AY16/17 NTU SPMS CBC Y1S1

Examination results were out yesterday and I'm gonna share and record some of my thoughts about the modules I took this semester.

CM1021 - BASIC INORGANIC CHEMISTRY WITH LABORATORY | 4 AU | CORE | GRADE: B

CA1 (15%) - 7/10 (mean: 6.7/10)
CA2 (15%) - 8/15 (mean: 8/15)
Lab  (20%)
Final (50%)

The content taught during lectures in the first few weeks was similar to what was taught in JC, but in greater depth. For CA1(MCQs) most of the questions required us to apply the formulas we have learnt to do calculations such as finding the energy absorbed when an electron is excited, or finding the wavelength of a particle. My advice is to read through all the slides given even when the lecturer says those are not going to be tested(I skipped a few of those slides and it came out for CA1). Also, attempt all questions available in Masteringchemistry because a lot of calculation questions and answers with explanations are given. It would definitely help in preparing for CA1.

For CA2( SAQs), the topics tested were taught by another lecturer for the second part of the course. There are blanks in the lecture notes which I think should be the lecturer's way of making us pay attention to the lectures(which I failed to do so HAHA, that was why I did quite badly for CA2). You need to know how to determine valency, oxidation number, coordination number and formal charge, as well as be very familiar with molecular orbital theory, which is an entirely new concept.

For final exam, everything in CA1 and CA2 was tested plus two new topics, transition metals and infrared spectroscopy. We only covered the basics for both topics and the questions should be manageable as long as you have practised and done the past year papers. However, I noticed that some of the answers for the papers were contradictory so I had to search the web a few times to look for the right answers.

For lab, I think I did quite badly from the number of crosses I got in my lab reports, even though the lecturer said it is actually not difficult to get full marks for lab. I actually agree with him as both my lab partners got a 'very good' in their reports. I guess I shouldn't have left the reports till the day of submission before I started doing them. This is probably the reason why I got this grade ><.

Tutorials are conducted once every two weeks like CM1031, there would be pre-tutorial questions that we are expected to completed before each tutorial, a new set of questions would be given during the tutorial for students to discuss and present their answers.

Random ramblings for this course:
Last year's CA2 looked so easy that I didn't bother to study for it, and I only started revision on the day of the test. ( I'M SUPER LAZY HAHA) And this year's paper was much harder haiz.

CM1031 - BASIC ORGANIC CHEMISTRY WITH LABORATORY | 4 AU | CORE | GRADE: A-

CA1 (10%)- 55/70 (mean: 49/70)
CA2 (15%)- 34/50 (mean: 30/50)
Online quizzes (5%)
Lab (20%)
Final (50%)

I actually thought I would score the worst for this course as I felt that the finals was really difficult, so I was surprised to get this grade. In my opinion, there were a lot more information to memorise than CM1021, and the number of reactions and mechanisms are like 5 times the amount learnt in JC. 

For CA1(MCQs), more emphasis was placed on determining the R, S configurations, the types of isomerism, and stereochemistry of cycloalkanes. Make sure to review previous tutorials and do past year papers. The lecturer was very kind to accept multiple answers for a few questions after discussing with the students, so I got 10 marks added. 

For CA2(SAQs), mechanisms are tested as well as reagents and conditions to convert the starting product to the end product. Take note not to neglect the factors affecting acidity and basicity of reactants. Basically just study everything in the notes and do (and redo if you have time) the practice papers uploaded.

For final exam(SAQs), it is the scariest chem paper I have ever taken. A lot of content to remember, and you have to be very familiar with all the reactions to do well. For those who are bad at memorising, make summaries and reaction tables and highlight and draw on them to remember better. Make multiple copies if possible. ( This method may not work for everyone, as I learn best through repetition). Doing past years papers is important as one of the past questions came out for the final exam. 

For lab, it was fun as we made dyes and learnt to use the lab equipment. Do try to familiarise yourself with the equipment as I heard that year 2 labs are conducted individually so there won't be a lab partner to help you. Like CM1021, I wished I had put in more effort on the lab reports. Oh and although lab sessions are allocated 3 hours in the timetable, most of the experiments can be completed in 1 or 2 hours.

The remaining 5% was from online quizzes as some topics were taught entirely online.

Random ramblings for this course: I procrastinated too much and didn't pay attention to lectures, which resulted in me not understanding anything during tutorials, which scared me a bit so I crammed a lot a few days before both mid terms.

