Dummies Guide to AUs and GER-PE and PEs 101

ok ladies and gentleman, I am sure most of you are like freaking blur about the entire system, so I am going to give you a few websites to go to about taking electives and stuff k.

http://islab2.sci.ntu.edu.sg/download/undergrad/Curriculum%20Structure%20%20AY%2007-08%20(AU%20Requirements%20%20Recommendations).pdf

This explains the entire AU system of how much modules you are recommended to take.

http://islab2.sci.ntu.edu.sg/download/undergrad/6%20Concentrations_June%202008.pdf

This explains the modules you need to clear at the lower level depending on which track you want to go to.

Ok, here's the headache part which a lot you all may mix up ---- AUs, CORE, GER-PEs, PEs and UEs

AUs = Academic Units

OK, so basically, academic units are like your, your..err...units that is tagged to each course depending on how much time is spent on it. USUALLY, CS modules are 4AUs (hence the 4 hr lessons per week), and other electives outside CS are usually 3 AUs (so are GER-PEs which will be explained in the next segment). Recommended amount of AUs to clear are usually between 19-21 AUs per semester, which means you guys now already have 12 AUs (3 modules of 4 AUs each) and probably you can take another 2 or 3 more modules. At the end of 4 years, you have to clear 144 AUS to GRADUATE. The awesome website link I gave above will give you a very detailed explanation of what you have to clear.

CORE = Core Modules

Ok, CORE modules are modules that YOU HAVE TO CLEAR NO MATTER WHAT SHIT HAPPENS in CS. For now, all of you should have COM 201, COM203, COM 204/205. For year 1, they will allocated your core modules to you, so you do not have to worry about registering it. However, come year 2, you have to register your core module. SO DO NOT WORRY ABOUT IT TILL YEAR 2. Basically at the lower level (yr 1 and 2), you have 8 CORE MODULES to clear, and at the upper level (which is yr 3 and 4), you have another 4 CORE MODULES to clear. So, this is the least you have to worry about. BECAUSE YOU DO NOT HAVE A CHOICE NOT TO CLEAR THEM..MUAHAHAHHA..

GER-PE = General Prescribed Electives

This is the 5 MUST CLEAR modules, and for CS students, you need to clear 3 science modules, 1 biz module and 1 arts module. Every semester they will offer different courses in under these 3 categories. To see what GER-PE modules are offered, go to your STARS timetable, and look under the General Education...bla bla bla..and you can see what are the (disgusting) modules that are offeredSo there you have it, that's the 5 GER-PE modules you have to clear for the entire 4 years. Of course the recommended is clearing ONE module every sem, so at least by your 3rd year you will can wash your hands of this part.

PE = Prescribed Electives

You do not have to worry about PEs yet, but basically PEs are CS modules which you take that are RELATED to your specializations. Come year 2, you will have to start thinking about what track you wana go to, and that is when you start thinking about which PEs you need to take to fulfil the requirement for the track you wana go to. SO DO NOT WORRY ABOUT THIS YET AS WELL.


UEs = Unrestricted Electives

OK, so far so good? UEs are the easiest to understand, because any modules that are not your CORE modules, PEs or GERPEs are considered UEs (unrestricted, get it?) It covers all modules like Japanese, or like your Psychology 101, or Drama and Theatre modules from NIE.

IN A NUTSHELL

As for your timetable planning now, I would say, PLAN WISELY. Haha, like I took spanish level 1 during my first semester AND I REGRETTED IT. Look at modules which you think can aid you in CS and please go take drama courses (I ADVOCATE IT) coz its is fun and it is NON-EXAMINABLE.

For those who do not know how many modules they should take, please refer to the website link I posted, because the school administration is kind enough to come up with a RECOMMENDED plan which you can follow, but if you are a slacker, you are welcomed to take less now, but however as I mentioned before, you will have to clear 144 AUs at the end of four years, so if you take less this sem, you might have to take more the nxt sem. (it all balances out somehow)

OK, so are you more clear? I hope so. Anyway when school starts, PLEASE feel free to approach me or any of your seniors if you are still blur k? We are always here for you. =)

Rock on.

With total awesome love,
Melvin