To achieve a strong interdisciplinary level, IUS will develop a unique structure in which the freshman year is devoted to fundamental development in arts and sciences for all IUS students. This is achieved through so-called University Courses. The IUS university courses consist of Freshman year courses and one course in the Sophomore and Junior years. All these courses, amounting to a total of 30 credits or 60 ECTS points and 4 non-credit courses  are required for all of the undergraduate degree programs at IUS. The project course is a required course for all undergraduate students enroled at IUS.

IUS University Courses -  Course Description

 

ENG 101 Freshman English I

For all students who have passed their Language Assessment Exam, ENG 101 provides advanced communicative, critical analysis and study skills focusing primarily on the development of academic speaking and writing. Beyond maintaining a high level of spoken communication, the oral presentation component of the course emphasizes content, delivery and accuracy through the use of video and related technologies. Within the writing component, students are required to undertake research projects utilizing the latest available information technology for putting together proper papers. Intensive personalized tutorial sessions with instructors and peer groups, in which students receive specific assistance in all aspects of their individual needs, are the foundation of the English 101 course. Back

ENG 102 Freshman English II

The aim of the ENG 102 course is to provide more specific preparation to students for their sophomore year. The course continues to build upon and expand the communicative, critical analysis and study skills developed over the first semester. In addition to the oral presentation and written exposition components, a greater emphasis is placed on the need to effectively and efficiently approach and analyze lengthy academic texts. The latest information technology is utilized in and out of the classroom in all phases of the learning process. Completing this course enhances students ability to succeed in their academic careers and to become proficient English language communicators in general. Successful completion of this course rounds out the language skills students will need for sustained academic achievement in their undergraduate studies. Back

HIST 191 History of Civilization

An introductory course in the history of civilization from antiquity to the twentieth century. Among the topics to be considered are: government and empire in Greece and Rome; Judaism, Christianity and Islam; the Arab impact on the West; the Renaissance and the Reformation; the expansion of Europe; Africa and African civilizations in the Atlantic world; the origins of the modern state; the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment; origins of the French Revolution and of industrial capitalism; Industrial capitalism and imperialism; Marxism; the World Wars; the Russian and Chinese Revolutions; the Great expression and its impact; the Cold War; decolonization and the Third World; intellectual and cultural developments; civil rights, civil liberties, and democracy worldwide in the late twentieth century. Back

SPS 101 Humanity and Society I

Combining elements of social and economic anthropology with the history of political thought, the Humanity and society course is both more dense in content, and analytical rather than narrative in approach. It visualizes development and progress more in terms of a step-function of discrete (hunting-gathering, agricultural, and industrial) thresholds. These represent the material-technical limits of the possible, setting agendas and posing problems, to which social formations are perceived as responding. Such combinations of forms of production, coercion and persuasion are further conceptualized as being nurtured in different environments and/or distinct cultural traditions. The two lectures per week are more contextual in character, while selected political-philosophical texts are taken up in the discussion section. Back

MATH 101 Calculus I

Basically an introduction to fundamental concepts of calculus, but far from being a traditional calculus course, it introduces students especially through five or six colloquia per semester, to a more general exposition of mathematical ideas, and even to sampling of contemporary problems that are still challenging for professional mathematicians students can have a flavour, for instance, of the types of problems elementary number theory, discrete mathematics, coding theory or probability theory deal with. In terms of content, the first semester will be devoted to: number systems, introduction to combinatorics. Basic functions, properties and modeling. Description of change ;the derivative and its applications. The definite integral and its applications. The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. Back

MATH 102 Calculus II

The use of mathematics as a tool (revealing how mathematics shapes our lives)is strongly emphasized through mathematical modeling and applications to real-life problems from biology, physics or the social sciences. Covered over the second semester will be: Techniques of integration. Taylor polynomials; power series; geometric, harmonic and alternating series. Approximations. Functions of several variables, partial derivatives, optimization. Multiple integrals. Back

