Question 1

How do I know what courses I need to take?

Accepted Answer

Please refer to the FST Handbook (below), which lists out the requirements for each major and each course.

Question 2

What is the foundation course I am required to take?

Accepted Answer

Students in the Faculty of Science & Technology are REQUIRED to take FOUN1014: Critical Reading and Writing in the Medical Sciences and Science & Technology.

The prerequisites for this course are: 
1. A I in CSEC English 
2. Or a I or II in CAPE Communication Studies
3. Alternatively, students who do not have this requirement can take the ELPT through the Faculty of Humanities and Education.

If you do not meet the requirements, feel free to take FOUN1019. However, this is a yearlong course.

Question 3

What other foundation courses should I do?

Accepted Answer

FST students are required to do FOUN 1014/1019.

They must fulfill credits for FOUN1301: Law, Governance, Economy and Society in the Caribbean and FOUN1101: Caribbean Civilizations.

However, they can substitute one of these courses for a language course.

Question 4

Am I required to do a language course in order to graduate?

Accepted Answer

If you did not take and successfully pass a language at the CSEC or CAPE level, you are required to do one.

You may substitute either FOUN1301 or FOUN1101 with a language course, but if you choose to continue studying the language, it is no longer considered a substitution.

The substitution works if you are doing a beginner’s course (for those who do not have CSEC or CAPE experience) or an intermediate course (for those with prior experience)

Question 5

Am I required to take electives?

Accepted Answer

Electives are any course that are foundation courses or listed as being necessary for your degree.

Ultimately, depending on the availability of courses and other scheduling, you may need to do other courses to meet your credit limit.

You can do electives in or out of Faculty, but check to ensure that you cover the 18 level I credits you need from FST.

Question 6

Am I required to do a minor?

Accepted Answer

Typically students are left over with free credits. Thus, some students will use those credits to do electives they can transform into a minor. However, this is not a requirement.

You can minor in or out of the faculty, depending on what you think best complements your degree or makes you happy.

Question 7

Who do I go to if I want academic advising?

Accepted Answer

The faculty offers academic advising during the orientation period. After this, students can speak to lecturers or their department offices on their own free time for academic advising.

Question 8

Can I pursue a degree full-time or part-time while working a job?

Accepted Answer

Yes, students enrolled in a degree program have the option to register as full-time or part-time students. However, if you have full-time employment, you are encouraged to only pursue the degree on a part-time basis. The university does not make special accommodations for things like class attendance, labs, tutorials, or exam schedules based on a student's work obligations. It is up to you to arrange your job around your academic program responsibilities when registered part-time.

Question 9

Why might I need to contact my course coordinator?

Accepted Answer

Reasons you may need to get in touch with your coordinator include:
1. Grade issues
2. Questions about assignments, exams, or other assessments
3. Clarification of course policies or expectations
4. Reporting a course issue, such as teaching assistant or lecturer issues
5. Requests for special accommodations if lecturer or teaching assistant cannot help.

Question 10

How can I find out who the course coordinator is for one of my classes?

Accepted Answer

There are a few ways to identify the course coordinator:
1. Contact your faculty office and ask for the list of coordinators
2. Reach out to the head of the department for the course coordinator
3. Check the SASS portal - if you see "(P)" next to a lecturer's name, that indicates they are the primary lecturer and often the coordinator

Question 11

When does the UWI summer semester start and end?

Accepted Answer

The summer semester typically begins in May and ends in July. The exact start and end dates can vary slightly by year, but it runs for approximately 6 weeks from late May through early July.

Question 12

Where can I confirm summer semester dates each year?

Accepted Answer

Check the UWI academic calendar published online each year to confirm the official start and end dates for the upcoming summer session, since they can shift slightly from season to season.

Calendars will provide the term duration and important deadlines.

Question 13

Can I have my student status letter emailed to me or do I need to pick it up in person?

Accepted Answer

Status letters must be picked up in person. The university does not email status letters directly to students - you will need to go to the office to retrieve your letter.

Question 14

Why can't status letters be emailed or mailed to me?

Accepted Answer

To ensure privacy and security, the university requires handing status letters directly and exclusively to the requesting student. Digital copies could be forwarded or falsified too easily. So for identity confirmation and monitoring, you must personally visit the office to obtain status documentation.

Physics

FST Guild Committee