PH1801-FOUNDATIONS OF PHYSICS I | CORE | 3 AU | GRADE: PASSED

CA1 (20%)-51/60

Homework and weekly quizzes (20%)

Final (60%)

To me, this course feels like learning O levels Physics for the first few weeks, but gets more complex afterwards. For the first half of the course, we were expected to complete a LAMS sequence every week before the lecture which consisted of videos teaching the content and self check quizzes. Then the lecturer would go through clicker questions with us during lectures and also gave interesting demonstrations during lessons. 

We were allowed to choose the difficulty and the format of the mid term test(20%), and of course most people chose the easiest option. Every week, a tutorial is to be submitted for grading as well as a weekly online quiz, which contribute 20% to the final grade. 

The final exam(60%) consists of MCQs and SAQs. The MCQs were manageable but the SAQs were surprisingly hard. Nevertheless, many people left 1 hour after the exam commences even though the time given was 2.5 hours. Since this is a pass/fail course, I did not study much as you only need 40% to pass.

At the end of the semester, we had to design a device using what we have learnt during the semester, the top three winners will get prizes from the lecturer. The 3rd prize was a drinking bird that makes use of evaporation to allow the bird's head to bob up and down continuously.

MH1800-CALCULUS FOR THE SCIENCES I | CORE | 3 AU | GRADE: A

Quiz 1 (5 marks) - 1.5/5
Quiz 2 (5 marks) - 5/5
Quiz 3 (5 marks) - 2.5/5
Tutorials attendance (36 marks) - 36/36
Weekly quizzes (36 marks ) - ??/36
Final (50%)

We learnt about limits, differentiation, integration, many many theorems and applications. The content is delivered through weekly online lectures and the physical lectures were used for answering 5 clicker questions. There were 12 weekly quizzes and each quiz contributes 3 marks to the total, there were also 3 quizzes during tutorials worth 5 marks each, attending each tutorial earned us 3 marks. The full marks is 50 marks but the highest possible number of marks that can be obtained is 87, so there is no need to attend all tutorials or complete all online quizzes to get full marks.

There were many difficult questions in the tutorials but luckily we had a good tutor who explained the answers to us in an effective manner. I studied for the final exam(50%) by redoing the tutorials and past years papers a week before the exam. Do not worry if you think your math is not good as I did really badly for my H2 Mathematics but still managed to score an A. The key is to practise.

Random ramblings for this course: During the last lecture the lecturer gave us 10 clicker questions and said if we can answer those correctly then it means we are more or less prepared for the final exam, but I got only 2 correct so I got scared (AGAIN) and started doing tutorials like mad. 

CM8002-FORENSIC SCIENCE | GER-PE STS | 3 AU | GRADE: A+

Mid term(20%)- 12/25 (Mean:17/25)
Final (80%)

This course is automatically allocated to all CBC students, which is really lucky for us as I heard many people wanted to take this course but couldn't get it. This course consists of weekly online lectures for 8 weeks and there would be guest lecturers coming after recess week. The guest lectures are not recorded so I feel that it is best if you attend all of them as they were very interesting and some of things mentioned may be tested in the final exam. 

The mid term test(20%) consisted of 25 MCQs which tested on everything from the online lectures as well as the articles uploaded to the course folder. I kind of underestimated the test so I didn't really study for it and got 12/25... Then I got worried and started mugging like mad for the final exam which was worth 80%. The exam had 40 MCQs and a case study worth 40 marks where we had to deduce who was the murderer. I think it was quite a fun exam. I studied for this course by writing down everything from the powerpoint slides in a notebook, then highlight and circle everything. ( A weird method but it worked!) It is essential that you read all articles with asterisks*.

Fun fact: This is the only course that is conducted in the Nanyang Auditorium, probably due to the huge class size (~1700 students)

Random ramblings for this course: The seats in NY audi are very comfortable~

ML0001-ABSOLUTE BASICS FOR CAREER | GER CORE | 1 AU | GRADE: PASSED

This course is conducted entirely online and has some hilarious examples, sometimes the way the lecturers talked is funny too. I believe this is useful in helping us get a better understanding of the appropriate actions to take when looking for a job. There is a graded assignment that needs to be submitted by a deadline or you cannot pass the course.

Overall reflection: I cannot listen to lectures and I don't revise enough, I need to improve on my concentration.