AY2013/2014 Semester 2 CL1101E, LAK2201, PL2132, PL3232, PL3236

The modules I took: CL1101E, LAK2201, PL2132, PL3232, PL3236

CL1101E (Introduction to Chinese Language)
Lecturer: Xu Zheng

Assessment
Tutorials: 20%
Final Exam: 50%
Assignment: 30%

2 hours lecture every week and 2 hours tutorial every biweekly. The lectures were held in Chinese by a Chinese lecturer. The accent did not affect me much, so I think it is ok just that he spoke quite fast sometimes and it is hard to catch if you hadn't take Chinese Language lesson for too long like me. But the lecturer or tutorial practices do have quite a number of very difficult Chinese words. Most of the students taking this module were also Chinese, so I felt quite disadvantaged because I definitely don't have a standard that can match theirs. Some of contents were really quite tough, I took quite a long time to do the tutorial practices to get it right. The final exam was tougher than I expected too. I would not recommend this module, unless one has a strong language base.



LAK2201 (Korean 2)
Lecturer: Park Mihi

Assessment
Class participation: 10%
Skit on Week 12: 15%
Tests (Midterm and Final): 50%
Oral test on Week 11: 10%
Assignment: 10%
Homework: 5%

2 hours lecture twice a week and 2 hours tutorial every week. Level 2 is slightly harder than level 1. The skit was done in pair and the script was half done, and we were supposed to complete the story and the script. Then, we have to perform in front of the class during tutorial. The oral was much easier than Level 1. There was only 2-3 questions, it was fast and rather manageable. The format for tests and assignments were quite similar to level 1 or level 3 as well. Taking language module requires many effort and time to remember the vocabs and get familiar with the grammar. Also, it is important to practice writing and speaking regularly. I feel that commitment and passion is a must to have to take language module.



PL2123 (Research and Statistical Methods 2)
Lecturer: Winston Goh

Assessment
Empirical project (25%)
- Project proposal (Week 6): 10%
- Group presentation (Week 11): 15%
- Project report (Week 12): 55%
- Evaluation of contribution: 20%

Midterm open-book exam: 35%
Final open-book exam: 40%

2 hours lecture and 2 hours lab session every week. The lecturer is very clear and passionate in giving lectures. I understand the lectures quite well. I had Dr Goh for lab sessions too, and he is really very clear and easy to follow. I think the contents are rather ok, as long as you get to understand the concept. Since it is open-book, getting to understand the concept is important so that application will not be too difficult. (I did not understand the content well during first half of the semester, I did quite badly for midterm.) Practicing the past years question will be useful.



PL3232 (Biological Psychology)
Lecturer: Derbyshire, Stuart

Assessment
Midterms Exam
Final Exam

2 hours lecture every week and 2 hours tutorial every biweekly. This module really gave me a lot of headache. The lecturer was new in giving lectures in NUS so he was quite unfamiliar with the format of testing and he did not really have a very clear structure of what he is going through. I felt confused as he went through the lectures. Many contents were not from the textbooks and lectures were not in order with the chapters. I gave up committing to this module, hence having many difficulties coping with it. The contents for this module is really A LOT. So much to memorise so have to plan the modules well.



PL3236 (Abnormal Psychology)
Lecturer: Keng Shian Ling

Assessment
Research Report: 15%
Case study presentation: 20%
Attendance and participation: 5%
Midterm Exam: 30%
Final Exam: 30%

2 hours lecture every week and 2 hours tutorial every biweekly. The lecturer is very clear in her lectures, I felt really comfortable following during the lectures. I personally like the module too, so I enjoyed the lectures. It is also content heavy but Dr. Keng was very lenient in the format for tests. We had only MCQs for finals.