National University of Singapore

This course introduces the concept of modelling dependence and focuses on discrete-time Markov chains. Topics include discrete-time Markov chains, examples of discrete-time Markov chains, classification of states, irreducibility, periodicity, first passage times, recurrence and transience, convergence theorems and stationary distributions. The course requires students to take prerequisites.

Students learn how to convert raw materials into useful products through conventional and advanced manufacturing processes. The course covers the appropriate manufacturing pathways for producing specific products. Topics include an introduction to manufacturing, metal casting, powder metallurgy and processing, bulk deformation processing, sheet metalworking, machining, cutting tool technology, welding, and additive manufacturing.

This course equips students with knowledge on the unique properties of materials useful in engineering design selection. Topics include commonly used materials in different engineering designs and emerging materials and processes, and life cycle assessment. Students learn concepts of surface engineering, strengthening and hardening techniques, hardenability, heat treatment, friction and wear properties. The course introduces key material properties and testing such as tensile testing, compression testing, torsion test, 3-point bending test along with their specific relevance. Students learn the different ways of degradation of materials when it reacts with environment.

This course introduces students, without a background in sport psychology, to the basic concepts needed to understand sport psychology and its application. Topics include Psychological Skills Training, Peak Performance, Performance Profiling, Goal Setting, Performance Review, Motivation, Psychophysiology, Relaxation, Activation, Imagery, Self‐Talk, Concentration, Team Building, and, Competition Routines. The course requires students to take prerequisites.

Students taking this course build upon the Beginners and Elementary levels and expand command of written and spoken Spanish. Intermediate Spanish B.1.1. focuses on readings and discussions of Spanish culture and develops students’ vocabulary while reinforcing complex grammar and syntax. This course focuses on accurate written production with review of more complex grammar skills such as pretérito pluscuamperfecto and presente de subjuntivo. The course requires students to take Spanish 4 as a prerequisite.

This course surveys the history of modern Japan from the late‐Tokugawa period to the present. The course gives an understanding of major events and analyzes the modern history of Japan in transnational and comparative contexts. It explores a number of common themes of modern global history: nation building, colonialism, total war, and various transformations and social conflicts in the postwar period. Students think critically about diverse historical interpretations and controversies. The course includes a broad range of historical debates and viewpoints.

This course introduces students to taxonomy and systematics, i.e., the science of grouping biodiversity into species, describing the species, and classifying this diversity into higher-level taxa that reflect evolutionary history. The course has two main goals: (1) It introduces the main concepts and goals of taxonomy and systematics. (2) It teaches the qualitative and quantitative techniques that are used to describe/identify species and higher-level taxa based on the analysis of morphological and DNA sequence evidence. The course equips environmental as well as other biologists with an understanding of taxonomic/systematic units and the tools needed for evaluating and quantifying diversity in samples of plant and animal specimens.

This course examines the historical evolution of Singapore as a global city-state against the contexts of global changes and developments from the 14th to the 21st century. The course is open to all students interested in Singapore studies.

This course is an interdisciplinary study of how societies and different generations respond to the invention of the piano. Students learn the social history of the piano throughout the past three centuries, canvassing a wide array of performers, composers, supporters, manufacturers, heroes, politicians, teachers and students. Various expressions of ideologies from differing periods eventually revolutionized and effectuated the versatility of the piano, shaping a legacy which led to the globalization of the piano, including China. Students learn through lectures, readings, discussions, listening, playing, and attend piano recitals and masterclasses.

This course explores the various genres of keyboard music throughout history and the composers who have gained widespread popularity, and also examines the works of those who have received less attention. Topics include variation sets, preludes, fugues, suites, studies, and single-movement works. Students think critically about the significance and evolution of each genre over time. This course is for students who can read Western Classical music notation fluently (particularly in bass and treble clefs). Students may contact the instructor and state their prior experience with music to ascertain if this course will be feasible for them.