The Unofficial NUS FAQ For Freshmen

(Updated 4th January 2010) Going through my analytics, people are coming to my blog with some questions not really covered in my blog.

Here is a collation of the most frequently asked questions with my best answers. Again, note that this is unofficial.

1. Can I convert my breadth module to an Unrestricted Elective?
   Ask the person in charge of the module. In some cases it may be possible.
   
   
2. Where can I download the latest street map / road map / shuttle bus routes of the NUS campus?
   Go here
   
   
3. Where is the bookshop in NUS?
   It is called CO-OP. Here are the locations in NUS. But try the Clementi Book Store instead for possibly lower prices. See my other post. The prices for many textbooks at Clementi Book Store are cheaper than NUS Co-op outlets even after their discounts.
   
   And no, you can't check CO-OP textbook prices online - you have to go there manually to check prices. There is a queue line at the inside-back-right of the store specifically to buy course textbooks. You may also want to try buying 2nd hand used textbooks in IVLE.
   
   
4. When does the NUS school term start?
   See the updated and future calendar term PDF calendars here
   
   
5. Do NUS lectures take attendance?
   No unless specifically stated by the module.
   
   
6. Can I attend other lectures which I am not allocated?
   By right, you are not allowed to attend other lectures, but by left, no one cares. Just be sure to have your matric card in case of security screenings (which I never encountered).
   
   
7. Can I download my previous year results in a single PDF file?
   You can download your past exam results transcript in one document via MyISIS. Login, click Self-Help, Academic Records, View Unofficial Transcript.
   
   
8. How do I configure my laptop to connect to the encrypted NUS wireless network?
   Go here and see under NUS PEAP Configuration Wireless. If it prompts for your username, enter nusstu\<your matric> for username (e.g. 'nusstu\u0910343), and your NUSNET password. Avoid using the NUSOPEN wireless network unless you are using encrypted or HTTPS encrypted websites.
   
   Using NUSOPEN means anyone can snoop on the data you are sending and receiving with a laptop and some specialized software. For example, logging into hardwarezone with NUSOpen means anyone can get your username and password if he/she has the right software.
   
   
9. How do I check my NUS email?
   Via NUS Web mail. Or you can use configure Microsoft Outlook 2007, Outlook Express, IMAP or any other POP3 compatible mail client to access your NUS EMail. When logging in via NUS Web mail, enter nusstu\<your matric> for username, and your NUSNET password. For quick reference, here are the mail settings:

   Incoming mail (POP3) server: pop.nus.edu.sg
   

   Outgoing mail (SMTP) server: smtp.nus.edu.sg
   

   Mail server user name: your Exchange user name (e.g. u0910121)
   

   Outgoing mail server user name: your Exchange user name
   
   Incoming mail (IMAP4) server: imap.nus.edu.sg
   

10. How do I interpret the NUS module codes?
    Generally, the first two alphabets refer to the department handling the module. Some modules like Singapore Studies and GEMs follow the SS and GEK prefix.
    Next, the first digit indicates the level of difficulty. Personally, I think the difference between the level 1 and 2 modules in SOC is negligible. For freshies, you can only take a total of 60MCs worth of level 1 modules.
    It is said that the second digit indicates the difficulty of the module. Perhaps, but if you compare MA1301 and MA1101R, does it sound easier?
    
    
11. What are the NUS tuition fees?
    Download the PDF here and SAVE it. If you are not in the current new cohort, your fees may be lower (if it prompts for your username, enter nusstu\<your matric> for username, and your NUSNET password)
    
    
12. Can I forward my NUS mails?
    No, but you can use GMail to retrieve it for you. See my post for a guide on this. UPDATE: Thanks to Frank in the comments, NUS mail forwarding can be done automatically! Seems to have been there all the time and I somehow missed it :/ You may still want to check out my GMail guide if you want labeling with your NUSNet mails.
    
    
13. How much is the NUS hostel bills?
    See here. Remember, CCA points also play a role in getting the room you want. See here for 2009/2010.
    
