Review of Modules Taken
1st Year (Sem 1)
Principles of Economics
(EC1310)
by Ng Seok Hean
Text: Economics by Parkins.
My Comments
I dislike this module immensely because I thought I would do well but ended
up not. Those who took econs in JC will have an
advantage. I had a friend who never attended any lectures yet got an A+. Those who did not will have to slog doubly hard. In short, if
you belong to the latter category, you have to treat this as an
independent study module and learn econs all on your own. A lot of things
is covered in this module but no real understanding is involved. Exam and
tests seem easy but it is hard to score because of the large class size.
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Linear Algebra 1 (MA1101R)
by Ng Kah Loon
Text: Lecture notes.
My Comments
Those who never took Further Maths in JC before will think this is a
killer because this subject can be quite abstract. Tests and exams are
pretty standard though there is always 1-2 questions which are absolutely
tough, supposedly to pick out the A+ fellas.
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Calculus (MA1102R)
by Ng Tze Beng
Text: Calculus by Ng Tze Beng.
My Comments
Basically this module follows the textbook written by the instructor
exactly. It is essential to get a copy of the textbook while attending
lectures is optional. Exams are just rehashes of past year papers. The
class size is large so it can be difficult to score. Don't underestimate
this module!
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Physics II (PC1142)
by Tang Seung Mun
Text: Physics for Scientists and Engineers (5th
ed.) by Serway and Beichner.
My Comments
In my opinion, this is the easiest module out of all the 4 first year
physics modules. Though surprisingly I got one of my worse grades for
this. The earlier part covers thermodynamics which is very easy
while the latter part covers optics which is not very easy. Less time is
spent on optics so it might pose some problems for some students. Exam
questions come primarily from the textbook and lecture notes.
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Fundamental Concepts of
Physical Reality (UNL2201)
by Kang Hway Chuan
Text: Feynman Lectures on Physics (Volume I).
My Comments
Basically a module on special relativity. The instructor is very
intelligent, though this does not immediately translate to great teaching.
But nonetheless, the instructor is still my fave prof so far.
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Interpreting Consumerism
(UWC2101I)
by Michael Maiwald
Text: Numerous.
My Comments
A tough module with a instructor who is quite demanding. Materials covered
could be quite theoretical. Nonetheless, this module lets me exercise my
creativity and I can still remember concepts from this modules. This is
one of the few USP arts based module which I thoroughly enjoy.
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1st Year (Sem 2)
Microeconomic Analysis I
(EC2151)
by Younghwan In and Changhui Kang
Text: Microeconomics (5th ed.) by Pindyck and
Rubinfeld.
My Comments
A module with quite a bit of inclination towards mathematics. No wonder
all those Arts students are complaining up their asses. Tests and exams
are very mathematical and it is very easy to score if you are adapt at
interpreting questions into algebra.
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Macroeconomic Analysis I
(EC2152)
by Wong Wei Kang
Text: Macroeconomics (4th ed.) by Abel and
Bernanke.
My Comments
For me this is one of the most interesting modules I've taken. The
instructor has a dedication to the subject though he might seem aloof at
times. He replies email enquiries quite promptly. Conceptually, this
module is not easy. Some very basic algebra is involved, and that is all
the mathematics there is.
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Physics III (PC1143)
by Sow Chorng Haur
Text: Physics for Scientists and Engineers (5th
ed.) by Serway and Beichner.
My Comments
Very essential and arguably my favorite module among all the first year
physics modules. Perhaps it could be due to the instructor too. This
module basically uses calculus all the way to solve problems. Very often
you do not need to read through the entire chapter to solve the problems.
Just see what equations are covered in the chapter and you can basically
solve all the end-of-chapter problems. In short, I cannot emphasize enough
the importance of practicing for this module.
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Physics IV (PC1144)
by Frank Watt
Text: Physics for Scientists and Engineers (5th
ed.) by Serway and Beichner.
My Comments
Basically this module glosses over all of modern physics. Almost all
aspects of modern physics are briefly touched upon. Personally I feel that
the relativity part is pretty tough. For the exam, just
memorize the past year papers and you shall do no wrong.
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Discovering Science (SP2171)
by Various
Text: Lecture notes.
My Comments
The theme when I took this module is 'Information and Communication'.
Sounds like a pretty mathematical and physics based module and it really
is! Erm... too bad for the life science majors. The literature review
project I did was about Maxwell's Demon together with Gerard. Student
mentor was Jeremy.
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Traveling Cultures: Asian
Diaspora (ULT2211)
by Kenneth Chan
Text: Numerous.
My Comments
It is everything a literature module should be. Plenty of readings. You
need to speak up a lot too. I must admit that this module is interesting
but I have the feeling that I did not gain anything substantial from it.
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