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bonjour ~

Hey there! I just changed my blogskin :) It's a little user-unfriendly because you can't navigate my past posts by headings or hashtags. So i'm gonna update the codings, stay tuned! (The font's kinda hard to read too..other than these 3 peeves, i'm quite satisfied) Follow me on the links below! :) 29/4/2015.

Started this blog during the last few weeks of SEM1(AY2014/15) cos' i regained interest in blogging. I blog about anything - news, social issues, music - but mostly about my university life :) Hope my posts will help you to make better life (and module) choices! Currently a Sociology Major. Still fresh. xD

: Amelia Lim, 20 October.
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AY2014/2015 Freshie SEM1 Review
written on Thursday, 25 December 2014 @ 22:58 ✈

Today's the last day where we can declare the modules we want to S/U, i did pretty average, scoring all 3 kinds of Bs, with an average of B+. I'm honestly unsure if i want to S/U that B, so i decided to do a module review of all the modules i took this sem! And see if i could score a B+ or higher to make the S/U worth it.

I took SC1101E, PL1101E, JS1101E, LSM1301 & GEK1900 this semester.

I noticed there are pretty few reviews this AY2014/2015 (and past reviews are usually from people who score alot of As, so lemme give a review from a perspective of an average student HAHA.)

I'm a science student from PJC, and i took a hybrid subject combi - H2 Chem, Math, Econs & H1 CSE. I have a pet peeve for maths so even though i scored A for econs, and i loved it, i'm not gonna major in it...I only liked the theories, and econs in uni is nearly 80% math *_*

For anyone who stumbled upon this blog, i hope you'll find this useful!

#Module descriptions are available on IVLE Link under nusmods.com!

SC1101E Making Sense of Society

Professors: Tan Ern Ser & Kelvin Low (Both are really good but have very different lecture styles!)

This module gives a brief overview as well as the main perspectives used in Sociology.
I took this module because i wanted to major in sociology, but i'm still thinking about it. Declared it as my major though cos it could get me sociology mods at a cheaper rate ( :D), and after that you can still change your major, so no worries!

Three main perspectives: Functionalist (Durkheim), Conflict (Marx), Symbolic Interactionism (Weber-my personal fave perspective HAHA)

I totally did not know that Sociology was taught this way, and the first 2 lectures was a total turnoff haha. It was an introduction to the main thinkers of sociology and the research methods. It was much better from the third lecture onwards as it focused more on the content and interesting perspectives.

This module is about understanding the society, and we covered Power, Culture, Family, Gender, Class, Religion, Deviance etc. The flow of the lecture is mainly on the history and background of the subject, and the types we see today and in the past, and the perspectives and theories to each subject.

This is not a tough module, if you pay attention during lectures and read your textbook diligently! My seniors tell me its a fluffy module, because professors will accept any type of argument as long as it makes sense. No fixed structure. Try to link what you've learn to current news and apply it in your essay. (Sounds easy but its tough, comes with practice--to get that A! I got a B+ though..i expected an A-...)

But i've heard from many friends which found it hard to see from a sociological perspective though, so take this module at your own risk! Haha kidding. If you have an interest in it, just take it! Just try to understand and consult your tutors if you're unsure.

Tips: A weekly mindmap/summary/table of the lectures+textbook reading (And summarise your extra readings, if you're hardworking enough--but i realised i relied on the former one more) is useful to help you recap! Some readings are essential; i think its good to link your readings to that main summary sheet you have from the lectures! I separated the summaries though cos i found it hard to link them tgt; The extra readings are deeper and i was still trying to understand the perspectives from the lecture, so i ended up referring more to my main summaries on the lecture+textbook than extra readings. And practice past year papers! Really useful!

Golden Tip: Focus on TES's slides, esp those 'parting shots' to test your understanding. He's pretty kind to leave hints for finals there for freshies ^^

I think Dr. Saroja is taking this in sem2! I heard she's pretty good too ^^


PL1101E Introduction to Psychology

Professor: John Elliot

A lil' psychology knowledge is useful for everyone in the long run, helps you to understand more about yourself and others. I highly recommend this module (even though i got a B-- i really enjoyed it--but now i don't know if i should S/U this B sighpie) I expected a B- though because i scored below the mean for midterm MCQs.

Honestly, everything is in the textbook, and if you memorised everything you'd be able to score! But i'm someone who doesn't have a good memory..be it autobiographical memory or semantic memory LOL..maybe its my genes (people tell me things that i've done that i have no memory of..) which explains my B HAHAHA i kid.

