1. A preparatory course : why?

Some preparatory classes are proposed to any student starting the 1st year in computer graphics. They aim at facilitating the transition to higher education.

During this week held just before the start of the academic year , you’ll have the opportunity to :

  • Review some important elements in some subjects (English, drawing, maths)
  • Discover the environment where you’ll do your studies
  • Make contacts with some teachers and students
  • Get acquainted with the requirements and rythm of higher education
  • Identify your possible weaknesses and discover means to resolve them

2. Where and when ?

From 11 to 14 september 2017 at the HEAJ, technical department, av Comte de Smet de Nayer, 20 at 5000 Namur, Buildings A and B.

3. How ?

You can choose the most appropriate modules according to your background. You’ll find here below some explanations about the modules content as well as some ideas to help you choose the most useful  modules for you. The modules will be given in an interactive way, alternating between information sessions, exchange moments, individual work and group work.

4. What ?

4.1 English

Prerequisites of the English course

In order to follow the course efficiently throughout the year it’s recommended to have some grammatical basics (simple present / simple past / present continuous / future + do-be-have + pronouns at a minimum) as well as some basic English vocabulary.

No basics in technical English is required*

If you don’t have this preliminary knowledge or if you think you need some additional courses, we recommend you to follow the English module of the preparatory course. Here follow some questions which will allow you to measure your knowledge and to determine if you need to follow the course :

I have already followed an English course

I have already followed an English course

Yes/No

I’ve had at least 2h of English/ week  during 4 years or 4h of English/week during 2 years 

Yes/No

I understand this text without dictionary :

« We are now living in what some people call the digital age, meaning that computers have become an essential part of our lives. Young people who have grown up with PCs and mobile phones are often called the digital generation. Computers help students to perform mathematical operations and improve their maths skills. They are used to access the Internet, to do basic research and to communicate with other students around the world. Teachers use projectors and interactive whiteboards to give presentations and teach sciences, history or language courses. Pcs are also used for administrative purposes – schools use word processors to write letters, and databases to keep records of students and teachers. A school website allows teachers to publish exercises for students to complete online. Students can also enrol for courses via the website and parents can download official reports. »

YES / NO

I can conjugate in the present.

YES / NO

I know the « be, have and do » auxiliaries and I can use them in the present and past.

YES / NO

I can use the personal  (I, you, he,…) , reflexive  (me, us, …) and possessive (my, your, ,…) pronouns

YES / NO

 

If you have a majority of « No » to the above questions, we advise you to follow the module in English (and the remediation course). If you have a majority of Yes, you probably don’t need it.

Remark :  in order to ensure the best support to the students who really need it,  the teachers might advise some students who have the necessary prerequisites not to follow the course !

Preparatory module

This module is reserved in priority to beginners. A « beginner » is someone who has never or only studied a little of English in his previous studies. We’ll try to bring the students up to a basic language level ( simple vocabulary, grammar and sentences) in order for them to be able to follow the technical English course taught in the first year.

4.2 Drawing

Here follow some questions that will enable you to evaluate your knowledge and measure the need for you to follow the « drawing » preparatory  module :

Have you followed a drawing course for at least 2h/week during your secondary education ?

YES / NO

Have you ever followed a drawing course in an academy or another organisation ?     

YES / NO

Do you like drawing ?   

YES / NO

Do you draw regularly ?

YES / NO

If you have a majority of « No », we advise you to follow the preparatory course.

If you have a majority of « yes », you probably don’t need the course but you can follow it if you want.

Preparatory module

This module aims at :

  • Presenting the drawing course, its objectives,  requirements and  methodology
  • Introducing some drawing notions (image composition, framing, lighting)

4.3 Maths

The math course is not the final objective. It aims at allowing you to better understand  or take on some processes or concepts that are useful  in computer graphics : space vision (3D, perspective), programming (web).

Mastering some notions is important to be able to follow the math course in an efficient way.

Preparatory module :

This module will allow you to review the following notions :

  • Logic : notions related to sets (union, intersection,…) as well as their meanings, reminding the terms used in mathematics.
  • Calculation : calculation of fractions and radicals, reviewing trigonometry  (use and some properties), introduction to matrices (sum and multiplication)
  • Geometry : reminder of the different symetries as well as the constructions with a ruler (inscribed and circumscribed circle, median, bisection and angle bisector  research)

5. Registration

Only one way to register : send an email to marie.gouvars@heaj.be with the following information :

  • Name and surname
  • Email address
  • Phone number
  • Choice of modules -from 1 to 3 modules- among the following modules :
    • English
    • Drawing
    • Maths

Registrations will be closed on 20th August 2017 (under the limit of available positions). An email will be sent to you with your personalised schedule before the end of August.