Hi,
I'm got interested in Maths first, then as my education progresses on, science caught my attention, but it wasn't until after the spliting of science into 3 disciplines that I found out that it is Physics that I like about Science. Not surpisingly, it is also the one with the most maths in it.
And so after my secondary school education, high school provides me with many books, popular science books, books that tells me of the 30 years that shook physics, or the formation of Quantum Mechanics, the progress of Physics from Galelio to Einstein, the particle physics, and most importantly, the Unification of Physics, String theory, and others. All these pushes oneself to really love Physics. I kinda remember the days of learning Special Relativity on my own, through the net. It was a treasure trove that I desparately wish to share with others!
Then came the International Physics Olympiad, that had really sealed my fate with Physics, my University major could be nothing else. What's more I've went twice! Representing Malaysia. However, as I look back on it now, the IPhO students knows only how to solve the physics problems, they are not really well versed in deeply understanding Physics. As Physics Undergraduates, we should be proud, because we are greater than the Olympiad student, we understand Physics! Thank you.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Saturday, April 10, 2010
April Update
After the last post, it has been a long time since I talk about myself. Now this is all about me. Or what I did.
I went for a 8-precept day retreat in Wat Palelai one Weekend, which brings me to Ajahn Seng, then after the first time in my life meditating for 5 hours in one day, I and NTUBS people when to see Ajahn Seng to discuss on the next meditation retreat, one that we're to organise. So that's why we went to Wat Palelai again yesterday night to have an insightful and nice discussions about the details surrounding the retreat.
Then the next Saturday I had a Nam Wah Pai grading, which brings me to senior green belt now! And the following Sunday, I had another training, the very last one before the competition today! And today's competition I gave up during the second round, mostly to protect my brain. I do value my brain more than victory. Indeed. Anyway today's competition is very nice and fun and an enlightening, it tells me that if I ever am involved in a fight, running would be a better choice, for now.
So still sustaining some minor injury now, let me tell you about the time when I broke down. I went and played Civilisation 4 the weekend before I had 3 term test 2 and 2 lab reports to hand up. Well, it caused me to have 3 consecutive times of waking up one day, not sleeping that night, strive to not sleep during the day, then sleep for one night, then repeat.... Well comparatively, the previous time before that, I was reading Dune, and it fared better. Although there's also one time when I over eat (again) in my research group's nights out to celebrate birthdays, and I got sick the whole of next day, Dune did help me pass through it.
Before that sickness, I went to a doctor and got some medicine for my running nose, now that the medicine is finished, I think the condition is a bit better.
Ok enough. Signing off here.
I went for a 8-precept day retreat in Wat Palelai one Weekend, which brings me to Ajahn Seng, then after the first time in my life meditating for 5 hours in one day, I and NTUBS people when to see Ajahn Seng to discuss on the next meditation retreat, one that we're to organise. So that's why we went to Wat Palelai again yesterday night to have an insightful and nice discussions about the details surrounding the retreat.
Then the next Saturday I had a Nam Wah Pai grading, which brings me to senior green belt now! And the following Sunday, I had another training, the very last one before the competition today! And today's competition I gave up during the second round, mostly to protect my brain. I do value my brain more than victory. Indeed. Anyway today's competition is very nice and fun and an enlightening, it tells me that if I ever am involved in a fight, running would be a better choice, for now.
So still sustaining some minor injury now, let me tell you about the time when I broke down. I went and played Civilisation 4 the weekend before I had 3 term test 2 and 2 lab reports to hand up. Well, it caused me to have 3 consecutive times of waking up one day, not sleeping that night, strive to not sleep during the day, then sleep for one night, then repeat.... Well comparatively, the previous time before that, I was reading Dune, and it fared better. Although there's also one time when I over eat (again) in my research group's nights out to celebrate birthdays, and I got sick the whole of next day, Dune did help me pass through it.
Before that sickness, I went to a doctor and got some medicine for my running nose, now that the medicine is finished, I think the condition is a bit better.
