Prepared for Chemical Sciences Society. Any mistakes present are the author’s own; should any discrepancy arise between the information given here and official information provided by the NUS administration, the latter should be taken as correct. Last updated 14 July 2016.

Information for Chemistry Majors Matriculating in AY16/17 Hi! We receive many queries from freshmen at the start of every academic year, especially since the course structure has been consistently changing these few years. We’ve put together this document with some updated information, especially as pertains to the new S/U policies for the matriculating batch here, hoping some of you may find some of you questions addressed here. Q: What does the course structure for Chemistry look like, and what are all these strange requirements (Breadth, Faculty, UEs)? As a Chemistry student, the core modules, fulfilling the major requirements, are as follows: Each module here is 4 modular credits (MCs) Level 1000 (CM1xxxx)

CM1111 Inorganic Chemistry 1 CM1131 Physical Chemistry 1 CM1121 Organic Chemistry 1 CM1191 Experiments in Chemistry 1 MA1421 Basic Applied Mathematics for Sciences OR MA1102R Calculus LSM1401 Fundamentals of Biochemistry

Level 2000 (CM2xxxx)

CM2111 Inorganic Chemistry 2 CM2101 Physical Chemistry 2 CM2121 Organic Chemistry 2 CM2191 Experiments in Chemistry 2 CM2192 Experiments in Chemistry 3

Level 3000 (CM3xxxx)

Any 3 (three) CM3xxx modules, EXCEPT CM3289 (2-semester UROPS) CM3291 Advanced Experiments in Organic & Inorganic Chemistry CM3292 Advanced Experiments in Analytical & Physical Chemistry

Level 4000 (CM4xxxx) [If doing Honours]

Any 4 (four) CM4xxx modulesa CM4199A Honours Project in Chemistry (Your usual FYP) OR CM4299 Applied Projects in Chemistry (A work attachment)

aFormally, you are allowed to take any 7 CM3xxx or CM4xxx modules, with at least 4 being CM4xxx. Level 1000 CM modules will be given to Chemistry majors either via pre-allocation or bidding over the first two semesters, (see subsequent question on CORS bidding). Additionally, Science students not in a special programme are required to read SP1541 Exploring Science Communication through Popular Science (formerly ES1541). There is no fixed deadline by which you have to complete this module, but the general recommendation is to complete this module as early as possible, as you must pass this module to be able to apply for exchange programmes. (And to take advantage of the S/U policies! More on this later.) You will be required to clear 12 MCs (16 if you’re doing Honours) of Faculty Requirements in 3 distinct categories, meaning 3 or 4 modules in Science but each having a different module prefix that is not CMxxxx.

Prepared for Chemical Sciences Society. Any mistakes present are the author’s own; should any discrepancy arise between the information given here and official information provided by the NUS administration, the latter should be taken as correct. Last updated 14 July 2016.

As it turns out, SP1541 will be counted towards Faculty Requirements. You will also probably notice that under major requirements, two of the modules are coded MA and LSM instead of CM. This means Chemistry majors who have read SP1541, MA1421/MA1102R and LSM1401 can double-count these 3 modules as 12MCs of Faculty Requirements. If you’re doing Honours, all you have to do is read one other Science module. Q: What about GEMs, Breadths and Singapore Studies? With effect from AY 15/16, students are required to read 5 modules (20 MCs) of General Education Modules (GEMs), with one module from each of the following categories (“pillars”):

Quantitative Reasoning

Human Culture Singapore Studies

Thinking and Expressions

Asking Questions

Only one module GER1000 Quantitative Reasoning available under this pillar. Will be pre-allocated in Year 1 (either Sem 1 or Sem 2)

Coded GEH1xxx Bid in CORS in Round 2A

Coded GES1xxx Bid in CORS in Round 2A

Coded GET1xxx Bid in CORS in Round 2A

Coded GEQ1xxx Available only from AY16/17 Sem 2.

