MASTERCLASSES
Come experience excellent teaching in action through our Masterclasses, which bring to life specific topics in our academic programmes.
Click on the schedule for Masterclass information.
1.30pm - 2.55pm
Chemistry
How the Tiger Got its Stripes
Ever wondered how the tiger got its stripes? It is a question that has found answers in the folklores of people around the world. The key to unlocking this mystery was discovered in the laboratories of the Ministry of Health (Soviet Union) in the 1950s but was considered so preposterous that the talented chemist who discovered it could not get his work published and, disillusioned, quit science altogether. This work ultimately led to the field of modern nonlinear chemical dynamics. In this talk, we will delve into the science that was thought to be impossible and find out how this relates to the dynamics of natural populations of predators and prey, as well as the cyclical behaviour of unemployment and wages.
Statistics
Empowering the ABCD Technologies
The American Statistical Association defines statistics as “the science of learning from data, and of measuring, controlling and communicating uncertainty”. As massive data is at the core of each of the four emerging technologies - Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Cloud Computing and Data Analytics - statistics naturally plays an integral role in each of them. In the first part of this class, we will briefly introduce how statistics empowers these technologies. In the second part, Prof Kwok will describe a research area in which he is partially involved - fingerprinting and DNA matching in forensic science.
2pm - 2.25pm
Forensic Science
CSI: NUS - Forensic Science and the Law
Do you aspire to be a modern-day Sherlock Holmes? Are you a fan of crime-based television shows like CSI, NCIS, Bones, Criminal Minds, Law & Order and Forensic Heroes? Do you think you know everything about forensic science by watching every CSI episode? Join us as we whet your appetite for forensic science and showcase a very popular programme in NUS.
Cross-Disciplinary Programme - Data Science and Economics
Insights at the Intersection: When Data Science Meets Economics
Data science and economics are two of the most exciting and rapidly growing fields. In recent years, the increasing volume of data and the development of analytical tools have created a new era of understanding the intersection between the two fields. This class introduces learning theory and explores a number of ways in which data science and economics complement each other. We will look at how data science is being used to address important economic and business challenges, using real-world examples.
Cross-Disciplinary Programme - Environmental Studies
Resilience in Restoration
Restoring resilient ecosystems is critical to preparing for the uncertain effects of climatic change on ecosystem functioning and socially relevant services. During the United Nations Decade of Ecosystem Restoration (2021 to 2030), we must aim to integrate meaningful community participation throughout the ecosystem restoration process, expand post-restoration monitoring programmes, upscale across spatial-temporal scales and acquire novel, diversified sustainable funding to improve the current state of ecosystem restoration. Case studies are presented of ground-up restoration projects conducted by indigenous communities and local non-governmental organisations throughout ASEAN.
2.30pm - 2.55pm
Life Sciences
On Nature, Selfies, Frisbee, Windows, #Fun and Happiness
In fast-paced, highly populated cities like Singapore, nature experiences can be an effective ‘medicine’ for mental and physical health. Understanding how nature experiences can contribute to wellbeing can help us design our City in Nature. In this class, Assoc Prof Carrasco will share his research on using mobile phones to check whether people go to the jungle even when it is hot, whether living near a certain type of park can turn us into a frisbee ace, whether nature is the spice of life, whether we are happy when we can see nature through our bedroom window, and what we have in the background of our selfies when we are having fun.
Quantitative Finance
Introducing Quantitative Finance
In this class, we will explore some terminologies of Quantitative Finance (QF) that you read in the daily news. We will study where the QF questions are from, how they are solved, how to apply mathematical knowledge and techniques in QF and your potential future career pathways.
3pm - 3.25pm
Data Science and Analytics
Data Analytics in Sports
Most people have heard about Moneyball - a book that revolutionised how baseball was analysed. It triggered similar practices in other sports as well. In this class, we will discuss how statistics and data science techniques are being used in other sports: primarily basketball and football. We will also touch on how the techniques have shaped the evolution of the sports themselves - in terms of playing styles and the management of teams.
Food Science and Technology
Nutritional Strategy for Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally and lifestyle modification is key in CVD prevention. The adoption of a healthy diet is one of the most important strategies. In particular, a diet that emphasises the consumption of fruits and vegetables is promoted for its beneficial effects on CVD risk reduction. This may be attributed to carotenoids, one of the nutrients found in fruits and vegetables. Carotenoids must be obtained through the diet as humans cannot synthesise them endogenously. As the absorption of carotenoids is generally low, the bioavailability of carotenoids should be considered when evaluating the roles of carotenoids in CVD protection.
Physics
Physics in Medicine and Healthcare
In today’s world of an ageing population, proliferation of chronic diseases, global pandemics and rising pollution, medical technology represents mankind’s most potent tool to combat illnesses and preserve lives. Physics plays a critical role in the design and operation of all forms of medical instrumentation, such as medical lasers, sonography, X-ray Computed Tomography (CT), Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Many of the characteristics of these medical imaging procedures are caused by the physical phenomena that each instrument is based on. In this class, we will introduce the role of physics behind simple medical imaging. You will also learn about the profession of medical physicists, a potential career pathway for physics graduates within the healthcare sector.
3.30pm - 3:55pm
Scientific Inquiry 1 (SI1)
SI1 is one of two Scientific Inquiry courses in the College of Humanities and Sciences (CHS) Common Curriculum. It is a singular course taken by the entire CHS cohort, namely, students from both the Faculty of Science and Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. What is enjoyable and educational about this particular course? This class will give you a heads-up on what this course is about, what you can expect and what you will learn after completing it.
Mathematics
Linear Algebra in Action
In this class, we will introduce linear systems and how to express them as matrix equations using matrix multiplication. Solutions of linear systems can be expressed as vectors. This gives the coefficient matrices the interpretation of linear transformations. We will be introducing eigenvectors and how they are used in a search engine, namely the Google PageRank Algorithm.
4pm - 4.25pm
Scientific Inquiry 2 and Interdisciplinary Courses
Interdisciplinarity in Action: Class 1
Dr Liu will first provide an overview of new higher level interdisciplinary courses offered under Scientific Inquiry 2 and Interdisciplinary Courses (IDCs) and how they build upon foundational skills you will acquire in Year 1. Thereafter, she will delve into her own course, HSI2007: Deconstructing Food, where she deconstructs food at the physical, chemical and biological levels and demonstrates how each of us can make better informed decisions on food that support personal health and a sustainable food system.
Interdisciplinarity in Action: Class 2
As part of the College of Humanities and Sciences (CHS) core curriculum, Faculty of Science and Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences students are required to take two IDCs. In this class, we will discuss our recently completed IDC - HS2904: Driving Towards the Future: Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) - as an example. By using a thematic approach and identifying connections across the disciplines, you can access and integrate the knowledge to better appreciate the relevance of an interdisciplinary approach.