NUS GE2215 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) [Module Review]

GE2215 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) has got to be THE mod I most regret taking this sem.

The content is so dry it can give you split ends like no other. The whole module is so damn freaking technical I almost died every time we had to complete our lab sessions. My friend commented that this semester's GIS seems much harder than previous batches, not sure how true was that, but I'm full of angst for this mod.

6 lab sessions (60%)

class partcipation (10% - not sure how this was counted since in my opinion there wasn't actually any class participation involved?)

closed book finals MCQ and short answers (30%)

I took it thinking that I have a slight advantage since I have my friend's noted from the previous batches. But they were NO help at all because they completely revamped all the questions.

The lab sessions weren't really a come-I-guide-you-along kind of learning. It was more like a nah-you-should-get-this-answer kind. So you were left to fumble around on your own. The technicians are there to help during the lab tutorials, but ONLY during that time. And you'll have to go back quite a few times on your own before you can complete each lab, so I was struggling throughout.

Exam questions were tough (in my opinion la) as well. I left right on the dot at the one hour mark because I didnt know how to do and didn't feel like sitting there stoning and making myself depressed further.

I'm so glad this module is over. Take this module at your own risk.

NUS GE3201 The Service Economy (Module Review)

GE3201 The Service Economy is taught by Dr Karen Lai this sem. I took her Economy and Space module the semester before and really liked it, so I was quite looking forward to attending another module taught by her.

Dr Lai's lessons are really interesting because she uses a lot of real life examples that you can actually relate to. In fact, I would say that it is my most enjoyable module I took this sem. Her tutorials are interactive but not intimidating. And she has a really nice accent.

The assessment is broken down into 10% class participation, 35% group project (3 people per group), an individual film review for 15%, and finally an open book finals at 40%.

The previous batch watched Slumdog Millionaire for their film review, while for us this sem, we did The Pursuit of Happyness. She listed out several topics that we can explore, which was quite helpful in formulating the essay. The film review was marked by the TA though.

The group project was to compare two business organisations in the service industry, so for example, you can compare ZUJI.COM with CHAN BROTHERS. 

This will definitely be one of the modules that I recommend if you're inclined towards human geog.