Memorable NUS Life Statistics

That nobody cares about. :(

Overall Grades

-	08/09 Sem1	08/09 Sem2	09/10 Sem1	09/10 Sem2	10/11 Sem1	10/11 Sem2
Semester Grade Point Average (GPA)	3.95	4.5	4.17	4.09	4.3	4.25*
Cumulative Average Point (CAP)	3.95	4.23	4.21	4.18	4.2	4.21*

* For the last semester, GPA was originally 3.9 due to a C+, where my CAP plunged to 4.15. However, I used the S/U option and removed the offending grade.

My worst performing semesters were actually my first and final semester. First semester was due to my trying to adjust to NUS standards and the recent final semester was due to divided attention when I was finding a job (And failed to) at the same time.

Grade Letter Statistics

-	A/A+	A-	B+	B	B-	C+	C	D+	D	F	Unknown
Number of Modules	10	3	8	6	3	1	0	0	0	0	1
MCs weightage	42	12	32	24	11	4	0	0	0	0	2

• Fortunately, the only C+ grade I got is for a module which I can S/U, and that I did.
  
  • It is also the final semester where I got my first and only C+.
• The only A+ I got in NUS is that of CS2105 - Introduction to Computer Networks, on 09/10 Sem1.
• The so-called "unknown" grade is that of  CS1280 - Java to C++, which is CS/CU graded, that is, pass or fail and there is no actual grade letter associated.
  
  • Might not be too important, but I passed anyway.
• If all but one of my A grades are taken away from the table, it would curiously resemble a bell-shaped curve of sorts eh? :)

Modules with the good grades (From A+ to A-)
1) CS2105 - Introduction to Computer Networks (A+)
2) CS3245 - Information Retrieval (A)
3) CS4348 - Interactive Systems Project
4) CS3103 - Computer Networks and Protocols
5) CS3103L - Computer Networks Laboratory
6) NM3216 - Game Design
7) CS3240 - Human-Computer Interaction
8) CS1231 - Discrete Structures
9) CS2103 - Software Engineering
10) MA1301 - Introductory Mathematics
11) CS4243 - Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (A-)
12) CS3248 - Design of Interactive Media
13) MA1505 - Mathematics I
From the limited statistical analysis of the good grades, majority of the good grades are that of CS modules (10 out of 13), which indeed I placed a lot of effort into. The key to scoring in most of these modules are memory work, consistent practice, and/or learning how to trace the algorithms or do the math. Not really true talent requirement. Also, I do not really deserve the 'A' grade for the non-examinable CS4348 and NM3216. I was probably given 'A' for good effort for CS4348, but our project was poorly managed and the idea was badly executed in reality. As for NM3216, Arts modules' grading are probably skewed to the better side and most of the work was done by another student which I tried to claim partial credit for.

Modules with "normal" grades (B+ to B)
1) CS5341 - Computational Photography (B+)
2) CS2106 - Introduction to Operating Systems
3) GEK1531 - Introduction to Cybercrime
4) CS4211 - Formal Methods for Software Engineering
5) IS2104 - Software Team Dynamics
6) MA1101R - Linear Algebra
7) CS4249 - Design of Advanced User Interfaces
8) ST2334 - Probability and Statistics
9) CS4247 - Graphics Rendering (B)
10) GEM2900 - Understanding Probability and Statistics Thinking
11) CS3243 - Foundations of Artificial Intelligence
12) LSM1301 - General Biology
13) NM2101 - Theories of Communication and New Media
14) CS3241 - Computer Graphics
There are about as many "normal" grades as that of the "good" grades. From my perception, 'B+' grade is said to be that of good effort with adequate understanding while 'B' simply means adequate understanding, but otherwise plain mediocre. Many of the modules here revealed what I cannot excel in, despite my efforts: Critical thinking (CS2106, MA1101R), Problem Solving/Engineering (CS4249, ST2334), "Computer Science" minded (CS5341, CS4247, CS3243, CS3241), and Communication skills (CS4249, NM2101). For instance, I can trace a familiar algorithm effectively after practice but I usually cannot write one myself nor understand an unfamiliar one on the spot. Just the same as my dismal project performance for CS4348, at many times I am unable to come up with a good solution to solve a problem, whether technical or not.

