Higher-Certificate Course: Science, Mathematics & IT

Bournemouth Business School International (BBSI), our British Council accredited UK English school and business college, offers international students the opportunity to undertake a UK English course, while also learning science and technical English, computer skills and acquiring the basic knowledge required for careers related to science, technology, computers and IT. Our Higher-Certificate Course in Science, Technology, Computers & IT comprises 30 lessons weekly, and is aimed at young professionals and students who are seeking to prepare themselves for a career or further study in technical fields, and who require proficiency in technical English. The course is of 24 weeks duration and is carefully designed to enable students at an Intermediate level in English or above to gain English, technical and business qualifications, including a certificate award from the NCFE national awarding body. The course is available in 2 study options, one of which includes the full syllabus for the International Computer Driving Licence® (ICDL) and students can elect to obtain this additional qualification.

Additional English and Business English Qualifications. Students will develop competent technical English and professional communication skills. Moreover, in the supplementary English-language elements of the course, depending upon the study option selected, students can study for different University of Cambridge ESOL examinations: the First Certificate in English (FCE) , the Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) , or the Business English Certificate (BEC) . Alternatively, you can opt to join our ongoing weekly English Language Workshop (ELW) at a language level to suit your needs. The course is conducted around a busy social and activity programme, and the maximum class size is 12, which can be extended to 15 during peak periods.

Study Options. There are 2 study options for this course. For those with a sound Intermediate level in English, we offer Study Option 1, which enables participants to develop their technical and professional communications skills to a more advanced level of proficiency, while studying a more extensive range of specialised topics related to science, technology, computers, computing and IT. However, for those students with a lower, Intermediate level in English who require more emphasis initially on developing their technical English and professional communication skills prior to the introduction of more advanced technical studies, we offer Study Option 2, which builds more gradually in professional intensity and specialisation.

Study Option 1

Minimum English Entry Level: IELTS 5.0 (Intermediate)

Course Duration: 24 weeks (2 terms)

Course Code: CST 24

Course Entry Dates: October, January, April or July (term dates 2009)

Lessons Weekly: 30 (each of 45 minutes´ duration)

Minimum Age: 17 years

Course Structure & Content:
20 lessons weekly in Science, Technology, Computers & IT
10 lessons weekly in English Language (selected each term from one of the following options)

*  preparation for the University of Cambridge FCE
*  preparation for the University of Cambridge CAE
*  preparation for the University of Cambridge BEC
*  English Language Workshop (ELW)

Awards:

BBSI Higher-Certificate in Science, Technology, Computers & IT
      (continuous assessment)
NCFE Certificate in Science, Technology, Computers & IT
      (continuous assessment)

Optional Examinations*  :

University of Cambridge FCE
      (examination dates)
University of Cambridge CAE 
      (examination dates)
University of Cambridge BEC 
      (examination dates)

Course Objectives. The course objectives are to:

*  develop an understanding of current theory and practice in science, technology and engineering
*  acquire a sound, professional understanding and knowledge of science, technology, computers, computer software, IT and engineering concepts
*  develop effective technical English and professional communication skills
*  build appropriate technical vocabulary related to science, technology and engineering
*  acquire the necessary technical skills for a career related to science, technology or engineering
*  develop confidence and fluency in the English language to Upper-Intermediate Level
*  provide participants with the opportunity to acquire additional English and business English qualifications

Course Elements. In addition to providing students with a thorough and comprehensive grounding in technical English and professional skills, the Study Option 1 syllabus incorporates specialised elements selected from the following:

Applied Mathematics

*  statistics 
*  number
*  space & trigonometry  
*  probability theory
*  algebra & equations  
*  scale & ratio

Applied Physics & Engineering

*  materials & stresses 
*  force & effect
*  light & radio waves  
*  nuclear physics
*  engineering   
*  electrics, electromagnetism & electronics       

Technology

*    materials & systems  
*    applications
*    security  
*    human factor/needs/values/aesthetics