NS 101  Biology

Observing and understanding the workings of nature (comprising the physical universe and living organisms) is fundamental to contemporary civilization. The natural sciences also provide a most versatile method of using the human intellect The Biology course will selectively introduce some of the basic concepts of our knowledge of nature and to initiate an experience of the way biological science operates, sharing the method of scientific thinking with students. What happens when a system in equilibrium is slightly perturbed? What are some of the important molecules in living organisms, and how do they work? What is the structure of DNA and the mechanism of heredity? How do we analyze and determine symmetrical structures in nature, or the structures of molecules and crystals? How do populations of living things interact and change? What is biological evolution? What are the basic mechanisms for the emergence, evolution or extinction of species? What questions make up the current frontiers of science? Back

NS 102  Physics

Emphasis in the science of Physics courses will not be on conveying secondary fragments of knowledge, but on conveying to all students an overall sense of the way science looks at the world, at new problems and at new subjects, while making sure that students who way want to specialize in engineering or the natural sciences are equipped with the basic concepts and skills necessary for future work. Computer simulations are an integral part of the course, requiring student interaction, participation and feedback. This is complemented by hands-on laboratory experiments that will be important for highlighting pitfalls in the way of actual (as opposed to virtual) practice. In the last analysis, science is common sense; it is ''easy'' as common sense is easy; and it discovers a surprising display of beauty in nature. Some of the questions that will be analysed are: What are the ideas in science that would be most interesting, enjoyable or useful to know for any, college graduate? How do we probe a scientific question in practice? What constitutes an answer? What are some of the answers that we have - or don't have as yet? How do Newton's Laws of Motion work? What does it mean to have an electric or magnetic field in a vacuum? What is there in the universe? What happens when a system in equilibrium is slightly perturbed? What determines the size and structure of an atom? What questions make up the current frontiers of science? Back

NS 102  Chemistry

Observing and understanding the workings of nature (comprising the physical universe and living organisms) is fundamental to contemporary civilization. Technology begins with some understanding of how nature works. The natural sciences also provide a most versatile method of using the human intellect In the Chemistry course the answers will be sought on the questions that are bridging the Physics, Chemistry and the Biology. Some of these questions are: What happens when a system in equilibrium is slightly perturbed? What determines the size and structure of an atom? Why is there a Periodic Table? How does a chemical reaction proceed? What are some of the important molecules in living organisms, and how do they work? What questions make up the current frontiers of science? Back

ECON 101  Introduction to Microeconomics and Macroeconomics

Basic concepts of national accounting. Classical macroeconomics. Elementary Keynesian macroeconomics. Labour market adjustment at the macroeconomic level. Inflation and anti-inflationary policies. International macroeconomics. Economics and economy, open economy macroeconomics and international linkages; aggregate demand and supply; unemployment and inflation; consumption and investment; stabilization policies; economic growth. Consumer theory and demand; production, costs and supply; equilibrium in competitive markets; monopoly, oligopoly and failures and the role of the government. services in a market economy. Back

PROJ 102  Project Course

Project Course is designed to introduce the student into the practice of project work, to challenge the student's creative and intellectual abilities, and to provide the student with an opportunity to function within a team. The student gets first hand experience in planning and implementing a project so as to meet a set due-date for presenting the client with the deliverables expected. Timing of the activities and the allocation of resources to these activities are crucial decisions to be made by the team members. Back

HUM 201Science and Technology

Introduction to the role of science and technology in society and to problems facing contemporary policy makers. Topics include the nature of the scientific knowledge, the progress in science, the scientific community, the links between science, technology and social changes, the control and regulation of the science and technology. Back

HUM 202 Science and Technology

An introduction to the social, historical, and ethical influences on modern science and technology. Cases include development of the atomic bomb, mechanization of the workplace, Apollo space program, and others. Readings are drawn from history, fiction, and social sciences; films and documentary videos highlight questions about the application of scientific knowledge to human affairs. The class is designed to give students freedom to develop and express their own ideas. Back

SPS 303 Law and Ethics

This course aims to encourage students to reflect on the meaning of being an individual and a citizen. Certain fundamental questions, posed by the ancients but persisting in their relevance, informs the structure of the course: What is good life? How should we live? What does the life of a virtuous individual and citizen consist of? How can the likely conflicts between the two be resolved? Related to these, the course also explores the diverse relationships between law and ethics and adresses issues such as political authority, representation and consent, freedom, justice, and equality. Back