Introduction
The Preparatory Year at Sulaiman Al Rajhi University aims towards achieving the purposeful vision of SRU to become a leading institution in education, research, and services at national and regional levels. We aim to prepare academically and intellectually highly qualified students to contribute to the development of societies through building leaders, quality education, research and services.
Purpose
In order to achieve this, the Preparatory Year has been specially designed to prepare students for enrollment in the undergraduate Medical, Applied Medical Sciences and Nursing programs offered at SRU by developing the required standards for English language skills, Basic Sciences knowledge, and communication, study and IT skills. It has also integrated an introduction to the Problem-based Learning approach (PBL) which is the educational methodology of SRU’s College of Medicine.
Professional Behavior
Not only does SRU strive to build knowledgeable students, but also aims to instill in them professional behavior values that will continue follow them into their careers. To do this, the preparatory year employs a vigorous professional behavior policy that helps develop crucial characteristics in students including responsibility, time management skills, ethics, teamwork and academic honesty.
Mission and Objectives
The overall purpose of the Preparatory Year is to prepare students for the enrollment in the undergraduate Medical and Applied Medical Sciences programs offered at SRU by developing the required standards for English language skills, basic sciences knowledge, communication, and study and IT skills. The objectives of the program are to qualify the students with the necessary skills to:
- Demonstrate the ability to follow scientific, medical and technical course content in the English language.
- Develop English Grammar, Reading, Listening & Speaking, and Writing skills at the upper intermediate level.
- Explain basic Biochemistry, Biology, Medical Physics and Biostatistics knowledge in the English language at the basic level.
- Develop study and research skills needed for effective learning at the introductory level.
- Demonstrate communication skills for effective communication in health care professions at the introductory level.
- Demonstrate skills in information communication technology needed for effective technological communication at the intermediate level.
- Recognize problem-based and student-centered learning systems at the basic level.
Educational Methods
The Preparatory year has adopted several major educational methods as a strategy to reach its intended learning outcomes (ILOs) including:
- Developing detailed and aligned course specifications for all courses.
- Adopting clear assessment plans and rubrics for all continuous and final assessment to promote assessment for learning.
- Utilizing lectures, group work, continuous assessment, feedback sessions and final assessment to promote a balanced teaching and learning environment.
- Using E-learning and online sources and other multimedia tools to enhance learning abilities.
- Establishing fixed office hours for all courses in order to provide extra one on one tutorial sessions for students.
- Choosing the latest and most relevant books and materials to ensure a state-of-the art curriculum.
- Recruiting and hiring highly qualified and motivated instructors that adopt a student-centered approach to teaching.
Medical Track Study Plan
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Hours |
| ENGL101 | English Reading (1) | 2 |
| ENGL102 | English Listening & Speaking (1) | 2 |
| ENGL103 | English Writing (1) | 2 |
| ENGL104 | English Grammar (1) | 2 |
| STS101 | Study Skills | 2 |
| ME101 | Medical Terminology | 2 |
| CHEM201 | Biochemistry | 3 |
| COM102 | Information Communication Technologies | 1 |
| Total | 16 |
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Hours |
| ENGL111 | English Reading (2) | 2 |
| ENGL112 | English Listening & Speaking (2) | 2 |
| ENGL113 | English Writing (2) | 2 |
| ENGL114 | English Grammar (2) | 2 |
| BIOL101 | Human Biology | 3 |
| STAT101 | Biostatistics | 2 |
| COS101 | Communication Skills | 2 |
| PHYS106 | Medical physics | 2 |
| Total | 17 |
Nursing Track Study Plan
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Hours |
| ENG101 | Basic English Reading (1) | 2 |
| ENG102 | Basic English Listening & Speaking (1) | 2 |
| ENG103 | Basic English Writing (1) | 2 |
| ENG104 | Basic English Grammar (1) | 2 |
| STS101 | Study Skills | 2 |
| ME201 | Medical Terminology | 2 |
| BCHEM101 | Basic Biochemistry | 3 |
| COM102 | Information Communication Technologies | 1 |
| Total | 16 |
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Hours |
| ENG111 | Basic English Reading (2) | 2 |
| ENG112 | Basic English Listening & Speaking (2) | 2 |
| ENG113 | Basic English Writing (2) | 2 |
| ENG114 | Basic English Grammar (2) | 2 |
| BBIOL201 | Basic Human Biology | 3 |
| STAT101 | Biostatistics | 2 |
| COS201 | Communication Skills | 2 |
| PHYS106 | Medical Physics | 2 |
| Total | 17 |
Applied Sciences Track Study Plan
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Hours |
| ENG101 | Basic English Reading (1) | 2 |
| ENG102 | Basic English Listening & Speaking (1) | 2 |
| ENG103 | Basic English Writing (1) | 2 |
| ENG104 | Basic English Grammar (1) | 2 |
| STS101 | Study Skills | 2 |
| ME101 | Medical Terminology | 2 |
| CHEM201 | Biochemistry | 3 |
| COM102 | Information Communication Technologies | 1 |
| Total | 16 |
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Hours |
| ENG111 | Basic English Reading (2) | 2 |
| ENG112 | Basic English Listening & Speaking (2) | 2 |
| ENG113 | Basic English Writing (2) | 2 |
| ENG114 | Basic English Grammar (2) | 2 |
| BIOL101 | Human Biology | 3 |
| STAT101 | Biostatistics | 2 |
| COS101 | Communication Skills | 2 |
| PHYS106 | Medical physics | 2 |
| Total | 17 |
English Language Exemption Policy
First: Requirements for students to be exempted from the English language courses of the first and second semesters of the foundation year:
- The student must obtain an overall score of at least 6.5 in IELTS, or its equivalent, to be eligible for exemption from all English language courses of the first and second semesters.
- The student must submit the official IELTS result certificate (or its equivalent) to the Office of Registration and Academic Advising no later than the time specified in the academic calendar of the same year.
- The student will then be awarded a grade of (A +) for all English language courses of the first and second semesters, and attendance is not required.
- All exemptions must be approved by the Skills and Essential Knowledge Department.
Second: For students who are to be exempted from the English language courses of the second semester only of the foundation year, the following requirements must be met:
- The student must obtain an overall score of at least 6.0 in the IELTS test, or its equivalent, to be eligible for exemption from all English language courses of the second semester.
- The student must submit the official IELTS result certificate (or its equivalent) to the Office of Registration and Academic Advising no later than the time specified in the academic calendar of the same year.
- The student must pass all English language courses of the first semester.
- The student will then be awarded a grade of (A +) for all English language courses of the second semester, and attendance is not required.
- All exemptions must be approved by the Skills and Essential Knowledge Department.
Third: Financial and Scholarship Statuses for exempted students are as follows:
- English language courses are counted as credit-bearing courses included within the financial package of the semester, and the student is not refunded the fees of the exempted courses.
- The student is treated, with respect to the counting of courses within the scholarship, in accordance with the scholarship policy approved at SRU.
For information on Business English courses, please visit: the Link here