Foundation Studies Programs

This subject has two aims. The first aim of this subject is to introduce students to the accounting literacy and problem-solving skills that are required by professionals to prepare and analyse financial reports and make appropriate decisions about the future of the business. The second aim is to adequately prepare students to successfully undertake first-year university level accounting studies.

Australian Studies aims to provide students with a socio-cultural analysis of a changing nation and its people. This subject brings together a wide range of topics from the humanities, education and social sciences to give students a broad perspective of Australian culture and society and the opportunity to investigate aspects of both in considerable detail.

Biology aims to provide students with an appreciation for the phenomenon of life at levels ranging from the interactions of molecules to the interactions of organisms within the biosphere. The subject provides students with an opportunity to develop an understanding of basic biological concepts: the structure and function of living things, their interdependence, and their place in the environment. The subject provides the student with a broad introduction to biological terminology and concepts. Biology also aims to provide the student with practical skills, especially microscopy, suitable for the study of living organisms and includes basic skills in understanding scientific communication and methodology.

Chemistry is the study of matter and energy, involving a consideration of the composition of substances, their preparation and their effects on one another. This course familiarises students with a wide range of chemicals and processes – both organic and inorganic, with particular emphasis being given to those involved in everyday living, in biological systems and in the activities of industry.

The subject is designed to take students from many backgrounds and language settings and give them the skills necessary to successfully use and manage information technology in their academic studies at an Australian university. To this end students are exposed to a range of topics similar to those studied at Year 12 level as well as developing their subject-specific English literacy skills to the required level.

This subject is designed to take students from many backgrounds and language settings and give them the skills necessary to successfully study a range of subjects at an Australian university. Critical thinking specifically addresses learning areas to assist students who have had little exposure to western style education and whose first language is not English. To this end, students are taught concepts and methodologies that promote the development of independent analytical thinking skills via lecture listening, note taking and interactive tutorial style classes.

The aim of the Specialist Mathematics subject is to prepare students for higher university mathematics, such as that required in engineering degrees. It would also be advantageous for students entering degree programs with an emphasis on mathematical skills such as Mathematics, Computer Science, Finance, Design Studies and some Science courses, such as Chemistry and Physics that have a substantial mathematical content. This subject satisfies the mathematics prerequisite requirements of the University of Adelaide Bachelor of Engineering degree programs.

This subject has two aims. The first aim is to introduce students to the economic literacy skills that are required by professionals, especially those in business, management and commerce, by providing students with opportunities to develop an understanding of the key microeconomic principles, theories, models and laws. The second aim is to adequately prepare students to successfully undertake first-year university level introductory microeconomics subjects.

English for Academic Purposes provides an opportunity for students to explore, respond to, analyse and produce a range of academic and non-academic texts. Text is understood to be any meaningful written, spoken, visual or multimodal message. Through reading, viewing, writing, listening, speaking, and using information and communication technologies (ICT), the course develops students’ confidence and competence in using the English language; their understanding of how different text-types are constructed for particular academic purposes and audiences; and their competence in key academic literacies.

The course takes an integrated skills approach to language learning, using authentic texts, and with an emphasis on reflection and collaborative learning. Assessment tasks model a range of academic practices and are staged so that students can use feedback to gradually build key academic skills, always with an overarching focus on academic integrity.

In Semester 1, students consolidate and develop their knowledge of grammar and lexis through exploring texts related to an overall theme of ‘sustainability’, allowing them to develop ethical and intercultural understanding through the lens of global literacy. In Semester 2, the focus shifts to critical literacy. Students develop research skills; the ability to ask critical questions about the texts which they encounter; and the skills and confidence necessary to participate in academic argument, and to express their own views with clarity and accuracy, whilst also valuing and respecting different perspectives.

The aim of the General Mathematics course is to prepare students for tertiary study in a variety of areas where an ability to critically analyse information and work with data is inherent. Students with tertiary pathways into areas such as Health, Science, Psychology and Commerce would benefit from studying this course.

Good nutrition is vital to a healthy and active lifestyle. Students are presented with current scientific data on the importance of nutrients and exercise for the body as well as social and environmental issues that are related to good health. Students will apply their knowledge gained to design and perform investigations that link ideas between food and health. From the knowledge gained, students will be able to evaluate and modify their own diet and lifestyle.

Students will examine fad diets and learn to critically analyse the effectiveness of these on their health. Students will investigate different methods of food production, labelling and marketing and consider how these ways can influence the health of the individual and community. Students will investigate environmental issues surrounding food and research ideas to improve food security and sustainability for future generations.

Learning about and working in physics gives people an understanding of the processes that direct the universe and the world, so that they may appreciate and respect them. Through exploring the processes that shape the universe, physicists debate and advance understandings of its workings and of the ways in which actions may affect the future of the world. In Physics, students can engage with the work of classical and modern physicists and to join in and initiate debates about how physics affects their own lives, society, and the environment.