the General Foundation Program (GFP):

Vision:

In accordance with the ministerial decision issued by the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific

College of Design has decided to adopt this decision in the academic year (2008-2009).

The General Foundation Program has been designed to help higher and post-secondary education students to get prepared for their further studies.

To achieve the required standard learning outcomes, four areas have to be covered: English, Mathematics, Computing and General Study Skills. The (GFP) has to meet these standards so as to be recognized through formal accreditation by the Oman Accreditation Council (OAC).

GFP Characteristics:

• The GFP is a compulsory entrance qualification for Omani diploma and degree programs.

• It is designed to prepare students for their postsecondary and higher education studies.

• It precedes the first formal year of higher education study.

• It does not result in the awarding of formal academic credit to the student.

Four areas of learning:

Students who join the Scientific College of Design must meet the specified learning outcomes

in the following four areas of learning before joining the regular major courses:

• English Language.

• Mathematics.

• Computing.

• General Study Skills.

These four components provide students with a comprehensive intellectual base that is relevant to all further study and to the development of broad thinking and life skills in general. But, students who major in Fashion Design will not need to comply with the English

Language Standards since Fashion Design courses are taught in Arabic language.

Structure of the General Foundation Program:

• There is no time limit on GFP for students. Therefore, a GFP may range in length form non to one or more semesters as it is anticipated that some GFP students may require three or more semesters until the benefits of changes to the secondary school curriculum become manifest over the next few years.

• Students undertake a GFP must not be enrolled in more than 100% of a full time load as

GFP components require additional support and the students are not yet ready to manage more than a full time higher education load.

• The learning outcomes of the GFP are manifestly pre-requisites to further study. Consequently,

The GFP must be completed prior to a student>s enrolment in further study.

Assessment of student learning:

• Assessment for GFP for entry and exit standards is essentially the same to make sure that the student meets the required learning outcome standards.

• A GFP entrance assessment is required to determine whether a student already has met the required GFP learning outcomes.

• A student shall not be required to undertake a component of a GFP if he or she has already met the required learning outcomes for that area of learning. If a student satisfies the standards for English, Mathematics and Computing during entry test, and then he or she will be awarded the certificate of attainment for the entire GFP.

• Study skills are not subject to pre-entry testing. But, they will be tested in the exit test later a long with the other components of the GFP.

• An exit assessment is required to determine whether a student has met the required GFP learning outcomes. A student shall not pass the GFP until all the learning outcomes are met.

• The final assessment result should be either a pass, indicating that the student learning outcomes have been achieved by the student, or a fail. There will be no final grading shown on the official testamur or transcript.

• If a student fails part of the GFP, he or she does not fail the entire GFP and would only need to re-sit the part that he or she failed. However, the student must pass all four learning outcome areas in order to pass the GFP.

• Student who has not completed their GFP may enroll in some first year degree courses provided that:

- The outstanding GFP component is not evidently a pre-requisite for the first year / level courses being taken.

- The student’s total enrollment (of first year and GFP courses) does not exceed 100 % of full time student load.

- The student may not undertake any second year / level degree courses until the GFP is completed.

Upon the successful completion of the GFP, students are admitted to the Design Foundation Program which is common to all art and design programs.

Design Foundation Program (DFP)

The Design Foundation Program is a one year (2 semesters) course of study that is common to all students initially enrolled in the fields of fine arts, graphic design and interior design. The program is intended as an open and multi-disciplinary stage that initiates entering students to the study and making of art and design before they could specialize in their chosen creative field.  The philosophy of the program is rooted in a holistic understanding of design as a total creative activity that rejects disciplinary boundaries and denies clear-cut demarcations in artistic practices. The Design Foundation Program espouses a comprehensive approach to design and a broad perspective on art whereby students are introduced to time honored fundamentals and exposed to diverse forms, media, and methods which are critical to visual communication and creative development.  Students study color, drawing principles and composition as well as explore 2-D and 3-D techniques, materials and processes as a way to investigate visual dynamics and creative expression. The Design Foundation curriculum seeks to integrate a multiplicity of design interests, design modules, theoretical courses, art electives and general college requirements modules as a way to provide depth and breadth to the foundation experience. The knowledge gained in theoretical courses and the skills honed in design studios provide the students with the visual vocabulary and the aesthetic sensibility necessary to finding his/her own creative direction. The Design Foundation Program fosters an environment of open exchange of ideas and free experimentation whereby committed instructors and talented artists engage students through rigorous studio critique and meaningful debate as a way to sharpen visual perception. Studio exercises, lectures, and field trips, further add to the creative development.  In facilitating this artistic and intellectual formation, the Design Foundation Program aims to guide the students’ transition into the chosen major.