Monday, November 9, 2009

A semester to ponder

Welcome back!
Semester Two has just started this week. I have gathered some facts about this semester for students to ponder and make appropriate preparations.
1. There are 18 weeks of study.
2. The 18 weeks include the UPS week. So, effectively, there are only 17 weeks.
3. There are a lot of holidays, namely Aidil Adha (27, 28 Nov), Maal Hijrah (18 Dec), Christmas (25 Dec), New Year (1 Jan), Chinese NY (14, 15, 16 Feb), Maulidur Rasul (26 Feb). So you 17 weeks are not the complete weeks!

My advice:
1. Start studying now, even though you haven't attended for the lecture.
2. STUDY HARD!
3. Consider your lectures/tutorials as an opportunity to understand the concepts taught also to clarify misconceptions so that you won't spend so much time after the class. Value your own time and spend it for your own revision.
4. Finish your practical report as soon as you have completed your practicals. If possible finish it before the weekend (if you have your practicals on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday)
5. Finish ALL the exercises in the tutorial book before you attend the class.
6. Do not hesitate to seek the lecturer's explanation for concepts that you confuse or do not understand.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Biologlish! Singular nouns, Plural, Adjectives

This new batch (Session 2009/2010) have learnt Science and Mathematics in English since Form One! In a recent quiz, I asked them about the 'nuclear structure' in different types of cell. Most of them couldn't figure out what the he** is this 'nuclear' thing all about (nuclear bomb? nuclear plant? nuclear energy?).
Initially, I was shocked when the supposedly easy questions has become a deep trap for these students in order to get good marks. Good marks will boost their confidence and will encourage them to study earlier. Well, I did have a motivational session mith them soon after!

In the recent session, I became an English teacher, pointing out the different words/terms in English referring to one particular noun (in Biology).
e.g. 1: nucleus (singular) --> nuclei ('noo - clee - eye', plural) --> nuclear (adjective, descriptive word that precede a noun - e.g. nuclear envelope. nuclear material, nuclear pores).
e.g. 2: mitochondrion (s.) --> mitochondria (p.) --> mitochondrial (adj.) - e.g. mitochondrial membranes
e.g. 3: stoma (s.) -> stomata (p.) --> stomatal (adj.) - e.g. stomatal opening
How about these singulars? ...fungus, cell, hormone, bacterium, ...

Until next posting...

Monday, April 6, 2009

Pheww! It has been a long time ago.

It's almost a year since my last post! What a shame! I should've been more consistent with my postings. Well, I do hope this blog will be benefited by all, especially matriculation Biology students... and my former students too!
It's more convenient here than the hospital labour room!! Yupp, I did get a call from my students asking about the Kingdom Fungi while I was waiting for the birth of my fourth child last September!
And I'm thinking of a T R A N S F O R M A T I O N !
Until then...

The Biologist - needs motivation!!