Year 2 Semester 2 (AY 2009/10)

CS4247 - Graphics Rendering
Credits: 4
Grade: B
Comment: The concepts at the early parts are difficult, especially the physics. I had no support from anyone and the only other partner I had in this module also had no clue what the lecturer was talking about. Even the recommended textbook (Alan Watt's 3D Computer Graphics) doesn't help. Hence I flunked the midterm paper. If you loved CS3241 (I don't), then CS4247 is recommended.

CS3103 - Computer Networks and Protocols
Credits: 4
Grade: A
Comment: If you liked CS2105 you will love CS3103 - Goes into details of TCP/IP protocols. Programming assignments are more intensive compared to CS2105 this time round: Create a chat client and server (C programming!!!) and then a packet parser (Any programming language, we choose Java) for standard protocols like ARP and TCP. Memorizing the textbook may not as effective for one new to Computer Networking because the written assignments require a bit of thinking and reasoning.

CS3103L - Computer Networks Laboratory
Credits: 2
Grade: A
Comment: This is a lab-based module that accompanies CS3103. I put in quite some effort during the labs since I and my partner were slowcoaches (Well, at least I think I was a slowcoach there). Only Engineers who are familiar with networking and likes to mess with their PC's settings and such will find this module at least vaguely familiar and thus will be able to move and act fast.

MA1101R - Linear Algebra
Credits: 4
Grade: B+
Comment: A maths module teaching you theories of Matrices and Vectors. There is no calculus. Professor Victor Tan explains the basic Linear Algebra concepts very well. Although the theory is easy, beware: Linear Algebra also tests you on proving techniques. MA1101R module will devote a significant portion of marks in asking you to prove or disprove certain equations. Unfortunately proving wasn't my strongest suit in Maths which explains why I cannot get beyond the basic level so far.

IS2104 - Software Team Dynamics
Credits: 4
Grade: B+
Comment: Ah... Besides CS1105 (Re-coded as IS1103), IS2104 is the first IS-coded module I took. I was part of the tiny debut class (11 students including me!) for this module, taught by Professor Sharon Tan. It teaches a little of project management, but focuses on theories of teamwork. As such it might be useful to understand team members' motivations and help you in future project work.

GEM2900 - Understanding Probability and Statistics Thinking
Credits: 4
Grade: B
Comment: Somewhat disappointing. My first straight B grade for a module from Department of Mathematics. It was my GEM (General Education module), and I did consider to S/U it, but figured that I can save my S/U for the final semesters. It is a really light maths module, even easier than my watered-down ST2334 syllabus but perhaps that is how GEMs are like. And of course, since it is so easy, competition is very fierce.

Overall Results:
MCs taken: 99 + 22 = 121
CAP: 4.18
Promoted from COM3 to COM4 (FINALLY!)

Notes/Trivia:

• CAP took another hit, reducing by 0.03
• My Math module's grade continues to drop...
• The trend of getting A grades for exactly 2 modules for the semester continues here - For CS3103 and CS3103L
• But it is the first semester where I no longer have 8 MCs worth of A grade - CS3103 and CS3103L together are 6 MCs
• I hate Physics

Year 2 Semester 1 (AY 2009/10)

CS4249 - Design of Advanced User Interfaces
Credits: 4
Grade: B+
Comment: Taught by Professor Zhao Shengdong, who previously taught CS3248. It is similar in style to CS3248, in fact almost identical. Expect heavy workloads (Naturally given, since its NUS), literature reading and documentation. Sadly, my team mates were terrible in that they dragged the project (Supposed to start on Week 5) till Week 10, and we didn't do well (By my standards). The project topic is on robots, and this marks the beginning of a trend where my lack of talent manifests in unfamiliar territory...

CS3243 - Foundations of Artificial Intelligence
Credits: 4
Grade: B
Comment: We had two heavy assignments where we programmed lego robots to move in a maze environment. I could have gotten a better grade if it had not been for my team mates (One dropped out of the module, leaving me with a badly-programmed robot and another student who can't program). Anyway, for this module you will also have a theory exam which may or may not be challenging depending on the lecturer. Apparently, Prof. Chua Tat Seng's exams are easier, but his teaching leaves a lot to be desired.

CS2105 - Introduction to Computer Networks
Credits: 4
Grade: A+
Comment: This is my first and probably the only A+ grade I got in NUS, which kind of gives me the perception that I only do well in memory work (Closed book). A useful basic module nonetheless. Doing the tutorials and readings are important to help you to be familiar with the concepts. Programming assignments (Mine was to implement an FTP Client) are fun but otherwise straightforward.

