Introduction

GCET’s General Foundation programme (GFP)  is designed to prepare students to undertake and successfully complete Higher Education programmes. The programme aims to build students’ English proficiency to facilitate study of subjects at undergraduate level and also aims to provide a high standard of learning opportunities that are driven by local vision and governed by strict international standards. Further, It aims at developing critical thinking and autonomous learning by improving study skills. The GFP is regarded as the cornerstone for all the College’s undergraduate programmes. It provides the strongest guarantee that entrants to the GCET undergraduate programmes are adequately prepared and more likely to achieve success in their chosen subjects.

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Awarding Body

GCET

Mode of Study

Full-Time, Part-Time and Flexible.

Duration

3-semester Programme available in October and February

Fees

1000 OMR per semester

Aim of the Programme

The main aim of the General Foundation Programme is to prepare students to study Engineering at higher education
level in English medium. This includes:
   – developing their English language skills and knowledge;
   – developing their Mathematics knowledge and skills relevant to Engineering;
   – developing their academic communication skills in English;
   – developing their study skills to become independent learners;
   – developing their ICT skills;
   – developing their knowledge and understanding of basic theories, concepts and principles underpinning the
study of Engineering discipline.

Programme Structure

 Stage 1

Module Code

Module Title

Delivery

1

ENG 011

English Reading I (Core)

4 x 1.5 Hr= 6 Hr/W

2

ENG 012

English Writing I (Core)

4 x 1.5 Hr= 6 Hr/W

3

ENG 013

English Listening I (Core)

2 x 1.5 Hr= 3 Hr/W

4

ENG 014

English Speaking I (Core)

2 x 1.5 Hr= 3 Hr/W

5

MATH 011

Math I (Core)

2 x 1 Hr= 2 Hr/W

6

ICT 011

ICT I (Core)

2 x 1.5 Hr= 3 Hr/W

Total Scheduled Contact Time/Week

23 Hr/Week

Stage 2

Module Code

Module Title

Delivery

1

ENG 021

English Reading II (Core)

4 x 1.5 Hr= 6 Hr/W

2

ENG 022

English Writing II (Core)

4 x 1.5 Hr= 6 Hr/W

3

ENG 023

English Listening II (Core)

2 x 1.5 Hr= 3 Hr/W

4

ENG 024

English Speaking II (Core)

2 x 1.5 Hr= 3 Hr/W

5

MATH 021

Math II (Core)

2 x 1.5 Hr= 3 Hr/W

6

ICT 021

ICT II (Core)

2 x 1.0 Hr= 2 Hr/W

Total Scheduled Contact Time/Week

23 Hr/Week

Stage 3 (For Students With Engineering Majors)

Module Code

Module Title

Delivery

1

ENG 031

English Reading III (Core)

4 x 1.5 Hr= 6 Hr/W

2

ENG 032

English Writing III (Core)

4 x 1.5 Hr= 6 Hr/W

3

ENG 033

English Listening III (Core)

2 x 1.0 Hr= 2 Hr/W

4

ENG 034

English Speaking III (Core)

2 x 1.5 Hr= 3 Hr/W

5

MATH 031

Math III A (Core)

2 x 1.5 Hr= 3 Hr/W

6

PHYS 031

Physics

2 x 1.0 Hr= 2 Hr/W

Physics Lab

1 x 1.0 Hr= 1 Hr/W

Total Scheduled Contact Time/Week

23 Hr/Week

Stage 3 (For Students Without Engineering Majors)

Module Code

Module Title

Delivery

1

ENG 031

English Reading III (Core)

4 x 1.5 Hr= 6 Hr/W

2

ENG 032

English Writing III (Core)

4 x 1.5 Hr= 6 Hr/W

3

ENG 033

English Listening III (Core)

2 x 1.0 Hr= 2 Hr/W

4

ENG 034

English Speaking III (Core)

2 x 1.5 Hr= 3 Hr/W

5

MATH 032

Math III B (Core)

2 x 1.5 Hr= 3 Hr/W

6

FICT 031

Further ICT

2 x 1.0 Hr= 2 Hr/W

Further ICT (Lab)

1 x 1.0 Hr= 1 Hr/W

Total Scheduled Contact Time/Week

23 Hr/Week

Support for ALL Stages

Staff Supported, English Support Centre

2 Hrs/Skill/Stage/Week

English Language Activity

1 Hrs/Skill/Stage/Week

Staff Supported, Math Support Centre

2 Hr/Stage/Week

Modules Specifications

Placement Test Structure

Placement Test Exemptions

The following categories of students are exempted from taking the relevant part of the Placement Tests:

English:

Students with a minimum score of 600 on the TOEFL

Students with a minimum Band 6 score on the IELTS

Students who hold Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English

Mathematics:

Omani approved Foundation Mathematics Module with minimum of 60% marks

Foreign qualifications such as A level or International Baccalaureate

ICT:

Student with ICDL certificate in English medium

Student with IC3 certificate in English medium

Students with Cambridge IT Test

Also, students who demonstrated attainment of the Learning Outcomes of any module offered in the Foundation Studies Programme by providing certificated evidence of Prior Learning, will be exempted from studying that module (Accreditation of Prior ‘Certificated’) Learning, AP(C)L, will be applied).

Placement Test Syllabus

1 ENGLISH TEST

SYLLABUS AND FORMAT:

Listening: The module comprises four sections of increasing difficulty. Each section, which can be
either a monologue or dialogue, begins with a short introduction telling the candidates about the situation and the
speakers. Then they have some time to look through questions. The first three sections have a break in the middle
allowing candidates to look at the remaining questions. Each section is heard only once.

Reading:The reading test comprises three sections, with 3 texts normally followed by 13 or 14
questions for a total of 40 questions overall.

Writing: There are two tasks: in Task 1 candidates describe a diagram, graph, process or chart, and
in Task 2 they respond to an argument.

Speaking: The speaking test contains three sections. The first section takes the form
of an interview during which candidates may be asked about their hobbies, interests, reasons for taking PT as well as
other general topics such as clothing, free time, computers and the internet or family. In the second section
candidates are given a topic card and then have one minute to prepare after which they must speak about the given
topic. The third section involves a discussion between the examiner and the candidate, generally on questions relating
to the theme which they have already spoken about in section 2. This last section is more abstract, and is usually
considered the most difficult.

2 MATHEMATICS TEST

Syllabus

Kinds of number and basic operations, Laws of Indices, Simplifying algebraic expressions.

Inequalities, Linear polynomial equations, Basic geometry of circles, triangles and straight lines.

Sketching graphs, Trigonometry and identities, Functions, Basic Statistics.

Determine the minimum or maximum values of a quadratic function in order to solve real world problems.

Use trigonometry for computations in arbitrary triangles.

Demonstrate the knowledge about basic concepts of statistics and probability, for example frequency
tables, mean values, statistical diagrams, simple events, tree diagrams.

FORMAT

Problem solving and Objective type

3 COMPUTING TEST

SYLLABUS

Topics covered are:

Windows

Ms-Word

Ms-Excel

Ms-Power point

Internet

FORMAT

Computing PT test is similar to Cambridge IT Skills.

4 PHYSICS TEST

Syllabus

Basic Mathematics and Physics

Quantities and Units, Equations, SI units

Scalar and Vector Quantities

Density

Moments of Forces

Equilibrium

Kinematics and Dynamics

Speed, Velocity and Acceleration

Relative Velocity and Relative Acceleration

Displacement & Motion

Force and Momentum

Projectiles

Gravitational Force

Elastic and Inelastic Collisions

Newton Laws of Motion

Forces between Materials in Contact

Energy and Power

Work and Energy

Power

Conservation of Energy

Kinetic Energy and Potential Energy

Electricity

Charge

Current and Circuits

Format

Question answers – Short and detailed

5 FURTHER ICT Test

SYLLABUS

Introduction to Data and Information.Transformation of data to information

Introduction to Basic Data types (Boolean, real, integer, string, date/time)

Report Writing Skills, Citation and referencing.

Computer Hardware, CPU(central processing unit), Input, Output and Storage Devices

Introduction of computer software.Difference between system and application software.Usage of computer
software.Software Installation.

Problem Solving Skills.Introduction to Flowchart, Pseudocode and Computer Algorithm

Introduction to Communication system, Basic components of communication system.Introduction to Computer
Network and Types of Network.Compare the characteristics of Local area and wide area network.

Networks, Services of internet, World Wide Web and data traffic.

FORMAT

Multiple choice.

Problem solving.

Open Questions – Short and detailed.

Entry Criteria

The entry points are listed explicitly in the table given below. Scores are according to the results of the Placement Test.

Admission Point

English

Maths (A or B)

ICT

Stage 1

Less Than 40%

Less Than 40%

Less Than 50%

Stage 2

40-49%

40-49%

50-59%

Stage 3

50-59%

50-59%

Placement Test Sample Question Papers

Fast Track

Students who are confident that they have the skills and knowledge to pass the exams and achieve the scores required for progression will be given the opportunity to do so through the fast track scheme subject to the following conditions:
Before registering for Fast Track Test, students should consult with their Academic Advisors and/or relevant Module Leaders (Section 3 of the Fast Track Registration Form).
To be eligible for Fast Track Test, students’ overall marks in the selected modules should not be below the pass/progression mark by more than 10%.
The Head of the Foundation Studies Department will arrange for the marking and double marking of the answer booklets. Final marks will be discussed and approved by the Department Committee.
If a student passes the Fast Track Test then his/her mark(s) will supersede all the previous marks he/she has scored before.
All results of Fast Track should be reported to the next Exam Board.
Further information regarding Fast Track test is available from the department office and the Admissions & Registration office.