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 MSc MSE: AY20/21 Sem 2 Module Review
 Not very sure if anyone would find these reviews useful anymore since it's for post-grads and I think most people just take stuff that they are already working on at work, but I'll still keep this series going. We're in mid-June now and results came out on 1 June this time. Found some time to consolidate my thoughts and I guess, this semester was harder than before (though I think it's still not as bad as Year 2 Sem 2, that was a horrible sem). We're still on the COVID work from home period so lessons were still conducted online but we did have a chance to attend some face-to-face classes if the class size < 50. Editor's Note: Funny how this post started in June but finally completed it in December, right before we get our results for the next semester. *Disclaimer: Due to the COVID-19 situation that happened during this semester, the grading for modules were modified to meet the Work-from-home requirements and it might not be continued in the future. MLE5002 Materials Characterization Lecturer: Prof Michel BosmanThis module is a core module for MSc MSE students. Weekly evening modules (6-9pm) were held both in-person and online. Due to COVID restrictions, we could only have 50 students in the classroom while the rest of us (~50 students) had classes online. In-person classes fills up pretty fast since everyone was rather enthusiastic so if it's going to be in such a format in the future, being in class early will at least secure you a seat. However, I believe that once the university removes the restrictions, Prof Michel will gladly make this a full in-person class since he really enjoys interacting with students and actually wanted to bring us to his lab so that we can have the exposure. Mark allocation - Finals (60%) + 30% quiz + 10% feedback/question Topics covered in this module were based of Yang's textbook (available on NUS library), but honestly, his weekly handouts covered enough information required for the tests and covered the necessary concepts required. Since this was aimed to be an introductory module, focus was mainly on concepts and providing us with enough information to chooses the right microscopic techniques for application. Also, there were only basic calculations in this class. As such, you really have to be clear in your concepts and understanding. Each lecture (except the first one) started off with a review session of the previous lecture and going through homework questions (not graded). After which, Prof Michel will go ahead with the topic for the week. There will be a short 15 min break after about 1 - 1.5 hours before finishing the content with some questions that he will go through ini the next lesson. There was also a review session before finals where he goes through common questions submitted beforehand. Questions submitted can be conceptual or even troubleshooting stuff from your own experience as long as it was related. There were 2 quizzes, 1 after recess week which covers the topics in the first half of the semester, and 1 in Week 12 which covers topics after recess week. Both quizzes were manageable and useful ways to revise for the final paper which was a rush since we had only 2 hours to answer open ended questions. Overall this module was more manageable as compared to MLE5001 for me since I'm not exactly a calculations person. Most students who had MSE background should find this module easy to handle as well. Expected Grade: B+ Actual Grade: A- MLE5211 Nanomaterials Lecturer: Prof John Wang & Prof Daniel ChuaThis module code is for graduate students. MSE undergrads who are interested can take it under module code MLE4206 CURRENT TOPICS ON NANOMATERIALS. Weekly near-evening lectures (4-6pm) with tutorials happening as and when the profs have stuff to go through. This module was co-taught by 2 really great profs who are helpful and very willing to answer all your questions. Mark allocation - Term paper 30% + Finals 70% (?) For this semester, the first half was covered by Prof Wang who covered mainly on the basic concepts of nanomaterials (e.g. nanophenomena, mechanical behaviors). Tutorials started in Week 3 and was once a week where he would prepare tutorial questions to go through. His tutorial classes were mostly focused on going through methods instead of giving answers, so at the end of the session you're expected to solve the problems on your own, you can email him with your answers to check with him (though I haven't done that). There will also be a term paper (topic release somewhere in Week 1/2) that needs to be submitted in Week 7. The term paper will consist of you writing that paper (~3k words for grad students and slightly lesser for undergrads) and a short 7 minute presentation of your paper to either profs. Our term paper topic was on nanomaterial applications in COVID-19.So we were given the leeway to select any topic (e.g. diagnostics, treatment, prevention). Rather easy component to score in as long as you submit on time and put in effort, there shouldn't be a problem. Presentation wise, I was assigned a timeslot in the afternoon with Prof Chua. During the presentation, we share for about 5 min before having a short Q&A session (by short I mean really short, like I had only 1 question since there really isn't much time) Second half was covered by Prof Chua, mainly covering electrical and magnetic properties of nanomaterials. This portion was relatively easier for me as I feel the way Prof Chua structures his lectures very well. However, this was also the section with way more concepts and equations, so be warned especially if you don't enjoy calculations (but then again, be reminded that this is Engineering). There were only 2 tutorial sessions, 1 for each topic he covered and similarly, he will go through the methods to solving the questions. Since the class was too large to be in person, our finals were also conducted via ZOOM. Fully open book, it wasn't really an easy paper and there were 5 questions, 1 for each topic covered. Would be useful to have a compiled equations sheet prepared beforehand since there are quite a lot of equations from different topics that may be useful. I also kept a definition list since Prof Wang has the tendency to ask conceptual questions, Overall this module was rather manageable, quite a bit of calculations but as someone who dislikes calculations, it was still not too much. Content covered was interesting and both profs made it a point to include real life examples and applications in their lectures to make the module more applicable for future works. I would recommend this module for students who have interest in this field and may or may not embark on this as a future progression pathway. Expected Grade: B+ Actual Grade: A- Comment Box is loading comments...
Labels: 2020, 2021, Material Sciences & Engineering, Module Review, MSE, NUS, Reflections, School Life, Uni Life |
