Year 2 Sem 1 Modules

This sem was a great sem with improvements in CAP. Year 2 Sem 1 marks a change in the type of modules taken. Now, The various engineering peeps have been streamed and year 2 is when the fundamentals of EE are taught. Generally, I am highly interested in the content taught in this sem. I find the content rather 'interesting'... EE2006 has some hands-on work and I liked that a lot. EE2012 was the maths intensive one, it satisfied my interest in maths. EE2009 was the 'applications' one... i liked it too! EE2010 was the easy but boring one. Apparently, taking Managerial Econs was a waste as the lecturer err.. sucked due to his accent! sorry!

BSP1005: Managerial Economics - Satisfactory
Managerial Economics is essentially a Microecons course (with Game theory) with an emphasis on mangerial implications but honestly, i don't see the managerial implications in it. It was a good intro module for me to microecons but i skipped all but the first few lectures and basically studied the rest on my own. The slang of the lecturer (he's from korea) makes his teaching difficult to understand. Honestly, I would suggest taking this module and not S/Uing it only if you have econs background in A levels. Then managerial econs would be a sure A for you!!! :D:D:D

EE2006: Digital Design - A
Digital Design is a module which involves a lot of memorization and also a lot of application. The module starts slow with revision on number systems and karnaugh maps and some EG1108 stuff. The build-up of pacing of this module is great but the workload is heavy with major projects taking up precious time. The projects are those kind that if you complete it as expected, you'll get very close to what everyone else is getting. Otherwise, it will affect your grade adversely. (most people score though).

EE2009: Signals - A+
Signals is regarded as a difficult module for year 2 EE students. The lecturer is great and makes funny jokes but does not cover the module in detail. Do not get tricked by the 'light-hearted' mood of the lectures. A lot of independent study is required to score. (The lecturer did say this before...). Basically, listen to EVERYTHING the lecture says. The e-test requires a lot of practise. Read all FAQS. be extra hardworking for this module and be used to the tricks and marking scheme. You'll succeed in this module if you do that.

EE2012: Analytical Methods in Electrical and Computer Engineering - A+
A heavily mathematical module. But this module does not emphasize on computation but rather on mathematical CONCEPTS with relation to ECE. The trick to this module is to do as much as you can. Do not expect to complete the final papers. Anyway the mid term is always repeated so... haha. Get all the concepts right and be used to the final papers which will be repeated to some extent (notice the pattern).. To do well for this module, you need a good tutor as the lecturer is honestly horrible. Another thing to note is ALWAYS WRITE SOMETHING because the marking is leniant... You'll be surprised by how many marks your completely irrelevant text will get!! (this is unlike EE2009)

EE2010: Systems and Control - A+
Concepts for this module are rather simple but this module is computationally intensive. Train yourself to compute quickly and just read through lectures and try out previous sems papers and you'll probably do well for this module. This module is not difficult in terms of concepts but this means the bell curve will be scary. The marking of this module is very leniant like EE2012 so do the same thing! Write as much as you can!

MA1101R: Linear Algebra I - A
Concepts for this module are relatively simple but as a maths module, it involves training of your proofing techniques. This can be very difficult initially but it gets easier and easier as you get the hang of it. The difficulty of proofing techniques is that it is not methodical. There is no 'standard method' of doing a question. You actually have to think of the method to use. The finals was quite difficult (the last 2 questions) but if you use the previous steps, the questions become rather straight forward.

Year 1 Sem 2

This is to continue the reviews of the various modules.

Year 1 Sem 2 was also a semester with a slight deprovement from year 1 sem 1 (very slight). But this was an expected deprovement due to the expected deprovement from Critical Thinking and Writing. Surprisingly, however, it was not CTW that pulled me down but my SARTOR, Financial Accounting (FNA1002).

EG1413 Critical Thinking and Writing: A-
Critical Thinking and Writing is a module a lot of engineers fear due to its 'essay' based grading. Its essentially a writing module. A large percentage of the grading is on the group and individual efforts ( critique, summary and some proposal thinge)... I put in a lot of work into this and it paid off. Our grader (simone) is quite strick but i can say I truly enjoyed the classes. She is indeed a fun tutor. I thought I flunked the finals but it turned out OK. My other group-mates didn't do well so I guess its the project that pulled us down. To do well for this module, get a good ang-moh guy into the group and let him do all the work. Trust me. It works.

FNA1002 Financial Accounting: B+ (This is my first B+ in NUS).
This module took up the most of my time. Each assignment is time consuming in my attempt to grasp accounting concepts. Things can get confusing (especially for me with almost 0 accounting background). All the hardwork did pay off. I scored 39/40 for my mid terms and did all questions for my finals. I think that my project pulled me down to the B+ by a lot. Basically if you are taking this module, be passionate about it and put your best into the project.

PC1432 Physics IIE: A+ (This is my first A+ in NUS!) See!!! such a coincidence!!!
This module covers Electricity and Magnetism, Simple Harmonic Motion, Waves and Modern Physics. Essentially another 'content overload' module. Eventually, the beauty of the physics equations should get hold onto you and you should realise the simplicity of the electricity and magnetism part (Physics is about beauty in simplicity). Unfortunately, the SHM and Waves part is basically an equation memorising , route-learning kind of experience. Understanding the first half of the module would help a lot for this!.

MA1506 Engineering Mathematics II: A
Victor Tan is infamous in NUS for his student's scandal. However, many know him for another reason: his killer papers. He is a good lecturer, being able to bring his point accross well. The content of MA1506 is a lot, covering linear algebra, pde, surface and line integrals etc. (a lot a lot of content!) The content itself is difficult and so is the final paper. Lack of time and lack of conceptual understanding eventually led to the demise of many at the finals. Thank god for the bell curve.

CS1102C Data Structures and Algorithms in C++: A-
This module is a killer module. Basically, its supposed to be an 'introduction' to programming for engineering students. This is a great leap from CS1101C where only basic concepts are thought. The Object Oriented PRogramming part can be difficult for some. The data structures concepts are relatively simple but the lack of ability in programming can mean that implementation becomes a chore (especially with pointers and such). Unfortunately during my sem, the lecturers are really sucky and couldn't bring their point accross. This coupled with poorly set papers made this module a terrible one.

GEK1503 Chemistry in Space: A
A rather easy to score science gem due to its completely MCQ nature. However, there are marks deducted for writing wrong answers!!!!!! The finals is surprisingly more tricky. The content, however, is straight forward even for non-Chemistry ppl. (Note that chemistry in space, i feel, is equally divided into Chemistry and Physics). Both the Chemistry and Physics part are not really covered during A levels though. Overall, A fun and relatively relaxing module to take.