TRUTH: Its a content heavy mod and the bell curve is steep. Do take it if you're prepared to put in alot of effort! :) Its interesting so studying it isn't tough :) The various psych experiments are pretty cool. Memorise the key scientists & their explanations & experiments!

I managed to score 70/100 for CAs in total cause my take-home assignment pulled me up! But i'm pretty sure the majority scored around 80/100. (A-/B+ range)

Tutorials do not need much (or any) preparation at all ^^, so i find it more fun too! It helps to enforce your understanding better. My tutor was Prof John as well & he's good!

Tips: Summaries for each chapter is essential. To get an A. Because it helps you to break down each chapter and for easier memorising. I love mindmaps! But its tiring to do it. BUT its really useful! I originally planned to S/U it though cos i though i'd get B-..but its a B so its a tough decision(sobs) Though i made mindmaps, i chunked my psych revision to 3 days before finals..bad idea..would've done much better if i separated them. Made a fatal mistake for 1 of the SAQs >_<.

Midterms: 75 MCQs and 1 take home assignment which consists of 5 SAQs
Finals: 100MCQs & 5SAQs (2hrs)

Equal weightage for MT & Finals (50%).

Oh, and the finals MCQs is generally easier than the midterms MCQ, because it only focused on topics covered in second half of the sem! Many on operant/classical conditioning which is pretty doable. BUT always remember the bell curve!!


JS1101E Introduction to Japanese Studies

Professors: Dr.Mcmorran & Amos

The above exposure modules had webcasts, but this one doesn't. Dr. Amos's lectures are pretty content heavy as opposed to Mcmorran which summarises it more thoroughly. They allow you to audio-record their lectures though..but you won't really have time to listen another round, so do pay attention. Lectures are tested in FINALS. They're all so passionate about Japan, you can totally feel it! Makes you love this mod even more! Mcmorran uses clickers so its more interactive & fun haha :D

The time frame is from the Tokugawa period ( 3 shogunates ) to Modern Japan.

I didn't know how to study for the finals LOL. I feel that the workload for this mod is much heavier than the 4 other mods i took. It consists of:

1. A group project; 40% (Which pretty much determines your score..and we didn't do well for this, i was below the mean. The mean was 18/30, highest score was 28/30, i got 17/30. You can choose any japan-related topic and expand on it. We chose hikikomori, which was quite hard to develop any "groundbreaking" explanations or analysis ): My friend's group got 28! I think they did the controversy of WW2 bombings.

2. An individual 700 word Forum post (7%), again, on any topic you like, anime, food, vocaloids, WW2 bombings etc

3. 2 Forum reply posts (3%)

4. MCQ Finals, 50 qns (40%)

5. There's 10% class participation marks too ( i scored 5 boohooo i did present 2 times leh, guess my TA was more strict on this. The mean was 7.)

Anyway, i already kinda gave up on this mod after seeing my group project results..and class participation marks... (I didn't wanna view them until after my papers but i accidentally clicked on 'gradebook' while surfing ivle. LOL. blur queen sia)

Should've bugged my seniors more about how to tackle this mod HAHA but #noregrets and #itsover!

Anw, putting aside my results, I find Japan really interesting, with so many cultures and its conformism mindset. Can't offer much tips cos i still don't really know how to study this HAHA. Read the main readings that they focus on, and listen attentively during lecture! And you should be able to get at least a B even if you screwed up the group project (like me ahehe)

My group members were cooperative and nice people..just that we chose the wrong topic lol. Then again, many people screw up for the group project-- Heard many complaints and conflicts among members, members escaping from meetings and not doing their part (or do it anyhow..then they had to redo that member's part). Some didn't even complete it. Some just kept arguing. What i'm trying to say is, i feel that many people planned to S/U this mod because they can't cope with the project and hence finals might be easier to score. Fret not, plan well and choose a good topic and all should be well. A friend of mine had a super uncooperative groupmate, and he had to redo a groupmate's part but he still got an A :)

I took this mod not because i liked Japan haha, (but it made me like Japan.) It's cos i thought that Southeast Asian Studies sounds like social studies all over again hahaha. So i wanted to try something different.

Jap studies & SEA studies are the most popular Asian Studies modules btw!

