The Dilemma of Module Planning

round 0 started yesterday and i'm still undecided on which experimental module to take. Had wanted to take 5 modules this sem but i guess i would have to stick with 4 cause i already have 2 heavy core modules on hand and i might have another one if i do get forensic science (which i really hope i do with my abundant g account points)... Read through the reviews on the various modules to help me make my decision and i even had to draw lots to decide. Seriously, module planning kills. Anyway, below are the short summary of each modules i have/want to take/undecided etc.

LSM2101 - Metabolism and Regulation (Allocated Core Module):

dealing with the biosynthesis and catabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and nucleic acids; emphasis on integration and regulation of metabolic pathways in different tissues and organs.

(well, this is like LSM1101 - biochemistry module which i didnt do too well, but at least better than LSM1102. will definitely need to pull up my socks)

LSM2102 - Molecular Biology (Allocated Core Module):

dealing with the structure, organisation and function of gene and genomes in prokaryotes and eukaryotes including transcription, post-transcriptional modifications etc.

(this is sooooo MCB stuff which i did badly once again. i just realised i always get the heavy content modules in sem 1 which will pull my CAP down)

GEK1542 - Forensic Science (To Bid For):

intro to lab set-up of Centre for Forensic Science, handling of DNA profiling, death investigation, toxicology and identification of illegal drugs etc.

(this module is so awesome!!!! have always wanted this module but its soooooo expensive. lowest bid pt for last year was 878. i have1027 pts so hopefully that is enough!)

LSM2201A - Experimental Biochemistry (Undecided):

dealing with protein purification and characterisation. includes chromatographic methods and lab practices.

(well, its biochemistry and i didnt do too well. but part of me wants this module)

LSM2203 - Experimental Microbiology (Undecided):

dealing with microbial diversity, biological aspects of microbes, methods and approaches in study of microbiology.

(its just streaking of plates and carrying out of stains i guess... I have totally left out experimental MCB cause i'm not gonna do that man. And with the drawing of lots thingy, i happen to pick this out of 2 tries straight. is that what heaven's telling me to take?)

Anyways, i ought to have a back-up plan in case i don't get forensic science right? I need to have 4 modules max. I dont want to fluster like last sem when my pts wasn't enough ): I still have till monday to decide which expt module to take so... maybe i'll stick with the result of the lots being drawed haha.

It's Time For CORS Again

Yes, i have 3 more days to SOW Prep Camp and i'm using these remaining days to do my module planning. As usual, module planning sucks. I need to scroll through the entire faculty list to look for potential modules to take, having to consider the faculty, general education, breadth and s'pore studies requirements as well as the cut-off MCs for level 1000 modules. Seriously, apart from science, I have no interest in other subjects. But the university requires us to take some subjects which are unrelated to science at all... I always have to crack my brains to try to find something that is UN-SCIENCED. And i swear i don't do well for those, like my business module last semester.

Anyway, after much consideration and discussion with my mum and my RP senior, I have decided to lighten my workload by only taking 4 modules per semester instead of the usual 5. I think i will be able to cope better this way. At least i have some handicap in having exemptions for 5 modules or 1 semester worth of modules. Thus, instead of graduating in 2 and a half yrs (w/o honours), I would take 3 yrs. At least it is better to take lesser modules and score then to take the normal load and fail to score right?

Back to module planning, I can foresee my terrible timetable when school reopens next month. Most of my core modules end at 8pm. Forensic Science is even worse, ending at an unearthly timing of 10pm. Regardless of the sucky timing, i am gonna to dump all my G points to secure this module. Imagine. Forensic Science!!!!! Where in the world can you learn such a module? I'm still considering whether to continue Japanese 2. My skills are so rusty and i think i have forgotten almost 3/4 of the kanji, katakana and hiragana already... And i'm having a headache on whether i should take ecology and environment or bioinformatics; biochemistry or microbiology. Oh god oh god. Really, module planning is killing me ):