In this portfolio, I have explained the difficulties I faced when writing in university classes and how I managed to overcome it.
Although, most of the engineering work involves calculations, there are certain parts which need us to express our opinion on the problem. For example, if we conduct an experiment, we are supposed to write a report on what is the objective and describe about the experiment and compare the results. Other that writing experimental reports, most of the time we have to write project reports. Before EG1471 class, if I am supposed to write a report on my project, I will just start blindly without any outline or mind map. So in between the report I used to get confused and waste time in tracing back what I have written. But after EG1471 class, I have started writing the report by outlining the main ideas first.
For instant, in a module called EE2007, I outlined what I am going to write first and generated the ideas by thinking what I have done for my project. Secondly, I started the report by giving a brief introduction of the project, and then followed by a flowchart of my content and the main idea. I really felt very satisfied for the report than any other previous reports. I am very thankful for having the EG1471 this semester, since I have learnt quite a lot of stuffs which I can use for other modules.
In addition, in order to improve the standard of writing the usage of good vocabulary is necessary. When I was writing any essay, I just used simple words to express the content. But now I realized that I need to improve my writing standard to the university level by adding appropriate vocabularies. I used the website http://thesaurus.reference.com/ to get the list of words which has the same meaning but used differently depending on the context. For example, for the word “opinion”, I can replace the word with “notion”, “assumption” and “estimation” depending on the content of my essay. This may also increase our writing skills.
As a conclusion, I believe that my writing skills can be improved through step by step process which includes mind mapping, proper outlining, flowcharts and final report. Good usage of vocabularies also aids improve my writing skills.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Common Grammar Mistakes
The first common mistake i do is the misunderstanding between its and it's.
Example: Birds are known for it's ability to fly. (incorrect)
Correct Sentence: Birds are known for its ability to fly.
Until my poly, I thought that both its and it's have the same meaning. So if i write any essay i use 'its' all the time regardless of the meaning. But in my EG1471 class, I have learnt that its and it's have two different meanings. 'Its' is a possessive pronoun that means of it or belonging to it. 'It's' means it is or it has.
I always get confused between the usage of comma(,) and semicolon(;). Eventhough they are used to link 2 sentences, their purpose of usage is different.
Example: I love chocolate; but it's not as healthy as yogurt. (incorrect)
Correct Sentence: I love chocolate, but it's not as healthy as yogurt.
After some text book reading, I have learnt that when linking two independent clauses with coordinating conjuctions comma should be used. The semicolon is also used to connect two independent clauses but with out a coording conjuctions. That is use ';' to connect 2 independent clause.
Example: Birds are known for it's ability to fly. (incorrect)
Correct Sentence: Birds are known for its ability to fly.
Until my poly, I thought that both its and it's have the same meaning. So if i write any essay i use 'its' all the time regardless of the meaning. But in my EG1471 class, I have learnt that its and it's have two different meanings. 'Its' is a possessive pronoun that means of it or belonging to it. 'It's' means it is or it has.
I always get confused between the usage of comma(,) and semicolon(;). Eventhough they are used to link 2 sentences, their purpose of usage is different.
Example: I love chocolate; but it's not as healthy as yogurt. (incorrect)
Correct Sentence: I love chocolate, but it's not as healthy as yogurt.
After some text book reading, I have learnt that when linking two independent clauses with coordinating conjuctions comma should be used. The semicolon is also used to connect two independent clauses but with out a coording conjuctions. That is use ';' to connect 2 independent clause.
The third common mistake is the usage of 'the'. In my writing assignment and text editing tests, I found that I got frequent article errors. Eventhough I know that 'the' should be used if you are refering an object or a process again, when writing a lengthy essay it is very difficult for me to keep track of the things geting repeated. This can be avoided by re-checking the essay again after writing it.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Summary of the roundtable discussions
On 9th of March, our class had three pleasant and interesting discussions. There were supporters, non-supporters and a moderator for each topic discussed. The first discussion was about the green chemistry, the second was about carbon-capture and storage method and the third was about using bio-diesel.
The first group discussed about the necessity of green chemistry in Singapore. They were mainly concerned about the bio-degradable plastic bags. The supporting team stated that the government should implement the process of making bio-degradable plastic bags, which will in turn also reduce the green house gas emitted into the atmosphere. They also strongly agreed the necessity of the bio-degradable plastic bags as they are renewable and less polluting to the environment. The opposing team argued that, the implementation of such bags plastic bags will be expensive and people will prefer buying cheap normal plastic bags.
The second group discussed about the well known topic to all students in EG1471, Carbon-capture and storage (CCS) method. The supporting team stated that the CCS method will benefit the countries to reduce the global warming. The CCS system has its own leakage warning device associated with it, so that any damage from disasters like earthquake can be prevented in advance. The opposing team argued that, the usage of CCS technique is not useful to all the countries because developing countries like India, China, Thailand, and Vietnam can spend the money on other more important issues in their country other than spending on CCS method. They also talked about the spacious problem that will arise to countries which are not surrounded by water.
