Bachelor of Arts (Communication and Sociology)

Bachelor of Arts (Communication and Sociology) - Full-time
Developed and awarded by University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, US

Studying about Communication and Sociology
The study of Communication provides you with a comprehensive knowledge of the nature of human communication, its media, and its effects. You will be introduced to the finer points of interpersonal communication; challenged to apply critical thinking to your consumption of the mass media; exposed to the complexity of delivering information in organisational and mediated communication situations; and, able to broaden your horizons through the study of international and intercultural communication.

Sociology is a study of all people, for all people. It is the broadest of the social sciences and, unlike other disciplines, can give us an understanding of the social world.

The knowledge and tools make the sociology student invaluable in a number of settings, from business to social service to government to education. As you embark on this study, keep in mind that sociology helps us have a deeper understanding of ourselves and our place in the world.

SIM is the only offshore institution in the world to offer undergraduate programmes from University at Buffalo.

Entry for students is a minimum 5 GCE ‘O’ level passes or equivalent. Advanced standing credit may be granted for applicants with ‘A’ levels or polytechnic diplomas.

More than 50% of programmes are taught by overseas visiting faculty.

The cost of studying at SIM is 60% lower than studying in the US.

Other full-time UB programmes offered at SIM:
Bachelor of Arts (Economics)
Bachelor of Arts (Communication)
Bachelor of Arts (Sociology)
Bachelor of Arts (Psychology)
Bachelor of Science(Business Administration)
Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Sociology)
Bachelor of Arts (Communication and Psychology)
Bachelor of Science (Business Administration) and Bachelor of Arts (Psychology)

Duration

Each semester is 12-15 weeks. There are three semesters per year:

• Summer semester: May-August
• Fall semester: August/September-December
• Spring semester: January-April

Please click here to get a copy of the tentative schedule.

Candidature Period

The maximum allowed period for a student to complete a single degree program would be 6 years and a double major or double degree program would be 8 years. If a student fails to complete the course within the candidature period, they will not be entitled to any recourse or refund.

Mode of Delivery

Minimum Number of Students Required for Class Commencement

For a class to commence, there must be minimum of 25 students. In the event that the class cannot commence due to low take up rate, the students will be informed at least one month prior to class commencement.

Acceptance Criteria (Communication)

• Successful completion of the five prerequisite modules with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5(COM 101, two other COM modules listed under prerequisite modules, CSE 111 and SOC 294).
• Completion of SOC 294 with a minimum grade of ‘C’.
• Completion of the university’s writing skills requirement.
• Minimum completion of 45 credits.

Acceptance Criteria (Sociology)

• Minimum GP of 2.0, both overall and at UB.
• SOC 101 with a grade of ‘C’ or better.
• Two other Sociology modules with a grade of ‘C’ or better.

Graduation Criteria

• Minimum completion of 120 credits.
• Minimum GPA of 2.0, both overall and at UB.
• Minimum GPA of 2.5 in Communication modules at UB.
• Minimum grade of ‘C’ is required in SOC 293, SOC 294 and SOC 349.
• Meet major and general education requirements.

Prerequisite Modules for Communication

• COM 101 Principles of Communication (3 credits)¹
• COM 217 Communication in Organizations (3 credits)
• COM 225 Interpersonal Communication (3 credits)
• COM 240 Survey of Mass Communication (3 credits)
• CSE 111 Great Ideas in Computer Science (4 credits) ¹
• COM 337 Communication Theory (3 credits)
• SOC 294 Basic Statistics for Social Sciences (3 credits) ¹

Required Modules for Communication

• COM 125 Introduction to the Internet (3 credits)
• COM 205 Research Methods (3 credits) or
  SOC 293 Social Research Methods (3 credits)
• COM 300 Written Communication (3 credits)
• PSY 101 Introductory Psychology (3 credits) ¹
• PSY 323 Community Psychology (3 credits) or
  PSY 331 Social Psychology (3 credits) or
  PSY 333 Psychology of Work in Organisations (3 credits) or
  PSY 341 Cognitive Psychology (3 credits) or
  PSY 342 Introduction to Cognitive Science: Concepts of the Mind (3 credits) or
  SOC 371 Individual and Society (3 credits)
• SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology (3 credits) ¹
• Eight Communication Electives (24 credits)

Prerequisite Module for Sociology

• SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology (3 credits) ¹

Required Modules for Sociology

• SOC 293 Social Research Methods (3 credits)
• SOC 294 Basic Statistics for Social Sciences (3 credits) ¹
• SOC 349 Classical Sociological Theory (3 credits)
• Eight Sociology Electives at any level (24 credits)

