Taught by: Dr Edmund Low
Content (Structure/Organization): 5
The course is an introduction to mathematical modelling and the seminars are designed to help you understand each model before moving on to the next model. There are frequent references to real-life pollution control measures in Singapore with each model.
The course is clearly structured and follows the prescribed syllabus almost to a T.
Manageability of Workload: 3
Workload is mid - each week you should complete the provided tutorial sheet before class, which takes about 1h. Regular revisions of the models and usage [are] important.
Assignment wise, 1 mid-term and final paper which is quite short compared to other NUSC courses! There is also a group project at the end of the sem with a presentation component. Prof also had this reflection journal which you could either do regularly or cram it in the last week (effort-based so depends on how much you want to wayang ig)
Ease/Difficulty of Attaining Grades:
Assessment is based on 1) final exam (open book), 2) mid-term essay, 3) group presentation, 4) final essay, and 5) class part (inclusive of reflection journals).
Very achievable as long as you listen to Prof and understand the contents taught (to some extent). Attempting the tutorial questions is very very important as it resembles the final exam very significantly. For the sem, the final exam had a high weightage so if you did well there, [you're] quite likely to do well in general
Learning Value/Recommendation: 4
The things you learn from Dr Low is actually what is being applied in the real world by PUB (exact same model and calculations) so I guess that is pretty cool! Makes me wonder and think more about pollution control in Singapore
Not super interdisciplinary by nature but serves as a good refresher of differentiation and A levels chemistry (simple equilibria)
About the Instructor:
If you are very very adverse to math and differentiation, this is probably not the best course! but otherwise, have fun!
Content (Structure/Organization): 5
It was well defined
Accessibility and Assessment: 4
if you have no background in differentiation/integration/chemistry (reaction kinetics/speed of reaction), it will be slightly harder for you to pick up
Manageability of Workload: 4
The workload is quite light
Ease/Difficulty of Attaining Grades:
It is quite ez to get an A/A- if you study for the test! I got a B & A- for 2 essays but I probably did above average for the test and got A-
Learning Value/Recommendation: 4
there’s a lot to learn, i really enjoyed knowing more about how singapore handles pollution
About the Instructor:
Dr Edmund is very knowledge in whatever he teaches. he explains the concepts well and clearly most of time. however if you find yourself lost during class you can feel free to ask him to repeat, and he will explain it again with more detail and more clearly
Content (Structure/Organization): 5
It is a very structured course, moving from the very simplified models to more complex models over the semester to help students ease into the math involved. Given the content (being a QR course and highly engineering and math focused), there isn't much space for student input.
Accessibility and Assessment: 4
There was a lot of math involved, so students of non-STEM backgrounds might suffer a bit. However, Prof Low goes through the math in a very step-by-step manner, so it is definitely possible to follow through the mathematical proof, though it might sometimes require time outside of class to process the steps involved.
However, I sometimes find that his explanations of concepts are too convoluted. When I was studying for the test, I realised the main ideas for certain concepts are a lot more straightforward than it felt in class.
Manageability of Workload: 4
The workload is not particularly heavy, with 2 short essay assignments (500 and 800 words), a test, and a group project. There are a few pieces of homework which is similar to tutorials, but we are not required to submit our answers. The more time-consuming part of the course might come from having to put in consistent effort to understand course content if you are absolutely confused in class, because he builds upon content from previous classes.
Ease/Difficulty of Attaining Grades:
Prof Low can be quite strict in the essay assignments and group project, but the grades are eventually moderated so even if the grades for individual assignments are not great, it is still possible to do well for the course. The test is objective (it's math so there are right answers) and it is definitely possible to score well in the test so that can be a quick way to pull up your grades.
Learning Value/Recommendation: 4
Personally I took the course to learn more about engineering concepts, and I would say I have gotten a better idea of how models are used to simplify and predict trends. As a Singapore Studies course, the models are explicitly linked to real-life applications (particularly in Singapore), so I found the content useful and relevant, and I got to learn more about how Singapore deals with the topic on pollution control.
