This module introduces some basic principles of general and physical chemistry to engineering students. Topics covered include atomic and molecular structures, spectroscopies and their applications, bonding and interactions in interfaces and materials, chemical equilibrium, chemical kinetics, common molecules and their transformations especially in chemical and pharmaceutical industries. The purpose is to provide engineering students the foundations in important concepts and principles of chemistry, with an emphasis on practical applications in engineering and technology.

The module is designed to provide a clear and logical introduction to the concepts and principles of mechanics and thermodynamics, with illustrations based on applications in the real world. Topics covered include motion in one dimension; curvilinear motion; circular motion; relative motion; Newton's laws; friction; work and energy; conservative forces, conservation of energy; linear momentum and conservation, collisions; rotational kinematics; moment of inertia and torque; rotational dynamics; conservation of angular momentum; gravitational force, field and potential energy; planetary motion; temperature and the zeroth law, temperature scales; thermal expansion of solids and liquids; heat and internal energy, specific heat capacities, enthalpy and latent heat, work for ideal gases, first law of thermodynamics; equipartition of energy, mean free path; entropy and the second law, heat engines; entropy changes for reversible and irreversible processes. The module is targeted essentially at Engineering students.

This is an introductory module that explores what a living thing is, the basics of life, and the science behind it. The course will introduce the chemistry of life and the unit of life. The question of how traits are inherited will be discussed and the field of biotechnology, including its applications and the ethical issues involved will be introduced. The diversity of life on earth will be explored, with discussions how life on earth possibly came about and how biologists try to classify and make sense of the diversity. The course will also introduce the concept of life functions from cells to tissues and from organs to systems. The concept of how organisms maintain their internal constancy and organisation of major organ systems will be discussed. The focus will be to introduce the unifying concepts in biology and how they play a role in everyday life.

This module serves as a bridging module for students without 'A' - level mathematics. Its aim is to equip students with appropriate mathematical knowledge and skill so as to prepare them for further study in mathematics-related disciplines. At the end of the course, students are expected to attain a level of proficiency in algebra and calculus equivalent to the GCE Advanced Level. Major topics: Sets, functions and graphs, polynomials and rational functions, inequalities in one variable, logarithmic and exponential functions, trigonometric functions, sequences and series, techniques of differentiation, applications of differentiation, maxima and minima, increasing and decreasing functions, curve sketching, techniques of integration, applications of integration, areas, volumes of solids of revolution, solution of first order ordinary differential equations by separation of variables and by integrating factor, complex numbers, vectors.

This module aims to bridge the gap between GCE ‘O’ Level Physics and first year university Physics level. The module covers the fundamentals of two branches of Physics: mechanics and thermodynamics. Topics included in the part on mechanics are linear motion, curvilinear motion, relative motion, circular motion, Newton’s laws of motion, work and energy, conservation of energy, linear momentum and conservation, rotational kinematics, torque and moment of inertia, rotational dynamics, conservation of angular momentum, gravitation and planetary motion, static equilibrium, oscillatory motion and fluid mechanics. The part on thermodynamics encompasses topics such as temperature and zeroth law of thermodynamics, temperature scales, thermal expansion, heat and internal energy, thermal processes, first law of thermodynamics, ideal gas laws and kinetic theory of gasses.

The module aims to bridge the gap between O level Physics and first year university physics level. The module covers the fundamentals of three branches of physics: electricity and magnetism, optics and modern physics. Topics included in the part on electricity and magnetism are Coulombs law, electric field and potential, capacitance, current and resistance, DC circuits, magnetic fields, magnetic effects on current, electromagnetic induction, AC circuits and electromagnetic waves. The part on optics encompasses topics such as reflection and refraction, systems of lenses, optical instruments, interference, diffraction, grating and polarization. Topics covered in the part on modern physics are blackbody radiation, photoelectric effect, atomic transitions and spectra, the uncertainty principle, wave-particle duality, radioactivity and decay processes, binding energy and fusion energy and fusion and fission.

This module explores ways in which people create and use the variety of emerging networked, mobile and social media channels to communicate meaning in a globalized world. It explores organizational and societal contexts in such areas as games, health, politics, business, public relations, design and activism, with attention paid to creating applications with social impact. Phenomena such as relationships and social life in cyberspace, activism for social change, performance art, deviant behaviour online, communication and community, new business paradigms and economic models of organizing and issues in human-computer interaction are explored in-depth.

With our recent advances in technology and modern platforms like Google, Facebook and now Coursera, it is important for students from all disciplines to have an appreciation for how modern technology works. This course is aimed at both introducing students with little to no background in programming to the basics of computational thinking as well as students with some background to more advanced abstractions and techniques. 

To this end, this module will cover the fundamental concepts of problem solving by computing and programming in Python with practical problems and scenarios. Students will learn how to analyze and break down a problem, and how to structure and develop their solutions.
  
Topics to be covered include problem solving by computing, writing pseudo-codes, problem formulation and problem solving, program development, coding, testing and debugging, fundamental programming constructs (variables, types, expressions, assignments, functions, control structures, etc.), fundamental data structures: arrays, strings and structures, simple file processing, and basic recursion. . 

Some of the foundation modules listed above such as NM1101X, CS1010X, PC1431X and PC1432X, may be used to meet the requirements for both the Minor and a Major or another Minor, subject to the agreement of the particular department(s)/ programme(s) or Faculty/School hosting the Minor. For example, CS1010 or its equivalent also serves as the first foundation module in Minor in Computer Science or Information Systems. CS1010 or its equivalent is also the module required to apply for Minor in Information Security under in-progress admission.

Students should also note that Minor programmes can be "Open" or "Restricted". Unlike 'Open' Minors, students are required to apply to the Host Faculty/Department and obtain approval to read a restricted minor such as Minor in Computer Science or Information Systems. Please click here for information on NUS Minor Programmes.