AY2015-2016 Semester 2 Modules

It's finally gonna be my last semester! Can't believe 7 semesters have gone in a flash. Anyway, MPE's coming up so it's time I decide on my modules. I won't be in school for most of this semester so I have to choose my modules appropriately to minimize my workload. By the way, I think I forgot to update my modules earlier but it was a last minute decision that I decided to take EC4301 Microeconomic Analysis III in place of EC4341 International Economics II. One reason was that I was afraid that in Semester 2, EC4301 will clash with EC4304 Economic and Financial Forecasting, another module to clear my specialization in Quantitative Economics. But a more important reason was that I decided EC4301 is much lighter than EC4341 which was just what I needed in such a hectic semester. I was glad I took EC4301 instead because EC4103 was unexpectedly a lot heavier than I imagined it to be. Right, so here are my modules for this semester. Oh and cos I overloaded last semester, this semester's really light but I deliberately planned it this way.

EC4304 Economic and Financial Forecasting

I am actually kinda looking forward to this module as much as I am reaching my threshold of dealing with Econometrics or Statistics for that matter. This module is based on time series forecasting, an area that I think will be very useful if one wishes to go into economics research-based sectors. You'll see an element of time series almost everywhere so it really helps to have a good understanding of it. Nonetheless, the focus of this module is on forecasting. But it is definitely interesting. Anyway, even though most of us have already gotten exposed to some sort of time series in EC3304, there was very little emphasis on how we can apply time series models in reality. And I think the application really comes in in the form of forecasting. In other words, this module is both interesting and useful. With my two criteria met on top of this being the remaining module to complete my specialization, this module is definitely a must-take.

EC4880 Topics in Macroeconomics

Two semesters ago, I wanted to take this module and decided to drop the idea. Now, two semesters later, I decided to take it again and this time for real. The reason why I chose this module is 99% because it is a night class which means I'll be able to make it to school in time for the lessons plus this module is pretty light. But the 1% remaining comes from the fact that I actually have quite a bit of interest in growth theories and this module seems like the best choice if I wanna learn more about that. Only thing that's holding me back is that it's an essay-based module and it's very qualitative. Then again, seeing that it's my last semester, I think it's fine. Hopefully this module is still fruitful to some extent.

GEH1019 Food and Health

Firstly, I am not too sure why the module code is changed. I think it has something to do with freshmen requirements. Secondly, this module is real light; just two projects and one finals. Thirdly, I actually just need one damn module to clear my Science GEM requirements. Lastly, it fits my timetable. Apart from these, there is no other reason for why I chose this module. Maybe I'll pick up something about diet nutrition?

Semester 5 is over!

Yesterday marks the end of my fifth semester as I had my last finals and yes, 6 finals in a timespan of exactly one week. By far, this is the most gruelling semester for me as I had 6 core modules on top of work. Thankfully, not all the modules are too demanding. However, I am not very confident of doing well this time round (again) mainly because of the steep bell curve for several modules like EC3332, EC4102, ST1131 and ST2137; the finals for EC3332, EC4102 and ST2137 were disappointingly too easy and suprisingly, ST1131 finals was a bit more challenging than I thought. I feel a bit bad talking about this module though because I can literally count the number of hours I spend on it for the whole semester. Moreover, there are some modules which I did not do up to expectations for midterms and that may cause me my grade. Well, I shall leave the details to my module review after results are out. 

I'll be starting my internship tomorrow which leaves me only a day in between as my break. But I think it's good to be occupied rather than having too little on hand. Now I think it feels weird to have finished finals in the first week of exams as my finals have been stretching to two weeks since Year 1 Semester 2. Nevertheless, I'm quite drained this semester so it's good to have finished all the finals within a week. Somehow though, it feels like this semester has passed too quickly such that it seems that I haven't settled down very well to study my modules very thoroughly and everything's over.

And MPE is coming up and I guess I should have decided on my modules for Sem 2. Finally, I can take just 4 core modules from now on (if you don't count the last semester) which is good because I am beginning to understand how time-consuming level-4000 EC modules can get. By the way, the Economics department has requested for students to complete a MPE exercise for the next academic year. It seems like they are asking for EC4101 and EC4102 to be taken away as core requirements for honours and also to open more electives for students. I've seen the new electives and they are pretty interesting like the Economic and Financial Forecasting, Income Distribution Analysis and Mathematical Economic Analysis.

Anyway, here are my choices:

EC4332 Money and Banking II

Apparently, this module is many times harder if you take it under Bodenstein instead of Jungjae. He even recommends that students take EC3314 and EC4102 before taking this module. So I guess a fair amount of maths will be involved. I saw things like multivariate, eigenvectors and eigenvalues in the syllabus so it should be one of the more challenging electives. 

EC4880 Topics in Economics: Special Topics in Economic Growth and Macroeconomics

This took me quite some time to decide on it. I was contemplating a few modules mainly EC4333, EC4394 and this. And I decided that maybe it's time I prioritize my interests and grades a bit instead of usefulness. Despite this module being quite theoretical, I think it will suit me better than the rest. I really wanted to take EC4341 in place of this in view of the wider range of electives that's going to be offered in 15/16 and that EC4341 is a must-take for me but then Gentile is really not going to give me as good a learning experience than Davin Chor can. So I will leave this module to Year 4 Semester 1.

ST3239 Survey Methodology

This is one of the more fundamental modules that I think if you are looking into research fields in the future, you should take it. It teaches different types of sampling methods; how to construct surveys taking into cost considerations etc. Conducting surveys is probably one of the more layman-understood areas whereby it's "just like that" so I'm hoping this module will provide me with some new insights. One drawback is that I heard the bell curve is extremely steep and that it is highly popular so it isn't that ideal if you're suffering from the problem of lack of bid points.

ST3244 Demographic Methods

I was deciding between this module and ST3243 but I think ST3243 may be a bit over-specialized. So I'd rather take more general modules to gain the necessary skills to increase marketability. I guess the module title makes it quite obvious that students are going to learn about demographics such as population rates, fertility rates etc. I am looking forward to the part on making projections though.

SSA1201 Singapore Society

This is definitely one of the most irritating component that all undergraduates must clear. I chose this because (1) it fits my timetable (duh) and (2) it doesn't seem like it requires much studying to be able to crap during exams to get away with any grade that's B- and above so that I can s/u it with zero problems. And I am not looking forward to the 25% class participation component at all because I've seen how this department works and most of the time, the arguments are full of fluff.

And so that's all for the updates. It doesn't seem very easy to be able to secure two level-4000 modules when you are not in the SOC4 batch yet. EC4102 was easy to get because no one wanted to take it under Aamir Hashmi due to the rumoured difficulty compared to Semester 2. I hope the same goes for EC4332 since I'm not too sure how EC4880 will turn out exactly. Past experiences tells me 4880 isn't easy to get so it's like you should be prepared to waste over 1k bid points on it. But that's not the main issue for me. The thing is non-honours students are not allowed to bid in Round 1 and I probably have to wait until Round 2A or 2B to bid for it and by then, all the slots may have been filled up and it'll no longer be offered for bidding. So that means I have to go through all that hassle to appeal for it and it doesn't help that I have no other possible choices besides this. Hopefully, MPE will work its magic.