NTU YEAR 2 SEM 1
Nanyang Technological University 2016.
Biological Sciences Year 2, Semester 1.
Hi guys, Year 2 Sem 1 seems to pass faster as compared to the past two semesters (maybe because I only had 3 core modules?). Anyway, I am going to summarize on all the modules that I've took, before the registration of the modules start, hopefully will give you guys some insights so that you all can make a better choice (as to what modules to take to clear your electives). Hope it helps! Here it goes..
1.) BS2001 Physiology (core) - CLEARED IN YEAR 1 SEM 1
Modules that I took for Year 2, Semester 1:
Modules that I took for Year 2, Semester 1:
2.) BS2002 Microbiology (core)
There're lectures, tutorials and labs for this module. There are only 4 tutorials for the entire semester (even though the timetable states that there are tutorials from week 2 to 13). During each tutorial, a list of tutorial questions will given to each group and just answer those questions and hand it in can already. The groups are not fixed so it's up to you which group you want to join eg. Just make sure your name and matrix number is recorded in the paper that you guys are going to hand in! The answers will be graded and all 4 tutorials comprises about 10% of the overall grade for this module. The lectures are all recorded. For the labs, you will be dealing with microorganisms and do gram staining all those.. and you just have to submit one lab report 2 weeks after you have ended all your practical lessons for this module. The mid and final exams are ALL MCQ and if you have studied well enough, should be easy to score.
3.) BS2003 Biochemistry 2 (core)
There're lectures, tutorials and labs for this module as well. There is no mid term for this subject. 40% lab and 60% final exam. Lectures are all recorded.There are tutorials every week for this module. For the practicals, you will have to handle some corrosive liquids so just pay extra attention to it. You are suppose to hand in 3 practical reports in total. Each report is due on the next practical lesson (which is basically one week after). Each report have to consist of an abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, conclusion and the references have to be properly referenced according to the style the prof wants as well. I personally feel that it is a bit too rushing for us to complete a decent report in less than a week's time, considering that we have other cores, electives, tests (plus cca, for those that have) to juggle as well. I guess you just have to plan your time well and it should not be too much of a problem. Final exam is ALL MCQ as well. This module may seems very overwhelming at the start (glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, TCA cycle, ETC cycle...), but you do not have to memorize each of the reactions in detail. There will be a final revision lecture at week 13, so just pay extra attention to what the prof says and you should be fine.
4.) HW0128 Scientific Communication 1 (core)
This is a 2AU module (unlike the rest) & it involves an individual and pair assignment and a final oral presentation-by yourself. For the individual and pair assignment, the tutor will guide you through the process and remind you of the datelines. For the final oral presentation, it is a 5 min presentation (not inclusive of Q&A). You will have to pick a scientific journal article (if I'm not wrong) and come up with power point slides for that article. The tutor will provide you guys with the guidelines of the power point (eg the font, the font size, the content, how many slides in the ppt...) and just follow accordingly.
CA: (85%):
1. Annotated Bibliography (individual): 25%
2. Review Paper (paired): 35%
3. Oral Presentation (individual): 25%
Class Participation (15%)
There is no end-of-semester exam for this module.
This is a 2AU module (unlike the rest) & it involves an individual and pair assignment and a final oral presentation-by yourself. For the individual and pair assignment, the tutor will guide you through the process and remind you of the datelines. For the final oral presentation, it is a 5 min presentation (not inclusive of Q&A). You will have to pick a scientific journal article (if I'm not wrong) and come up with power point slides for that article. The tutor will provide you guys with the guidelines of the power point (eg the font, the font size, the content, how many slides in the ppt...) and just follow accordingly.
CA: (85%):
1. Annotated Bibliography (individual): 25%
2. Review Paper (paired): 35%
3. Oral Presentation (individual): 25%
Class Participation (15%)
There is no end-of-semester exam for this module.
5.) BU8301 Fundamentals of Business Law (GER-PE BIZ)
This is a business elective. I took this because I think it will somehow benefit me in a way next time (at least I know a bit about the law). This module consist of a mid term exam, which is on a Saturday, ALL MCQ but it is a closed book test (about an hour). However, for the final exam, it will be an open book exam (not MCQ). Class participation worth 20% of the entire elective. A quite significant percentage, so if you want to score an A, participate actively in class! Just voice out your answers, opinions and this 20% will be guarantee in your pocket ~ This elective only consist of a 3 hr seminar class every week, no lectures. The tutor have to cover quite a lot of content within the 3 hour, she have to run through the core concepts and the seminar questions as well.
The topics in this module could get quite confusing at times and the content just keeps on piling week by week.Therefore, if you have any questions or doubts on the topic taught, consult the tutor and clear it on the day itself (at the end of the seminar class or something). Otherwise, you will have more and more questions and it may be harder to understand the further topics.. since all these topics are somehow interconnected with one another. The tutor will advise you to buy the textbook but it's up to you. I didn't buy the textbook, as I personally feel that the notes are sufficient enough to understand. The final exam will be tested solely on the content given in the lecture notes. However, feel free to purchase the text book if you're interested. It will definitely benefit you to know more about the laws.
Advice: Make your own notes at the end of every seminar lesson will definitely help a lot (for your own understanding and for preparation of the final exam).