General Education

• ESL 407 Written English I (3 credits)
• ESL 408 Written English II (3 credits)
• MUS 113 Music and Society (3 credits) or
  MUS 115 Understanding Music (3 credits) or
  MUS116 Theory of Music for Nonmajors (3 credits) or
  MUS 264 World Music (3 credits)
• NTR 108 Human Nutrition (3 credits) ²
• NTR 109 Nutrition in Practice (3 credits) ²
• NTR 110 Nutrition in Practice Lab (1 credit) ²
• PHI 101 Introduction to Philosophy (3 credits) or
  PHI 107 Ethics (3 credits) or
  PHI 115 Critical Thinking (3 credits)
• UGC 111 World Civilizations I (3 credits)
• UGC 112 World Civilizations II (3 credits)
• UGC 211 American Pluralism and the Search for Equality (3 credits)

Free Electives
1 credit

Please click link below to retrieve the description of the modules.
UB Undergraduate Catalogue

Under the double major programme, students can graduate with two majors and within the minimum of 120 credits. Students who complete two majors within one degree type will be awarded one degree with two majors, not two degrees.

Candidates who have outstanding academic results may apply for direct entry into the double major programme at the point of application. Shortlisted candidates may be required to attend an interview.

Alternatively, if you are enrolled in a single degree programme and have done well at the end of one year of study i.e. meet the minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 in the prerequisite modules of the first major and the minimum overall GPA of 2.0 to be considered in academic good standing, you will also be eligible to enrol for the double major programme.

Students who fail to meet the minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 in the prerequisite modules of the two majors or the minimum overall GPA of 2.0 to be considered in academic good standing will be required to withdraw from one of the majors.

Applicants will be assessed based on all the qualifications they have submitted. Meeting the minimum requirement does not mean automatic admission.

GCE ‘O’ level with minimum 5 credit passes (6 or better) with suitable academic preparation for the intended major.

Applicants with GCE ‘A’ level or polytechnic diplomas may be considered for admission with advanced standing credit.

Most recent 3 years of high school grade of B equivalent to IB score 4.5. IB Diploma holders may be awarded up to 30 credit transfers.

Click here for the admission criteria of international students

All applicants who are not native speakers of English must demonstrate proficiency in English with minimum score of one of the following:

• Paper-based TOEFL 550
• Internet-based TOEFL 79
• IELTS 6.5 (no subsection score below 6.0)
• SAT I Critical Reading 480
• PTE Academic 55 (with no subsection score below 50)

Only scores from tests taken within 2 years before the time of enrolment are acceptable.

Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents who have had at least 10 years of their primary and secondary education in Singapore in an English-medium government school, and completed their GCE ‘O’ level with a grade of ‘C’ (6 or better) in English as a first language, are exempted from the English Language proficiency requirement.

Course Fee:

S$556.40 (per credit)
S$66,768.00 (minimum 120 credits)
Inclusive of 7% GST

Application Fee:

S$85.60 (Singapore citizens and PRs)
S$267.50 (international applicants)

Inclusive of 7% GST

Nil

To ensure parity in standards, rigours of the programme, integrity of the UB degree, and to comply with US accreditation requirements, more than 50% of the modules are taught by UB faculty and the remaining modules are taught by qualified local faculty who must be approved by UB.

Average teacher-student ratio = 1:16.

Lecturers and their Teaching Modules (as at January, 2012)

The normal module load for students is 12 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Students may register for modules and make changes to their class schedule. Students who choose to drop or resign from any modules, are on official leave of absence or have to repeat any failed modules, may take more than three years to complete their studies.

Continuous assessment comprises tests, quizzes, assignments, projects, presentations, participations and activities which are scheduled throughout the semester.

The final examination is held during the two weeks after the semester ends. The detailed assessment schedules can be found in the individual course syllabi accessible by the students via the Students’ Portal or UBLearns once they are in the program.

Students are allowed to progress through each semester till they satisfactorily complete the conferral requirements.

SIM requires all students (both local and international) to attend all scheduled lessons and activities unless they have valid reasons supported by documents such as medical certificates.

All full-time local students are required to attain a minimum attendance rate as stipulated by the partner universities/institutions or 75%, whichever is higher.

For all international students, the minimum attendance requirement is 90% as mandated by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority of Singapore.

Students must complete a minimum of 120 credits with a minimum overall and UB GPA of 2.0 to be awarded the degree.

Students who successfully complete all the requirements of the programme will be awarded the Bachelor of Arts (Communication and Sociology) degree by the University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, US.