Ok enough. Signing off here.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Venerable Gyurme’s Course
After the meditation course on semester 2, the second half of the semester is filled by the Dharma Course by Venerable Tenzin Gyurme. He is a Singaporean who learned the Vajrayana tradition and now with the Amitabha Buddhist Centre. Having studied in NUS too, he is a very friendly and understanding teacher to us. During the four sessions that we learned the Dharma, we had learned that true practising Buddhist need not be just in the meditation. It is in the daily mind and thoughts!
Then using logic and reason, we explored the requirements for past and future lives! And from the simple observation of karma or how couse and effect works, we discussed the codependant origination and it is used as an argument agaisnt the existance of a Creator God. Lastly, the meaning of suffering, which is not to inspire pessimism, but to inspire energy and determination for practise is discussed and expounded. The step by step build up of the facts are presented from logical conclusion of empirical observations in our lives certainly helped us increase our faith!
Lastly I would like to thank everyone who had helped out in the setting up of the room, joining in the discussions and Venerable Gyurme for his enlightening teachings.
By Ng Xin Zhao, Deputy Dharma Director of NUSBS
Then using logic and reason, we explored the requirements for past and future lives! And from the simple observation of karma or how couse and effect works, we discussed the codependant origination and it is used as an argument agaisnt the existance of a Creator God. Lastly, the meaning of suffering, which is not to inspire pessimism, but to inspire energy and determination for practise is discussed and expounded. The step by step build up of the facts are presented from logical conclusion of empirical observations in our lives certainly helped us increase our faith!
Lastly I would like to thank everyone who had helped out in the setting up of the room, joining in the discussions and Venerable Gyurme for his enlightening teachings.
By Ng Xin Zhao, Deputy Dharma Director of NUSBS
Monday, March 22, 2010
Discovering Buddhism
This semester, great changes have been made to Discovering Buddhism. From its usual Monday nights, it has been shifted to Thursday night and two special courses have developed: Freeing your Heart and Buddhist Psychology. They each last for 4 sessions and each session is 90 minutes long. The course is conducted by Bro. Piya, a former monk for 20 years and currently working on translating the sutras.
In Freeing the Heart, we learn how to let go of anger and lust and to identify the defence mechanism that the mind uses against mental attacks. While in Buddhist Psychology, the interaction between western Psychology and Buddhism is studied and knowledge from both sides is shared in order to deepen the understanding of the mind. Both courses are non-religious explorations and sources for much food for thought. Participants are given a “textbook” to read so that they can self-study on their own and also share with others.
The one of the basis of Dharma is great learning, and Discovering Buddhism provides the best opportunity for that purpose. Many thanks to Bro. Piya and Soe Lin Myat for organising the course and deepening our understanding of the Dharma. As Bro Piya says: may all strive to attain to enlightment in this very life!
By Ng Xin Zhao, Deputy Dharma Director of NUSBS
In Freeing the Heart, we learn how to let go of anger and lust and to identify the defence mechanism that the mind uses against mental attacks. While in Buddhist Psychology, the interaction between western Psychology and Buddhism is studied and knowledge from both sides is shared in order to deepen the understanding of the mind. Both courses are non-religious explorations and sources for much food for thought. Participants are given a “textbook” to read so that they can self-study on their own and also share with others.
The one of the basis of Dharma is great learning, and Discovering Buddhism provides the best opportunity for that purpose. Many thanks to Bro. Piya and Soe Lin Myat for organising the course and deepening our understanding of the Dharma. As Bro Piya says: may all strive to attain to enlightment in this very life!
By Ng Xin Zhao, Deputy Dharma Director of NUSBS
Medical Dharma Circle
Every Monday without fail (except for public holidays), the group of people that makes up Medical Dharma Circle comes together and shares the Dharma. Despite the name, this event is open to all students, regardless of faculty. Standing strong for over 30 years now, MDC is the one constant in NUSBS since the beginning. Therefore there are treasure houses of seniors who always come down for a few hours every week.
