Year 3 Semester 2 (AY 14/15)

The modules taken were in AY 14/15, in addition, I was doing my Industrial Attachment (EG3601) during this period and hence I was only able to take 2 modules. I will review the other night modules as well. In addition, I will be posting a module review for AY 15/16 Technical Electives (TEs) and some of my thoughts on it. I am NOT taking any of those TEs because I've cleared my requirements and I would not like to subject myself to more existential absurdities and existential crisis doing those modules (Yes, it is that exhaustive for me).

Module 1: CN4223R (Microelectronic Thin Films)

Brief Overview:
This module is one of the very few modules in Chemical Engineering that deals with semiconductors. Most of the professors in Chemical Engineering deal with mainly process engineering, biomolecular/biochemical engineering, thus if you are very interested in semiconductors I strongly recommend this module. Alternatively, I believe you are eligible to take cross-faculty TEs from EEE/Mech Eng for semiconductor-related, you need to email the relevant professors to confirm this as well as the attain the department's approval (for both taking the cross-TEs and mapping it as part of your undergrad requirements for clearing TEs)

1) Film Deposition in Vacuum & in Atmospheric Conditions
2) Physical & Chemical Vapour Deposition
3) Cleaning Technologies
4) Dielectrics (Low and High k)
5) Thin Film Growth
6) Metals and Metal Silicides

Mode of Grading:
2 x 20% CA (1 20-MCQ Test, 1 Structured Question Test, Both Open Book)
60% Finals

Lecturer:
Adjunct Professor Simon Chooi

Comments:
This module is taught by an external lecturer who has a lot of experience in the semiconductor industry. Prof Simon is a very engaging and excellent professor who is really passionate about teaching this module and does his best to help you conceptualize the content. If you are really interested in the industry as well, you can approach him to ask industrial related stuff in both semiconductors and petroleum (He is working in Shell, in 2015 when I took this module, in a safety-related field I believe).

Most of his questions including the tests and exams are closely related to the tutorials, so as long as you listen in class and do his tutorials, it should be very manageable. One downfall of this module is that it is now conducted on saturdays from 2pm-5pm which is very exhausting for people like me who took IA during that semester. It used to be on Friday night until Project Engineering took over. Anyway, this module is good for people who are interested in semiconductors as well as for clearing your TE requirements because there is no project and it has a rather light workload. In addition, the professor is a very great lecturer so you will at least be entertained on your saturday afternoon!

Module 2: CN5191 (Project Engineering)

Brief Overview:
This module is extremely good if you are interested in joining a design-based engineering firms and even as a process engineer, it is good that you learn these fundamentals now so that should you ever take up a position as project engineer, you are aware of how to manage and handle such stuff

1) Role of Project Engineer & the other various heads
2) CPM and PERT Analysis
3) Project Planning and Cost
4) Project Execution (Various stages in the project, the types of contract/bidding etc.)
5) Procurement (PNID, PFD, Ordering of Materials etc.)
6) Health, Safety, Environment
7) Commissioning & Setup

Mode of Grading:
2x 20%  MCQ Tests (Closed book and negative marking)
60% Project

Lecturer:
Mr Satendra Singh (External Lecturer from Foster Wheeler)
Prof I.A Karimi

Comments:
This module is very intensive for the project because you must ensure that your team members are aware of the process and know how to do the various things like constructing the PFD/PNIDs as well as the mechanical designs of the various piping/valves/columns etc., material balancing, HAZOP, HAZID, Plot Plan, QRA, Control Philosophies, Costing etc. Yeap, its very tough if one or two of your members are either (i) Freeloaders and Blur or (ii) Likes to argue with you and gets no work done, additionally screws up his part. As you have guessed, that was what happened for our project group, so it was sort of a 4-man effort to construct the whole report plus the PFDs, PNIDs. Thankfully, the 4 of us managed to split the additional workload and support each other throughout the 13-weeks of hell. It was worth it in the end because you learn a lot of things from doing this that has EXTREMELY valuable experience for your CN4123 (Design Project). If you think this module is difficult, then CN4123 is going to be 10x harder (I kid not). Take this module only if you have 5 other competent members who are willing to put in effort. I strongly recommend taking it if you have a team because this is very good for Year 3s who are going to do design project. If you are doing design project, I suggest not taking this module unless you are absolutely sure you can balance your workload.

For the tests, it will mostly be from the notes. Thankfully I had some industrial relevant experience and knowledge so I didn't need to study for the tests. For the project, you are expected to submit an interim report, a presentation of your project and of course a written report. So to summarize, this module has extremely heavy workload but you will reap the benefits for your design project and if you intend to go to process/design-related industries.