And so I just ended finals not too long ago, and this post seeks to review the modules I have taken in this semester. This was a terrible semester of grinding, and managing 7 modules with programming was challenging.
1. ACC2002 - Managerial accounting
Content: This was a very boring module. I totally hated the content, as opposed to financial accounting. Lessons were conducted once every week, as a 3 hours sectionals style. Apparently, all the classes were as boring, and I had a hard time keeping awake in class. There are 4 quizzes, each taking up 5% of the total grade, a presentation on tutorial (15%), 10% class participation and 55% finals. The good thing is that there was little pressure to class part, as the 10% did not really appeal to most. Quizzes are important, and many scored close to full marks at each round. Apparently, there was a test bank, which I only knew after all the quizzes were done. A generally boring module, but the concepts learnt could be useful to understand how a firm makes decisions internally.
Grade expected: B+/A-
Difficulty: Medium
Grade obtained: A
2. GEH1036 - Living with Mathematics
Content: This module provides introductory lessons on how math is applied in everyday life. There were some good concepts about enciphering, coding, clocking, and some probability. It is rather easy to grasp, and the lectures were done in a way which was not to bad considering a math module. The bell curve is pretty steep though, with the median score for mid terms at 26/30. Lectures were webcasted, and with my classes at 6pm-8pm, twice every week, I gave up lectures and settled for webcast. I did not manage to study consistently for this, but the content was rather short, and there were some overlaps with statistics which made it easier to deal with. This module assessment is based on midterms (30%) and finals (70%). Overall, this would be a module with low time commitment.
Grade expected: B+/A-
Difficulty: Easy
Grade Obtained: A-
3. CS1020E - Data Structures and Algorithms I
Content: And you thought CS1010E was hard. This module is done in C++ programming, and introduces the concepts of several data structure and algorithms. The first 3-4 weeks was crazy, and I struggled to learn about classes, objects, etc. The later half of the module was not as tough, but still challenging. If you put in a lot of effort at the start and decent effort after that, it would be relatively survivable. Programming is however, one of the more fun modules for me, and a very good skill to pick up for the future. For this semester, it was taught by Prof Steven Halim, who really try his best to help students pick up the understanding for this module. Lectures were webcasted, and tutorials are very important to review concepts taught. There was 2 practical exam (10% and 20%), a mid-term test (20%) and finals (40%). Weekly lab exercises took up 7%, and tutorial class participation took up 3%. Overall, I would say this module is very exciting, but not easy and definitely requires commitment.
Grade expected: A-
Difficulty: Hard
Grade Obtained: A
4. FIN2004 - Finance
Content: Quite a fair bit of overlap with IE2140 and the concepts of time value of money. It also includes additional insights into corporate valuation, financial ratios and cash flow management of a firm. Lessons are conducted as 3hrs slots, once every week, sectional style. Class participation consisted of 30%, but competition was not that bad. Midterms took up 20%, term paper(10%), and finals (40%). Term paper was basically solving a preassigned question, and having senior's excel document would go a long way to helping you solve the assignment. The concepts taught introduces one to the idea of finance, and is a good module to take for ISE students, seeing the multiple overlap available. Overall, it is a satisfying module.
Grade expected: A-
Difficulty: Medium
Grade Obtained: A
5. IE2101 - Introduction to systems thinking
Content: The whole module drives the idea of systems thinking across, that you have to consider how a system works to find out the mechanisms of problems. It is a refreshing insight, and a relatively fun module to do. There are 4 graded assignments (basically lab), which takes up 7.5% each, adding up to a total weightage of 30%. There was a final quiz (25%), and the rest is pretty much project based. 5% for interim report, and 40% for project report and presentation combined. The bell curve for this module is expected to be really steep, and the project takes up a massive amount of time and effort. I was so relieved when I finally finished the report for this module. My group did a topic on HIV, and it was rather interesting to analyse and research on. Doing something interesting really helps when the tough times come. Starting early might help, and presentation and report is extremely important. CELC make up part of the team who will assess the presentation, and it is important to make the whole presentation smooth and interesting as well. Really good to have good presentation skills, and picking up public speaking during the same semester seems to help me with that.
Grade expected: A
Difficulty: Slightly hard
Grade Obtained: A
6. IE2110 - Operations Research 1
Content: A very confusing module, and understanding the concepts was a real challenge for me. A very interesting module that introduces the concepts of maximizing efficiency through linear programming. A useful module to understand how to maximize an objective. Assessment includes weekly assignments (10%), midterms (15%), term paper (15%), and finals (60%). As expected, the bell curve is very steep, and everyone gets close to full marks if not full marks for weekly assignments. Midterms are likewise, and practice would help. Term paper allows you and your group to find a problem and apply OR concepts to solve them. My group and I rushed to solve this, and we did not do as well. I could not keep up with the webcasted lectures, and had a tough time understanding concepts. Finals was a disaster, and exceptionally difficult. It was the toughest paper I had in NUS thus far. Overall, this module and its concepts are useful to solving problems with linear programming, and simplex.
Grade expected: B-/B
Difficulty: Hard.
Grade Obtained: B+
7. GET1008 - Public speaking and critical reasoning
Content: This module introduces good elements to public speaking, and gives a good platform to practice preparing and delivering speeches. It helps build confidence for speaking in front of an audience, and is a very good module for personal development. The first half of the semester is relatively easy, and speeches are not graded to allow students to warm up to the module. The second half was relatively harder, and requires more effort and time weto finish speeches, as well as the project. It is a good module to take if you are either really good at speaking in public, or you really want to develop this skill. The assessment consists of 3 speeches with weightage of 50% in total, a final quiz (20%), class participation of 15%, and a group project of 15%. Altogether there will be 6 speeches in total though. Dress well, speak well, and prepare well, and you will probably do well for it.
Grade expected: B+
Difficulty: Slightly Hard
Grade Obtained: A+
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