6.) BU8542 Social Marketing -Making the World a Better Place (GER-PE LA)
I picked this elective because there is no final exam. HAHAHA. There're no mid terms for this module as well, just two quizzes worth 10% each within the semester. Both of the tests will be tested based on the textbook.There is a copy of the text book in the business library in hive (I think there's only one copy). You can read through the textbook and record down the notes before the quiz. Each quizzes will be tested based on the chapters (about 9 chapters each time) in the textbook. Don't be intimidated by the huge number of chapters! It is not really that content heavy, it's just a lot to read to pick out the main points. The average score for each of the quizzes is not high, and some of the questions may get really tricky, so if you want to score, I would suggest you to read well and understand the main points.
This module requires you to form a group by yourselves (whereby one of the student must be an exchange student), and work on a social issue. There will be two presentations throughout the entire semester and each group have to submit a final report at week 13. For me, I feel that the textbook was much more helpful as compared to the lecture notes given. Class participation consist of 20%.
Advice: I feel that textbook is a must in this module (if you want to pass the 2 tests and to do well in the project). You can purchase the textbook, but I think it's like above $50 SGD.. It's too pricey for just an elective... (that's why I didn't buy it). However, as I have mentioned, one copy is available in the biz library and you can search for second hand book in carousell as well!
7.) BU8541 Sports Marketing of Champions (UE)
I picked this module because it fits my timetable nicely but I have totally close to zero knowledge in sports. Football, Olympics, Golf, Omega, Sponsorship... what? Like what???? LOL. During the group discussion, I always have nothing to contribute because I have really no background knowledge at all. :/ Anyway, this module comprises of two presentations (in a group) as well.There is an individual sports marketing assignment. It requires you to find a sports marketing related topic (eg sponsorship, stadium..) and write an introduction + a critique on it. There is no mid-terms for this module and the final exam is open book exam. If you guys are considering on taking this elective and if you want to score, I personally feel that it will be much easier if you have a decent knowledge about the sports industry. However, if you have an intention to SU this elective, I think that it is pretty manageable and it is worth a try.
GER-PE: General Education Requirements - Prescribed Elective
UE: Unrestricted Elective
The topics in this module could get quite confusing at times and the content just keeps on piling week by week.Therefore, if you have any questions or doubts on the topic taught, consult the tutor and clear it on the day itself (at the end of the seminar class or something). Otherwise, you will have more and more questions and it may be harder to understand the further topics.. since all these topics are somehow interconnected with one another. The tutor will advise you to buy the textbook but it's up to you. I didn't buy the textbook, as I personally feel that the notes are sufficient enough to understand. The final exam will be tested solely on the content given in the lecture notes. However, feel free to purchase the text book if you're interested. It will definitely benefit you to know more about the laws.
Advice: Make your own notes at the end of every seminar lesson will definitely help a lot (for your own understanding and for preparation of the final exam).
6.) BU8542 Social Marketing -Making the World a Better Place (GER-PE LA)
I picked this elective because there is no final exam. HAHAHA. There're no mid terms for this module as well, just two quizzes worth 10% each within the semester. Both of the tests will be tested based on the textbook.There is a copy of the text book in the business library in hive (I think there's only one copy). You can read through the textbook and record down the notes before the quiz. Each quizzes will be tested based on the chapters (about 9 chapters each time) in the textbook. Don't be intimidated by the huge number of chapters! It is not really that content heavy, it's just a lot to read to pick out the main points. The average score for each of the quizzes is not high, and some of the questions may get really tricky, so if you want to score, I would suggest you to read well and understand the main points.
This module requires you to form a group by yourselves (whereby one of the student must be an exchange student), and work on a social issue. There will be two presentations throughout the entire semester and each group have to submit a final report at week 13. For me, I feel that the textbook was much more helpful as compared to the lecture notes given. Class participation consist of 20%.
Advice: I feel that textbook is a must in this module (if you want to pass the 2 tests and to do well in the project). You can purchase the textbook, but I think it's like above $50 SGD.. It's too pricey for just an elective... (that's why I didn't buy it). However, as I have mentioned, one copy is available in the biz library and you can search for second hand book in carousell as well!
7.) BU8541 Sports Marketing of Champions (UE)
I picked this module because it fits my timetable nicely but I have totally close to zero knowledge in sports. Football, Olympics, Golf, Omega, Sponsorship... what? Like what???? LOL. During the group discussion, I always have nothing to contribute because I have really no background knowledge at all. :/ Anyway, this module comprises of two presentations (in a group) as well.There is an individual sports marketing assignment. It requires you to find a sports marketing related topic (eg sponsorship, stadium..) and write an introduction + a critique on it. There is no mid-terms for this module and the final exam is open book exam. If you guys are considering on taking this elective and if you want to score, I personally feel that it will be much easier if you have a decent knowledge about the sports industry. However, if you have an intention to SU this elective, I think that it is pretty manageable and it is worth a try.
GER-PE: General Education Requirements - Prescribed Elective
UE: Unrestricted Elective
SU: S/U option allows the student to take a course on an 'ungraded basis'. You will only be given a Pass/Fail. There is no effect on the CGPA.
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