Modules with below-average grades (B- onwards)
1) CS4248 - Natural Language Processing (B-)
2) CS2100 - Computer Organization
3) CS1105 - Computing and Society
4) SSB1204 - Labour Law In Singapore (C+)
Glaring weaknesses includes my same old communication inadequacies as in SSB1204, weak independence from a teacher and slow adapting to new concepts, like CS2100 and CS4248. Oh yeah, to think I wanted to start off my career in Computer Engineering which also happens to be my weak (If not non-existent) area of understanding.

Top 3 Easiest Computer Science Modules
1) CS1231
2) CS2103
3) CS3240
CS1231 - Discrete Structures taught by the Mathematics department are surprisingly easy, and I dare say ridiculous back then, and there's no programming assignment. The programming project for CS2103 - Software Engineering isn't that difficult back then because we did not use any tools other than Java and an IDE, and there's no algorithm to adopt. The project for CS3240 - Human-Computer Interaction was almost as easy as CS2103's. The theory concepts are actually non-technical and are about product usability and best practices, in other words, there shouldn't be any algorithms to decipher.

Top 3 Killer Computer Science Modules
1) CS2100
2) CS4247
3) CS4248
CS2100 - Computer Organization stood out only because I did not understand what the lecturer was talking about, hence I flunked ALL the theory and struggled with the practical labs as well. I could not understand the physics-related part for CS4247 - Graphics Rendering, I did not fare well for the midterm, and the programming assignments were in C/C++, which at that time I still struggled with the syntax. Toughest highlights of CS4248 - Natural Language Processing were theory questions where I need to write pseudo-code for algorithms and draw finite state machines for tricky situations on the spot. There are close contenders to the Top 3 like CS3241, CS3243, and more, but oh well, listing the 3 toughest CS modules is probably not as straightforward as listing the 3 easiest ;)

Ranking of Mathematics modules (Easiest to Most difficult)
1) GEM2900
2) MA1301
3) ST2334
4) MA1505
5) MA1101R
Despite my disappointing grade, the concepts for GEM2900 are relatively easy, which is expected since its a General Education module. MA1301 is ostensibly a year's worth of the 'A' Levels Syllabus squeezed into 13 weeks of lecture. And it is still the easiest in terms of scoring potential as compared to others... ST2334 is also easy but as a result it is very competitive. Although MA1505 concepts are more difficult, MA1101R on overall is tougher due the tests and exams that require one to be good at proving and not just blind computation.

Modules where I scored below 50% for a theory test
1) CS2100
2) CS3241
3) CS4247
4) CS4248
5) GEK1531
For CS2100's case, I most probably flunked the final exam as well. There are 2-3 tests for GEK1531, I scored below 50% for one of them. But somehow I managed to get a final grade of B+ for GEK1531. Shrug.

Very First NUS Exam: CS3241
Very Last NUS Exam: SSB1204
CS3241 - Computer Graphics, the first step to a wrong major. SSB1204 - Labour Law In Singapore, the final step before I enter the workforce. How fitting eh?

Crazy Exams squeeze: CS2100 and MA1301 on the same day
CS2100 was at 9 AM and MA1301 was at 1 PM. Luckily, I anticipated that I was pretty much screwed for CS2100 anyway, and focused on MA1301 instead.

Laughingly undoable exam: CS2100
Laughingly easy exam: CS1231
To this day I am puzzled as to why the CS1231 lecturer actually used tutorial questions for the Final Exam.

5-exam semester: 09/10 Semester 2
The exams are MA1101R, CS3103, IS2104, CS4247, and GEM2900

3-exam semester: 10/11 Semester 1 and 10/11 Semester 2
Exams for 10/11 Semester 1 are CS4248, CS4211, and CS4243.
Exams for 10/11 Semester 2 are CS3245, CS2106, and SSB1204.

Total number of NUS Modules: 32
Total number of NUS Exams: 23
I have taken 6 modules on 08/09 Semester 1, and 09/10 for both semesters.

tl;dr... Summary of overall results?
Also useful section here if you happen to tl;dr. What can I say? My results are good but on closer examination, the individual grades are rather unsatisfying. A tiny pool of skills with shallow understanding (Poor breadth and depth respectively), adding on to weaknesses like not being able to think on my own feet and lack of achievements in problem-solving, makes me truly one of those University students who are good at studying and almost nothing else.