post exams (2)

aha this entry is so very overdue. my new xbox360 and 32in LCD tv kinda made sure i did nothing else but play games if i were at home. but better late than never right.

hmm let's do a quick breakdown of the modules i did this sem. then a short mention abt them in general and any miscelleneous comments. want to get over this and on to other more interesting (at least to me) blog topics. haha.

CM2101 Principles of Spectroscopy: my 4th chemistry module and the last one required to clear the requirements for my 2nd teaching subject. it's like how basic la. if only L2000 physics mods were like that. really. i'm already trying to be objective. but the time i need to spend on it is really far less. also the module which i was the most conscientious for; reading the notes b4hand, doing tutorials and using the textbook for reference if required. thanks lalaa for ur wonderful lab rpts and taking the initiative to pass me the TB and ur notes from the prev sem w/o me even thinking to ask.

GEM2900 Understanding Uncertainty: this is most probably the lightest module in the whole of NUS. there are times when the lecturer only covers 4 slides per lecture cos he's spouting irrelevant stuff and trust me, those few slides are quite trivial. the total number of slides he went thru numbered only ard 200 (i printed 8 per page a few days b4 the exam so i rmbr) and the textbook can be finished in a day. not much of a leap from A Maths in sec sch. cheat sheet allowed too. the only catch is that everyone does well so it's hard to score. but a sure (almost) way to get a pass should u wish to use a S/U to clear a Sci/Arts GEM. yes, it fulfils both.

PC2132 Classical Mechanics: even though this is disputably the simplest of the L2000 theoretical physics modules, nevertheless it was still a nightmare. i easily spent more time and effort on it than the 2 modules above and yet had the least confidence in it. of course it helps that there are NO notes (for some sick reason physics profs prefer to write on the whiteboard and let us copy from it) and his scanned handwritten notes are close to illegible. the only module where i referred to 3 textbooks for different chapters. well, at least i got to do it alone with the very attractive ivana. ahhaha. cos we both were lagging behind our coursemates in taking physics mods. due to me trying to clear my CS2 for chemistry and her trying to switch course.

PC3242 Physics of Semiconductor Processing: essentially an engineering module, geared more towards applied physics. nice, colourful slides and the lecturer effectively got his material from one textbook. so no ambiguity. i like. it was alot of formulae and derivation, but somehow we only had to use the final formulae and substitute values intelligently to answer most of the test and exam questions. not much need for vivid understanding of the underlying principles. i din really mind cos it gave me more time to focus on my other mods.

PC3193 Experimental Physics 2: an open lab module where u had to finish up 6 experiments and the corresponding lab reports, prepare for the respective VIVAs, and do up a presentation near the examination period on an allocated experiment. some of my very diligent coursemates finished the former 2 tasks by recess week. very diligent, indeed. but i found it really fun cos it gave us all physics yr3 majors a chance to gather together, (amidst different module specialisations) chat abt random stuff and generally have lots of raucous fun in a comfortable setting.

SC2205 Sociology of Family: nuff said abt it alr, regarding the academic part. really enjoyed gg to lectures with jack, dilys and shiyun. 3 of my top 5 old (sorry la must differentiate mah) flaggers! haha. the content was interesting and abt stuff i would have loved to read up on myself during my free time. i wonder how i would have ended up had i chosen to major in arts. but then again, i really want to teach physics and chemistry, so that left me little choice. mebbe in another lifetime, i guess. every single choice involves an opportunity cost.

okie i'm done! like finally. and to think i finished this entry in paris. i should be holidaying u say, but since my family doesn't stay out late and i dun sleep late either, that leaves me 3-4 hrs for photo editing/uploading, blogging, PSPing (i just brought it along for fun) and reading. thanks zhu for the beautiful 'essays in love'. no worries, i imbued it with double protection and shall also refrain from reading the errr bookmark. haha. the most appropriate setting to peruse it would be the here and now. will try to finish and return to u soon!