Bachelor Preparatory Program (BPP) Syllabus

Term 1 Foundation Building & Core Skill Development

1. Advanced Academic English & Communication

• Grammar & Vocabulary: Advanced grammar structures, academic vocabulary (AWL - Academic Word List), error correction.
• Reading Comprehension: Analysing complex texts, identifying arguments, inference, and summary writing.
• Academic Writing: Structure of essays (argumentative, descriptive, analytical), thesis statement development, paragraphing, coherence, and cohesion. Introduction to citations and avoiding plagiarism.
• Communication Skills: Participating in discussions, delivering short presentations, and active listening.

2. Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning

• Core Concepts: Sets, Relations & Functions, Trigonometry, Linear Equations & Inequalities.
• Algebra: Quadratic Equations, Sequences and Series (AP, GP), Logarithms.
• Introduction to Calculus: Limits, Continuity, and an intuitive understanding of Derivatives.
• Statistics & Probability: Mean, median, mode, standard deviation, basic probability concepts.
• Application: Solving real-world problems using mathematical models.

3. Principles of Science

• Physics: Units & Measurements, Mechanics (Motion, Forces, Laws of Motion), Work, Energy & Power.
• Chemistry: Basic concepts (atoms, molecules, moles), Atomic Structure, Chemical Bonding, States of Matter, Periodic Table.
• Biology: Cell Biology, Biomolecules, Basic Genetics, Human Physiology (digestive, respiratory systems).
• Focus: Scientific method, lab safety, and simple experiments to reinforce theory.

4. Digital Literacy & IT Skills

• Productivity Software: Advanced MS Office/Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides) for academic work.
• Online Research: Effective use of search engines, evaluating online sources, using academic databases.
• Digital Citizenship: Cyber safety, privacy, and digital ethics.

5. Personal Development & Study Skills

• Goal Setting & Time Management: Creating study schedules, prioritizing tasks.
• Learning Techniques: Note-taking methods (Cornell, Mind Mapping), active reading strategies.
• Introduction to Critical Thinking: Identifying biases, logical fallacies, and evaluating arguments.

Term 2 Specialization & Advanced Application

1. Research & Academic Writing (Project-Based)

• Coursework: Students choose a topic of interest (aligned with their intended major).
• Skills: Conducting literature reviews, formulating research questions, structuring a research proposal/report (1500-2000 words), proper citation style (APA/MLA).
• Output: A complete research paper and a presentation of their findings.

2. Critical Thinking & Logic

• Formal & Informal Logic: Deductive and inductive reasoning, syllogisms, logical puzzles.
• Argument Analysis: Deconstructing complex arguments, identifying premises and conclusions.
• Problem-Solving: Creative and analytical approaches to solving multi-step problems.

3. Elective Streams (Students choose ONE based on intended undergraduate major)

• Stream A: Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM)
  • Advanced Physics (Electromagnetism, Optics)
  • Advanced Chemistry (Organic Chemistry, Thermodynamics)
  • Advanced Mathematics (Calculus - Integration, Vectors)
  • Introduction to Programming (Python)
• Stream B: Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences
  • World History (Major events and themes from the 18th-21st centuries)
  • Introduction to Psychology & Sociology
  • Principles of Microeconomics
  • Political Science & International Relations (Basic concepts)
• Stream C: Business & Commerce
  • Principles of Accounting (Journal, Ledger, Trial Balance)
  • Introduction to Business Management & Entrepreneurship
  • Fundamentals of Marketing
  • Microeconomics & Macroeconomics (Basic concepts)