CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT UNIT
The Curriculum Development Unit was established to manage the academic aspects of the teaching and learning process in the Basic English Department’s Required Preparatory Program. The Curriculum Development Office also reviews the Basic English Department’s written curriculum annually and, if necessary, creates a framework for the following academic year that is more effective, comprehensive, and student-centered, in alignment with Yıldız Technical University’s vision and mission. The Curriculum Development Unit also provides academic support to instructors at the levels where they teach and guides the Exam Preparation Unit in developing exams. In other words, the entire Basic English Department’s Required Preparatory Instruction program is centrally managed by the Curriculum Development Unit under the academic supervision of the Assistant Dean of Education and Teaching and the administrative oversight of the Chair of the Basic English Department.
Some of the curriculum aspects managed by the Curriculum Development Unit are as follows:
- The amount of course material to be covered each week
- Topics and content of the courses
- Supplementary course materials
The Curriculum Development Unit consists of a unit head, level coordinators responsible for Levels A and B, and instructional material development staff working for these levels.
EXAM PREPARATION UNIT
The Exam Preparation Unit prepares short quizzes, midterm exams, and the English Proficiency Exam for the teaching and learning process in the Basic English Department’s Mandatory Preparatory Program. The Exam Preparation Unit works under the close guidance of the Curriculum Development Unit’s level coordinators to prepare exams under the coordination of the unit chair. The Exam Preparation Unit is also responsible for preparing, distributing, and collecting exam packets for the administered exams. The preparation of exam proctor lists, the assignment of faculty members to classrooms for exams, and the preparation of exam grading lists are carried out by the Department of Basic English.
ACADEMIC WRITING CENTER UNIT
The Writing Center Unit provides advice and assistance to students at every stage of the writing process. The Center offers support through resource materials and educational services and was established to guide students in developing their communication skills through writing. The Center does not check papers for grammar or spelling errors, nor does it rewrite students’ assignments. The Writing Center Unit assists students with the following topics:
- Topic development
- Overall organization of the essay
- Guidance on reviewing assignments
- Structural issues affecting writing skills
- Critical thinking
- Ways to Improve Writing Skills
- Reviewing the first and second drafts of writing
- Correcting mechanical issues such as spelling, etc.