Taken in SEM 2 AY15/16
Module overview:
Basically, how to be an entrepreneur + the schemes in Singapore
Very project based, very little content.
Review: A lot of uncertainty all the way. Had pretty bad project group mates, so I did a lot of work - You get to choose your group mates, so I'll suggest you take the module with people you already know (bid for same tutorial slot). If not, you should really map this module on exchange - there's so much uncertainty. Wasted a lot of time on the reports and posters which were around 10% each???
Hated this module so badly, and even more so with the bad grade
Webcast: None
Textbook: None
Grading:
S&P (50%)
35% Group (20% report, 5% elevator pitch + poster, 10% presentation)
10% Individual - Case study
MNO (50%)
15% Group (2% presentation, 13% report OR 10% class facilitation + 5% report
30% Individual: Interview an entrepreneur / Write a report on a topic
Class participation + Attendance: 10%
Expected Grade: B (But very unsure)
Final Grade: B-
Thursday 23 June 2016
GE2220 Terrestrial And Coastal Environments
Taken in SEM 2 AY15/16
Module overview:
First half of the syllabus contains stuff learnt in JC geography - such as rivers, slopes etc. 2 of the practical assessments were on slopes, 1 was on alluvial plains, 1 was on rivers. (2/4 used google maps). Some of the practicals were rather time consuming (all were 1000 word reports - which was not enough), some required field trips out, some required intensive use of google maps, but all were take home assignments. Got A-/A for all.
Tips for assignments: Make sure to write the word limit for on the cover page, the teacher gives marks for it. Good formatting is also required.
Noted for this module weren't very good (especially when compared to JC notes). You might want to read up on some - can be tested during exams. PM me if you want the textbook, I have the soft copy.
For the exams - key terms are essential. For eg. When talking about river energy its important to mention equilibrium. Again, PM me if you want the feedback from the prof for the exam.
Find a more detailed break down here:
Useful link
Review: If you have a background in geography from JC, take it!!
Studied for it for 3 days, only attended 2 lectures, and felt pretty unsure going into the exams (because i didnt know what they'll test since the notes were so brief) but got A-!!
Webcast: None
Textbook: For better elaboration, suggested
Grading:
Break down:
4 x 15 = 60% (4 practical assignments, 15 marks each)
Final exams: 40%
Expected Grade: Very unsure what I would get/ A-
Prof: Lu Xi Xi + DR Muhammad Nawaz + LIU SHAODA
Module overview:
First half of the syllabus contains stuff learnt in JC geography - such as rivers, slopes etc. 2 of the practical assessments were on slopes, 1 was on alluvial plains, 1 was on rivers. (2/4 used google maps). Some of the practicals were rather time consuming (all were 1000 word reports - which was not enough), some required field trips out, some required intensive use of google maps, but all were take home assignments. Got A-/A for all.
Tips for assignments: Make sure to write the word limit for on the cover page, the teacher gives marks for it. Good formatting is also required.
Noted for this module weren't very good (especially when compared to JC notes). You might want to read up on some - can be tested during exams. PM me if you want the textbook, I have the soft copy.
For the exams - key terms are essential. For eg. When talking about river energy its important to mention equilibrium. Again, PM me if you want the feedback from the prof for the exam.
Find a more detailed break down here:
Useful link
Review: If you have a background in geography from JC, take it!!
Studied for it for 3 days, only attended 2 lectures, and felt pretty unsure going into the exams (because i didnt know what they'll test since the notes were so brief) but got A-!!
Webcast: None
Textbook: For better elaboration, suggested
Grading:
Break down:
4 x 15 = 60% (4 practical assignments, 15 marks each)
Final exams: 40%
Expected Grade: Very unsure what I would get/ A-
Prof: Lu Xi Xi + DR Muhammad Nawaz + LIU SHAODA
Monday 11 January 2016
GEK1549/ ES1531 Critical Thinking and Writing
Taken in SEM 1 AY14/15
Module Overview:
English mod
Review:
As of the 2014/15 cohort, this is a mandatory critical thinking and writing module done in sectional teaching which is also a science GEM (Group B). It’s not like GP although good grammar and such is still required. I think it’s a rather technical learning of English where we have to identify the type of argument, the basis for an argument, and the assumptions the writer has when forming his argument. The first assignment is individual where you’re given a passage and asked to give a summary and critique the argument using the tools learnt in the first few lessons. The second is a group paper where you form your own arguments as propositions to solve on problem on (whatever the theme is for the semester). There was quite a bit of frustration over the way my tutor teaches. Ask her a question and basically you get more confused with more question. But it seems like that’s the way all the tutors teach. I think the workload isn’t very heavy but it is a burden to those who don’t excel in writing. Fancy language is not required at all but trying to phrase your argument so that it is concise and effective can be a challenge. Finals was hard. You’d think writing GP essays for 2 years that writing another would be fine but when we saw the paper: mindblank. Those who got an A for GP can take ES1501X in place and GEK1549 and also be exempted from ES2331, another compulsory communication module for engineers, but if you’re not confident of your writing abilities I suggest taking GEK instead so you have a better chance with the bell curve. The cohort for ES1501X is small so there isn’t any bell curve and from the friends that took ES it’s rather abstract.
Webcast: No webcast, it's sectional teaching
Textbook: None
Grading:
There is finals for this module (30%) and 2 assignments, each 30%. The last 10% is from class participation, which also includes your reflections on the 2 assignments.
Expected Grade: B+
Final Grade: A-
Module Overview:
English mod
Review:
As of the 2014/15 cohort, this is a mandatory critical thinking and writing module done in sectional teaching which is also a science GEM (Group B). It’s not like GP although good grammar and such is still required. I think it’s a rather technical learning of English where we have to identify the type of argument, the basis for an argument, and the assumptions the writer has when forming his argument. The first assignment is individual where you’re given a passage and asked to give a summary and critique the argument using the tools learnt in the first few lessons. The second is a group paper where you form your own arguments as propositions to solve on problem on (whatever the theme is for the semester). There was quite a bit of frustration over the way my tutor teaches. Ask her a question and basically you get more confused with more question. But it seems like that’s the way all the tutors teach. I think the workload isn’t very heavy but it is a burden to those who don’t excel in writing. Fancy language is not required at all but trying to phrase your argument so that it is concise and effective can be a challenge. Finals was hard. You’d think writing GP essays for 2 years that writing another would be fine but when we saw the paper: mindblank. Those who got an A for GP can take ES1501X in place and GEK1549 and also be exempted from ES2331, another compulsory communication module for engineers, but if you’re not confident of your writing abilities I suggest taking GEK instead so you have a better chance with the bell curve. The cohort for ES1501X is small so there isn’t any bell curve and from the friends that took ES it’s rather abstract.
Webcast: No webcast, it's sectional teaching
Textbook: None
Grading:
There is finals for this module (30%) and 2 assignments, each 30%. The last 10% is from class participation, which also includes your reflections on the 2 assignments.
Expected Grade: B+
Final Grade: A-
CS1010E Programming Methodology
Taken in SEM 1 AY14/15
Module Overview:
Basics of C++ in MinGW (arrays, functions, strings, recursion etc.)
Review:
This was an absolute horror for me, but a safe bet for those with any computing background. Core module for all engineers other than Chemical who does MatLab. It is interesting and rather fun to create our own programmes and whenever the programme works I feel a surge of satisfaction. Bell curve is steep though, with many having some kind of background and even those who do not need this as a core module take it for an easy A. Henry Chia taught this semester and he is very clear in his teaching. Midterms is MCQ, finals has MCQ and open-ended where you have to write your programme on paper. The first graded lab is free marks but things get harder and harder from there and I went completely downslope. Logic is required to figure out the algorithm and that’s the difficult part. After a while writing the algorithm becomes easy. Doing tutorials does help but note that a small tweak in the question can result in a very different algorithm.
Webcast: Have
Textbook: Not required
Grading:
Not sure what the grading is like as he changed it along the way when he realised most of us were doing terrible for our labs, but there’s midterms, finals, and graded labs every fortnight.
Module Overview:
Basics of C++ in MinGW (arrays, functions, strings, recursion etc.)
Review:
This was an absolute horror for me, but a safe bet for those with any computing background. Core module for all engineers other than Chemical who does MatLab. It is interesting and rather fun to create our own programmes and whenever the programme works I feel a surge of satisfaction. Bell curve is steep though, with many having some kind of background and even those who do not need this as a core module take it for an easy A. Henry Chia taught this semester and he is very clear in his teaching. Midterms is MCQ, finals has MCQ and open-ended where you have to write your programme on paper. The first graded lab is free marks but things get harder and harder from there and I went completely downslope. Logic is required to figure out the algorithm and that’s the difficult part. After a while writing the algorithm becomes easy. Doing tutorials does help but note that a small tweak in the question can result in a very different algorithm.
Webcast: Have
Textbook: Not required
Grading:
Not sure what the grading is like as he changed it along the way when he realised most of us were doing terrible for our labs, but there’s midterms, finals, and graded labs every fortnight.
Expected Grade: B-
Final Grade: B
EG1108 Electrical Engineering
Taken in SEM AY14/15
Module Overview:
Covering KVL, KCL, transient, transformer and K-maps
Review:
Bell curve for this is steeeeep. Content is actually very manageable, but since there is no webcast and lectures are at 8am not many people turn up so there’s fluster when finals approach and they realise they have no idea what’s going on. Moral of the story: go for lectures. If you have any EE friends they can be good teachers since they have a module that covers more or less the same content. The module is taught by 2 lecturer, C. C. Ko and Ben Chen, each covering different parts. C. C. Ko teaches by examples so it can be a bit confusing since you don’t really know what you’re being taught to begin with. Ben Chen has structured notes so it’s easier to follow but it can feel like you’re listening to a lullaby. Tutorials are fine and once you do the papers you’ll realise the questions are about the same so finals is do-able. Workload is very light overall but will need some effort to get a good grade.
Webcast: None available
Textbook: Not required
Grading:
20% Labs (10% each)
80% finals.
Module Overview:
Covering KVL, KCL, transient, transformer and K-maps
Review:
Bell curve for this is steeeeep. Content is actually very manageable, but since there is no webcast and lectures are at 8am not many people turn up so there’s fluster when finals approach and they realise they have no idea what’s going on. Moral of the story: go for lectures. If you have any EE friends they can be good teachers since they have a module that covers more or less the same content. The module is taught by 2 lecturer, C. C. Ko and Ben Chen, each covering different parts. C. C. Ko teaches by examples so it can be a bit confusing since you don’t really know what you’re being taught to begin with. Ben Chen has structured notes so it’s easier to follow but it can feel like you’re listening to a lullaby. Tutorials are fine and once you do the papers you’ll realise the questions are about the same so finals is do-able. Workload is very light overall but will need some effort to get a good grade.
Webcast: None available
Textbook: Not required
Grading:
20% Labs (10% each)
80% finals.
Expected: B+
Final: A
PC1431 Physics IE
Taken in SEM 1 AY14/15
Module Overview:
Initially most of the content is from JC, like forces, dynamics, thermal dynamics, but there are new content like rotational dynamics, rolling motion and entropy (different content from chemistry).
Review:
The concepts aren’t hard to understand but doing the questions is a different game altogether. They are hard as it requires strong understanding and application of the concepts. My tutor helped to identify the steps to solving questions which is a big help. Qiu Leiju! There’s Mastering Physics every other week, graded with the best 7 of 8, so help each other out and ace it because it’s a very attainable 10%. There is only 2 labs a semester. The experiments haven’t changed since 2006 so if you have any seniors… yeah. There is viva for each lab though. There’s 3 lecture groups due to the large cohort although not the whole of engine is taking this module. My lecturer was Tan Meng Chuan aka Tony Stark. He digresses too much for me so it can become a little frustrating but there’s nothing wrong with his teaching. It’ll take more effort to get a good grade but tutorials is every fortnight.
Webcast: Available
Textbook: Not required
Grading:
10% Mastering Physics
10% Labs
20% Midterms
60% Finals
Expected Grade: B+
Final Grade: B+
Module Overview:
Initially most of the content is from JC, like forces, dynamics, thermal dynamics, but there are new content like rotational dynamics, rolling motion and entropy (different content from chemistry).
Review:
The concepts aren’t hard to understand but doing the questions is a different game altogether. They are hard as it requires strong understanding and application of the concepts. My tutor helped to identify the steps to solving questions which is a big help. Qiu Leiju! There’s Mastering Physics every other week, graded with the best 7 of 8, so help each other out and ace it because it’s a very attainable 10%. There is only 2 labs a semester. The experiments haven’t changed since 2006 so if you have any seniors… yeah. There is viva for each lab though. There’s 3 lecture groups due to the large cohort although not the whole of engine is taking this module. My lecturer was Tan Meng Chuan aka Tony Stark. He digresses too much for me so it can become a little frustrating but there’s nothing wrong with his teaching. It’ll take more effort to get a good grade but tutorials is every fortnight.
Webcast: Available
Textbook: Not required
Grading:
10% Mastering Physics
10% Labs
20% Midterms
60% Finals
Expected Grade: B+
Final Grade: B+
MA1506 Mathematics 2
Taken in SEM 1 AY14/15
Module Overview:
This module continues on from MA1505 and focuses mainly on differential equations. There’s also a chapter on matrices.
Review:
Also a lot of new content, but I feel it’s easier than MA1505. In the case you really, really can’t understand the theory behind the concepts, just apply the formula. It’ll get you through. Again, practice makes perfect. The questions tend to be the same thing so get familiar with them. And don’t feel discouraged when you do the tutorials because the questions they ask in tests and exams are rather different so focus more on the papers than the tutorials. I would still advise to go for tutorials though. My tutor did summaries before every lesson which did help. The lecturer was Brett McCinnes and he was great although his teaching style might not appeal to all as he teaches like he’s telling a story. But it helped me remember the content better and chances of falling asleep is smaller. He tends to rush sometimes though so some self-study might be required, but he’s very approachable if you have any questions. I came to a point where I gave up on tutorials, but even if you do attempt them, workload is light. And this module is even more score-able than MA1505 to me, but typically if you take this in semester 2 you’re competing with the same cohort so your grade would tend to be the same.
Webcast: Available
Textbook: None
Grading:
Grading is also the same as MA1505, only midterms was solely based on Chapter 1 – Ordinary Differential Equations. So learn that well!! Everything is tested for finals. Both midterms and finals allows a 2-sided A4 cheatsheet.
Expected Grade: A
Final Grade: A-
Module Overview:
This module continues on from MA1505 and focuses mainly on differential equations. There’s also a chapter on matrices.
Review:
Also a lot of new content, but I feel it’s easier than MA1505. In the case you really, really can’t understand the theory behind the concepts, just apply the formula. It’ll get you through. Again, practice makes perfect. The questions tend to be the same thing so get familiar with them. And don’t feel discouraged when you do the tutorials because the questions they ask in tests and exams are rather different so focus more on the papers than the tutorials. I would still advise to go for tutorials though. My tutor did summaries before every lesson which did help. The lecturer was Brett McCinnes and he was great although his teaching style might not appeal to all as he teaches like he’s telling a story. But it helped me remember the content better and chances of falling asleep is smaller. He tends to rush sometimes though so some self-study might be required, but he’s very approachable if you have any questions. I came to a point where I gave up on tutorials, but even if you do attempt them, workload is light. And this module is even more score-able than MA1505 to me, but typically if you take this in semester 2 you’re competing with the same cohort so your grade would tend to be the same.
Webcast: Available
Textbook: None
Grading:
Grading is also the same as MA1505, only midterms was solely based on Chapter 1 – Ordinary Differential Equations. So learn that well!! Everything is tested for finals. Both midterms and finals allows a 2-sided A4 cheatsheet.
Expected Grade: A
Final Grade: A-
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