Special Program in DISCS (SPD) -- FAQ

Special Program in DISCS (SPD)
Coordinator: Dr Leong Hon Wai (Off: S15, 04-16)

The SPD aims to develop/nurture a small group
of our top students to channel them into R&D
and the DISCS Hon-MSc programme.

About This FAQ

This FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) is a compilation of questions and answers about the SPD. I update this list whenever I have the time. It is a good source of info. Please email me if you find errors or if you have suggestions.

1. Where to go for information, change request, etc

Check out Dr Leong Hon Wai's Do NOT fill up a Yellow Form in our dept GO (general office)

1.1 Can I sign up for IC1101S thru the Online Registration System?

NO, you cannot do so for the 1997/98 academic year.
To opt for IC1101S and/or the SPD, you will have to see the SPD Coordinator.

2. How are freshmen invited into the SPD?

Based on entrance results -- A-level (most students), NUS Entrance Exams, or others.
This is only an initial list -- subject to updates by students adding/dropping.
If demand is really great, more selection criteria will be applied!

3.1. What is the module-code for the SPD?

SPD is a programme to be run over your stay in DISCS.
It is not a module. It is not an area-of-focus.

3.2. What is the tentative programme for the SPD

The SPD combines regular ISCS curriculum with more challenging S-modules (for some of our core modules) and training/nurturing for research work.
Very roughly, the programme for the first 2 years is as follows: 
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
   Year 1, Sem 1: IC1101S + Other modules
                  SPD Lectures (+ Homework) on Problem Solving

           Sem 2: IC1102S + Other modules
                  SPD Guest Lectures on Research Areas
                  (MAYBE) Some reading/writing on research areas;

           Sem 3: IC2288 USRP Research Project 
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
   Year 2, Sem 1: IC2101S + IC2288 + other modules
                  Work on USRP Research Project

           Sem 2: IC2102S + IC2288 + other modules
                  Start looking into Honours Projects
          
           Sem 3: Attachment to some DISCS Research Lab
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

3.3. If I am in the SPD, will I get heavier workload?

Generaly speaking, YES!

In the SPD, students attend some more lectures (on problem solving and on research work/areas) and take S-modules instead of the regular modules (eg: IC2101S instead of IC2101). It is expected that there will be between 4 to 6 S-modules taken from our core ISCS curriculum.

Each S-modules have the same syllabus as the regular module, but they usually cover the material in greater depth and have more challenging homeworks to stimulate the students as part of the training for R&D work in the future.

As a result, students in the SPD do have slightly heavier workload but they do more interesting and challenging things.

4. What is the difference between SPD and IC1101S?

Yes, they are different.
IC1101S is a module in ISCS. It teaches Programming Methodology using a different approach from IC1101-Java.

SPD is a multi-year programme conducted during your undergraduate years in DISCS.

Students in the SPD takes IC1101S and other S-modules to come in future semesters.
In addition, they also have additional lectures (and homeworks) on problem solving, and do research work early (IC2288), and so on. (See the draft of the SPD.)

The SPD aims to aims to develop/nurture a small group of our top students in DISCS to channel them into R&D and the DISCS Honours - MSc programme.

5. If I take IC1101S now, can I take IC1102(Java) next semester?

No. IC1101S and IC1102S comes as a package!
IC1101(Java) and IC1102(Java) also comes as a package!

It is not possible for you to do IC1102(Java) without having done IC1101(Java).
Also, it is not possible for you to do IC1102S without having done IC1101S.

6. How do I continue in the SPD?

To stay in the SPD, you should maintain a CAP of at least 3.2*
(* May be subject to changes/update in future)

(NOTE: These will be further updated soon. --Dr. Leong)

7. If I am in the SPD, but did not do well in IC1101S, will I be out of the SPD? Should I then do IC1102(Java)?

If your CAP is below 3.2, then you will be out of the SPD.

However, you will continue with IC1102S -- even though you are not in the SPD.
(You cannot do IC1102(Java) without having done IC1101(Java).)

8. If I first register for SPD (and IC1101S), can I change my mind later? and if so how late?

Working on this one. Check back later...

Coordinator: Dr. Leong Hon Wai
Office: S15, 04-16
Email: leonghw
Last Modified: July 1997