Information Engineering & Media Year 1 modules review(?)
I was contemplating whether to post this, but I thought it might help so here it is. :)
(Hopefully the following will help anyone who’s like me, to feel a little less stress about what you are about to take in NTU.)
Yr 1 Sem 1
Let’s start off with the classics that most engin students take.
PH1011 Physics 3AUs
Pretty much building on what you have learnt in Junior College H2 Physics (minus the hard stuff like nuclear/quantum physics). Make sure to do well for the term tests/quizzes and you should be fine. Good tutors/lecturers!
MH1810 Mathematics I 3AUs
Also building on what you have learnt in H2 Mathematics. The content is not too tough but there’s a really steep bell curve. Even with an A for H2 Math, and full marks for the quizzes, I only got a B+. I guess the finals really do make a difference. Also, be prepared, for this could be the first time you encounter phD students as your tutors to do quite a bit of self learning. Just saying.
FE1008 Computing 3AUs
Programming in C language. The tutorials were pleasant, and the TA in my class was really good! :) Depending on your prior knowledge in programming, you will find this module okay/struggle with grasping the concepts.
GC0001 ... Sustainability Module ... Online 1AU
Didn’t even bother with the full mod name, because yes, most of you won’t even care about this module tbh. Most of the course content was really dry and there’s no fast forward button on the videos either. (but I did manage to sit through all the videos...)
Now for the more iem related stuff.
IM1004 Digital Electronics 4AUs
You will be taking this together with the EEEs direct year 2 (though in different LTs). Don’t be intimidated. I think we aren’t graded on the same bell curve (because different course code). Interesting module, there’s programming elements and then also the practical stuff where you get to play with breadboards to light up LEDs. Might be tough to grasp at first, but a do-able module. Might want to look up some YouTube videos when studying for this mod. Some seniors think that DE is one of the easiest EEE mod you will ever take, but that’s up to you to decide. Consistency is key.
DA1000 Thinking and Communicating Visually I 3AUs
One of the most interesting module you will take in year 1. I learnt a lot and survived despite having little Art background. >90% of the time drawing in B&W. Depending on your tutor, you may or may not get to sketch nude models. ;) Time consuming mod for sure. Do try to keep your weekends free, so that you can work on your art pieces or risk staying up the night before your class trying to complete your work. (or if that’s your thing, it’s your call) Supposedly, one of the profs is more lenient in giving better grades, (you can try asking your seniors) but that’s up for debate too.
The recommended 17AUs in semester one; I do think it is possible to apply for overload and do one more UE/GER-PE, especially if you did well in JC/Poly. As long as you don’t get too overwhelmed with uni, you should be able to handle one more module.
Yr 1 Sem 2
MH1811 Mathematics II 3AUs
Same as with Math 1, it’s building on a lot differentiation/integration techniques. Mindmaps will help you, especially with the first half of the topics, as they do get confusing. We got to bring in cheat sheets for our exams, that was great (to a certain extent).
IM1001 Data Structures & Algorithms 4AUs
Taking this with the direct year 2 EEEs students, in the same LT! However, I hear that this module is now going to be conducted online... But you have a longer tutorial session? This is quite a useful mod for those interested in computer science related stuff. However, the different concepts learnt do become a blur(at least to me) so try to keep them straight. (After all 4AUs worth of stuff!) Programming required during the lab sessions. (And you might just want to do a little homework before those sessions, don’t say I didn’t warn you!)
IM1002 Analog Electronics 3AUs
Totally different from Analogue Electronics that the EEE students take, don’t buy the wrong set of practice past year papers! This is like the Circuit Analysis that EEE students take and a little of their AE mod. So, while EEE students can say that they are taking a killer mod, we on the other hand, are taking a lower level version of AE haha. I’d say the first Prof in this mod is really good at teaching and how so many students flock to him for consultations. There’s a few important concepts that you absolutely have to know and then you should be able to do well in the exams. Basically, just understand the concepts, remember the formulas, and apply.
IM1003 Object-Oriented Programming 3AUs
Good module to take, good Prof. Nice that we go to make an actual game, really learnt a lot trying to program it. There’s a site about OOP by him that’s actually high up in the search engine results, go look for it! Oh! and this Prof started IEM so yeah him! :D
CS0204 Basic Media Writing 3AUs
Taken in semester 2, be aware that you will be taking with a pretty different group of students in the different sems. There was a slight change in tutors/exam format in my year but I guess that it is for the better. In this mod you will learn about news writing, reporting, sales writing, PR etc. Quite an interesting module, and I had an awesome group for the sales website part which definitely pulled my grades up. While this was a writing kind of mod, in which we expected to be writing news articles and press releases.... the final exam in my year gave us the options to do analytical kind of essays instead! Totally unexpected but I was glad it turned out well haha.
ML0001 Absolute Basics for Career (Online) 1AU
Learn the basics about career planning. Wish it was less cliche, but oh well. Don’t worry too much, I think that it is really hard to fail this mod haha.
There you have it, hope it helped and have fun in year 1! :)