For freshmen, there will no longer be a Breadth module or Singapore Studies requirement. Please do NOT bid for any GEM under the prefixes GEM, GEK or SS. These will NOT be considered fulfillment of your GEM requirements. For modules cross-listed previous as a GEM/GEK/SS, please bid under the new code to fulfill your GEM requirements e.g. the module Changing Landscapes of Singapore should be bid as GES1003 instead of GEK2001 or SSA2202. Please note that all 5 GEMs should be cleared by end of Year 2. If you’re still keeping track, you will end up a few credits short of the 120 or 160 required to graduate. The remainder can be topped up with anything you want and counted as an Unrestricted Elective (UE). That’s why it’s called unrestricted. A final note on workload: Please note that while all GEM modules are level 1000, you may not exceed 60 MCs worth of level 1000 modules for your entire candidature. So, please plan your UE modules judiciously. You must read a minimum of 18 MCs per semester unless it’s your final year.

Prepared for Chemical Sciences Society. Any mistakes present are the author’s own; should any discrepancy arise between the information given here and official information provided by the NUS administration, the latter should be taken as correct. Last updated 14 July 2016.

Q: What are the modules I’m expected to take for Year 1 Chemistry, and are there helpful material available? There are 4 chemistry modules, 1 math module and 1 life science module in Year 1. These are described here with their corresponding semester and suggested text. CM1111 Inorganic Chemistry 1 Pre-allocated in Sem 1 Content Covered: Atomic Structure, Bonding (VSEPR and MO theory), Redox Reactions, Acids and Bases, Chemistry of Groups 1, 2, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 elements. Recommended Textbook: Shriver, Inorganic Chemistry (6th edition)

Useful but dispensable for Level 1000; more applicable in Year 2 CM1131 Physical Chemistry 1 Pre-allocated in Sem 1 Content Covered: Laws of Thermodynamics, Chemical Equilibrium, Solution and Phase Equilibria, Reaction Kinetics Recommended Textbook: Atkins, Physical Chemistry (10th edition)

Useful for understanding but not compulsory CM1191 Experiments in Chemistry 1 Pre-allocated in either Sem 1 or Sem 2 Content Covered: Lab module covering experiments spanning the 3 Level 1000 modules (e.g. kinetics of ester hydrolysis, solubility equilibrium, synthesis of tin (IV) iodide, separation techniques, column chromatography). Comprises both theory and practical assessments Lab coats and goggles are required for this module. Purchases can be made on 10 & 11 August, look out for the notice in your emails.

Prepared for Chemical Sciences Society. Any mistakes present are the author’s own; should any discrepancy arise between the information given here and official information provided by the NUS administration, the latter should be taken as correct. Last updated 14 July 2016.

MA1421 Basic Applied Mathematics for Sciences

OR MA1102R Calculus

Bid 1 point in CORS in Round 1C – No one else wants these modules enough Content Covered: Introductory calculus (partial derivatives, multiple integrals, differential equations), basic linear algebra, numerical methods, basic group theory. Lectures are likely conducted in flipped-classroom manner

Content Covered: Limits, Differentiation (up to implicit differentiation), Integration (up to single-variable), Applications of Differentiation and Integration (Calculating Arc length, area and volume)

CM1121 Organic Chemistry 1 Pre-allocated in Sem 2 Content Covered: Organic structures and Nomenclature, Mechanism-based organic reactions (Substitution and Addition of Carbonyls, Substitution and Elimination at Saturated carbon, Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution. See below). Lectures are likely conducted flipped-classroom manner. Recommended Textbook: Clayden, Organic Chemistry (2nd edition)

Textbook is not compulsory but essential. CM1121 will cover Chapters 1, 2, 4–12, 14–17, 21, 22 (Second Edition). LSM1401 Fundamentals of Biochemistry Pre-allocated in Sem 2 Content covered: Biological molecules (Carbohydrates, Proteins, Lipids, Nucleic Acids), Cell Structure and Function, Basic Molecular Biology, Metabolism Q: What about specialisations? What about them? You’re in Year 1; pass your basic modules first. Q: So, how do I get these modules? Modules are obtained by pre-allocation or bidding via CORS. Upon declaring your major, you will be pre-allocated certain modules for Semester 1. For Year 1 Chemistry majors, these are CM1111, CM1131. The lab module CM1191 will be pre-allocated to you in either Semester 1 or 2; depending on your timetable and other modules you wish to take, mutual swaps for a different semester with another student may be allowed.

Prepared for Chemical Sciences Society. Any mistakes present are the author’s own; should any discrepancy arise between the information given here and official information provided by the NUS administration, the latter should be taken as correct. Last updated 14 July 2016.

