Comparison of CHBE Academic Batches

I feel that it is necessary to point out that there have been many changes in the academic curriculum, especially within these 4 years that I have been in NUS. As such the modules that you bid for and need to take have changed slightly over the years as compared to previous seniors. This post would be useful when you read your seniors’ (or this website’s) comments so that you know whether it is still relevant now.

Let me attempt to make a summary of the main differences between the various batches and as such the main things that you should note. Additionally, you can find your batch’s recommended schedule on your faculty’s online webpage, or in my collection of files. Note that I am assuming the usual direct entry 4 years candidature period.

If I made any mistakes, do let me know and I will edit it accordingly (:.

• AY13/14 (My batch):
  1. Optional IA but Compulsory FYP.
  2. Required to read 4 TEs [I will cover more on this in my SEP section]
  3. Only 3 S/U [12 MCs] for the entire 4 years.
  4. S/U option can only be used for non-core modules
  5. Required to read 2 GEMs (1 Group A and 1 Group B), 2 Breadths, 1 SS and 5 UEMs. These GEMs have module codes GEM or GEK.

• AY14/15:
  1. Compulsory IA and Optional FYP (reversed).
  2. Required to read 3 TEs (or 5 TEs if you opt out of FYP)
  3. Grade-Free Scheme
     • 5 S/Us [20 MCs] in first academic SEMESTER.
     • Beyond Sem 1, only 3 S/U [12 MCs] for remaining 3.5 year education period (Separate from first 5 S/U)
     • S/U option can be used for all level 1000 modules and level 2000 modules w/o pre-requisites
  4. Required to read 2 GEMs (1 Group A and 1 Group B), 2 Breadths, 1 SS and 5 UEMs. These GEMs have module codes GEM or GEK.
  5. Some core modules have been changed, with a few removed or having reduced MCs as compared to AY13/14.

• AY15/16:
  1. Compulsory IA and Optional FYP.
  2. Required to read 3 TEs (or 5 TEs if you opt out of FYP)
  3. Grade-Free Scheme
     • 5 S/Us [20 MCs] in first academic SEMESTER
     • Beyond Sem 1, only 3 S/U [12 MCs] for remaining 3.5 year education period (Separate from first 5 S/U)
     • S/U option can be used for all level 1000 modules and level 2000 modules w/o pre-requisites
  4. GE Reform Scheme
     • New 5 core pillar GEM system where you have to take 1 of each module type: GEH, GEQ, GER, GES, GET.
     • Still need 5 UEMs
  5. Because of the above GE Reform, GE module bidding is done separately with a separate quota from AY13/14 and AY14/15 batches.
  6. ***GEQ is not available yet in AY15/16. You will be taking 1 GEH/GES/GET to replace the GEQ module. If you’re staying in RVR, you may take GEM1917 instead.

• AY16/17 (Needs clarifying if what I wrote is correct)
  1. Compulsory IA and Optional FYP.
  2. Required to read 3 TEs (or 5 TEs if you opt out of FYP)
  3. ENHANCED Grade-Free Scheme
     • 8 S/Us [32 MCs] in first academic YEAR (2 semesters).
     • Beyond Sem 1 & 2, if the 8 S/Us are not fully utilised, only 3 S/U [12 MCs] can be carried forward for the remaining 3 year education period. [I found this on NUS Registrar’s Office]
     • Basically this means that you can use up to 5 free S/Us within your year 1 and a separate 3 S/Us throughout the entire 4 years. If you do not fully use up the 5 S/Us in year 1, they cannot be brought forward.
     • S/U option can be used for all level 1000 modules and level 2000 modules w/o pre-requisites
  4. GE Reform Scheme
     • New 5 core pillar GEM system where you have to take 1 of each module type: GEH, GEQ, GER, GES, GET.
     • Still need 5 UEMs
  5. Because of the above GE Reform, GE module bidding is done separately with a separate quota from AY13/14 and AY14/15 batches. It should be combined with AY15/16.
  6. ***GEQ is not available yet in AY15/16. You will be taking 1 GEH/GES/GET to replace the GEQ module. If you’re staying in RVR, you may take GEM1917 instead.
  7. HR2002 is no longer required.

 

In general, 

Abbreviations:
S / U: Satisfactory / Unsatisfactory
MC: Modular Credits
GE: General Education
TE: Technical Elective
SS: Singapore Studies
UEM: Unrestricted Elective Module
IA: Industrial Attachment
FYP: Final Year Project

Hope this helps clarify some confusion. (I still wish I enrolled later :/)