ENGLISH (ACADEMIC ENGLISH, IELTS, DEBATE, STUDY SKILLS)

ENGLISH (ACADEMIC + IELTS): The focus of this subject is twofold: 1) to bolster the students’ general knowledge of English and 2) to ensure that students will develop the necessary skills to sit for and pass the IELTS test successfully. The course focuses on the following:

Thorough IELTS preparation – Essays and reports – Techniques for fast and efficient reading – Writing styles and techniques – Research methods and procedures – Pronunciation & intonation – Independent study projects – Preparing reports and assignments – Time management and work organization – Debate presentation techniques ?? Vocabulary building – Insight into British culture & way of life

STUDY SKILLS: Study Skills is a subject designed to help students practice their already acquired skills in studying, and add to them. During the year they will learn how to make efficient presentations, write summaries, essay reports etc. They will also be given tips on how to manage their time more efficiently, take notes during lectures and be able to reference in an appropriate way (Harvard Referencing System). An extra feature of this module is to make the transition from Greek schools to British Universities easier, by being given information on the UK marking system, way of life and culture. Students are given presentations on how to open a bank account, how to apply for accommodation and loans, but also on how to use a debit card, their student card and how to issue the relevant bus, rail or coach monthly card.

DEBATE: The purpose of this component is to familiarize students with various debating techniques, which will prove invaluable in a university setting. Students are divided into groups and prepare a debate topic of their choice. They are then invited to attend the dEbate which takes place in a formal setting outside the school premises, with a judging panel and guests. The debate experience teaches students the importance of team work, discipline and coordination.

SOCIOLOGY

The subject matter of this course deals broadly with the individual in society and the impact of society on the individual. More specifically, areas to be covered include the definition of sociology, culture, the socialization process and deviance. Other areas include sexuality & society, class structure, ethnicity, social institutions, religion, economic order and urbanization. Students can also expect to gain insight into population, medicine, health and aging. This elective is highly recommended for students who would like to enter the teaching profession, and those who will be working with people.

HISTORY with HISTORY OF ART

HISTORY: The main objective of the course is to provide a general background on Ancient History (Greek & Roman – especially on Julius Caesar) as well as on Greek and Roman Art during the periods under study. Key points of Greek History include the origin of the Greeks, Mycenaean Civilization, Sparta, the Athenian Empire and Pericles’ Imperialism. The Roman History component deals predominantly with Julius Caesar and the Punic Wars.

HISTORY OF ART: Greek Art: Exploring the areas of experimentation and innovation in Painting, Figure Sculpture, and Greek Temple-Architecture. Roman Art: Exploring the areas of the Greco-Roman style of sculpture, Portrait Sculpture, Architecture, The Building of Rome, The use of Greek themes and imagery in Wall Painting, Floor Mosaics, and Commemorative Monuments.

LAW

This module is intended to provide a basic understanding of law in those areas, most likely to be of benefit to students.

It is designed to give students a practical understanding of the legal environment and to ensure that they will recognize when a legal requirement exists and to which area of ​​law that requirement belongs.

The module takes the form of one three-hour lecture per week. Lectures will provide the structure which will be supplemented by involvement in activities and case studies.

The students will be encouraged to work on specific coursework. Upon completion of this module, the student will be aware of his / her obligations / liabilities; be aware of his / her responsibilities; be able to recognize when there is a legal requirement to be met.

BIOLOGY

A wide range of concepts are taught during the Foundation course. The syllabus contains advanced concepts of Cell Biology, Genetics, Human biology, Molecular Biology, Taxonomy, Ecology, and Evolution, as well as concepts of Biomedical applications and others. Students familiarize themselves with a wide range of academic applications and the field of research. The syllabus is designed to enhance self-dependence and thorough knowledge, both instrumental in the successful preparation for studies in Life Sciences, mainly Biomedical, Medical, and Pharmaceutical schools.

COMPUTER THEORY

This class is targeted at Computer Science or Engineering students. This module covers the fundamentals of computer programming.

The course is designed for students with no programming experience and covers all the different means of representing an algorithm, as well as all the possible ways to solve a complex problem using programming.

The basic programming languages ​​covered during this module are C ++ and Java. At the end of this course all students will be able to write simple and Java. At the end of this course all students will be able to write simple and complex computer programs.

CHEMISTRY

Foundation Chemistry is equivalent to A level and is based on a syllabus specifically designed to promote thorough practice in all the essential concepts of Inorganic and Organic Chemistry approved for Medical and Pharmaceutical schools. Atomic structure, periodicity, chemical reactions, kinetics, equilibria, thermochemistry, acids and bases, properties of organic molecules, bonding, and industrial applications of chemistry are some of the aspects. In addition, students have the opportunity to delve deeper into more modern techniques such as NMR.

PHYSICS

The aim of this course is to prepare students on physics they will need in order to enter a physics oriented undergraduate program at university level
Mechanics Section: Concepts of Kinematics, Forces (Newton’s Laws, Gravitation), Principles of conservation of energy and momentum. Motion in one and two dimensions (Linear motion, Projectiles, Rotation, Simple Harmonic Motion)

Electricity Section: Fields, Forces, Circuits (Resistances, Capacitors), DC and AC current.

Magnetism: Fields and Forces, motion of charged particles in EM fields.

COMPUTING

This class instructs students on all the basic aspects of computing required in order for them to be able to handle a computer with ease. The syllabus is compatible with the ECDL Modules and covers the following: Theory, Windows, MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, Internet (Emails via Outlook and Web Browsing).

Emphasis is placed on formulating presentations either on Word, or PowerPoint, and the students familiarize themselves with every detail regarding this in particular since it will be of benefit to them during their studies in the UK. At the end of each module, each student will have acquired the requisite skills to sit the ECDL exams, thus acquiring a Certificate of computer knowledge recognized all over Europe.

MATHEMATICS FOR SCIENCE

The aim of this course is to prepare students on mathematics they will need in order to enter a non-math oriented undergraduate program at university level.

The course covers the following topics: Basic Algebra
(linear, quadratic, exponential and logarithmic functions).

Graphing of simple Calculus functions
(basic differentiation and integration)

PSYCHOLOGY

Introducing Psychology: Scope of Psychology – Perspectives in Psychology: Historical Background, Psychodynamic Perspective, Behaviouristic Perspective, Humanistic Perspective – Research Methods of Psychology: What are some basic research methods, issues & controversies in psychology? – Psychological Development I: Cognitive Development: What is the relative influence of nature and nurture?
How does cognitive development proceed? Stages of development – Biological Bases of Behavior: Properties of neurons, Central role of the brain, Neurotransmitters, Basic terms of the limbic system, Autonomic Nervous System, Endocrine System -States of Consciousness: Sleep, Drugs – Sensation & Perception

LITERATURE ENGLISH

This course aims to present a variety of genres, indicative of the artistic movements of their era, in relation to their historical and cultural parameters.

Introductory lectures will include references to the timeline of the birth of the novel / poem as well as excerpts from 18th-century prose. The remaining syllabus will include a 19th-century novel, representative of realism, as well as short stories (or a novel) from the 20th-century by various authors and poets.

The course takes the form of a seminar implemented by class dialogue through which students will develop their ability to critically analyze and evaluate texts through the acquisition and use of proper theoretical tools and methodology.

MATHEMATICS FOR ENGINEERING

The aim of this course is to prepare students on mathematics they will need in order to enter a math oriented undergraduate program at university level.

The course covers the following topics: Algebra (linear, quadratic, exponential and logarithmic functions) Coordinate Geometry (Cartesian and Polar) Trigonometry (functions, equations, identities, transformations and graphing) Calculus (differentiation, integration, areas and volumes of revolution) Series and Progressions (arithmetic, geometric, etc.) Complex numbers Vectors (basic concepts, equation of a line, scalar product, equation of a plane)

STATISTICS

Descriptive Statistics (mean, median, mode, variance, standard deviation, graphs)

– Probabilities (experimental probability, sample space, theoretical probability, compound events, tree diagrams, sets and Venn diagrams, laws of probability, Bayes’ theorem).
– Statistical Distributions (discrete random variables, expectation, binomial distribution, Poisson distribution, normal distribution)

The course includes an individual project on descriptive statistics and a group project (questionnaire design, interviews, data entry, data analysis, presentation of results)

ECONOMICS with BUSINESS TOPICS

ECONOMICS: This is an introductory course which sets out to inform the student about the economic environment within which business businesses operate, as well as to give the student insight into some of the methods and instruments which businesses use to influence the economic environment. The student should learn to see Economics as an analytical technique, which leads to an understanding of production and consumption side of the market, and monetary authorities. Stress will be placed on introducing the student to the key conceptual tools used by economists, leading to such issues as price controls, monopoly and unemployment.

The course is divided into two units: Microeconomics and Macroeconomics. The former introduces students to key microeconomic issues, such as scarcity and choice, demand and supply, free markets and price controls, as well as the laws governing the different market structure. The latter focuses on teaching macroeconomic concepts such as measuring the economic activity and national income, the role of the government in the economy as a whole, as well as the nature of money and its supply and how this influences interest rates and inflation.

BUSINESS: This course will review and expand students’ understanding of key concepts in contemporary business and management issues. Using a case study method will enable students to solve real world business problems by integrating the use of key concepts and tools of analysis, from these core courses. In addition, it will provide them with an appreciation for how these business disciplines work together in a business environment.
The course is also designed to develop critical skills that students will need to succeed in their academic studies in the UK. These skills include, building and working in teams, making effective oral presentations, and thinking critically, strategically, and ethically in solving business problems.

COMMUNICATION, MEDIA & INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

COMMUNICATION & MEDIA: The aim of this course is to help students understand the process of producing and distributing messages through mass communication, the profound role mass media play in society and how mass media industries have been changing over the past fifteen years. Key issues covered in class include: The primary activities of mass media, government regulation of and financial support to mass media industries, audience segmentation, new media technologies compared to traditional media, the interconnection of mass media industries and the global role of mass media as they operate today. The teaching of the material is enriched with related videos and in-class discussions. Students are required to submit an assignment on a related topic in which they are to include major concepts covered in class during the academic year.

INTERNATIONAL POLITICS: Ancient and Mediaeval Western Political Political Thought
Plato: Ideal State, Justice, Education, Communism – Aristotle: Aristotle’s method, Teleology, Notion of State, Justice, Slavery and Revolution – Cicero: Natural Law, State – Introduction to Medieval Thought: Theory of Two Swords – Thomas Aquinas: Theory of Knowledge and Law -Thomas Aquinas: Theory of Knowledge and Law
Comparative Politics: Concepts and Models – Comparative Politics: Meaning, nature and scope – Approaches to the study of Comparative Politics: Behavioral, System, Structural-Functional and Marxist approach – Bases of classification of political systems: models of political system: Traditional, modern , liberal- democratic, authoritarian and populist -Political Ideology: Meaning and characteristics, debate on the decline of ideology – Political Culture: Concepts, determinants and types, contemporary trends, political culture and development.