NUS AY 13/14 Semester 1 Module Review

Once again, I’m going to review the modules that I took this semester. 
If you have any questions, please send it to my email  atqhteo@gmail.com, or leave a comment below. Don't worry, there are no stupid questions! I've received many emails asking me all sorts of questions. I reply all of them :)

The modules covered in this post:

PL4880G (Positive Psychology)
PL4880F (Addictive Behaviors)
GEK1063 (The Singlish Controversy)

(I only took 3 modules this semester as I'm working on my Honors Thesis, which is a year long project and worth 3 modules)

I’ll answer 5 questions for each: What is it about? How’s the workload? How difficult is it? Any miscellaneous tips/How was the exam? Should you take it?

If you want to see previous reviews for

• PC1323/GEK1510, GEM2901, PL4207, LSM1303, PL3231, click this link


• PC1325/GEK1508, MKT1003X, PL3252, PL3234, PH2211, click this link.


• GEk1519, SE1101E, PL3236, PL3233, PL3240, click this link.


• PL1101E, NM1101E, PH1102E, LAF1201, PL2131, click this link.


• For PL2132, PL3232, SSB2216 , PL3235, PH2110, click this link.

Do note that modules do vary across semesters, depending on which professor is taking it, so I will include the name of the professor for your benefit.

How does NUS Module Preference Exercise work? (MPE)

(All information correct as of 9th December, 2013)

I've received several queries about the Module Preference Exercise (MPE), so I thought why not do a compiled blog post. This information is accurate for FASS MPE matters, I can't guarantee it applies for other faculties.

This blog post is structured as such - a FAQ style before the page break (denoted by a long line), and after the page break  is information available directly in the MPE portal.

These are actual questions I've received:

1) Can I take part in MPE if I don't have a major yet?
No, MPE is for pre-allocation of major modules. If you don't have a major yet this wouldn't work.

2) Is MPE first come first served?
No. From my understanding (FASS doesn't actually explain this explicitly, but I've never come across contradictory evidence, so this should be right), how MPE works is let's say a module has 40 slots available. As long as there are 40 or below students who MPE it, it will be preallocated to them. However, once the demand exceeds supply (i.e. 41 or more), no one will be preallocated, and everyone has to bid during CORS bidding for it.

3) Which modules can I MPE? Can I MPE a non-FASS module? How about a GEM?
The only modules you can MPE are your major modules. Thus if you are from FASS, the only modules you can MPE are logically FASS modules.

4) What is the probability I'll get the modules I indicated in MPE?
This is a similar question to 'how many points do you think X module will cost' - it varies each semester, and predictions will never be accurate. You can roughly gauge the popularity of a module by asking seniors, but don't expect it to be a reliable indicator of success. Some modules may be obviously more popular, such as compulsory/core modules.

 

The below is directly copied and pasted from within the MPE portal.

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My first Hearthstone tournament

Soe min alerted me to this tournament that went on at Bugis+ : basically there were 8 time slots where 12 people can sign up in each time slot, and your aim is to win as many games in a row against the AI opponents, in sequence (from Mage to Warlock, then move on to insane), within one hour. The highest streak of each time slot moves on to the playoffs. One caveat - you could only use the preset basic decks.



 

I went on Friday, and lost on my 6th game due to a stroke of bad luck. Soe min went for a time slot after me, and he won his slot with a streak of 12. He kept egging me to go again, but I was abit reluctant as it is quite dependent on luck. But after my basketball was cancelled, I went down to Bugis again on Sunday.

It was kind of a rush - I actually planned to go for the 4pm slot, but I decided to rush over to try to get into the 1.30 slot. Somehow, to my luck, there weren't that many participants, and so I managed to get into it despite arriving at 1.20pm (on Friday, the 3.30pm slot filled up by 3pm sharp, the moment they opened registration).

I was the second wave, so I had to wait for the first 6 participants of my slot to play first. I watched nervously as I hoped that the other participants lost (so that the highest streak to beat was lower). In the end, the highest in the first wave was 9.

The previous day I had actually tried out at home to see what I could hit in an hour, and I actually got 14 wins in an hour. So I knew I could beat the 10 win streak no problem.

So I went in, and played. and played. and played. And as the time ran out... I hit 12 wins.. and narrowly beat second place who had 11 wins! (I used Mage until Priest Normal, then used Priest against the Priest, Rogue, Pally, Warlock, then switched back to Mage against Expert AIs. I found this most optimal as I had difficulty beating Priest Normal with Mage when he drew well)

This meant I won $50 and qualified for the playoffs, together with Soe min. So we waited around for the playoffs to begin, and they randomly drew for matchups.. and me and soe min got drawn against each other >< We wanted to only face off in the finals but... oh well.

The games went in my favor due to a nice stroke of luck, and I took the series 2-0  (Mage > Priest; Mage > Mage). I won another $50 because of this! Then came the semifinals .. which I lost narrowly 2-1 :( (Mage > Priest; Mage < Mage; Mage < Mage) The last game was pretty tense and close, and everyone was watching it, and when the game ended, everyone actually applauded us. Wow. I would have felt on top of the world if I had won.  :(

Oh well, it was a fun event overall. I also got to go on stage to play a game (which I won easily, and won $5), hopefully the photos get uploaded by the organizers. I also won another $5 from answering a simple question (Name another Blizzard game). Overall loot - $110 :D