Academic English Language BIPH 1202

Course description:

The course teaches the basic skills of analyzing information. Attention is given specially to scientific thinking skills — problem solving, observation, analysis, inferencing, interpretation, and argumentation in both reading, oral and written expression. In addition, to designing a questionnaire and producing a report based on a problem.
This course covers also the study of research basic concepts, methods and tools used in pharmacy and biotechnology. Students will practice and develop their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills as well as improving their grammar, vocabulary knowledge and pronunciation. This course will concentrate on the following specific areas:
  • Essay writing & critical thinking 
  • Reading academic texts effectively 
  • Academic discourse, syntax and lexis 
  • Discussion & presentation skills 
  • Examination techniques 
  • Listening & note-taking skills
  • Research methods

Course Aims:

The aim of this course is to:
  • Improve students’ communicative English ability in an academic setting.
  • Provide students with the necessary skills in reading and writing to be able to interpret and produce recognizable academic discourse.
  • Provide students with skills and strategies required to identify and source reading and research texts appropriately 
  • Provide students with the necessary listening skills to follow lectures, seminars and small-group teaching.
  • Train students in approaching topics, issues and texts in a critical manner 

Course outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:  
  • Read and produce a range of academic genres on a range of appropriate topics; 
  • Be more aware of conventions in academic reading and writing; 
  • Know where to find suitable sources for your writing and know how to reference them suitably. 
  • Use grammar and vocabulary typical of academic discourse in a more accurate and more complex manner; 
  • Read, think and write in a critical manner; 
  • Listen more effectively in English, in a range of situations and contexts, such as lectures, seminars and small classes; 
  • Communicate better in a range of situations and contexts, such as seminars, tutorials and informal communication with staff and peers; 
  • Be more conversant with a range of study skills which will allow you to continue to study effectively, both in-class and independently, after the end of the programme; 
  • Have an awareness of key research methods and be able to carry out basic research project.