It's probably a good thing that I didn't overload this semester. Was already struggling with weekly tutorials though projects and lab reports were minimal. And the rising difficulty of the modules would mean that I have to spend more time reading textbooks in order to understand and catch up with the syllabus.
Like last semester, I'll be rating the modules according to their difficulty, workload, lecture and tutorial/lab. Here are the criteria:
Difficulty - Self explanatory.
Workload - Amount of lesson hours per week, assignments, tutorials, projects, self-study required, etc
Lecture - Enjoyability and understanding
Tutorial/Lab - Enjoyability and understanding
*Note that the ratings are set at an arbitrary scale and the maximum is not necessarily 5 stars.
CN2121 - Chemical Engineering ThermodynamicsDifficulty: ★★★★
Workload: ★★★★
Lecture: ★★
Tutorial: ★★★
This module resembles CN1111 (the most basic chemical engineering module) which I took last semester - concepts of thermodynamics are further extended. Thermodynamics is indeed a very abstract subject, using a lot of conceptual values (eg. enthalpy and entropy) that cannot be measured directly. Furthermore the tedious computations can drive me crazy sometimes. Also, the decision about whether to assume a condition or not takes on greater importance in this one, since the steps to arrive at the answer can greatly differ in complexity.
I thought the 1st lecturer wasn't that good until I met the 2nd one. Quite grateful to the 1st for setting easy questions for both mid terms and finals. He puts in effort to make sure we understand the concepts, though at many times I still had trouble grasping. Thankfully the final exam didn't require much computation and it seemed like a breeze for many. However the easy final would mean the midterm takes a bigger grade determining role, which I didn't do well for...
CN2122 - Fluid MechanicsDifficulty: ★★★★
Workload: ★★★
Lecture: ★★
Tutorial: ★★
Out of the 2 Chem Eng module, I prefer this one. Somehow fluid flow is much easier to visualize than heat flow. Actually most questions can be solved just by using a general balance equation, provided a good diagram is drawn (or visualized) such that all the known parameters and assumptions can be determined. Put everything into the gigantic equation and tada, the unknown can be found!
I think the lecturer is quite poor thing, as he often gets blasted for his 'ambiguous' questions, test format, lecture notes, soft voice, blah blah anything you can pick on for a lecturer. Some people say the tough final was an expression of his unhappiness towards us...
Honestly I find it annoying when students ask about how the set-up is supposed to be like in the question. Ok the question is completely in words and there are no diagrams. Dunno if question is badly phrased or the students' visualization skills are poor, but I think it's rather straightforward. To avoid this kind of situation I think the lecturer should try to include a diagram.
Sigh, if only I had more time in the final exam. Why must it be shortened to 2 hours?!
CM1501 - Organic Chemistry for EngineersDifficulty: ★★
Workload: ★★★
Lecture: ★★
Tutorial/Lab: ★★
A more relaxed module since the fundamentals are already covered in A Levels. Not much new stuff except more reactions and mechanisms. Since the exams are closed-book, a good memory is key to scoring well. You must know all the reactions at your fingertips to transform one compound to another. Used up a lot of memory space trying to cram everything before the exam. Fortunately, the exam format is simpler than expected. It felt like an art-and craft assessment haha. No written explanations needed but precise drawings and structure recognition are required.
Making crystals is so fun! Wished I could bring some home for keepsake.
LSM1401 - Fundamentals of BiochemistryDifficulty: ★★★
Workload: ★★
Lecture: ★★
Lab: ★
Being a student who has never taken even O Level Biology, this module could be a nightmare. It's like venturing into a completely new subject, as a core module somemore! The first few lectures about cells blew me off, then metabolism made it worse. Luckily the last part on DNA and genetics brought me back on track, all thanks to the hyper super ultra active lecturer. I wonder where his source of motivation is. Talking on and on for 2 hours straight with a loud enthusiastic voice in the early 8 am lecture is no easy task. On the other hand, the 1st lecturer seemed to emit sleeping gas haha.
With only 3 lab sessions, MCQ assignments, no tutorial...and oh, lecture ended very early at week 10 too - this can be a very slack module, although it requires extensive reading for people like me.
The Biochemistry textbook was overwhelming at first, with all the jargon and bio-terminology. But I slowly conquered the odds and eventually gained a better understanding of biology. =p In fact I think it sparked a little interest in biology on me. Metabolism is such an interesting process. ^_^
Despite that, I've not much confidence in scoring well for this one since the final exam is fully MCQ (with many giveaway questions). Who knows how much the bell-curve will be skewed. Hopefully my silly mistakes won't cost me a lot.
GEM2901 - Reporting Statistics in the MediaDifficulty: ☆
Workload: ☆
Lecture: ★★★★
Tutorial: NA
The most expensive module I've taken so far. And also the slackest. The lecture time serves as a weekly gathering with friends. Content is simple and easy to relate to daily life. Yea I love to listen to the lecturer's interesting stories. But he has something against women though, not that it matters so much to me haha.
The project results weren't that satisfactory but I guess it can't be helped. Scores for final exam are hard to predict. Just pray hard lor. Ready to S/U but it's really a waste to do so.
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Drop or rise? Let's leave it to fate ba...
