Journey to alternative medicine
THE Foundation in Science (FiS) in IMU is a pre-university programme that prepares students for a variety of health science degrees in IMU, including the Chinese Medicine programme.
Fresh school-leavers have varied interests and dreams to pursue.
Some may have already decided on the journey and degree programme which they wish to embark on, while there are those who have yet to decide and are still exploring options.
The FiS in IMU prepares students academically with entry requirements for the university’s degree programmes of their choice. It also gives students the much needed exposure in choices of the degree pathways available for them.
Third semester Chinese Medicine programme student Lee Ket Ching’s initial interest was in a different degree programme when she enrolled in FiS.
During her second FiS semester, she attended the Chinese Medicine Week and was intrigued. Since then, she has pursued her degree in Chinese Medicine.
Similarly, Desmond Tee first enrolled into FiS with the intention of pursuing a different health science degree programme.
Upon research and communicating with degree seniors from the Chinese Medicine programme, Tee became interested and is now in his third semester of the programme.
When asked about the difference between himself as student of FiS, in comparison to his peers from other pre-university programmes, Tee said: “We adapted better to the teaching styles. We are more familiar with university learning.”
Semester 3 Chinese Medicine programme Loh Poh Wen echoed Tee’s answer: “The Biology and Physics in Health Science curriculum, which we learnt in FiS, is applicable to what we are learning now.”
Loh also said it was easier for them to understand what was taught.
Another student who became interested in the Chinese Medicine programme midway through the FiS programme is Mak Wai Lum.
Having scored GPA 3.63 in the first semester of the Chinese Medicine programme, Mak said, “When compared to my friends from other pre-university courses, FiS students have better time management skills because we are accustomed to having coursework in FiS.”
Smooth transition
Essentially, FiS students have a smooth and holistic transition into the Chinese Medicine programme.
IMU’s Foundation in Science aims to prepare students academically and holistically for their undergraduate studies in IMU.
With that, the teaching methodology and assessment methods employed in FiS are aligned to methodologies used in the undergraduate programmes.
Students benefit from these as it gives them early exposure and a head start to the undergraduate learning environment.
The FiS in IMU is an important foundation year that prepares students to be independent learners.
The foundation programme has three intakes a year – April, July and September.
These convenient start dates enable a smooth transition into the preferred degree courses students are interested in upon their successful completion of the programme.
The university’s four-year BSc (Hons) in Chinese Medicine has partnerships with several traditional Chinese medical universities in China, such as Shanghai University, Shandong University, Guangzhou University.
It is also linked to RMIT University, Australia for students who wish to transfer to after three years in the IMU Chinese Medicine programme.
After an additional two more years, graduates are awarded the bachelor degrees in Chinese Medicine from the respective partner universities.
The commencement for the Chinese Medicine programme is in February and September of each year.
IMU welcomes students with pre-university qualifications to join as a start to a promising and rewarding yet challenging future with a career in Chinese Medicine.
Those with a pre-university qualification make an online application today.
■ For more information, visit www.imu.edu.my, e-mail start@ imu.edu.my or call IMU at 03–2731 7272.