Depending on any second majors/minors you may have, or fulfillment of GEM requirement GER1000, more modules may be given to you. To fill up the other MCs for the semester, you will have to bid for modules. These include core modules, such as MA1421/MA1102R for Math requirements, SP1541 for Faculty requirements and GEMs. The bidding rounds and modules available for bidding in each round follows the stipulated schedule as follows. CORS Bidding Schedule for 16/17 Sem 1 Round 0 21 July 9 am – 22 July 5 pm

- Declare major in CORS

! Do remember to declare your major in Round 0 to be pre-allocated modules, otherwise you will have to bid for CM1111 and CM1131.

Round 1A

25 July 9 am – 26 July 5 pm (Closed bidding starts 26 July 1 pm) - Bidding round for Returning Students (Not relevant for Year 1s)

Round 1B

27 July 9 am – 27 July 5 pm (Closed bidding starts 27 July 3 pm) - Bidding round for Returning Students (Not relevant for Year 1s)

Round 1C

28 July 9 am – 29 July 5 pm (Closed bidding starts 29 July 1 pm) - Freshmen: Check module pre-allocation in CORS - Bid for essential modules (core modules, SP1541, MA1421/MA1102R)/electives

Round 2A

1 August 9 am – 2 August 8.59 am 3 August 9 am – 3 August 5 pm (Closed bidding starts 3 August 1 pm) - GEMs open for bidding - Continue bidding if bid not successful in previous rounds

Round 2B

4 August 9 am – 4 August 5 pm (Closed bidding starts 4 August 3 pm) - Continue bidding if bid not successful in previous rounds

Round 3A

8 August 9 am – 8 August 5 pm (Closed bidding starts 8 August 3 pm) - Continue bidding if bid not successful in previous rounds - Overloading allowed in CORS from this round onwards

Round 3B

10 August 9 am – 10 August 5 pm (Closed bidding starts 10 August 3 pm) - Continue bidding if bid not successful in previous rounds

To verify that your module is available for bidding in the current round, check CORS archives for past bidding records. Bidding strategies are altogether another thing – there are conflicting views from different seniors all around, so we won’t pretend to know it here, and finding your own way is probably more helpful. Q: How does this grade-free year thing work for me? Students may take 32 MCs* worth of modules under the S/U scoring, which comprises: — 20 MCs to be used in Year 1 Semesters 1 and 2 only, and — 12 MCs to be used in any other subsequent semester *Students with 20 or more Advanced Placement credits are only granted 20 MCs of S/U. If you don’t know what this is, you probably don’t have it.

Prepared for Chemical Sciences Society. Any mistakes present are the author’s own; should any discrepancy arise between the information given here and official information provided by the NUS administration, the latter should be taken as correct. Last updated 14 July 2016.

Upon S/U, only a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grade will be award instead of a letter grade and that module will not be included in CAP computation. S/Us can be used on (a) All Level 1000 modules and (b) All Level 2000 modules without prerequisites. For Chemistry Majors, 20 MCs worth of S/U may be used for the following core modules: CM1191 (Sem 1/2) CM1111 (Sem 1) CM1121 (Sem 2) MA1421/MA1102R (Sem 1) LSM1401 (Sem 2) You will of course notice that there are 5 modules here, equivalent to 20 MCs – which means your entire Year 1 chemistry curriculum can theoretically be S/U-ed. The general recommendation is to take more modules that you intend to S/U in the first two semesters; this could be SP1541 or any of the GEM modules, so as not to eat into your 12 MCs quota for the remaining years. Again, plenty of advice on S/U strategies are floating around; the provost has an excellent piece here. Q: But I have to take a minimum of 36 MCs for the first academic year. What about the remaining 16 MCs? Obviously, the grade-free year is not exactly grade-free. Should you exhaust all 20 MCs, you have 12 MCs remaining that can be used on modules you still wish to S/U – but these 12 MCs are meant to last for your entire candidature here, which means it’s gone once you use it in Year 1. Besides, to have to S/U basically your entire first year is by no means a good sign. If you do not use up all S/Us by the end of Year 1, a maximum of 12 MCs will be kept for your remaining years, and the others forfeited. Of course, the information here is by no means exhaustive; let us know if you have any further queries by writing to us, and we’ll try to answer you or set you up with the relevant department. Enjoy your first year!