LSM1301 - General Biology
Credits: 4
Grade: B
Comment: Fun module? Lab sessions are heavy and should keep you busy throughout each 2 hours session, so slowcoaches like me might want to bear that in mind. I got a final grade which I don't begrudge the lecturer for but I wished that I made better preparations for the final paper. You need a quick hand and fast reading eyes in the exam, which require you to answer 60 MCQ questions in 2 hours, and some of the questions can be very long...

ST2334 - Probability and Statistics
Credits: 4
Grade: B+
Comment: The first Maths module where I got below an "A" letter grade. Admittedly I did not put in as much effort as I did for MA1505, because it is arguably easier than MA1505 - Implying high competition and therefore I was left in the dust. The exams questions are problem-solving based. You need to be familiar as to what formula to use. Using the wrong formula will cost you dearly.

NM3216 - Game Design
Credits: 4
Grade: A
Comment: We had two projects: One is to create a new physical board game while the other is to create a new computer game. Both projects are not exactly free and easy - We were given constraints to work within. For instance, the computer game cannot have any scoring mechanics, plus a few other do-nots. NM modules are such that students are not allowed to choose their team mates. If you are unlucky, you get lazy, uncooperative, or untalented people (Including me I guess, but my problem is more of poor versatility).

Overall Results:
MCs taken: 75 + 24 = 99
CAP: 4.21
Promoted from COM2 to COM3

Notes/Trivia:

• Probably the worst semester ever (24 MCs)
• First and only time I failed a programming assignment in my entire school life, a heavy one no less (CS3243)
• Had bad project team mates (CS3243 and CS4249), and the projects that went well did not succeed by my hand (NM3216)
• Despite that, CAP only dropped modestly by 0.02
• General trend in my Math modules' grade dropping. MA1301 was a solid A, MA1505 was an A-, and now ST2334 a B+...

Advice for any student who bothers to listen:

• To do well in group projects, always take the initiative and/or consume the lion's share of the work by doing your best to make the project a success.
• Backstabbing works in school by complaining discreetly about the free-riders to the lecturer at the end of a project.

I do sound like I tend to blame my team mates for bad project results and yet tend to include my own effort in for good project results. That is how humans work psychologically and I can't help it. Whatever.

Year 1 Semester 2 (AY 2008/09)

CS3240 - Human-Computer Interaction
Credits: 4
Grade: A
Comment: Taught by IS lecturer Jack Jiang. His exams are closed-book. Note that in NUS, open-book often implies that the module is difficult. I did a lot of memory work for that module, and the effort paid off. You also require good Flash Action-scripting skills and good team-mates for the project, which I did not lack for both aspects then. Having a good graphic designer in the team is important as well.

CS3248 - Design of Interactive Media
Credits: 4
Grade: A-
Comment: That was Prof. Zhao Shengdong's debut lecture in NUS. We became guinea pigs of sorts for the module which was changed to focus on Human-Computer Interaction. Project-based module, so you need good team-mates for the project. There are also individual assignments, one of them being a class presentation and another being programming-based. If the overall effort put in and results of the project work are good, the professor may give most of us a good or decent grade...

NM2101 - Theories of Communication and New Media
Credits: 4
Grade: B
Comment: Haha. I don't really hate the lecturer (Mr. Gui Kai Chong), but I think he could teach better. Comparatively light module and good for you if you are good at reading long articles and writing essays (Such is the module's style). Even better if you can also talk well during tutorials. After all, it is about COMMUNICATION.

CS1231 - Discrete Structures
Credits: 4
Grade: A
Comment: Apparently, it won't be a difficult module if taught by the Maths department but might be if taught by Computing department. I must say that it is the EASIEST module I have ever taken. The midterm was a joke (Difficulty level comparable to High School Elementary maths) but I thought it was a trap to make us suffer in the final exam... Turned out that it was me who was thinking too much.

MA1505 - Mathematics I
Credits: 4
Grade: A-
Comment: I know of someone who failed this module three times. It will be a horror for those who hates Mathematics, especially those who hates Calculus, since this is what the module is about. Even though I am good in Calculus, I am simply unable to anticipate what kind of questions he can ask. Simply put, only a true Maths genius can get A+ for the module, not half-assed amateurs like me.

