This programme prepares students for the self-propelled, interactive, and collaborative style of study that forms the core value of learning at USJ and elsewhere in the world.
Pre-University is a one-year programme offering a range of courses to prepare students for studies at the university level. Students are immersed in English language development along with fundamental preparatory training in academic disciplines from the humanities to the sciences. Completion of the programme qualifies students to apply to any of the Bachelor programmes at USJ.
This programme is not equivalent to the Form 6 or Grade 12 (High School curricula) required and recognised by the Education and Youth Development Bureau.
- Students obtain a basic foundation in English language proficiency and exposure to academic disciplines
- Students interact with an international group of peers with diverse backgrounds and cultures
- Students acquire skills through active learning, hands-on activities, and field trips
- Students are trained by experienced academics from around the world
- Are preparing for higher education studies
- Are interested in improving their English skills
- Enjoy cross-cultural environments
Study plan & description of modules
Please click on any specific module below to see its description.
Modules
Year 1
This module is designed to assist students to develop and strengthen their English language skills specifically in the areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing. On completion of this module, students will have been introduced to skills that will assist them to develop their communication abilities, to a satisfactory level, to complete written reports, produce written essays, and deliver oral-presentations, in English.
This module is designed to assist students to develop and strengthen their English language skills in learning environment at the university level. Specifically, attention will be given to developing the core academic competencies that are vital to the development of effective life-long learning strategies and skills. On the completion of this module students will be able to communicate effectively in academic contexts through essay writing and oral presentation.
This course introduces the basic concepts and tools of probability, statistics and decision making. It covers descriptive statistics, sample spaces, elementary probability, probability distributions probability laws, measures of central tendency & dispersion.
This course is an introduction to the basic concepts and applications of Biology with Human Emphasis. It highlights core concepts, current understandings and research trends in the field of Human Biology with particular emphasis on the nervous system.
This course provides basic concepts and applications of Genetics with emphasis on Human Genetics. It highlights core concepts, current understandings and research trends in the field of Classical and Molecular Genetics.
This course focuses on General Chemistry and introduces the students to the Scientific Methods. It covers fundamental concepts, important theories and laws in Chemistry. Students will also explore Chemistry in the Atmosphere and study the significance of various chemical cycles in nature.
This course focuses on General Physics which includes basic concepts and key ideas while providing opportunities for students to learn reasoning skills and a new way of thinking about their environment. They will have an opportunity to understand the energy sources of today and will explore the energy sources of the future.
This course is an introduction to the application of knowledge and understanding of human processes, their interactions and outcomes over space and time. It covers the nature, significance and effects of people’s values and attitudes including their own in relation to geographical issues and questions.
This course introduces the different methods used in conducting an investigative research in human geography. The students are expected to plan, conduct and present their own simple geographical research.
The course invites students to research three main domains on theories of knowledge: (1) Emotions; (2) Feelings; (3) Reason. The scientific literature, theories, concepts and leading problematic are summarized, discussed, and applied to a research on Van Gogh’s paintings: “madness and suicide”.
This course provides a comprehensive exploration into epistemology, the sources and nature of belief, justification and knowledge, as well as their structure and scope. Relevant scientific literature, theories, concepts and leading problematic beliefs are summarized, discussed, and applied.
This module consolidates the fundamental concepts of algebraic functions and equations, as well as the properties and features of various geometric shapes. Topics covered include polynomials, quadratics functions and equations, inequalities, logarithmic functions and equations, triangle properties and circles. Graphs of various functions are also illustrated with emphasis on the quadratic function.
Students will be introduced to basic concepts of Macro and Micro economics. Supply and demand ideology will be cemented. Economic equilibrium and dynamic will be discussed. Various notions of economic importance will be covered such as currency, labor market, import/export and interest instruments.
This module introduces the basic concepts of commonly accepted accounting practices. The various entries of a balance sheet will be covered and the calculation of income and expenses will be emphasized. Depreciation and amortization of assets and expenses will be discussed. Different levels of enterprises from entrepreneurs to corporations will be introduced and their accounting features will be covered.
This module prepares students to utilize basic computer software to handle the heavy workload of university studies. The main focus will be the basic and advanced features of office software such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Web editing tools will also be introduced. The module will briefly touch on the audio visual tools such as audio and video editing.
This module introduces the various online resources that can enhance students’ efficient use of time and effort. Free tools such as Google tools will allow students to handle Office Suite tasks at no cost. Free presentation tools such as Prezi will be introduced. Free hosting using Google Site will be practiced. Online survey tools will also be utilized for students’ future studies.
The main father figures of sociology (Durkheim, Weber…) and more recent sociologists (Mead, Merton…) will be presented, with the basic concepts of their theories and methodologies. The historical sketches will show why this new social science is necessary and how it contributes to the understanding of human society.
The module, with special emphasis on sociology of knowledge, will investigate how sociological observation strives for objectivity in quantitative and qualitative researches, and thus invites human being, despite real and apparent limits, to take informed and responsible decisions, without imposing values on social actors.