    
14. What are the figures for the number of students enrolled in NUS this year?
    Go here
    
    
15. What are CCA points used for?
    Only used when you are staying on campus. You get CCA points for volunteering (read: working for free) for various activities in NUS such as Freshman Orientation or tending to stores or in the various CCA groups in NUS.
    
    
16. Must I attend the Freshmen Orientation Week?
    No, attendance is not compulsory. Here is my review of it here. You may want to attend just for the first few days just to know some seniors and ask questions. Or find a buddy to take modules together.
    
    
17. Where can I get the list of contact details for the lecturers / professors in NUS?
    Right here. Suffix @nus.edu.sg to the user id to get the full e-mail address
    
    
18. Where are the study areas in NUS?
    Almost everywhere there will be benches for you. In SOC, you enjoy air-conditioned study areas as well but the space can be limited. Libraries can be used as well to study. During exam periods, expect libraries to be full.
    
    
19. Can poly students take modules which they are already exempted from?
    Not sure about this.
    
    
20. How is the module CAP point computed?
    See here
    
    
21. Is there a way to calculate the CAP with my future possible grades?
    Use CAP Calculator. Be warned - use a fake name and matric or else others can view your results! The fake name and matric are only used to save your results for later retrieval.
    
    
22. I need a NUS logo to 'slap' on my report cover page?
    Download the PDF here, zoom in to required size, and screen capture the size you want.
    
    
23. Where can I photocopy, print and bind in NUS or Clementi?
    Printing in NUS libraries are not free unless you are a SOC student. SOC students have free print quota that can be used to print only within the SOC faculty.
    
    That said, Central Library allows you to print your lecture notes (note: you don't need to print lecture notes for lectures unless specifically mandated by the lecturer) and project reports with a really 'highly advanced' system that only accepts CashCard (sigh). There's also a book-copy center .. err.. I mean photocopy and binding room in the Central library when you can photocopy and pay with CashCard and ezLink (for photocopying only). Rates are 4.5 cents per page for printing and 3 cents for photocopying (source).
    
    You can also photocopy and bind at CO-OP outlets with cash / NETS payments.
    
    Other NUS libraries may also have facilities to allow you to print/bind, but I have not tried them personally. All libraries have self-service photocopy machines requiring payment using CashCards.
    
    After the closing hours of about 5pm and 6pm, you can go to a shop in Clementi interchange where they are open till 9pm. Expect to pay more though.
    
    Here are their details:
    

    Double One Colour Centre (Kodak Express Network)
    Blk 445 #01-153 Clementi Ave 3
    Singapore 120445
    Tel: 6778 1035 / 98286733 (don't know whether they answer SMS as it is senior folk there)

    They are the few ones (or only one?) in Clementi interchange area to provide binding services.
    
    
24. Where can I download the Shuttle Bus routes?
    Right here. Unfortunately, they have still yet omitted to include markings of the actual bus stops and only show the routes taken by the bus in the campus maps. For example, Service D skips one bus stop near the sports hall.
    
    Here's a post about them. It's better you download the campus map and guess the bus route from there.
    
    
25. Do all NUS modules have exams?
    Most modules in NUS have exams, but a small percentage do not have exams. Those without exams are indicated in the CORS module information listing under 'Module Examinable' when you see the module code. Note that even though they are non-examinable, they may still hold their own 'exams' in the form of quizzes and mid term papers. And expect projects too. For example, GEK1531 is a non-examinable module but it still comes with 2 tests.
    
    
26. Are there modules in NUS which allow students to bring in text books during exams?
    There's open book exams in NUS which is listed under 'Open Book Exam' in the same listing. Note that even if a module is listed as '-' (not open book), you may still be allowed to bring in 'cheat sheets' of limited quantity (usually 1 A4 double sided hand written, probably cause people use tinny tiny fonts to squeeze as much as possible).
    
