National University of Singapore

This course introduces basic concepts and methods of statistics as a tool to perform appropriate data analyses. The statistical software R is taught alongside the material to introduce statistical computing. Students learn to load raw data, make numerical and graphical summaries of data, and conduct various estimation and testing procedures. Topics include programming in R, descriptive statistics, concepts of probability, random variables and probability distributions, sampling distribution, statistical estimation, hypothesis testing, linear regression, and applications to real-world problems.

This course covers basic historical knowledge about the international relations of Asia since the 19th century. This module examines how a wide range of ideas and ideologies borne in Europe have shaped the norms, practices and institutions of Asia’s politics and international relations. It explores the resilient nature of local norms and culture in the changing dynamics of international relations, particularly in the age of globalization. 

This course provides students with practical knowledge and understanding of basic issues and techniques in data management, with sufficient theory to understand the reasons for these techniques. Topics include conceptual (entity relationship model) and logical design (relational model) of database models, relational database management (data definition, data manipulation, SQL, visual interactive query interfaces), and their use in application development (in particular, data extraction from DBMS to spreadsheets application and data extraction to Web applications). Projects in developing a database within an application form an essential component of this course.

This is the first half of a two-part course which offers an introduction to philosophical debate in the Warring States period of ancient China, the Classical Age of Chinese Philosophy and the seedbed from which grew all of the native currents of thought that survived from traditional China. It begins by considering the intellectual-historical background to the ancient philosophies and focuses primarily on the Confucius (the Analects), Mozi, Yang Zhu, Mencius and Laozi, closing with a brief introduction to some of the later developments that will be covered more fully in Part II. The approach of the course will be both historical and critical.

This course considers the behavior of firms in a market economy. It has two parts. The first part on basic theory considers how firms behave under different market structures. The second part is policy oriented. It applies tools from the basic theory part to everyday problems and scenarios and tries to assess market efficiency and effects of possible intervention by the government or regulatory agencies. The two parts proceed simultaneously. Applying knowledge obtained in the class, students solve optimization problems and critically discuss real-life problems or scenarios.

This practical introduction to the comprehensive range of concepts, principles and practices in marketing focuses on arts and culture-related products, services and industries. Besides drawing attention to vital distinctions in the marketing of for-profit versus not-for-profit organizations, the latter of which characterizes the majority of arts agencies in Singapore, the political, sociological and economic factors which influence those working in the arts will also be examined. This course covers arts administration and skills in the managerial aspects of the arts.

This course introduces some of the basic concepts, methods, and models in economics, and provides a study of current economic issues in our everyday lives.

This course is a continuation of MA1101 Linear Algebra I. The course presents more advanced topics and concepts in linear algebra. A key difference from MA1101 is that there is a greater emphasis on conceptual understanding and proof techniques than on computations. Major topics: matrices over a field; determinant; vector spaces; subspaces; linear independence; basis and dimension; linear transformations; range and kernel; isomorphism; coordinates; representation of linear transformations by matrices; change of basis; eigenvalues and eigenvectors; diagonalizable linear operators; Cayley-Hamilton Theorem; minimal polynomial; Jordan canonical form; inner product spaces; Cauchy-Schwartz inequality; orthonormal basis; Gram-Schmidt Process; orthogonal complement; orthogonal projections; best approximation; adjoint of a linear operator; normal and self-adjoint operators; orthogonal and unitary operators.

This course presents the study of intermediate piano repertoire and application of harmony at the keyboard. Students learn various important keyboard skills and techniques that enhance their understanding of and experience in making music. Such skills include harmonization, transposition, figured bass, improvisation, piano techniques, score reading, musical interpretation, solo and ensemble playing.

This course explores the complex relationships underlying Chinese music, language and literature. It focuses on Chinese music from the perspective of popular music produced in the People's Republic of China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore. These four economies have developed different strands of popular music in Mandarin and various Chinese dialects, due to different linguistic and ideological environments. Students will learn how Chinese popular music draws upon the aesthetics of Chinese literature and traditional Chinese music, and how the music has hybridised influences from foreign musical genres, thus expressing different versions of “Chineseness”.