UFV offers a number of courses that can help prepare you to work at the university level. Subjects include rapid reading, writing, study skills, research, critical thinking, computing, education and career planning, and employment search.

Critical thinking and strategic learning for excellence are vital to successful achievement at university. Whether you are a student returning to education after many years, a recent high school graduate or a current post-secondary student, CSM 104 or CSM 108 and 208 can help you understand learning theories and principles and their effective application for academic success. For more information regarding these additional courses, refer to course descriptions below.

CAP 1103 credits
Writing and Research Skills
Prerequisite(s): None
This course provides a step-by-step process for writing research papers. The course deals with instructors' expectations for academic performance. A multicultural curriculum is used.

CAP 1203 credits
Potential Development Training
Prerequisite(s): None
This course provides personal and career exploration. A multicultural curriculum is used.

CAP 1303 credits
Reading and Study
Prerequisite(s): None
This course provides academic support skills and techniques for the other courses that students are/will be taking. Topics include time and stress management, rapid reading, and study hints. A multicultural curriculum is used.

CAP 1403 credits
Career Planning
Prerequisite(s): None
This 60-hour three-credit course provides opportunities for the development of communication, leadership, teamwork, and computer skills. Thirty of the 60 hours are spent in a supervised practicum with a business or community agency of the student's choice. Participants also learn the latest strategies in job hunting and career planning.

CCP LC0 credits
College and Career Preparation Learning Centre
Prerequisite(s): None
Learning Centres focus on upgrading designed to provide students with entry-level requirements for specific UFV vocational, applied, and academic programs.

CCP LC2B0 credits
College and Career Preparation Learning Centre (Extended length)
Prerequisite(s): None
A Learning Centre that provides about twice as much contact as usual.

COMP 0611.5 credits
Introduction to Computers
Prerequisite(s): CCP department permission
This course is a basic introduction to computer concepts, keyboarding, word processing, email, and Internet use for those people who have little or no experience with computers. This course is designed for students in College and Career Preparation, but others may be admitted with permission of the CCP department.

COMP 0711.5 credits
Introduction to Computers (Part II)
Prerequisite(s): COMP 061 or CCP department permission
This course is an intermediate computer course that combines some computer theory background, Windows environment, introduction to spreadsheets, electronic communication, and intermediate topics in word processing. COMP 071 is designed for students in College and Career Preparation, preferably those who have taken COMP 061, but others may be admitted with permission of the CCP department. Note: Beginner students are advised to take COMP 061 before taking COMP 071.

COMP 0813 credits
Introduction to Computers (Part III)
Prerequisite(s): COMP 071 or CCP Departmental Permission
COMP 081 is an introductory computer course that combines a broad background of computer theory with an introduction to the Windows operating system, MS Word, MS Excel, PowerPoint, and optionally MS Access and Website Design.

CSM 1043 credits
Integrated Academic Learning Skills
Prerequisite(s): Must meet the English Language Entrance Proficiency requirements or the requirements for University Foundation level II and one of the following pre- or co-requisites.
Pre- or corequisite(s): One of CMNS 099, ENGL 099, ENGL 091, ENGL 081 or ESL WG84 or equivalent
This course is designed specifically for University Foundation Program students to support their first year courses. Interested students from other programs, whose first language is not English, may also enroll. Topics covered include analytical listening strategies, contemporary study approaches, and interactive group communication. CSM 104 uses current post-secondary course materials with an emphasis on scholarly research to explore individual learning differences and approaches to the disciplines.
Note: This course is not equivalent to CSM 108.

CSM 1083 credits
Critical Analysis and Learning
Prerequisite(s): None
This course examines student learning styles, presents principles behind learning, and provides strategies and techniques for academic success. Topics include critical thinking skills, understanding your personal learning styles, learning strategies and problem-solving across the disciplines, overviewing the research paper, and reading effectively, efficiently, and critically.

CSM 2083 credits
Learning Methodology
Prerequisite(s): CSM 108 or one of the following: CMNS 115, CMNS 125, CMNS 145, CMNS 155,
CMNS 165, CMNS 175, or ENGL 105

This course is a continuation of the principles and skills learned in CSM 108, and introduces students to the next level of critical analysis and higher education learning. The course investigates critical thinking processes, effective thinking strategies across the disciplines, problem solving, resolving group conflicts, active learning through alternative ways of thinking, expository and persuasive presentations, presentation skills, meta-cognitive learning, and intellectual argument and reasoning.

ECP 0743 credits
Education and Career Planning: Skills for Success
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 061 or CCP department permission
The goal of Education and Career Planning is to enhance life, educational, and employment readiness skills of adult learners. Learners will devise a realistic employment plan for themselves in a changing and diverse world with clearly
stated and achievable preliminary and intermediate goals. Personal, education, and career development is an ongoing process through which learners integrate their personal, family, school, work, and community experiences to facilitate
career and lifestyle choices. Learners will examine their lives and lifestyles and be encouraged to make made adjustments as necessary to achieve their goals.

ECP 0943 credits
Provincial Education and Career Planning
Prerequisite(s): None. ENGL 071 or English 10 recommended
Students in this course will demonstrate, evaluate, and document personal management, academic, and teamwork skills that are transferable to the workplace, propose steps to develop or strengthen personal training and employability skills, consider educational and labour market options, and prepare their education and/or work search action plan. To build a realistic action plan outlining steps to manage their educational and career plan, students will determine appropriate program and course selection to reach employment goals, including course entrance requirements, financial costs and resources needed, time commitment, and support services within the institution and community.

RSS 0983 credits
Introduction to Reading and Study Skills
Prerequisite(s): Admission to either the CTC Health & Human Services, or Adventure Tourism certificate programs
This introductory reading and study skills course is designed specifically for students in the Health & Human Services and Adventure Tourism programs at CTC. Students will learn basic speed reading techniques and writing skills to facilitate comprehension of their textbooks. In addition, program content material will be used as a basis for learning preliminary study strategies.

Last updated: April 11, 2008