Subjects

Subjects for standard full year Foundation Studies Programmes include:

• English for Academic Purposes (EAP), plus four from the following list:
• Accounting
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Design
• Economics
• Geography*
• Mathematics
  • Mathematics with Calculus
  • Mathematics with Statistics
• Physics

Subjects with * are only available with the late January intake. All subjects are available but subject to sufficient enrolment numbers.

Subject Descriptions:

English for Academic Purposes (EAP) This course is for the purpose of training students at a pre-university level to use language appropriately for study. From 2011, students who achieve a minimum of a B grade in EAP will fulfil the literacy requirements for entry to the University of Auckland. Students who achieve a minimum of a B Grade will not need an IELTS pass (minimum 6.0) if they wish to pursue courses like Commerce (Business), Science, Arts, Law, Architecture, Music, Technology and others. Those who wish to study courses like Engineering, Health Science and Education will still need to take IELTS. However, completion of the EAP course will generally equip students with the language skills required for most ELT examinations. The course includes Academic Writing, Academic Speaking, Academic Reading, Academic Listening, Research skills, Syntax and Academic Vocabulary. The core material is supplemented with electronic materials such as additional media-related reading exercises, a sequential system of vocabulary acquisition, communication activities designed to enhance skills in grammar as well as listening.

Accounting leads to a wide variety of degree and diploma courses at both university and institutes of technology. From there you will be provided with some exciting and challenging career prospects, through the Institute of Chartered Accountants of New Zealand. This will give you a basis to enter the world of commerce, business management and banking. Apart from this, Accounting will provide you with practical skills for dealing with your day to day financial needs. We will start by teaching you how financial information is used in business, how to prepare financial accounting reports, and how accounting information helps businesses make correct decisions. From this base you will study various forms of business ownership and the theory and principles of Accounting, along with developing your computer spreadsheet skills. You will also be introduced to management accounting, including costing.

Biology leads you to have a greater understanding of the world around you. You will learn more about plants and animals and the issues associated with genetic engineering and biotechnology. The subject provides an ideal base for many tertiary courses and can be studied at tertiary level either as a specialist subject in its own right or as part of courses such as those leading to the health sciences.

Chemistry is a fundamental branch of science that enables students to understand materials that are an essential part of our everyday lives and leisure. Through the study of Chemistry we are able to appreciate and explain the basic make-up of matter and how substances interact. While Chemistry is an academic subject, it is intrinsically based on laboratory work. Theory is complemented by experiments in which you develop practical sills such as the use of modern laboratory equipment, powers of observation and the ability to communicate results and conclusions. It is recommended that students studying Chemistry have good arithmetical skills.

Design leads to the study of various Design and Architecture courses at university and technical institutes. Students may be admitted to a Design course by presenting a small portfolio of artwork for evaluation, undergoing an interview with a Design tutor and completing drawing and design tests during the first week of classes. The purpose of these pre-course evaluations is to ensure that all students enrolling for a senior Design course have the necessary skills and knowledge to complete the course with success. As a Design student, you will be expected to expand your knowledge of Design practice through practical projects and visual/verbal research into Design history and theory. In addition to scheduled class time, students should expect to spend three non-scheduled lessons in the studio on extension work.

Economics develops an approach to problem solving that will be useful in whatever field you end up working. You will increase your understanding of how the economy works by choosing Economics and you will be able to make more informed decisions about the future political and economic direction that should be taken by New Zealand. Economics provides both a general and a specific base for a business career. Students who enjoy Economics have opportunities to enter a variety of employment situations such as marketing, sales, banking, stock broking, politics, management, asset management and various positions within government departments.

Geography is particularly relevant to many aspects of our lives. Geography is the science of place and space. Geographers ask where things are located on the surface of the earth, why they are located where they are, how places differ from one another and how people interact with the environment.  The subject consists of two main branches, human geography and physical geography. Human geographers work in the fields of urban planning, transport, marketing, tourism and international business. Physical geographers forecast the weather, manage land and water resources. Geographers are well equipped to study many of today’s vital issues. Indeed, geographers were the first scientists to warn of global warming, desertification, deforestation, pollution and the loss of biodiversity. The study of geography can lead to a wide variety of degrees courses and is useful for many career options.

Mathematics. In deciding which of the two Mathematics courses to choose, you should bear in mind that it is more difficult to pick up Calculus at a later stage. Calculus requires skill in manipulating abstract quantities while Statistics requires the ability to interpret questions into mathematical equations. If you are unsure what the mathematical requirements of your career interests are, you are encouraged to obtain information from the institute at which you intend to study, or from the careers counsellor. Many Mathematics students will choose to do both Calculus and Statistics.

• Mathematics with Calculus You will need good algebraic, graphical and computational skills for this subject. The course consists of two parts which are equally weighted. One half consists of Calculus. This covers the concept of a limit and a range of differentiation and integration techniques, including their application to a range of mathematical models. The other half consists of a combination of algebra, trigonometry and co-ordinate geometry. Topics include the extension of the real number system to complex numbers, more advanced work on trigonometric graphs and equations and a study of the conic sections. The course is appropriate for students with an interest in the continued study of Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Engineering and in general any field where analysis is an important tool. For entry into some tertiary courses, such as Engineering, advanced Economics and Physics, as well as further studies in Mathematics, the study of Calculus is a pre-requisite. You are advised to consult the institution you plan to attend, as requirements vary from one provider to another.

• Mathematics with Statistics The aim of this course is to prepare you for a career in the Biological Sciences and Social Sciences, Medicine, Commerce and Administration, and in general for any field in which the collection, analysis and interpretation of data is important. In today’s technological society most jobs require a measure of statistical understanding at some time or another. It will assist you as a consumer. A knowledge of Statistics is a powerful defence against misrepresentation of facts. The course has two equally weighted sections: The Statistical section starts with elementary data analysis. You then discuss probability to lay the foundation for understanding discrete probability distributions (Binomial and Poisson) and the Normal Distribution. The sampling distribution of the mean and the Central Limit Theorem pave the way for work on confidence intervals. A study of Time Series is included. The second half of the course consists of an algebraic section involving solution of linear equations, linear programming, series, the Binomial Theorem and a study of functions, graphs and simple mathematical modelling. You will learn to use computer software to present data graphically and will be expected to do your projects on a computer.

Physics is highly relevant to many aspects of everyday life in the non-scientific world in that it provides explanations for why natural and man-made phenomena occur. The course sets out to develop knowledge and understanding of physics by looking particularly at situations in your everyday lives to which you can relate. In the course you will be assisted to understand different types of experimental techniques and the appropriate situations in which they should be used. In addition, you will be shown how to develop a logical approach to problem-solving and experimental design. The study of Physics can lead to a wide variety of degrees and diploma courses and is a pre-requisite for many career options.

Download as a PDF:

 The University of Auckland Foundation Subject Handbook 2012

 The University of Auckland Foundation Text Book List