Secret War Journal[Jan - May 2015]
Semester 1 has officially ended with the passing of 2014. During the first semester in NBS, I took 2 business modules.
Lectures attended: No Lectures. It is 100% seminars.
Seminars attended: 100% (Ulrike Murfett)
Textbook(s): Communication Strategies for the Global Workplace, 2/e [ISBN : 9789814628327]
Comment(s):
To some, it is the dreaded presentation module. We have to admit that most of us are not born talented presenters. But hey, this is what this module is about. Granted, 3 months is not enough time to transform you into a professional presenter but it's a start.
Students with prior experience with presenting will definitely have an advantage for this module. I believe that if you do not, you will still learn a lot because that is the whole point of coming to school right?
In this module, you will learn basic concepts regarding approaches to presentation, various means of communication including non-verbal forms and email etiquette. All of which will be useful for you in the working world. This is definitely a module that is highly applicable for your future career.
Unless your style requires little practice before the actual presentation, be prepared to invest quite an amount of time for your presentations (at least 2 but subject to your tutor).
The textbook is written by my tutor! :) It is not compulsory but if you are worried that you will forget what you learnt, get it. E-book version available.
Tutorials attended: 100%. (Chin Chee Kai)
Textbook(s): Bruce L. Bowerman, Richard T. O’Connell, Emily S. Murphree (2014). Business Statistics in Practice, 7th Edition. McGraw-Hill International Edition. ISBN 13: 978-125-906039-7.
Comment(s):
If you think stats was easy, you will be in for a surprise in this module. This module requires a lot of practice. Think of this module as though it is a mathematics subject, you need to practice and experience to perform.
Students who took A Levels Mathematics will benefit as the first half of the module is similar to what you had learnt during your Junior College times. Do not let your guard down though, as the new topics in the second half are important and will determine whether you score well or not in this module.
My tutor is one of the recommended tutor to have. He is decent, he will explains concepts well during tutorials and ensure that your doubts are cleared. He will also elaborate on the concepts further to allow you understand better and apply in different situations. Expect tough questions to be answered during tutorials. ;)
Getting a graphic calculator is important (It is costly, yes. Alternatively, borrow it from someone for this semester.) It may feel like you are taking the short way out but you will need to get familiar with it as much as possible before the big day itself. Of course, if you have the time, and passion, please do know how to get the solution without the use of the calculator because understanding the concepts is key to scoring well in this module.
I would recommend getting a textbook, the physical one. I made the mistake of getting the E-book before purchasing the hardcopy (my wallet). You will be reading extensively and the e-book platform they are on will just slow you down. Besides, you will need the extra practice from the textbook.
Seminars attended: 100%. (Ms Shan Wen)
Textbook(s): Customized version of Kreitner, R. & Kinicki, A. 2013. Organizational Behavior. 10th Edition. McGraw-Hill Irwin.
Recommended Tutors: by seniors: Don Willis, Cheryl Tay Lee
Comment(s):
Think HR, think Psychology. Fun subject to learn, not easy to score.
There are a number of components that make up your final grade for this module. I would recommend putting in effort for the assignments as they play a large part to your grades.
First, the Creative Thinking Individual Assignment. This is generally unrelated to the module as a whole. Let loose your creativity and critically analyse a given document/file. Take care to not write the same things as your classmates, this is a creative thinking assignment after all. Think of novel ideas and insights and you should do fine.
Second, the Critical Thinking Assignment. This has more relevance to the module. The nature of this assignment is similar to the first but without the creativity component. It can be easier and more difficult at the same time. You will be expected to go more in-depth and critique the article given.
There's nothing special about the Team Presentation unless your tutor decides otherwise. Do take note of the Peer Appraisal, do not forget to do it!
My tutor was a PHD student and she is a very motivated tutor. She offered consultation slots for us to clarify any queries regarding the concepts or doubts regarding the assignment. She also took the time and effort to do up her own slides for the seminars. That is no mean feat.
This is a open book final examinations format, buying the textbook is highly recommended. This is a content-heavy module, you would be thankful for it being open book. :P
I did not include the number of AUs for each module. If I receive feedback that such information would be useful. I might update it in the primary list. :)
For a full list of the modules I took, see link here. :)
Semester 1 has officially ended with the passing of 2014. During the first semester in NBS, I took 2 business modules.