General Science

*    research methods 
*    reading & interpreting scientific information
*    writing scientific reports  
*    problem solving

Computers & IT 

*  word processing  
*  spreadsheets
*  database   
*  presentation   
*  Microsoft AccessTM  
*  database design
*  forms & reports   
*  queries & SQL
*  commands & macros  
*  business modelling
*  computer configuration  
*  types of computers
*  operating systems   
*  binary system
*  programming & languages   
*  computer networks
*  computer viruses  
*  internet viruses

*  electronic communications   

*  using a computer effectively & managing files
*  web-design theory  
*  website-building (Microsoft FrontpageTM)
*  introduction to PhotoshopTM  
*  concepts of information & computing technology
*  publishing in HTML    

*  information & effective communication

Minimum English Entry Level: IELTS 4.5 (Intermediate)

Course Duration: 24 weeks (2 terms)

Course Code: CST 24

Course Entry Dates: October, January, April or July (term dates 2009)

Lessons Weekly: 30 (each of 45 minutes´ duration)

Minimum Age: 17 years

Course Structure & Content:

Term 1

20 lessons weekly in General English
10 lessons weekly in Computers, Computing & IT Skills
       (includes the full ICDL syllabus)

Term 2

20 lessons weekly in Science, Technology, Computers & IT
10 lessons weekly in English Language
       (selected from one of the following options)
      *  preparation for the University of Cambridge FCE
      *  preparation for the University of Cambridge CAE
      *  preparation for the University of Cambridge BEC
      *  English Language Workshop (ELW)

Awards:

BBSI Higher-Certificate in Science, Technology, Computers & IT 
       (continuous assessment)
NCFE Certificate in Science, Technology, Computers & IT
      (continuous assessment)

Optional Examinations*  :

International Computer Driving License® 
      (examination dates)
University of Cambridge FCE 
      (examination dates)
University of Cambridge CAE 
      (examination dates)
University of Cambridge BEC
      (examination dates)

Course Objectives. The course objectives are to:

*  develop an understanding of current theory and practice in computer technology, computing and IT
*  acquire a sound, professional understanding and knowledge of computer technology, computing, IT and computer software
*  develop effective technical English and professional communication skills
*  build appropriate technical vocabulary related to computer technology, computing and IT
*  acquire the necessary technical skills for a career related to computer technology, computing, IT and computer software
*  develop confidence and fluency in the English language to Upper-Intermediate Level
*  prepare participants for the International Computer Driving License® award
*  provide participants with the opportunity to acquire additional English and business English qualifications

Course Elements.  In addition to providing students with a thorough and comprehensive grounding in technical English and professional communication skills, the Study Option 2 syllabus incorporates specialised elements selected from the following:

Applied Mathematics

*  statistics 
*  number
*  space & trigonometry   
*  Probability theory
*  algebra & equations
*  scale & ratio

Applied Physics & Engineering

*  materials & stresses   
*  force & effect
*  light & radio waves 
*  nuclear physics
*  engineering   
*  electrics, electromagnetism & electronics

Technology

*  materials & systems   
*  applications
*  security   
*  human factor/needs/values/aesthetics

General Science

*  research methods  
*  reading & interpreting scientific information
*  writing scientific reports  
*  problem solving

Computers & IT (inclusive of the ICDL syllabus)

*  word processing 
*  spreadsheets
*  database  
*  presentation   
*  Microsoft AccessTM   
*  database design
*  forms & reports  
*  queries & SQL
*  commands & macros 
*  business modelling
*  computer configuration  
*  types of computers
*  operating systems
*  binary system
*  programming & languages   
*  computer networks
*  computer viruses  
*  internet viruses
*  electronic communications  
*  using a computer effectively & managing files
*  website-building (Microsoft FrontpageTM)
*  introduction to PhotoshopTM 
*  concepts of information & computing technology
*  publishing in HTML   
*  information & effective communication

 Book this course on-Line.

The following higher-certificate courses are also available at BBSI: