The Foundation in Science programme at The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus is a passport to the undergraduate degrees offered by the Faculty of Science. The modules offered are specifically tailored for direct progression to our undergraduate programmes. With plenty of opportunities to interact with students and staff, you will be given the chance to fully explore the Faculty of Science. This will help support you to identify, and then pursue, a degree in the science field of your choice.

To fully prepare you for your chosen area of study, the Foundation in Science has specialist module pathways in biomedical sciences, bioscience, biotechnology, computer science, geography, psychology and pharmacy, as well as covering topics in mathematics, chemistry, and biology. You will also be given extra support in English language and study skills, so you can progress to the undergraduate level with confidence.

What is the Foundation in Science?

The foundation programme runs full-time for either three semesters or two semesters. The three semester programme is ideal if you have completed a minimum of 11 years of formal education. The two semester programme is suitable if you have completed at least 12 years of formal education but need to enhance your skills in order to undertake an undergraduate degree.

After you have completed the foundation programme successfully you can then go on to study one of our undergraduate degree programmes.

How you are taught

You will follow a dedicated pathway through the foundation programme, based on your choice of degree programme – for example, psychology or computer science. Additional optional modules give you the opportunity to study science topics outside of your pathway which can provide complementary pathways into other degrees offered by the Faculty of Science.

Course structure

Each semester consists of 15 weeks, with 10-12 weeks of teaching and two weeks of examinations. If you study for the three-semester programme, you would take all appropriate modules. If you opt for the two-semester programme you would take the appropriate modules for the first and second semesters.

The Foundation programme has three annual intakes.  The three-semester programme commences in April and July; the two-semester programmes starts in September.

Progressing to degree level

On successful completion of the foundation programme,you can choose from the following undergraduate courses depending on your academic performance and interest.

• Biomedical Sciences
• Biosciences
• Computer Science
• Pharmacy
• Psychology

First semester:

Compulsory modules

Second semester:

Compulsory

Biosciences

Computer Science

Pharmacy

Psychology

Additional elective module

Third semester:

Compulsory

Biosciences

Computer Science

Pharmacy

Psychology

Additional elective module

Other equivalent qualifications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

April, July, September

Biomedical Sciences:

For students progressing to Biomedical Sciences:

Our biomedical sciences degree is purposely designed to maximise your career options. It will equip you with skills that enable you to undertake hands-on science careers in research and development in the laboratories of institutions such as universities, public health services and the pharmaceutical industry.

There are also a number of hands-off science career paths, such as scientific journalism, medical information officer and patent advisor. You will also develop abilities across a range of highly-transferable skills such as analytical thinking and critical reasoning will allow you to thrive in a wide range of work sectors from IT to finance.

Biosciences:

For students progressing to Biosciences:

There are many different applications from our courses, which may involve agriculture, horticulture, food and food-processing, forest products, marine applications, phytoremediation, pharmaceuticals, medical and non-food uses of plants and industrial crops. Graduates may also choose to develop careers in areas as varied as scientific writing, marketing or education.

Computer Science:

While many computer science graduates are employed in a wide variety of jobs, including:

• computer analysts
• IT consultants and planners
• network/systems designers and engineers
• researchers
• software designers and engineers
• web designers and developers

as well as roles across advertising and marketing, business and financial analysis, legal and quality assurance professions. Some of our graduates have gone on to work for traditional computer companies such as Adobe, Google, Hewlett-Packard, IBM and Microsoft.

Pharmacy:

Pharmaceutical scientists are central to the discovery and development of new drugs, formulation science and the design of novel drug delivery systems and therapeutics. Graduates can embark on a range of careers including: research managers in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, chemical or biotechnology industries; academics in institutions of higher education;medical sales and marketing; scientific writing, and other appointments which require a general science background.

Psychology:

Psychologists work in many areas in the public and private sector, from schools and hospitals to management consultancies, high-tech industries and even professional sports teams. Many of our graduates will go on to choose psychology as a career – as researchers and teachers of the subject, or as practitioners in a range of sub-disciplines of psychology, such as clinical and counselling, educational and school, engineering, sports, forensic, health, and industrial/organisational.

Psychology graduates can also progress to a career in research, in either the public sector or the private sector. Research psychologists employed by businesses may work on a wide variety of projects, including creating new ways of targeting advertising campaigns, developing new forms of 3D cinema, and assessing new drugs to treat depression.