Academic Programmes

Bachelor's Programmes

Bachelor of Arts (Sociology) - Full-time

Developed and awarded by University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, US

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Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo (UB), The State University of New York (SUNY) is one of the leading public universities in the northeastern US. Within the 64-campus SUNY system, UB is the flagship campus.

University at Buffalo in partnership with the Singapore Institute of Management Pte Ltd – Bachelor of Arts (Sociology):

SIM is the only offshore institution in the world to offer the accredited undergraduate programmes from University at Buffalo (UB)
Entry with minimum 5 GCE ‘O’ level passes or equivalent
Advanced standing credits may be granted for applicants with ‘A’ levels or polytechnic diplomas
More than 50% of programmes are taught by overseas visiting faculty
60% lower costs than studying in the US

Objectives

Sociology examines the causes, characteristics, changes, and consequences of human behaviour in groups, and provides an understanding of the structure and dynamics of social systems and issues. It emphasises the study of individuals, social groups, and social systems as they relate to each other and to important societal issues, such as community, education, family, gender, social class, culture, law, health, environment, and war. Students are introduced to the history of social thought and to the applied and theoretical methods used to study these diverse topics. Training in sociology prepares students for a wide variety of professional careers and for active, enlightened participation in local, national, and world affairs.

Programme Nature

Sociology is a study of all people, for all people. In summary, sociology 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 valuable 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 as well.

Duration

The programme is offered full-time over nine semesters and can be completed within three years.

The academic year is divided into three semesters. Each semester is typically 12 to 15 weeks in length.

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

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

Programme Structure & Curriculum

Acceptance Criteria:

• Successful completion of SOC 101 and two other Sociology modules with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.
• Completion of SOC 293, SOC 294 and SOC 349 with a minimum grade of 'C'.

Prerequisite Modules

1. SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology (3 credits)¹
Required Modules

2. SOC 293 Social Research Methods (3 credits)

3. SOC 294 Basic Statistics for Social Sciences (3 credits) ¹
4. SOC 349 History and Development of Sociological Theory (3 credits)

5 – 12. 8 Sociology Electives (24 credits)

General Education

13. ESL 407 Advanced Written English and Reading I (3 credits)

14. ESL 408 Advanced Written English and Reading II (3 credits)

15. MTH 115 Survey of Algebra and Trigonometry (4 credits)

16. MUS 116 Theory of Music for Nonmajors (3 credits)

17. NTR 108 Human Nutrition (3 credits) ²
18. NTR 109 Nutrition in Practice (3 credits) ²
19. NTR 110 Nutrition in Practice Lab (1 credit) ²
20. PHI 115 Critical Thinking (3 credits)

21. UGC 111 World Civilizations I (3 credits)

22. UGC 112 World Civilizations II (3 credits)

23. UGC 211 American Pluralism and the Search for Equality (3 credits)

Free Electives

52 credits

Please click here to retrieve the module descriptions.

^1.Meets general education requirements.
^2.These are online modules. Local resource persons may conduct weekly sessions for selected modules.

Note:
a. One credit equals 15 contact hours of classroom study.
b. Students are subject to a foreign language requirement. Students must complete a two-semester module sequence in a foreign language, or demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English equivalent to completion of a first-year, second-semester module.
c. The modules offered are subject to change.

Mode of Delivery

Lectures, discussions, presentations, activities and consultations.

Assessment

Continuous assessment comprise 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.

Teaching Faculty

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 will be taught by qualified local faculty who must be approved by UB.

Average teacher-student ratio = 1:95.

Lecturers & Their Teaching Modules (as at 21 May 2010)

Click for pdf

Academic Progress

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.

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

Attendance Requirements

SIM requires all students (both local and international) to attend all scheduled lessons and activities unless they have valid reasons supported by document such as medical certificates. Under this policy, 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 (ICA).

Degree Conferral

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 (Sociology) degree by the University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, US.

Job Prospect/Opportunity for Further Study After Graduation

A bachelor's degree in sociology provides an excellent liberal arts foundation and can open a variety of doors in business and the human services. Sociology majors who enter the business world work in sales, marketing, customer relations, or human resources. Those who enter human services work with youths at risk, the elderly, or people experiencing problems related to poverty, substance abuse, or the justice system. Graduates have also gone on to graduate schools for further studies.

Admission Criteria

Applicants will be assessed based on ALL the qualifications which they have submitted ie. the holistic academic experience. Meeting the minimum requirement does not mean automatic admission.

Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents

GCE ‘O’ level with minimum of five 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.

Note: Students are subject to a foreign language requirement. Students must complete a two-semester module sequence in a foreign language, or demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English equivalent to completion of a first-year, second-semester module.

International Students

Please click here for the admission criteria of international students.

English Language Proficiency

All applicants who are not native speakers of English must demonstrate proficiency in English by means of TOEFL, IELTS or the SAT I with the minimum score indicated below:
- Paper-based TOEFL 550
- Internet-based TOEFL 79
- IELTS 6.5 (no subsection score below 6.0)
- SAT I Critical Reading 450
Only scores from tests taken within two years prior to the time of enrolment are acceptable.

Note: Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents who have had all 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.

UB programmes offered at SIM

Bachelor of Arts (Communication) (full-time)

Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) (full-time)

Bachelor of Arts (Sociology) (full-time)

Bachelor of Science (Business Administration) (full-time)

Double Degree in Bachelor of Science (Business Administration) and Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) (full-time)

Double Major in Bachelor of Arts (Communication and Psychology) (full-time)

Executive MBA (part-time)

Commencement Date	January 2011 (2nd Intake)
Fee	S$513.60 (per credit) S$61,632.00 (minimum 120 credits) Inclusive of 7% GST.
Application Fee (non-refundable) / Closing Period	S$64.20 (Singapore Citizens and PRs) S$192.60 (International applicants) Inclusive of 7% GST. September 17, 2010 (International applicants) October 15, 2010 (Singapore Citizens and PRs)
Enquiries	Tel: 6248 9746, e-mail: study@sim.edu.sg
FAQs (Click here to browse the full-list)

Last updated on 22 Jul 2010