How to plan your timetable
- To fulfill your university requirements for graduation in 4 years, undergraduates are encouraged to do 5 modules per semester.
- Most undergraduates are able to handle this amount of workload comfortably.
- We try to mix memory-heavy modules together with the less memory taxing ones.
- You may take a look at module review to have a rough gauge of the workload.
Ways to lighten your workload
- Example 1: We may take 3 psych modules, together with 2 science modules. Most non-arts modules can be S/U (i.e. these modules are graded as satisfactory or unsatisfactory, and hence do not count towards your CAP), allowing you to spend more time on your major without jeopardizing your CAP, hence lightening your workload.
- Example 2: We may take abnormal psychology with statistics, because the former requires lots of memorization, while the latter focuses more on application.
- Our advice is to plan your 4-year timetable early, i.e. what modules you plan to take in each semester. Also, note down whether the module goes towards fulfilling your SSM/ FASS/ GEM/ Major/ Breath/ UE requirement.
- Here’s a sample of a 4-year timetable:
What about doing 6 modules in a semester?
- Undergraduates usually do 6 modules for 2 main reasons:
- (i) To compensate for previous semesters (where they took less than 5 modules)
- (ii) To fulfil their minor or double major requirement
- Doing 6 modules a semester however, is not without its difficulties, e.g. workload and timetable scheduling conflicts.
- To cope with such difficulties, refer to the above section on lightening your workload.
How do I bid for my modules?
- More detailed information on modules bidding can be found on CORS.
- NUS Psychology Society holds a CORS bidding assistance session, at the beginning of each academic year for freshmen.
- Training sessions are also held during the NUS Psychology Orientation Camp.
How much should I bid for a module?
- That depends on the popularity of the module.
- Always do your “research” by checking out the archived bidding data on CORS.
- e.g. If I’m a freshman intending to bid for PL1101E, I would find out the number of points required to bid for PL1101E in Semester 1 round 1C, for the last 3 years. Averaging the bid points would give you a gauge of your starting bid.
- Note: the number of places per module varies each semester. Make sure you take this into consideration, and vary your bid points accordingly.
Known (CORS) issues faced by IB students
- Previous batches of IB students experienced difficulties in bidding for modules with pre-requisites.
- At the time, the university had yet to integrate the academics records of IB students.
- NUS has sought to rectify this problem since June 2010.
- If these problems persist, do contact the CORS administrators.