About the Instructor:
Prof definitely knows what he is teaching, but as I've mentioned earlier sometimes his explanations can be more complicated than they have to be. The content itself can be quite dry, but he has a sense of humour that makes me laugh every now and then.
Prof is, however, very strict about the mathematical steps involved (for the test), so if you have relevant experience in the topics (especially the STEM students), make sure to follow his way of doing things instead of what you are used to.
Additional Comments/Word of Advice:
you don't have to be mathematically inclined to take this course, but don't do it if you hate math.
Content (Structure/Organization): -
Module structure follows accordingly to the outline Prof Low sends out on Day One
Accessibility and Assessment: 5
Requires A-Level calculus knowledge to understand the majority of the models; slightly deeper knowledge of calculus to understand the exact derivations
Learn about basic engineering models i.e. Batch Reactor, Plug Flow Reactor, CMFR
Manageability of Workload: 3
An independent learning report to be submitted during recess week (group project)
A presentation to be submitted (and presented) during week 13 (group project)
A mini test in week 4
A finals in week 12
Not a workload-intensive module by any stretch.
Ease/Difficulty of Attaining Grades:
The class size is fairly huge for USP modules, so grades are evenly distributed and correspond well with individual components of the module i.e. it's not exactly a black box (à la USP foundational modules)
Final examinations and tests may not match up to your expectations because it features a mix of quantitative and qualitative questions. The qualitative questions demand that you appreciate detention ponds, basins, aquifers, clay and other facets of our "pollution control engineering" world beyond the model's abstraction. The quantitative questions that you appreciate not simply the procedural calculations that are standard routine for the respective reactor models, but also remember to display your "understanding" of the derivation to the Prof himself on paper. In fact, grade-optimisers should signal their understanding.
Learning Value/Recommendation: 3
Went away with a sound understanding of reactor models, but forgot most things. Still confused about the physicalities and realities of detention ponds, aquifers, cones and the entities that constitute the subject we studied.
In retrospect, the models were parseable because they were an oversimplified abstraction of reality. But I went away from the module without a strong appreciation of how they made sense - because I do not know what the reality is or what the entities really referred to. The visual aspect of the module could be improved (at least in the slides).
I did, however, appreciate the Singapore aspect of this module.
About the Instructor:
He explains thoroughly and repeats for the sake of aggregate utilities. instead of what you are used to.
Content (Structure/Organization): -
The math is much more intense than the other science mod I took (nanotech) in that you need to retrieve some long lost basic a level math and chem. Prof Low is very thorough in his explanations though, so it should be easy to understand, though a bit dry at times.
Accessibility and Assessment: -
Manageability of Workload: 3
It takes a bit of effort to not zone out in class and actually think through the reasoning in class. There’s also exercises every few weeks that while ungraded are good to do to prepare for the tests and gain some participation points during class. The tests themselves were unexpectedly hard for me. While the questions were manageable there was quite a lot of time pressure and I didn’t manage to complete the entire paper. Prof low is quite rigorous with the grading but not draconian so most people would do okay. But yeah this module requires quite a bit of consistent effort to not flounder, unless you’re an engineering kid I guess lol. Oh but the group project deals with some level of research and argument so arts kids can excel in that.
Learning Value/Recommendation: 5
About the Instructor:
Prof Low is really good at explaining the concepts and he ties them very well to real life contexts. I am much more aware and appreciative of the various drains, canals and reservoirs in my neighbourhood as a result haha. He can get a bit repetitive and dry if you grasp the concept the first time he explains it. But otherwise I think he’s an excellent prof.
Content (Structure/Organization):
The module is on how the spread of pollution can be modelled and subsequently controlled. While there is a fair bit of mathematics involved, Professor Edmund Low goes to great lengths to break down difficult concepts so that even those not studying a major involving Math and Science can keep up. There is a field trip opportunity in this module where water sample testing can be done.
Accessibility and Assessment: -
Manageability of Workload: 2
The workload was okay at the start but it got a tad heavy towards the end when both the group project and individual paper were due at around the same time.
Learning Value/Recommendation: 4
About the Instructor:
Professor Edmund Low is a good professor who is able to explain concepts clearly and concisely. He cares for the progress of his students and ensures that the class can keep up with his teaching.