OH and Mcmorran is not teaching this mod next sem (D:), he's gonna teach a lvl2000 mod related to 'home'. (:


LSM1301 General Biology

Professors: Dr. Seow & Mary Posa

I took this because it was a pre-requisite to the Food and Health module i wanted to take, but now i'm having second thoughts..

A good, and bad thing about this is that its open-book-and-use-your-laptop finals, 60 Qns, 2hrs. (60%)

Its darn content heavy, hmm say around 60% H2 A level bio syallabus in 1 sem!? But its simplified by the professors!

But even though its open book, make sure you STILL study beforehand and know where to refer to! Don't end up flipping ur notes like crazy. I revised every chapter and i felt that the textbook wasn't really helpful though. The notes are sufficient, taken from the textbooks!

Oh they're changing the format next sem though! We're the last batch of students that are gonna have practicals. It was fun! I learnt how to make kimchi hehe! I scored v.well for the 1st 3 pracs (avg. 9/10)..but the last 2 sucked, pulling down my score..whyyy..i put in alot of effort!! ): I thought i could score for this component!

There are weekly quizzes and videos which really aids in your revision! I watched alot of the multimedia while revising and it speeds up your revision pace! :)

From what i heard from a fellow year 3 friend i made, he said many seniors take this mod to S/U so it (may) be easy to score? (Usually GEMs & Breadth mods are easier to get an A, cos many take to S/U)

But then again if everyone thinks that way then it wouldn't be so

I had bio BG knowledge in secondary school and it helped a lil' :) H2 chem BG helps, there was a chapter on proteins. H2 Bio peeps cannot take this mod so i guess that's a plus! The lecturers put in alot of effort to make biology interesting! I dislike it lesser now! (I really disliked it in sec sch..its like another language on its own..)


GEK1900 Public Health in Action

Professors: Many, one for each lecture. The profs in charge are Alex Cook and Jeanette. Other profs are mainly from the school of public health, or doctors from renowed hospitals. Some profs from other faculties (like econs) do drop by as well. Its an interesting & dynamic mix!

"Public Health is the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting physical health and efficiency through organized community efforts." -Winslow

Basically, public health education is a preventive measure to ensure that the general population remains healthy. Public Health professionals are one step ahead of doctors, they tackle possible epidemics that may affect the country (Whereas doctors tackle the symptoms and effects of an illness of an individual patient) , such as Ebola, SARS emergency measures, and also long term problems like obesity. Yes, obesity is an epidemic. By 2050, 60% of singaporeans are gonna be obese.): Cos our butts are always rooted to the chair. It means an increase in diabetics too..so beware..

It also focuses on other sectors aside from healthcare, such as the community, policies etc. A multi-sectoral approach to prevent population health problems.

This module is pretty light. Consisting of:

1. 2 individual assignments. (1 before midterms-1 Qn; 1 after finals-this one has 2 questions, 1000 words ea.)

2. Group Project

Can't remember the exact weightage but its around 40% each, cos there are no finals.(:

Its a different kind of lecture style, comes in a lecture-tutorial-lecture block, 2.5hrs per week.

1st lecture: 10mins quiz (5Qns) on readings, its easy cos the question-phrasing is directly lifted from the readings. Its meant to make people arrive on time since the lecture is 9am in the morning. 1% for each quiz. The prof will then go through the topic, ie. aging, tuberculosis, healthcare financing etc, and end the lecture with a group task you need to complete in the tutorial.

Tutorial: You will break into your own group discussions; its fixed for the whole sem. And submit your report via IVLE 5-10mins before the next lecture! Its fun and not too tough! My group didn't really cite much, but i think good citations will get you a higher grade. Time is very limited, so we didn't cite much.

2nd lecture: Mikes will be passed around the LT for groups to share about their discussions. There are participation marks for this. Get the mike 2 times (in the whole sem) & you'll get full marks for this segment. They will record the group numbers who have spoken.

Another plus point! This module can be considered as a Science GEM or an Arts GEM ^^
FYI: (note the module code)
GEK1900 (mixed)
GEK/GEM1500 (science gem)
GEK/GEM1050 (arts gem)

You don't need to prepare much, just briefly read through the readings the day before to prepare for the quiz!

I'd recommend anyone to take this gem haha! Its light and the topics covered are pretty interesting (:

Tips: For ALL assignments, always link back to that onion epidemiological model for deeper analysis! And cite with caution! The profs are really friendly and you can consult them if you're unsure of the questions during group projects or individual assignments ^^


Really hoped these reviews helped you! :)
Feel free to leave comments if you have further questions!

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