Module Review: MA1508E Linear Algebra for Engineering

Introduction 

Out of all the three math modules, this is the one I struggled the most. Unlike MA1511 or MA1512, this doesn't have calculus or difficult arithmetics, just simple addition or subtraction. However, the real difficulty comes in grasping the concept given the abstract nature of linear algebra. To do well, you need to digest these concepts and work with speed and accuracy as many of the processes are algorithmic: one wrong calculation and the whole question is gone... 

Lesson format and weekly quizzes 

Like previous math modules, this also uses the flip classroom methodology, where students have to watch pre-recorded videos before coming to class. I tried my best to watch those, but gave up halfway due to laziness. This module is conducted in small classes for ECE students just like the previous two math modules. 

If there's a key take away: this module is very pressurised. With three graded quizzes every week, you're constantly occupied with it. :(

The first quiz is a weekly LumiNUS MCQ quiz. It felt like an IQ test that gone south. Questions are notoriously ambiguous and the options are all so similar. But given that the quiz isn't randomised,  you just need to make the right friends who is willing to share discuss the solutions. 

The second quiz is held weekly during lecture slots which focuses on current week's content. Before the quiz starts, the instructor will give a brief recap from the online videos you never have watched. When the quiz starts, no discussions are allowed, hence it's advisable to at least skim through the content before coming to class. 

Finally, we have the tutorial quiz, where application questions are given. These quizzes are so difficult that many took so long to complete it and the whole class often have to evacuate to the classroom next door to make way for the next class! Before conducting quiz, the instructor will go through tutorial questions. He will randomly select students to present their answers and if you did not do the questions, he won't be too pleased. 

Bell curve, midterm and finals

The bell curve is very steep as there are many foreign scholars with full mastery of linear algebra competing with us. :(

The midterm was extremely difficult (for me) and I left many blanks and unsurprisingly, flung the paper. For finals, it was doable, but everyone else found it easy. Having left some questions blank, I had the expectation for a humble B at most (if I'm lucky). But somehow, I got a pretty decent grade (despite failing midterms). To do well, you need to have to grasp the concept well. Rote learning won't help as there are many proofing, True/False questions where explanations are expected. 

My main advice is constant practice and digesting the concepts fully or you are going get lost quickly. I'm guilty of neither doing tutorials nor watching the videos diligently (mind you, it's 10 min per video!) and it's probably why I struggled. 

One tip is to have (smart) friends taking this module together. With so many graded components, having an extra pair of eyes to double confirm your answers can help ensure you secure the quiz marks to the fullest extent. 

My rating:

Difficulty: 4/5

Workload: 4/5

Teaching staff: 4/5 

Overall: 3/5 (Manageable, if you put constant effort)

Assessment Format:

10% online quiz

10% Lecture quiz

10% Tutorial quiz

20% Midterm paper

50% Final paper

Expected grade: conservative B

Final grade: better than B+ :)