From 6:30 pm, meditation is on, then at 7pm, the puja will start and then the speaker for the week which includes Venerables, seniors, and even juniors will share the Dharma for about 1 hour. I’ve been invited to share for three times since I joined in last semester! After the share sharing, we are treated dinner by the seniors, in the spirit that we will come back and treat the juniors after we graduate. This ensures a strong continuity and fellowship building. I’m grateful to MDC and Kaikok for organising the sessions, and to the seniors for the delightful and fulfilling dinners. May MDC continue to be a shining light upon all who needs it.
By Ng Xin Zhao, Deputy Dharma Director of NUSBS
From 6:30 pm, meditation is on, then at 7pm, the puja will start and then the speaker for the week which includes Venerables, seniors, and even juniors will share the Dharma for about 1 hour. I’ve been invited to share for three times since I joined in last semester! After the share sharing, we are treated dinner by the seniors, in the spirit that we will come back and treat the juniors after we graduate. This ensures a strong continuity and fellowship building. I’m grateful to MDC and Kaikok for organising the sessions, and to the seniors for the delightful and fulfilling dinners. May MDC continue to be a shining light upon all who needs it.
By Ng Xin Zhao, Deputy Dharma Director of NUSBS
Dharma Circle
The main weekly activity for NUSBS falls on Friday nights with Soe Lin Myat, the Dharma Director as the organiser. Every week, a different speaker is invited to talk on various topics that spark interest and life into the 2554 year old Dharma. Amongst the speakers are lay alumni, Venerable monks like Ven. Bodhi, Ven. Cittara, Ven. Dhammika, Ven. Dharmarattana, and Ven. Chun Nian, even students like our former president, Jacinta and yours humbly. There are movie screenings, talks, presentations followed by discussions. One time, we even went out of campus to Cheng Beng Buddhist Society to listen to Ven. Hui Men!
Dharma Circle is the event where the most social exchange happens, especially after the event ends, you’ll see almost everyone staying back and chatter, introducing and welcoming new members, old friends catching up, the management committee having discussions on future events, all these while eating some snacks!
The most important thing that all of us bring back is the straightening of our right views, which is the first and most important step in the Noble 8 fold path. Thus we are propelled towards enlightment. May all the efforts by the Dharma subcom and Management committee that organize every Dharma Circle contribute to the spiritual well being of all who attend. Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!
By Ng Xin Zhao, Deputy Dharma Director of NUSBS
Dharma Circle is the event where the most social exchange happens, especially after the event ends, you’ll see almost everyone staying back and chatter, introducing and welcoming new members, old friends catching up, the management committee having discussions on future events, all these while eating some snacks!
The most important thing that all of us bring back is the straightening of our right views, which is the first and most important step in the Noble 8 fold path. Thus we are propelled towards enlightment. May all the efforts by the Dharma subcom and Management committee that organize every Dharma Circle contribute to the spiritual well being of all who attend. Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!
By Ng Xin Zhao, Deputy Dharma Director of NUSBS
Meditation
For two semesters on Wednesday nights, Bante Cittara from Mangala Vihara has come to NUS to teach Basic Meditation skills to the students and staffs of NUS. We learned mindfulness on the breath meditation, walking meditation, loving-kindness meditation, the 5 hindrances of meditation, and the supportive meditations. All these meditation is to help one relax, be mindful and develop concentration and insight. Meditating for 5-10 minutes before sleeping and after waking up everyday can eventually train oneself to observe anger when it is arising, thus able to stop it in time, be more stress free during the day and easily falling asleep at night. It’s no wonder that Bante Cittara always advices us to meditate everyday and to train up our mindfulness and concentration. Looking at all these benefits, it is no wonder that over 30 people sign up for the course every semester!
I would like to thank the loyal Dharma subcom and Management Committee for helping out during the course, NUSBS for providing the opportunity to organise the event, Bante Cittara and Philip who drives him here, and all the attendees. May this course be a stepping stone towards the enlightment of all beings!