    
27. How do I reset / change my NUSNet account and NUSNet email password?
    Go here. You can also change to a nicer looking e-mail (u0910323@nus.edu.sg vs bertsimpson@nus.edu.sg) using NUS Friendly Mail. If it prompts for your username, enter nusstu\<your matric> for username, and your NUSNET password.
    
    
28. What are the current offers for NUS student laptops / notebooks?
    Go here. Only laptops which have been selected by NUS are offered but they come with several student software goodies such as the latest Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office and Adobe software. No, COOP does not sell laptops. No, you cannot buy 2 laptops, only one per every 18 months. See here for more info.
    
    
29. How do I join NUS mailing lists?
    You don't. You are forced to receive many advertising and marketing emails. But a few generous hearts have come together and developed NUS Groups which allows you to opt out of a small percentage of those emails.
    
    
30. How much email space quota am I allocated in my NUS Microsoft Exchange email account?
    Your NUS mailbox size is.. 30 GB .. oops.. sorry just woke up from a dream.. it is 30MB. The information here is false and misleading! See my post for more information. You can check how much email space you have used and left here. (login as nusstu/<nusnet id >, nusnet password) See the primary storage? That is your actual mailbox size.
    
    
31. Where can I get my NUS timetable with my allocated modules?
    In CORS, there is a link to the 'Time Table' on the left menu (You can still login to CORS when the rounds are over). It will show allocated modules and tutorial time slots. Another alternative is to login to IVLE and click on 'My Organizer' on the left column but note that this does not show the tutorial slots assigned to you.
    
    
32. Any tips for planning my timetable?
    Avoid having lunch at 12-1pm as the canteens are crowded - so try to have lessons to fill in that time. Between each event, check the location of the event against the NUS campus map. If the locations require shuttle bus travel, consider putting a 1 hour break there for you to travel as the 45th min to the 15th minute are peak shuttle bus hours (e.g. 1445hrs to 1515 hours).
    
    Finally, some people may want to space out their exam dates rather than having all exams in consecutive days/time. Note that you have a one week study break before the exams, but some modules require projects to be submitted during this break time.
    
    
33. Are there tutorials in the first two weeks?
    Not for most modules. However, if your module is based on 'Sectional Teaching', you have to attend as normal.
    
    
34. I got a module but how do I know which lecture group I am in?
    Login to CORS, go to Module Management and you can see the time slot you have been allocated under the Class column. Or you can see the 'Time Table' on the left menu in CORS. It will show allocated modules and tutorial time slots. Or login to IVLE and click on 'My Organizer' on the left column but note that this does not show the tutorial slots assigned to you.
    
    
35. What is the maximum attachment size in NUS mail?
    Unsure about this, but I would wager that it is about 10MB.
    
    
36. How do I mass delete multiple emails when using Outlook Web Access?
    Ctrl+click to multi select items. Shift+click to multi select a range of items. You may want to sort by Size first by clicking on the Size column header, then going back to Page 1.
    
    
37. How do I access the previous years archive of exam papers for a NUS module?
    Go here. After login, click 'Examination Papers Database'. Then enter the full module code in the first box and hit Enter. Some limitations: Certain departments do not release the papers. Some exam papers which come with MCQs are not released but the non-MCQ sections of the exam paper are released.
    
    And oh, the site requires that you DON'T use the Back button in the browser. Instead you use the back button provided in the web page itself or it won't work correctly. Kind of like the search system in the National Library during the old days.
    
    
38. Where do I get my NUSNET userid and password?
    It will be given to you when you register at the matriculation fair. Along with many goodies. Don't lose it. If you don't have it, it is your matric number with an additional zero. So if your matric number is U082112Z, then your NUSNET userid will be u0802112. See the pattern?
    
    If you have forgotten the password, then you will have to go through a password reset procedure - 'Bring along your matriculation/student card to Computer Center Level 1 to request for password reset. You may also send us a scanned copy of your Matric Card and NRIC through fax at 68725231 or email at ccehelp@nus.edu.sg .' [ source ]
    

Any corrections let me know in the comments below.