Module Review: GEH1057

Module: GEH1057 (Materials: The Enabling Substance of Civilization)

AY16/17 Sem 2

Grading:

• Group Project: 30%
• Final Exam: 70%

Review 1:

Lecturer: Dr. Chiu Cheng Hsin, A/P Daniel Blackwood, Dr. Loh Xian Jun, A/P Wang Qing

What it’s about: This module gives you a broad overview of how materials have shaped the course of human history, from the Stone Age to the Silicon Age. You will also learn about the processing and behaviour of basic materials such as metals, polymers and ceramics. Lastly, you will be exposed to the latest development of advanced materials and their possible impacts on our future.

Assignment workload: No assignments apart from a group project. No tutorial classes. Two 2-hour lectures per week, not webcasted.

Thoughts about the tutor: Dr Chiu is a friendly lecturer who presents his content in an animated, clear, and systematic manner. He is also the main coordinator of the module, and covers the topics of Stone and Clay, Metals, Glasses and Ceramics, and Silicon.

A/P Blackwood speaks quite softly, and mostly reads from the lecture slides. He would occasionally crack some mildly funny jokes. He lectures on the topic of Steel, Industrial Revolution and Construction Materials. I skipped most of his lectures.

Dr Loh gives only one lecture on Polymers and Composites in this module, and I slept in on the day of his lecture so I cannot give a personal opinion on his teaching. I heard that he played several videos of the processing of polymers in class though.

A/P Wang Qing also gives one lecture, which is on advanced materials and future development. He is clearly enthusiastic about what he teaches, and has plenty to share on how materials development will help to resolve future global issues.

Project workload & question/theme: 2-3 people per group. Each group has to produce a set of powerpoint slides no longer than 10-slides with enough content for a 10-minute presentation (no actual presentation is required) on the development of materials and its impacts on human cultures. The topic can be microscopic or macroscopic.

Readings: The module content is mostly based on a recommended textbook (which is actually a storybook), but it is not compulsory and not essential to have.

Exam: 2-hour final exam, 80 MCQs. No negative marking. One A4-sized, double-sided *handwritten* helpsheet is allowed.

The final exam appears to be a test of helpsheet writing and rote memorisation skills as most questions either test you on historical facts or your layman’s understanding of materials processing and properties. There are some tricky questions which require you to recall the relationships between different historical events in order to determine the correct answer. I would therefore recommend trying not to skip too many lectures. The last lecture is a revision lecture where Dr Chiu will give you important exam tips and hints. Skip it at your own risk.

(Exam tips: Give yourself ample time to pen down the helpsheet. Preferably at least 2 days. Use different coloured highlighters to mark out key information such as the names of historical figures and important dates of significant world events.)

Recommended if: You want some recommendations on where to go for your next vacation; almost every lecture features numerous places of historical significance with regards to materials and human civilisation.

Be warned, the bell curve is extremely steep, considering that the final exam is MCQ-based and many Materials Science majors (who obviously have an advantage over other students) take this module to score an easy A. The module cohort size for my intake was very small at around 40, but still large enough for the module to be bell-curved. You are unlikely to need more than 1 G point to secure this module.

On the bright side, the module workload is extremely light even for a GEH module. If you are just looking for an GEH module to clear and S/U, you would be hard-pressed to find a better alternative.

Rating: 5/5

Expected grade: A

Actual grade: A+ (This was an easy module for me considering that I skipped about one-third of the lectures, started working on my helpsheet the evening before the final exam day, and still managed to obtain an A+. Having a well-designed helpsheet is thus crucial for a good grade.)