AB0601 Communication Management Fundamentals
Lectures attended: No Lectures. It is 100% seminars.
Seminars attended: 100% (Ulrike Murfett)
Textbook(s): Communication Strategies for the Global Workplace, 2/e [ISBN : 9789814628327]
Comment(s):
To some, it is the dreaded presentation module. We have to admit that most of us are not born talented presenters. But hey, this is what this module is about. Granted, 3 months is not enough time to transform you into a professional presenter but it's a start.
Students with prior experience with presenting will definitely have an advantage for this module. I believe that if you do not, you will still learn a lot because that is the whole point of coming to school right?
In this module, you will learn basic concepts regarding approaches to presentation, various means of communication including non-verbal forms and email etiquette. All of which will be useful for you in the working world. This is definitely a module that is highly applicable for your future career.
Unless your style requires little practice before the actual presentation, be prepared to invest quite an amount of time for your presentations (at least 2 but subject to your tutor).
The textbook is written by my tutor! :) It is not compulsory but if you are worried that you will forget what you learnt, get it. E-book version available.
AB1202 Statistical & Quantitative Methods
Lectures attended: 100%. No easy feat.Tutorials attended: 100%. (Chin Chee Kai)
Textbook(s): Bruce L. Bowerman, Richard T. O’Connell, Emily S. Murphree (2014). Business Statistics in Practice, 7th Edition. McGraw-Hill International Edition. ISBN 13: 978-125-906039-7.
Comment(s):
If you think stats was easy, you will be in for a surprise in this module. This module requires a lot of practice. Think of this module as though it is a mathematics subject, you need to practice and experience to perform.
Students who took A Levels Mathematics will benefit as the first half of the module is similar to what you had learnt during your Junior College times. Do not let your guard down though, as the new topics in the second half are important and will determine whether you score well or not in this module.
My tutor is one of the recommended tutor to have. He is decent, he will explains concepts well during tutorials and ensure that your doubts are cleared. He will also elaborate on the concepts further to allow you understand better and apply in different situations. Expect tough questions to be answered during tutorials. ;)
Getting a graphic calculator is important (It is costly, yes. Alternatively, borrow it from someone for this semester.) It may feel like you are taking the short way out but you will need to get familiar with it as much as possible before the big day itself. Of course, if you have the time, and passion, please do know how to get the solution without the use of the calculator because understanding the concepts is key to scoring well in this module.
I would recommend getting a textbook, the physical one. I made the mistake of getting the E-book before purchasing the hardcopy (my wallet). You will be reading extensively and the e-book platform they are on will just slow you down. Besides, you will need the extra practice from the textbook.
AB1601 Organisational Behaviour & Design
Lectures attended: 100%. Only 1. It's a review lecture, and it's important.Seminars attended: 100%. (Ms Shan Wen)
Textbook(s): Customized version of Kreitner, R. & Kinicki, A. 2013. Organizational Behavior. 10th Edition. McGraw-Hill Irwin.
Recommended Tutors: by seniors: Don Willis, Cheryl Tay Lee
Comment(s):
Think HR, think Psychology. Fun subject to learn, not easy to score.
There are a number of components that make up your final grade for this module. I would recommend putting in effort for the assignments as they play a large part to your grades.
First, the Creative Thinking Individual Assignment. This is generally unrelated to the module as a whole. Let loose your creativity and critically analyse a given document/file. Take care to not write the same things as your classmates, this is a creative thinking assignment after all. Think of novel ideas and insights and you should do fine.
Second, the Critical Thinking Assignment. This has more relevance to the module. The nature of this assignment is similar to the first but without the creativity component. It can be easier and more difficult at the same time. You will be expected to go more in-depth and critique the article given.
There's nothing special about the Team Presentation unless your tutor decides otherwise. Do take note of the Peer Appraisal, do not forget to do it!
My tutor was a PHD student and she is a very motivated tutor. She offered consultation slots for us to clarify any queries regarding the concepts or doubts regarding the assignment. She also took the time and effort to do up her own slides for the seminars. That is no mean feat.
This is a open book final examinations format, buying the textbook is highly recommended. This is a content-heavy module, you would be thankful for it being open book. :P
I did not include the number of AUs for each module. If I receive feedback that such information would be useful. I might update it in the primary list. :)
For a full list of the modules I took, see link here. :)