The third discussion was about the usage of bio-diesel made from soya bean. The supporting team stated about the advantages of bio-fuel and the simplicity of making it from soya. It is less expensive and it will also reduce the emission of carbon dioxide into the environment. But the opposing team argued that regardless of its expensiveness, the engines using such bio-diesels will get damaged if not properly cleaned. The big disadvantage is that the bio-diesel has high freezing point, so that the diesel may get freeze in cold countries.
In my opinion, all the three discussions were thoughtful but they also have their own advantages and disadvantages in them. The disadvantages can be reduced by doing more research in that field.
The first group discussed about the necessity of green chemistry in Singapore. They were mainly concerned about the bio-degradable plastic bags. The supporting team stated that the government should implement the process of making bio-degradable plastic bags, which will in turn also reduce the green house gas emitted into the atmosphere. They also strongly agreed the necessity of the bio-degradable plastic bags as they are renewable and less polluting to the environment. The opposing team argued that, the implementation of such bags plastic bags will be expensive and people will prefer buying cheap normal plastic bags.
The second group discussed about the well known topic to all students in EG1471, Carbon-capture and storage (CCS) method. The supporting team stated that the CCS method will benefit the countries to reduce the global warming. The CCS system has its own leakage warning device associated with it, so that any damage from disasters like earthquake can be prevented in advance. The opposing team argued that, the usage of CCS technique is not useful to all the countries because developing countries like India, China, Thailand, and Vietnam can spend the money on other more important issues in their country other than spending on CCS method. They also talked about the spacious problem that will arise to countries which are not surrounded by water.
The third discussion was about the usage of bio-diesel made from soya bean. The supporting team stated about the advantages of bio-fuel and the simplicity of making it from soya. It is less expensive and it will also reduce the emission of carbon dioxide into the environment. But the opposing team argued that regardless of its expensiveness, the engines using such bio-diesels will get damaged if not properly cleaned. The big disadvantage is that the bio-diesel has high freezing point, so that the diesel may get freeze in cold countries.
In my opinion, all the three discussions were thoughtful but they also have their own advantages and disadvantages in them. The disadvantages can be reduced by doing more research in that field.
Ethical Issues of Designer Babies
There are always two common ethical questions raised by the people when considering designer babies. The first question is concerned about the safety and the second question is can they morally be defended. Designer Babies are created by IVF (in vitro fertilization) in which the embryo created are then modified for specific characteristics and kept inside a womb. Genetic Engineers have proved the possibility of bringing in the resistance to disease and invoke babies with athletic abilities.
Even though scientist has tested these characteristics with the mice for NR2B gene, there are several safety issues when injected into human. They are as follows
1) NB2R is injected at random places inside the genome. This might disrupts other gene functions.
2) Genes have more than one effect when injected into living organisms. Even in the case of mice, the injection of NB2R not only increases the learning and memory power but also make them high sensitivity to pain
3) A gene when combined with other genes are more likely to affect intelligence.
PGD (preimplantation genetic diagnosis) is a technology used to prevent passing disease to children from their parents. They use IVF to create collection of embryos which is later grown to the eight-cell stage. At this point some cells are removed and tested for genetic diseases.Only embryos tested with no symptoms of disease will be introduced into the womb. Even though this method is expensive, people are going for this concerning the health of the child. According to Dean Hamer, gene like VMAT2 increases the child's capacity to reach out beyond them. Even though PGD doesn’t involve genetic modification of human embryos, the removal of one or two cells from the eight-cell embryos might risk the well-being of the child. But the PGD supporters are still arguing that there will not be any problem associated with the removal of cells from the eight-cell embryo. But the technology has not yet proved who is right in this dispute.
Another method for selecting the characteristics of a child is through cloning. Cloning is done by transferring a nucleus from the person whom you want to clone and it is introduced into a egg cell initially with removed nucleus and then inserted into the womb. Even though the parents can clone from famous persons like Angelina Jolie or Roger Federer, there is no guarantee that the child made by cloning will have the characteristics that the parents want in the future. According to the author of the article, many parents are not ready to create their children by cloning; this is because major concerns are about the health of the clones. Previous records show that the animal clones suffer from a variety of disease which might happen in human also. There is a big important question among parents and opposers of GE that "are we preventing disease or enhancing attributes?". According to Francis Fukuyama, genetic enhancements in human will make them lose their humanity. Therefore, he suggests that there should be limits for these enhancements. The genetically enhanced child is described as "posthumans". But there were already accidental posthumans among us like Einstein and Ray Charles who achieved beyond the norm in their area of endeavor.
