Elixir of Life: Manufacturing Cells as Medicine

Taught by: Dr Andy Tay Kah Ping

Reviews

AY 23/24, Sem 1

Content (Structure/Organization): 3

The syllabus can look daunting at first cause its straight up immunology about car-t cells and cancers. there are clear deliverables, but tbh too many (like 7... different components) and i think cause it was the first time it was run, the exact details of some of the assignments were quite vague. will hopefully improve in the next iteration. 

Accessibility and Assessment: 4

its the first time this mod has been run and it was mostly populated w bioeng students, but as a fass major, i could still follow the class and understand the content cause prof is good. the first class might be scary cause its a crashcourse in immunology but prof was very receptive to our feedback and he adapted the syllabus to better suit our class's unique learning profile. prof is of course really good at explaining these concepts! 

Manageability of Workload: 3

HEAVY, because of how many different deliverables there were:

1. in class quiz almost every week for first half of sem

2. in class essay

3. lecture reflections

4. take home assignment

5. group project + presentation

6. in class debate

7. class part

my group and i were hustling to get our project done in time and present but we made it. hope prof will reduce the number of components in the future... 

Ease/Difficulty of Attaining Grades:

I genuinely have no clue. i ended up getting A so i guess if ur a fass major dont be afraid to take such an intense mod, u shld go for it cause i think i brought different perspectives to class (nusc is nusc-ing rn) the quizzes are quite okay cause its open book based off the slides and they just test ur understanding, the other stuff is doable as well because ultimately prof just wants to see u develop ur own opinion on the things he teaches (everything is open book). 

Learning Value/Recommendation: 3

Its a pretty niche subject (cart cell therapy) but there is definitely some merit learning more about healthcare. 

About the Instructor:

All i can say is i fully understand why he is so accomplished at such a young age. i could understand his class and he explained the concepts pretty well + he's always receptive to questions and feedback after class. he's super chill and he really went out of his way to make this mod special for us, by inviting guest lecturers and field trips to cell therapy companies/labs.