlinelearning-environment called Blackboard which allows lecturers to make grades, feedback, notes, exercises and links to other useful resources available at all times. The University has an established Study Advice Centre that can help with time management, classroom skills and specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia. There is also a Mathematics Support Centre that provides one-to-one help with mathematical problems. Biology Cell organisation, enzymes, human and mammalian biological systems, inheritance and genetics, ecology and the environment. Chemistry Atomic structure, periodic table, chemical formulae, solids, liquids, bonding in water, organic bonding, gases, rates of reactions. Electrical science Capacitance, magnetic fields, induction, AC and resonance circuits, electronics, resistance, Kirchoff s laws, transistors and diodes. Maths Algebra, equations, geometry, functions, trigonometry, calculus, vectors, complex numbers, data-handling, probability and statistics. Specific content is dependent on your pathway. Physics Measurement, statics, dynamics, materials, energy and power, optics, acoustics, waves, nuclear and atomic physics, heat. The notes were excellent, modules organised into bitesized segments and the teaching was superb. The Foundation Year allowed me to progress to a course that I previously hadn t the points for. The knowledge I obtained is applicable and I feel that I have an advantage over people who didn t take the Foundation Year. Gareth Fenn now studying Electronic Engineering

6 Science Foundation Discuss your options If you have been out of education for a while, or if you re studying Arts and Humanities subjects and want to change direction, there are many choices and possibilities. Our Science Foundation programme is just one of these and we welcome all applications. To find out more about your options, or if you just want to talk through your situation with someone, feel free to contact us for a friendly chat. Related subjects Electronic Engineering with Foundation Year The Foundation element for programme H601 BEng Electronic Engineering with Foundation Year, runs concurrently with the Science Foundation programme. If you have applied for H601, your Year 0 will be the Physics, Electrical Science, Maths pathway mentioned above. Contact us for more details. International Foundation Programme In common with the rest of the University, an IELTS level of 6.5 is required for entry to the Science Foundation programme. For international students who do not meet this requirement the University offers a very successful International Foundation programme. See or foundation@reading. ac.uk for more information. Our course BSc Science with Foundation Year FGC0 4 years full-time Standard offers UCAS tariff No standard offer, All applications are dealt with on an individual basis by the admissions tutor GCSE At least grade C in English, Mathematics and Science Deferred entry Yes Careers options Students successfully completing the Foundation Year immediately progress to their chosen science or technology degree. Reading science graduates have gone on to work in a variety of roles for world leaders, including: Panasonic Fujitsu Seimens Astra Zeneca The Met Office Science Foundation For more information, please contact: Dr Ben Cosh, Programme Director, or Mrs Jane Jones, Programme Secretary Foundation Year in the Sciences Faculty of Science University of Reading Whiteknights PO Box 217 Reading RG6 6AF sciencefoundation@reading.ac.uk Tel (0118) Open Days We hold Open Days every June and September for undergraduate students, their friends and families. For the latest dates, visit: