HAPPY NEW YEAR beautiful people. Kicking the new year with another post on the semester that just passed while I'm here in the US preparing for my exchange semester to Georgia Institute of Technology :) The past semester was a business-focused semester for me, and I took 4 business modules and 2 ISE modules in total. I took two lv3000 finance modules which was pretty tough, but it was also really enjoyable to learn and practice valuation on actual data and stocks. Afterall, if we learn but don't apply, are we really learning?
I also learnt that doing my cheatsheet on my laptop would allow me to squeeze more stuff inside so I started doing it all on my laptop. Thus, I've also included my cheatsheet for some of the stuff below! :)
IE3110 – Simulation
This module is a 5MC module,
with 2X 2hrs lecture and 1X 1hr tutorial (which is basically another hour of
lecture since it is also taught in the LT). There is also 6 lab sessions throughout
the semester, where a teaching assistant will teach students the various
functions and tools in automod (simulation software).
This module introduces
the thinking steps taken in simulation and what it entails (input data,
generating numbers, analysing data, validating data, and model formulation). It
is a comprehensive and useful module to help students develop models based on
statistics that mirror real life systems so that solutions/strategies can be
tested before implementation. Assessments are as follows: midterms (15%),
finals (50%), lab test (10%), group project (20%) and assignments (5%). The
group project is on formulating a simulation model for a real-life
problem/system and is where you apply what you’ve learn into something
concrete. Many students focus a huge amount of time and effort into the group
project but the grades that come back are more or less the same (8/10 to
9.5/10) so it might not be wise to focus so much on this. Focusing more on the
other components would help get better grades. That being said, the project
really helps to apply concepts to real-life systems and would help a lot with
learning. My advice? Put effort into the project to learn, but don't stress too much on the outcome. It is a great module to take up, though relatively time consuming,
but definitely worth a shot.
Difficulty: medium
Grade Obtained: A-
IE3101
– Engineering Statistics
This is one
of the worst module I have done in NUS, probably due to the way it was taught.
It is a 4MC module with 1X 1hr lecture and 1X 2hr lecture, along with a 1X 1hr
tutorial (which nobody ever goes for).
This module teaches about the
statistics, with the context of applying it to engineering problems and
systems. It consist of data communication (charts, bar plots, etc), hypothesis
testing with z-test and t-test, designing and testing the validity of a model
(linear and multi-linear), ANOVA (analysis of variance) control charts (X-bar
and R charts) as well as process control (Cpk, etc). The content taught in this
module gives a comprehensive understanding of how to validate and determine if
a particular claim (equation, statement, etc) is statistically valid or not,
based on the balance of probability and statistics (type 1 error and type 2
error). It repeats many of the previous module’s syllabus on control charts,
SPC, hypothesis testing, etc but introduces some useful concepts such as ANOVA.
Assessment is 40% group presentation and 60% finals.
The professor decided to
radically change the teaching format this semester, and divided the cohort into
different presentation weeks. Essentially, students would have to read up the
section that they are to present, and then present the material for the rest of
the students to understand during each lecture time-slot. This means the
professor fundamentally doesn’t teach much. Why come up with a module that the students just self-learn everything and the professor doesn't teach? I missed most of the lectures
(except the one I had to present for) and just studied on my own by reading the
textbook. The finals were just as ridiculous as the way the class was taught,
and had little relevance to the material taught in class.
Difficulty: medium
Grade obtained: B+
DSC2006 – Operations Management
This class is a 4MC module with
1X 2hrs lecture and 1X 1hr tutorial each week. Webcast was webcasted for the
first half (taught by Qimei), but not the second half (taught by a new prof).
This module introduces concepts related to process management, which includes
things such as waiting time analysis, job scheduling, batch size management,
control charts, process capability analysis, project scheduling, balanced
transportation model, inventory management, capacity planning, lean management
and supply chain management.
It is basically an introduction to the various facets
of process management, at an almost touch-and-go fashion. You will be able to
appreciate the various uses of operations management, and is similar to ISE in
many ways. Assessment is done through midterms (30%) , finals (60%) and class
participation (10%). The good news is that both midterms and finals are 100%
mcq based, so it made life so much easier. In addition, there is cheatsheet, so
it makes the module much easier. All you have to learn is to apply the concepts
😊 Coming from ISE, many of the concepts are
very easy to absorb and a less in-depth version of what I have learnt. As a
result, I spend very little time on it. Many business students I met also felt that it
was easy nonetheless. That means that bell-curve might be slightly higher, so
do note. Altogether, a decent introductory module to learn about the different
concepts involved in being an operations manager, though many of the formula
derivation (which is based on statistics) was not covered.
Difficulty: Easy
Grade Obtained: A
BSP2001 – Macro and
International Economics
This is a 4MC module with 1X
2hr lecture (webcasted) and 1X 1hr tutorial each week. The class teaches
concepts to understand the macroeconomic system in the short run, the medium
run as well as the long run using various models ranging from AS-AD model,
IS-LM model to the international economics which includes exchange rate policy.
Assessment is done through midterms (25%), finals (50%)and tutorial assignments
and presentations (25%).
Through this class, you will be able to better analyse
and appreciate how the economy behaves in the SR,MR and LR in response to
economic policies that governments implement. I was a little lazy and webcasted
most of my lectures, but they were quite detailed and informative, and perhaps
worth a shot. Concepts were difficult to grasp at first glance, so multiple
re-reading of notes and practising on questions (tutorials, practise mcq) would
help solidify understanding of the class. For tutorials, you would be divided
into groups to present on one of the problem sets’ question in a casual
fashion, so no stress! Mark, our tutorial teacher was very good at
communicating ideas and concepts and did very well to help enhance
understanding of the concepts. Class participation was very chill, and not
forced at all. There is 4 problem sets spread throughout the 13weeks that
counts towards the 25%, and working on it well would help in getting good
grades. Bell curve for this module was not too competitive, as I think many of
the questions were slightly tricky. Think fast and think carefully when
answering questions for this module!
Difficulty: medium
Grade Obtained: A
FIN3101 – Corporate Finance
This is a 4MC module with 1X
3hrs sectionals each week, though the workload seems to be understated. The
class introduces ideas about how to choose projects (capital budgeting),
raising funds and the impact of these decisions, with different degree of leverage. This class also highlights the
implication of taxes, choosing a dividend policy based on different corporate
objectives and determining the value of mergers and acquisitions. Assessment is
done through class participation (12%), 3 tutorial assessment (12%), 1 group
based case study (20%), 2 group based case critique (6%) and 2 tests (20%+30%).
Concepts were difficult to comprehend, and the class moves fast. Self directed
learning is very important here, as you need to be familiar with valuation of
companies (which is not a trivial affair). I had to spend much of my time
learning different ideas and concepts online, so be prepared for many google
searches. I liked the module as it helped with understanding various methods
and ways to valuate a company, and might prove useful in determining a fair
share price for a company. Many students in the class were quick and had prior
knowledge, so be prepared to study hard for this just to keep up. Case study
questions were not easy as well, but very useful as you are able to apply real
concepts to real situations and valuate companies (I had to valuate the share
price of an IPO). Altogether a recommended module, though not an easy one.
Difficulty: Hard
Grade Obtained: A
FIN3102 – Investment analysis
and Portfolio Management
This is a 4MC module with 1X
3hrs sectionals each week. This module introduces ideas on valuing assets and
optimizing risk-reward ratio for a portfolio of various asset classes, as well
as various methods in which assets are valued (technical analysis, fundamental
analysis, relative valuation) and finally bond pricing. This class is assessed
by class participation (10%), group project (25%), 2 tests (30%+30%) and a
ethics test (5%). The assessment criteria varies across different professors,
and mine was one of the more chill professor so take note!
Concepts taught was
very interesting for me, and helped with understanding how to valuate
companies, and how to optimize a portfolio. In addition, bond pricing was
something extra from FIN2004 that was insightful. The tests were not easy, but bell curve is not that steep, so just make sure you understand the concepts and how to
apply it. Case study was the best part of the module, where we had the chance
to apply concepts to real situations. My group had to valuate a company that
was at risk of bankruptcy and we managed to come up with ideas outside of class
to value it (typical valuation fails due to the bankruptcy risk factor). It was
altogether a very interesting experience, and we even got to access a stock
simulation game where we managed a “fake” portfolio based on real time data.
Difficulty: Hard
Grade Obtained: A
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For those out there who are struggling in school, PRESS ON, and do your best. You might be like me and those around me who might focus a little too much on grades and get disheartened and get all too caught up in this grade-centric mindset. Here is a tip I hope to remind myself and perhaps whoever is reading this as well
1. GRADES MATTER, but just a little.
Growing up in Singaporean society, I have been constantly pressured by those around me to do well in school. In fact, it is the only measure of success that most people understand, even at such an old age. And the truth is, IT DOES MATTER. Although not the best yardstick to measure intelligence and how much one can contribute to a potential employer, it has some measure of how much effort and seriousness you put into your work. And that's why it is important.
That being said, THE TRUTH IS, that grades don't really matter at all if you constantly work to improve yourself. This would show very naturally, be it in the CCAs you participate in, or the opportunities you work to make for yourself. And in the long run, these are the true measure of success, because they bring you experience, and build your character. These would be the things you bring along with you after your leaving school, and determine where your future lies. It is not so much the grades, but how much effort you put into the things you want in life that would matter at the end. So don't give up in whatever you are pursuing. Do your best, and soon enough, people will notice.
