Foundation Program (FP)

The Foundation Program at Dhofar University is designed for students who are not sufficiently prepared to join the four-year bachelor program offered at the University.   The program complies with the National Standards for Foundation Programs in Oman. Incoming students may be required to spend from one to three semesters in the Foundation Program, depending on their results in the placement tests administered by Dhofar University.  This program is designed to equip students with the requisite knowledge and skills in English language, Mathematics, Information Technology, and Study Skills.

One of the admission requirements of Dhofar University is taking placement tests in English language, Mathematics and Information Technology.  Those students who take these tests and fail to qualify for any of the three levels in the FP may be directed to study in the Continuing Education Center until they qualify to enter one of the FP levels or join the chosen major in one of the colleges. 

Structure of the Program

The Foundation Program is designed to bridge the gap between secondary education and university undergraduate studies.  The program’s focus is primarily on the enhancement of students’ proficiency in English.  The emphasis of the English program is on the four main skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing). Satisfactory levels of competence in Math, IT and Study Skills are also required.

The Foundation Program is a comprehensive program that complies with the National Standards for Foundation Programs in Oman.  Students enrolled in the program have a full day schedule with a weekly load of around 30 hours, including study groups.

English Language Unit

Since English is the medium of instruction at Dhofar University, there is a definite need to approach the teaching of English at the University in a systematic, meaningful, and purposeful manner.  The English Language Unit offers incoming students with low proficiency in English an intensive training course to help them attain a level of competence in reading, writing, communication and study skills that will make it possible for them to pursue their studies in the major of their choice through the medium of English.

Description of the Program

The program is communicative in nature, shifting the emphasis from grammar to meaningful oral and written communication.  Qualified and experienced faculty, who will be engaged in continuous professional development activities, are charged with the task of implementing this program.  The instructional materials adopted for the program have performance-based objectives as well as clear scope and sequence for teaching communicative skills.

Features of the Program

The program approaches language as a tool of communication and stresses reading and writing as the two main language skills instrumental for students' success in university-level education through the medium of English.  The teaching methodology treats language skills in an integrated fashion and incorporates study skills into the program.  The teaching methodology is communicative in nature, presenting authentic and simulated communicative tasks in real life situations. 

Study Skills

Study Skills are primarily integrated in the English Language program and aim to help students develop the range of useful study skills that they need to succeed in college.  Students learn how to communicate better by developing their skills in listening comprehension, oral communication, reading comprehension, and written communication.  They learn how to use and organize their time, read faster with comprehension, expand their vocabulary, take good notes in class, keep track of assignments, interpret and analyze graphic information, and adopt the most effective communication strategies.

Mathematics and Information Technology Unit

Mathematics

This two-semester course aims at bridging the gaps in students’ knowledge in basic mathematics skills and emphasizes conceptual understanding and problem solving.  The program covers Arithmetic, First Degree Equations & Inequalities, Matrices, Linear Functions & Inequalities in Two Variables, Systems of Equations & Inequalities, Polynomials & Exponents, Rational Expressions, Sequences & Series, Introduction to Complex Numbers and Introductory Trigonometry.

Information Technology

This two-semester course aims to bridge the gap for students who wish to join Dhofar University and lack pre-college Information Technology (IT) fluency and competency skills.  It emphasizes the essential parts of a standard curriculum in IT, giving students a basic understanding of computers, the use of word-processing software, and essential IT skills.  It uses a practical approach by investigating a variety of situations from across the spectrum of technology.  Furthermore, it provides students with knowledge of graphics and the use of the Internet. 

Placement in the Foundation Program

Students will be admitted to the FP provided they satisfy the minimum competency levels in English, Mathematics and IT.  They are placed in the appropriate Level based on their results in the placement tests.

Exit from FP

Students in FP will be evaluated regularly to help determine their progress and attainment of the set goals.  Exit from the program will be on the basis of performance in the program as measured by various assessment techniques available to the instructors and/or a proficiency test similar to the placement test.

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