Study at Cardiff | International

This module aims to improve overall ability in English and to develop academic study skills for immediate use. On completion of the modules, you should be able to:

• use reading strategies to perform successfully, indicating an understanding of their importance and benefits;
• demonstrate knowledge of and ability to manipulate the language: be able to produce a variety of sentence forms in structured paragraphs, with attention to accuracy in an academic style;
• understand listening extracts of differing lengths and types, e.g. dialogues and monologues, social situations, lectures and talks, radio programmes, news interviews, etc;
• use his/her spoken skills effectively in a range of informal and formal situations, demonstrating an ability to exchange information, discuss, problem solve, express attitudes and justify opinions.

This module aims to develop advanced language and study skills; produce confident manipulators of the English language who work very effectively, if not always accurately, at this high level in a culturally acceptable way.

On completion of this module, you will:

• be expected to use the structures of the language with greater ease and increased fluency;
• show an increased understanding of the relationship between the language and its culture, and demonstrate an understanding of the use of an appropriate style/register;
• have acquired a level of English to enable them to cope well with their academic studies across the skill areas.

This module aims to teach generic study skills and subject specific study skills.

The module includes using the facilities in the University libraries to locate books and journals, methods for effective reading and note-taking, basic data analysis, producing a variety of written texts using a language style appropriate to the specific subject (Business, Law, Engineering), planning and giving presentations.

This module aims to prepare you for your studies at Cardiff University while developing and consolidating the language and study skills introduced in English Language & Study Skills 1.

On completion of the module you will have an increased awareness of British life and culture and a basic knowledge of the identity and culture of Wales and the nature of its language.

This module aims to introduce you to basic computing skills and Cardiff University specific systems and packages and to provide techniques for future improvement, improve overall ability in English and to develop and practise academic study skills for immediate use

On completion of the module you should be able to:

• gain access to a range of software packages
• demonstrate an understanding of how to integrate listening /reading and note-taking skills to construct a written academic text
• use synthesis skills to produce written work which is correctly referenced, avoiding plagiarism
• produce a Powerpoint presentation
• create simple graphs and charts and transfer information for use in a word document

During the course you will also be given the opportunity to complete a Personal Development Plan (PDP) which will improve your ability to understand what and how you are learning and help you reflect on and plan your own learning.

The PDP will help you to get the most out of your student experience by encouraging you to take responsibility for your development and raising your awareness of the variety of opportunities for development.

PDP is not just an important process for your time at university but will prove to be a useful skill throughout your life. Learning and development are continual processes and engaging in PDP will help you to develop a positive attitude to all aspects of learning.

The Trigonometry and Calculus module is an introduction to trigonometry and differential calculus suitable for those without A-levels in mathematics.

The Engineering Analysis modules will enhance your understanding of the use of graphical techniques and statistical analysis, and develop your understanding of a range of engineering related topics, providing you with an excellent introduction to our engineering degree schemes.

This part of the course gives an introduction to the basic ideas and methods of engineering mathematics. The module will include review and study of algebra and functions relationships, engineering functions, coordinate systems and vectors.

This section introduces the basic mechanical, thermal and magnetic properties of materials, together with materials’ applications in the realm of engineering. The course will include case studies of familiar systems such as power generation and distribution, domestic machinery and consumer electronics.

This module gives students an introduction to maxima and minima, curve sketching and applications of differentiation to elementary practical problems and integration including determination of areas.

Undergraduate degree programmes at the School cover nine areas of Engineering. On all of the degree schemes you will be taught the fundamental concepts of Engineering through a combination of lectures, design classes and tutorials, supplemented by the practical aspects of engineering which are taught through laboratory and project based work.

Teaching is organised into modules and you will take twelve modules per year, normally six in each of the two semesters. Each semester consists of eleven teaching weeks, one revision week and an examination period. Help with specific aspects of a module can be directly obtained from the lecturers concerned. Staff are happy to clarify any material or answer any of your questions. Your progress will be assessed using a variety of different methods including written examinations, case studies, assignments and project work.

The undergraduate programmes offered by the School of Engineering inlcude:

• Architectural Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Electronic and Communications Engineering
• Integrated Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Medical Engineering

More information about the School of Engineering can be found on their website.

The School's undergraduate degree programmes have all been designed to be stimulating, flexible and relevant both to the needs of a professional computing career and as a basis for advanced graduate studies in specialist areas of computer science and information systems.

Each year over 100 highly-skilled students graduate from the School, many of whom will have benefited from industry-based placements and projects.

The courses available at Undergraduate level include:

• BSc Computer Science
• BSc Business Information Systems
• BSc Software Engineering
• BSc Computer Science with Biometrics
• BSc Computer Science with High Performance Computing
• BSc Computer Science with Security and Forensics
• BSc Computer Science with Visual Computing
• BSc Joint Honours Computing & Mathematics

Visit the School website to find out more.