Overall Results:
MCs taken: 55 + 20 = 75
CAP: 4.23
Stayed as COM2

Notes/Trivia:

• Will probably be my best semester
• Semester GPA of 4.5 pushed my CAP from 3.95 to 4.23 (2nd Upper Honors)
• Good, relatively cooperative team mates for CS3240 and CS3248, especially the latter because despite late design overhaul, our task coordination was good enough to allow us to finish in time.

Year 1 Semester 1 (AY 2008/09)

29 MCs exemption from Singapore Polytechnic
5 MCs exemption (CS1102) by my own hands
34 MCs total exempted...
160 - 34 = 126 MCs left to catch'em all!

Game Start.

Modules I took:

CS3241 - Computer Graphics
Credits: 4
Grade: B
Comment: A level 3000 module on my very first semester in NUS, and a technical module no less! C++ was a big pain in the ass, so were Vector concepts until I was taught about that in MA1301. A first warning sign for me that taking Bachelor of Computing (Honours) in Communications and Media is a mistake, which I unfortunately ignored...

CS2103 - Software Engineering
Credits: 4
Grade: A
Comment: This module might give a false perception that the life of a Software Engineer is easy, when in reality it is definitely not. For people thinking of slacking and relying on their team members to do the programming for them - Perish the thought.

CS2100 - Computer Organization
Credits: 4
Grade: B-
Comment: Basics of Computer Architecture, and that goes into technical details, so take the module under a lecturer who can teach. I still remembered I only knew how to do ONE question (Assembly Programming) out of the 8 required in my final exam. I did not expect anything better than a D (Conditional Pass) grade...

MA1301 - Introductory Mathematics
Credits: 4
Grade: A
Comment: I had solid background knowledge back in Secondary School (Additional Mathematics subject), but I still need consistent practice throughout the semester. If you want to get a good grade and yet you are no born genius, you need to do more than just studying/practicing a couple of days before the exams.

CS1105 - Computing and Society
Credits: 3
Grade: B-
Comment: An unrestricted elective for my major. Being only 3 MCs, its comparatively light. The final grade was disappointing but I should've expected it since I did not really take the module seriously.


CS1280 - Java to C++
Credits: 2
Grade: CS (CS/CU graded)
Comment: My unrestricted elective and a decent conversion course for those familiar with Java and want to learn C++. The labs are a pain in the ass for those who are unfamiliar with C++, namely me. But hey, its only CS/CU (Will not be calculated for CAP) for me.

Overall Results:
MCs taken: 34 + 21 = 55
CAP: 3.95
Promoted from COM1 to COM2

Thinking back

What about me?
I've some sort of meticulous OCD/autistic complex, making me a slowcoach at many times (Probably what gave me that persistence I need in order to survive in NUS).

1.  Fuchun Secondary School, 'O' Levels, L1R4: 9, L1R5: 13
2. Singapore Polytechnic, Diploma in Multimedia Technology
3. Blank of two years
4. Began Semester 1 of my life in NUS School of Computing on August 2008 (And stupidly selected to major in Communications and Media)
   • Took QET (Qualifying English Test), scored Band 5 (1 is worst ever, 6 is best ever), hence avoided taking the zero-credit ET1000
   • Did not take MA1301 Exemption test, its not worth exempting!
   • Took Advanced Placement Tests for CS1102 - Data Structures and Algorithm, somehow scraped through with 5 additional MCs exempted before NUS life began.
5. What next...

Credits

• Myself for being obsessed with blogging in standard English and not the typical slang and internet speak
• Myself for being reasonably good at Maths.
• Myself for working hard (Although it still ends up pretty naught anyway)

Advice for any NUS Computing freshmen who bothers to listen

• Build up your reading and writing skills
• Don't bother getting exempted from MA1301. You don't get any modular credits if exempted. If you are good at Maths then MA1301 is relatively easy and gives you a good 4 modular credits, if you are not good at Maths then... Nothing changes, since I doubt you may survive the exemption test anyway...
• NUS standard is way higher than of Singapore Polytechnic

Whatever.

First Post

On one hand I want to disappear like the lonely, obscure nihilist I am supposed to be, on the other hand I want to publicize certain details of myself even though I am almost certain nobody bothers to read them.

Such is the psychological nature of a human on the Internet.

So a compromise - We get an anonymous guy blogging. Most people have a bit of "exhibitionism" in them in one way or another, and I'm no exception. Just a sudden urge to say something before I disappear...