Academics Curriculum The 5th Curriculum

The 5th Curriculum

Korean students

Korean students
Classification Subject Required Elective Total
Academic Courses Humanities Korean 8 6 14
Social Science 10 8 18
Foreign Languages 6 12* 18
Physical Education 6 - 6
Music-Fine Arts 4 2 6
Sub total 34 28 62
Natural Sciences Mathematics 20 28 73
Physics 6
Chemistry 6
Biology 6
Earth Science 3
Computer Science 4
Sub total 45 28 73
Subtotal 79 56 135
Creative
Research
Activities		 Creative Basic 6 30
Self-directed Research in
Small Groups		 16
Research for Graduation 8
Leadership
Activities		 Club Activity 8 AU
Volunteer Activity 8 AU
Subtotal   30
Total 165
*Including 2nd foreign language 4 credits. Only Chinese and Japanese are open as 2nd foreign languages.

International students

International students
Classification Subject Required Elective Total
Academic Courses Humanities English 6 8 62
Korean 20 10
2nd Foreign Languages* -
Social Sciences 8
Physical Education 6
Music-Fine Arts 4
Subtotal 44 18* 62
Natural Sciences Mathematics 20 28 73
Physics 6
Chemistry 6
Biology 6
Earth Science 3
Computer Science 4
Sub total 45 28 73
Subtotal 89 46 135
Creative
Research
Activities		 Creative Research Fundamentals 6 30
Self-directed Small Group Research 16
Graduation Research 8
Leadership
Activities		 Group Activities 8 AU 16 AU
Volunteer Activities 8 AU
Subtotal   30 + 16 AU
Total 165 + 16 AU
*Only Chinese and Japanese are open as 2nd foreign languages.
** Among the total 18 credits of elective, 10 credits other than 8 elective credits for the English subjects can be taken freely within humanities but must include Korean Special Lecture 1 (2 credits).
  • Beginning in 2010, math and science taught in English.
  • Customized education
  • Talented students can take high-level courses through PT.
  • Required Mathematics and English courses taught according to different levels (Honor/Regular classes).
  • All courses reinforce research, discussion and writing skills.
  • Required Mathematics and English courses taught according to different levels (Honor/Regular classes).
  • Evaluation
    • Academic courses: Grade point average (GPA) system with 4.3 being the perfect score (A+ ~ F).
      However, arts and Physical Education (PE) courses are evaluated as either Pass or Fail.
    • Creative research activities are evaluated as Distinction, Merit, Pass or Fail.
  • Graduation Requirements
    • Required credits: 135 credits for academic courses and 30 credits for creative research activities
    • 8AU each for group activities and volunteer activities
    • Students must pass English proficiency test.
  • Students must earn 150 reading mileage for three years.

Placement Test(PT)

  • Through prior placement tests (PT), students can obtain credits for subjects without taking courses.
  • Eligible subjects: mandatory subjects for 1st graders
    • Mathematics I and II, Physics and Experiments I and II, Chemistry I and II, Biology I and II, Programming I and II, and English I and II
  • PT for English is replaced by a certified English proficiency test such as TOEFL, TOEIC, etc.

Advanced Placement (AP) Program

  • Early completion of college courses opened as in-depth, elective subjects
  • About 59 credits of AP subjects (based on KAIST¡¯s system) are recognized.
    • AP agreement in place with POSTECH and UNIST

KSA Honors¡¯ Program

2011 Overview
2011 Overview Courses taken at KAIST Credits taken Credits recognized at KSA
10 students 32 courses including General Biology Total 151 credits Total 149 credits
  • KSA Honor's Program provides exceptional students with an opportunity to accelerate their studies and to maximize the benefits of KSA¡¯s affiliation with KAIST.
  • Students can enroll and study at KAIST in their 6th semester.
  • Eligibility
    • Students whose average GPA is over 3.0 at the end of the 4th semester
    • Students who satisfy graduation requirements (leadership activities and foreign language proficiency, etc.)
    • Students who passed KSA Students Academic Affairs Committee¡¯s deliberation (recommended by KSA Principal)
    • Up to 25 students are allowed to study at KAIST.
  • 2011 Overview
  • Mandatory reading requirement to encourage self-development and independent learning
  • Students must earn 150 reading miles over 3 years (on average 50 books).
  • Beginning in 2010, international students are selected through a special admission process
  • International students join Korean students in the natural sciences, the arts, English and music, and a separate curriculum directs other humanity subjects.
  • Other general subjects: Separate syllabi for international students
  • Overview of international class
    • 10th grade: 12 students
    • 11th grade: 6 students
    • 12th grade: 8 students