By Ng Xin Zhao, Deputy Dharma Director of NUSBS
I would like to thank the loyal Dharma subcom and Management Committee for helping out during the course, NUSBS for providing the opportunity to organise the event, Bante Cittara and Philip who drives him here, and all the attendees. May this course be a stepping stone towards the enlightment of all beings!
By Ng Xin Zhao, Deputy Dharma Director of NUSBS
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Different parts of me
As we go through our daily life, we take on different roles, this post is to record down what roles I am taking now.
Bookworm: Avid book reading fan would be a nicer way to put it. I read fiction, non-fiction, many stuffs, as long as I'm a NUS student, I should make use of the library services. Currently reading: Shadows of the Mind by Roger Penrose.
Roommate: As a roommate, I really talk little with my roommate. I go to room for these functions: sleep, meditate, put my stuffs, prepare to shower, read and wash clothes. Currently sleeping time: 10pm-8am..... quite long.
Malaysian: Just the occasional joining in MSL activities. Most of the people I initially know from there are in SPS anyway... so not much point going there anymore. Malaysian... kinda prevents me from taking A*Star's extremely nice scholarship (that requires one to eventually become a Singaporean). Also prevents me from joining in Rovers and ODAC cause a lot of their activities are in Malaysia, Singapore price. Long time didn't sing the Negaraku already... compared to the weekly (or daily in Malacca High) singing back in school. Anything I spend here, I rarely convert it to Malaysian Ringgit in my mind too. Just kinda glad I'm in Singapore.
USP-ian: As a USP person, I rarely go to the place called Chatterbox, however, I do take their modules (Current module: Understanding Irony) and also gone to a trip called Buddhism in Asia: Thailand and Taiwan with them. Joining in their Freshmen Orientation Project, as a Group Leader.
SPS-ian: I'm more of a SPSian, more than anything else. In terms of putting my laptop in SPS all the time and spending most of my time there, and most of my closest friends are there. (oh sorry here, I'm in the room now). I'm becoming a Junior Mentor here, and it's going to be nicer and nicer.
Geek: My definition of geek here is someone who likes superheroes, comic books, manga, seeing cartoons, and doing... you know dorky stuffs. Ok, my geekiness has been confined to Big Bang Theory, Wizards of Wavery Place and OnePiece, three 20minutes per week, but not every week. Oh and gaming, don't forget gaming. I've deleted most of my computer video games already and recently am playing board games, Dominion, Through the Ages, Cash and Guns, Agricola, and various others....... so cooolllll games that USP and Boardgame Interest group has, ussually on Tuesdays night.
Stressed out person: Not so much at all. I've been trying to live a stress free life for these few weeks, and I think by the long time I didn't blog in March, I'm doing it well.
NUSBSMC: Been doing the job... quite well I think, there're ups and downs in this job. Currently, down. Even if the jobs are done well, and there're just a few more left, I'm kinda dreading having to do it all over again next year.......
Medical Dharma Circle: I've been joining in this wonderful group of Buddhist which has considerable history behind it and I really enjoy the Monday nights that I'm with them. I've been speaker for the sessions 2 times already so far.
CQT: I've just joined this group of physicist from this semester onwards, for my UROP, still in the process of finding out stuffs and reviewing. I'm taking it wayyy to slow. They are a kind group of people too, we've gone for an outing to a reserviour in Singapore, didn't imagined Singapore has jungle tracks in there and a hanging bridge that is veeeeeeerrrrry high, I walk through it! yay. And I got a free treat of 3D movies from them too last night, on Alice in Wonderland and How to train your dragon, both very good movies! Oh and our group is going to celebrate birthdays by dinner!
Physics: The most common activity I do, other than the modules, is to go for tea every Friday. Or every Friday that I'm free. Oh and also momentum, where I'm the co-editor is published and given to all physics majors! yay!
