Academic Upgrading (Certificate)

Admissions

Fundamental Upgrading and Intermediate Upgrading

All of:

• By assessment* 
• Informational interview with the Foundations Dept Chair if a student’s English assessment places them in ENGL 021 , ENGL 022 , ENGL 023 , ENGL 024 , or ENGL 025 .  A student whose English assessment places them in ENGL 033  or above is not required to attend the informational interview. 

*Students are admitted based on their previous educational background and experience. A student should contact the Assessment Centre for an English or mathematics assessment. To arrange an access assessment with the School of Access, call 250-370-3945. 

Learning Outcomes

At the completion of the Fundamental Upgrading program, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate various student-success skills and strategies, including working independently and collaboratively, managing in-class time, test-taking, accessing the Help Centre, and using the library.
• Read a variety of written materials for a variety of purposes, including employment, literal and inferential comprehension, skimming and scanning, summarizing, interpretation and evaluation, research, enjoyment and study
• Use various skills and strategies to build vocabulary and be able to understand vocabulary in context, at the Fundamental level
• Write various types of basic compositions for a variety of purposes, including paragraphs, personal and business letters, and multi-paragraph compositions
• Demonstrate an understanding of basic grammar and punctuation
• Use basic Mathematics at a Fundamental level effectively
• Apply a variety of strategies in solving Math-related problems
• Apply knowledge and skills in basic arithmetic and measurement to solve problems related to employment, consumerism, personal finance, and other aspects of daily life
• Use knowledge and skills in various math topics as a basis for further study in Foundation Trades Programs (If MATH 037 or MATH 038 are completed)
• Use knowledge of various math topics as a basis for further study (If this is part of the student’s Personal Learning Plan [PLP])

At the completion of the Intermediate Upgrading program, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate various student-success skills and strategies, including working independently and collaboratively, managing in-class time, test-taking, accessing the Help Centre, and using the library
• Summarize and paraphrase written and verbal resources
• Make inferences, distinguishing fact from opinion
• Use standard reference sources
• Read for main ideas
• Use skills in outlining, memorizing, exam taking and note-taking
• Identify point of view in written work
• Write a brief, basic research report
• Gather ideas and define and narrow the topic
• Select, evaluate, and order material to create organized paragraphs, essays, summaries, reports, resumes, memos, application letters, and business letters
• Revise and edit work
• Plan and write narrative, descriptive, and expository pieces
• Produce writing on demand in time-limited, testing situations
• Participate in group discussions
• Use mathematics at an Intermediate level effectively
• Demonstrate knowledge and skills in using the language, principles, and operations of introductory algebra
• Apply a variety of strategies in solving math-related problems
• Use knowledge of introductory algebra as a basis for further study in Advanced-level algebra, math for technology, and other courses and programs (If this is part of the student’s Personal Learning Plan [PLP])
• Use knowledge of introductory algebra and trigonometry as a basis for further study in the Electrical Foundation program (If MATH 057  is completed)

Curriculum Fundamental Upgrading

Curriculum Intermediate Upgrading

Additional Information

These courses are the prerequisites for progressing to the Advanced and Provincial levels of study, and/or direct entry into post-secondary programs.