Nam Wah Pai: Taking over my weekends is the Nam Wah Pai, Chinese Kung Fu that is established in Singapore. Saturday 2-5p.m. and Sunday 6-8:30p.m. the Sunday one is for the training for a Competition that I'm joining in the free sparring.
Family: Other than the occasional online contacts, I've kinda alone (ok with friends) here, and (sadly or not) not ever homesick in the whole of 2 years here. I've visited a lot of relatives here and heavily make use of my uncle's hospitality during one of the holidays. And I kinda look forward to cousin reunion. Dunno when.....
And of course
Blogger: I've spend some considerable amount of time in Blogging. kinda. Just check out this blog.......
Bookworm: Avid book reading fan would be a nicer way to put it. I read fiction, non-fiction, many stuffs, as long as I'm a NUS student, I should make use of the library services. Currently reading: Shadows of the Mind by Roger Penrose.
Roommate: As a roommate, I really talk little with my roommate. I go to room for these functions: sleep, meditate, put my stuffs, prepare to shower, read and wash clothes. Currently sleeping time: 10pm-8am..... quite long.
Malaysian: Just the occasional joining in MSL activities. Most of the people I initially know from there are in SPS anyway... so not much point going there anymore. Malaysian... kinda prevents me from taking A*Star's extremely nice scholarship (that requires one to eventually become a Singaporean). Also prevents me from joining in Rovers and ODAC cause a lot of their activities are in Malaysia, Singapore price. Long time didn't sing the Negaraku already... compared to the weekly (or daily in Malacca High) singing back in school. Anything I spend here, I rarely convert it to Malaysian Ringgit in my mind too. Just kinda glad I'm in Singapore.
USP-ian: As a USP person, I rarely go to the place called Chatterbox, however, I do take their modules (Current module: Understanding Irony) and also gone to a trip called Buddhism in Asia: Thailand and Taiwan with them. Joining in their Freshmen Orientation Project, as a Group Leader.
SPS-ian: I'm more of a SPSian, more than anything else. In terms of putting my laptop in SPS all the time and spending most of my time there, and most of my closest friends are there. (oh sorry here, I'm in the room now). I'm becoming a Junior Mentor here, and it's going to be nicer and nicer.
Geek: My definition of geek here is someone who likes superheroes, comic books, manga, seeing cartoons, and doing... you know dorky stuffs. Ok, my geekiness has been confined to Big Bang Theory, Wizards of Wavery Place and OnePiece, three 20minutes per week, but not every week. Oh and gaming, don't forget gaming. I've deleted most of my computer video games already and recently am playing board games, Dominion, Through the Ages, Cash and Guns, Agricola, and various others....... so cooolllll games that USP and Boardgame Interest group has, ussually on Tuesdays night.
Stressed out person: Not so much at all. I've been trying to live a stress free life for these few weeks, and I think by the long time I didn't blog in March, I'm doing it well.
NUSBSMC: Been doing the job... quite well I think, there're ups and downs in this job. Currently, down. Even if the jobs are done well, and there're just a few more left, I'm kinda dreading having to do it all over again next year.......
Medical Dharma Circle: I've been joining in this wonderful group of Buddhist which has considerable history behind it and I really enjoy the Monday nights that I'm with them. I've been speaker for the sessions 2 times already so far.
CQT: I've just joined this group of physicist from this semester onwards, for my UROP, still in the process of finding out stuffs and reviewing. I'm taking it wayyy to slow. They are a kind group of people too, we've gone for an outing to a reserviour in Singapore, didn't imagined Singapore has jungle tracks in there and a hanging bridge that is veeeeeeerrrrry high, I walk through it! yay. And I got a free treat of 3D movies from them too last night, on Alice in Wonderland and How to train your dragon, both very good movies! Oh and our group is going to celebrate birthdays by dinner!
Physics: The most common activity I do, other than the modules, is to go for tea every Friday. Or every Friday that I'm free. Oh and also momentum, where I'm the co-editor is published and given to all physics majors! yay!
Nam Wah Pai: Taking over my weekends is the Nam Wah Pai, Chinese Kung Fu that is established in Singapore. Saturday 2-5p.m. and Sunday 6-8:30p.m. the Sunday one is for the training for a Competition that I'm joining in the free sparring.
Family: Other than the occasional online contacts, I've kinda alone (ok with friends) here, and (sadly or not) not ever homesick in the whole of 2 years here. I've visited a lot of relatives here and heavily make use of my uncle's hospitality during one of the holidays. And I kinda look forward to cousin reunion. Dunno when.....
And of course
Blogger: I've spend some considerable amount of time in Blogging. kinda. Just check out this blog.......
Friday, February 26, 2010
Reflections of NUS Buddhist Society Management Committee for Lamp Of Wisdom
I believe the others will have told you how hard it is to be a MC and tips on how to make the workload lighter. I'm not going to repeat those.
I'm just going to share on a story that I've just heard. It's about a man and his 4 wives. To shorten the story, his favourite wive, the 4th one he spends the most time with: she is sensual pleasures. His second most favourite wive, the 3rd one he shows off her beauty to the world: she is achievements. His next wive, the 2nd one helps him sometimes: she is relatives. And his first wive, the one he spends the least amount of time with, will go with him wherever he goes. One day, he is to set sail to a far away place, and only his first wive can go with him, the others cannot. His first wive's name is Kamma.
At the instant I listened to all these things, I reflected, there're many things that I do, many little things I'm attending to my 4th wive, while the rest of the "more sensible" world attends to the 3rd wive, and more wive people attend to their 2nd wives more. But in the end, when we die, only our Kamma can follow us, why are we putting so little energy and time to the most important thing in life and after death?
It is the spiritual advancement that one gets the most out of NUSBS. Each time I attend a dharma talk, even on a topic that I knew already, I'm learning something new. I'm realising a deeper level of reality and reinforcing my right view and right understanding of the dharma. Sometimes you feel like you've saturated your understanding of the dharma, that it's all too deep for you to understand, that all these dharma courses and talks and meditations are going nowhere, that your life is happy enough, that you don't need Buddhism. That's just shows you how much more you can learn, cause you're developing conceit there and then.
As the only one who attends all 4 of the weekdays night activities of NUSBS, I'm reaping a great reward, gradually, and cultivating myself inside good circles of spiritual friends that I invite all of you to come join in!
I'm just going to share on a story that I've just heard. It's about a man and his 4 wives. To shorten the story, his favourite wive, the 4th one he spends the most time with: she is sensual pleasures. His second most favourite wive, the 3rd one he shows off her beauty to the world: she is achievements. His next wive, the 2nd one helps him sometimes: she is relatives. And his first wive, the one he spends the least amount of time with, will go with him wherever he goes. One day, he is to set sail to a far away place, and only his first wive can go with him, the others cannot. His first wive's name is Kamma.
At the instant I listened to all these things, I reflected, there're many things that I do, many little things I'm attending to my 4th wive, while the rest of the "more sensible" world attends to the 3rd wive, and more wive people attend to their 2nd wives more. But in the end, when we die, only our Kamma can follow us, why are we putting so little energy and time to the most important thing in life and after death?
It is the spiritual advancement that one gets the most out of NUSBS. Each time I attend a dharma talk, even on a topic that I knew already, I'm learning something new. I'm realising a deeper level of reality and reinforcing my right view and right understanding of the dharma. Sometimes you feel like you've saturated your understanding of the dharma, that it's all too deep for you to understand, that all these dharma courses and talks and meditations are going nowhere, that your life is happy enough, that you don't need Buddhism. That's just shows you how much more you can learn, cause you're developing conceit there and then.
As the only one who attends all 4 of the weekdays night activities of NUSBS, I'm reaping a great reward, gradually, and cultivating myself inside good circles of spiritual friends that I invite all of you to come join in!
Friday, February 19, 2010
Physics At NUS!
The Department of Physics in NUS http://www.physics.nus.edu.sg/
After going through the website, perhaps you'll like to have some insider information. Starting with the diversity of the modules here, from Relativity, to Biophysics, you can find many physics modules over at NUS Physics Department. There's Particle Physics, Cosmology, Solid State, Remote Sensing, Thin Film Techonology, Photonics, Nanophysics, and various others. Just look at the map below.
And not to mention there's the Centre of Quantum Technology over here! CQT is a very highly funded department concentrating on quantum research. So the undergraduates can do their UROPs (Undergraduate Research Opportunity Programme) under one of the Profs there, like what I'm doing now. This means that you can do 2 research in your 4 years of undergraduate life! The other research being your Honours Project that you'll take up for 1 year in your final year here. If you don't want a Honours Degree, then you can just study for 3 years here.
If however you're the research, destined to be a graduate student guy..... then you should join in the SPS (Special Programme in Science) where you'll get a chance to do one more research topic compared to your peers. And there's always a high concentration of Physics Majors in SPS, so you can enjoy each other's company and (some cool seniors) over here in this multidisiplinary-student-run-research-programme.
If you're more multi-disiplinary than just being in Science, then you can join in the University Scholars Programme where fewer physicist are present but many other people from all over the university are. Being in both SPS and USP also serves to double or triple count some of the modules. Oh, and being in USP means you can be the fully study type, no CCAs and get to stay in PGP for 4 years! Only set back is that you'll have to take some arts module that you can't S/U.
Anyway, back to physics, there's the Physics Society that is composed of very nice people and very nice activities. Just be one of the Management Committee and you can stay in the Physoc room and do your homework there! (for me it's SPS room, and for only USP people it's Chatterbox)
It's really convinent having a secure place to study in between lectures. Other than these, you can study at the Physics Lounge at the Year 1 lab, where the Physics library is located. Yes! a library just full of physics books, (SPS got all sorts of Science books, and so does NUS libraries). And then you can get a part time job at the demo lab where you'll inspire the younger generations towards science. And also there're various labs over here, graphene lab, advanced battery lab, Quantum Optics Lab, just check the website.
Last but not least, there's a lot of Science lunch time talks and Physics Departmental Teas (every friday at 4p.m.). There's also the CHIP and Germany Immersion Trip, where the trip to China or German is subsidised by the Physics Department. I'm going for CHIP. That all for now Thank you. Leave a comment for any questions.
P.S. Ok I just thought of other programmes that can interest you. There's a minor in Nanotechnology, minor in biophysics, and Physics major can second major in Mathematics, or Biology, or Chemistry, or something else, or you can even use your free modules (if you don't wanna minor or second major, or SPS or USP....) for level 5 physics graduate modules!
Other than that, there's the SEP, Student Exchange Programme, where one goes to another University to study for 1 or 2 semesters, the Summer Programme, where one makes use of the 12 weeks or 5 weeks holiday to study overseas (or in NUS), and Caltech SURF, where one uses the 12 weeks holidays to go to Caltech (there's one for MIT, and other Universities too) to do a research internship.
Well you can try to take up as many of the above as possible to make your stay in NUS more fulfilling. There're some headway like
For me I'm in SPS, USP, double major, Physics and Mathematics.
There's also 2 more people that take SPS and French Double Degree Programme.
Talking about Double Degree Programmes, there's plenty of them, the most prestigious one is French Double Degree Programme in engineering diploma (=masters) and masters in Science, where you study 2 years in NUS, learning French along the way, and then 2 years at French Ecole Polytechniqe, then 1 year masters in NUS. Next comes the NUS-ANU double degree, one has to join in USP and SPS and then study 1.5 year in NUS, 1.5 year in
Ok, the double degrees Programmes are ussually very time consuming, and therefore it is only possible to take either one of them only and they ussually can't go for SEP, Summer Programme, etc......(for the ones that go to Australia and French)
So take your pick and whatever you do, do it well!
After going through the website, perhaps you'll like to have some insider information. Starting with the diversity of the modules here, from Relativity, to Biophysics, you can find many physics modules over at NUS Physics Department. There's Particle Physics, Cosmology, Solid State, Remote Sensing, Thin Film Techonology, Photonics, Nanophysics, and various others. Just look at the map below.
And not to mention there's the Centre of Quantum Technology over here! CQT is a very highly funded department concentrating on quantum research. So the undergraduates can do their UROPs (Undergraduate Research Opportunity Programme) under one of the Profs there, like what I'm doing now. This means that you can do 2 research in your 4 years of undergraduate life! The other research being your Honours Project that you'll take up for 1 year in your final year here. If you don't want a Honours Degree, then you can just study for 3 years here.
If however you're the research, destined to be a graduate student guy..... then you should join in the SPS (Special Programme in Science) where you'll get a chance to do one more research topic compared to your peers. And there's always a high concentration of Physics Majors in SPS, so you can enjoy each other's company and (some cool seniors) over here in this multidisiplinary-student-run-research-programme.
If you're more multi-disiplinary than just being in Science, then you can join in the University Scholars Programme where fewer physicist are present but many other people from all over the university are. Being in both SPS and USP also serves to double or triple count some of the modules. Oh, and being in USP means you can be the fully study type, no CCAs and get to stay in PGP for 4 years! Only set back is that you'll have to take some arts module that you can't S/U.
Anyway, back to physics, there's the Physics Society that is composed of very nice people and very nice activities. Just be one of the Management Committee and you can stay in the Physoc room and do your homework there! (for me it's SPS room, and for only USP people it's Chatterbox)
It's really convinent having a secure place to study in between lectures. Other than these, you can study at the Physics Lounge at the Year 1 lab, where the Physics library is located. Yes! a library just full of physics books, (SPS got all sorts of Science books, and so does NUS libraries). And then you can get a part time job at the demo lab where you'll inspire the younger generations towards science. And also there're various labs over here, graphene lab, advanced battery lab, Quantum Optics Lab, just check the website.
Last but not least, there's a lot of Science lunch time talks and Physics Departmental Teas (every friday at 4p.m.). There's also the CHIP and Germany Immersion Trip, where the trip to China or German is subsidised by the Physics Department. I'm going for CHIP. That all for now Thank you. Leave a comment for any questions.
P.S. Ok I just thought of other programmes that can interest you. There's a minor in Nanotechnology, minor in biophysics, and Physics major can second major in Mathematics, or Biology, or Chemistry, or something else, or you can even use your free modules (if you don't wanna minor or second major, or SPS or USP....) for level 5 physics graduate modules!
Other than that, there's the SEP, Student Exchange Programme, where one goes to another University to study for 1 or 2 semesters, the Summer Programme, where one makes use of the 12 weeks or 5 weeks holiday to study overseas (or in NUS), and Caltech SURF, where one uses the 12 weeks holidays to go to Caltech (there's one for MIT, and other Universities too) to do a research internship.
Well you can try to take up as many of the above as possible to make your stay in NUS more fulfilling. There're some headway like
For me I'm in SPS, USP, double major, Physics and Mathematics.
There's also 2 more people that take SPS and French Double Degree Programme.
Talking about Double Degree Programmes, there's plenty of them, the most prestigious one is French Double Degree Programme in engineering diploma (=masters) and masters in Science, where you study 2 years in NUS, learning French along the way, and then 2 years at French Ecole Polytechniqe, then 1 year masters in NUS. Next comes the NUS-ANU double degree, one has to join in USP and SPS and then study 1.5 year in NUS, 1.5 year in
Australian National University
, and then final year in NUS to get double degree in Philosophy and Science. And then there's thePhysics and Materials Science & Engineering Double Degree Programme
Where one can study for 5 years in NUS to get 2 degrees!Ok, the double degrees Programmes are ussually very time consuming, and therefore it is only possible to take either one of them only and they ussually can't go for SEP, Summer Programme, etc......(for the ones that go to Australia and French)
So take your pick and whatever you do, do it well!
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