As a conclusion, there are two main advantages for creating a designer baby which includes preventing disease and introducing NR2B gene which makes the child go beyond them in some area. But if government encourages this without any regulations, genetically enhanced people will take the lead in the future which may bring the social arrangements into an end.
Reference:
Nicholas Agar (2006). Designer Babies: Ethical Considerations. Retrieved March 15, 2009. http://www.actionbioscience.org/biotech/agar.html#primer
Even though scientist has tested these characteristics with the mice for NR2B gene, there are several safety issues when injected into human. They are as follows
1) NB2R is injected at random places inside the genome. This might disrupts other gene functions.
2) Genes have more than one effect when injected into living organisms. Even in the case of mice, the injection of NB2R not only increases the learning and memory power but also make them high sensitivity to pain
3) A gene when combined with other genes are more likely to affect intelligence.
PGD (preimplantation genetic diagnosis) is a technology used to prevent passing disease to children from their parents. They use IVF to create collection of embryos which is later grown to the eight-cell stage. At this point some cells are removed and tested for genetic diseases.Only embryos tested with no symptoms of disease will be introduced into the womb. Even though this method is expensive, people are going for this concerning the health of the child. According to Dean Hamer, gene like VMAT2 increases the child's capacity to reach out beyond them. Even though PGD doesn’t involve genetic modification of human embryos, the removal of one or two cells from the eight-cell embryos might risk the well-being of the child. But the PGD supporters are still arguing that there will not be any problem associated with the removal of cells from the eight-cell embryo. But the technology has not yet proved who is right in this dispute.
Another method for selecting the characteristics of a child is through cloning. Cloning is done by transferring a nucleus from the person whom you want to clone and it is introduced into a egg cell initially with removed nucleus and then inserted into the womb. Even though the parents can clone from famous persons like Angelina Jolie or Roger Federer, there is no guarantee that the child made by cloning will have the characteristics that the parents want in the future. According to the author of the article, many parents are not ready to create their children by cloning; this is because major concerns are about the health of the clones. Previous records show that the animal clones suffer from a variety of disease which might happen in human also. There is a big important question among parents and opposers of GE that "are we preventing disease or enhancing attributes?". According to Francis Fukuyama, genetic enhancements in human will make them lose their humanity. Therefore, he suggests that there should be limits for these enhancements. The genetically enhanced child is described as "posthumans". But there were already accidental posthumans among us like Einstein and Ray Charles who achieved beyond the norm in their area of endeavor.
As a conclusion, there are two main advantages for creating a designer baby which includes preventing disease and introducing NR2B gene which makes the child go beyond them in some area. But if government encourages this without any regulations, genetically enhanced people will take the lead in the future which may bring the social arrangements into an end.
Reference:
Nicholas Agar (2006). Designer Babies: Ethical Considerations. Retrieved March 15, 2009. http://www.actionbioscience.org/biotech/agar.html#primer
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Summary of the Lectures on global Warming
It was a great pleasure for me to hear from the three great proffesors. First of all, I would like to thank all of them for giving us a wonderful presentation. Prof Palmer mainly explained us about the capture and storage techniques of carbon dioxide in the ocean. Followed by, Dr Sovacool who gave us a speech on renewable power and electric motor. At last, Assoc Prof Bala gave us a clear picture on changes in climate.
Prof Palmer has lectured us on the effect of green house gases and he showed us one of the way to reduce carbon dioxide emmission in the atmosphere. That is, CO2 can be stored in the ocean by using carbon capture techniques and can be put inside a membrane so that the ocean water won't get acidic leaving marine life safe. As we all know, CO2 is produced by burning coal. Therefore the emmission of CO2 can be reduced by using gas, biomass, solar or wind energy instead of coal.
Dr Sovacool from Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, shared with us about his case studies on renewable power and electric motors through Science and Technology Studies. His speech was separated into STS,two case studies and conclusion. He explained on how technology has improved through the years to tackle global warming. The first case study was about the rejection of electric vehicles and nuclear energy and the second case study was about the technology when improved can be used to solve the global warming problems.
Assoc Prof Bala elobrated more on the climate change assessment and mitigation. He also explained us how people around the world are affected due to the global warming. He suggested some measures to mitigate global warming. For example, Government should impose tax on companies which impose green house gases and public should be educated to use renewable energy sources.
Prof Palmer has lectured us on the effect of green house gases and he showed us one of the way to reduce carbon dioxide emmission in the atmosphere. That is, CO2 can be stored in the ocean by using carbon capture techniques and can be put inside a membrane so that the ocean water won't get acidic leaving marine life safe. As we all know, CO2 is produced by burning coal. Therefore the emmission of CO2 can be reduced by using gas, biomass, solar or wind energy instead of coal.
Dr Sovacool from Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, shared with us about his case studies on renewable power and electric motors through Science and Technology Studies. His speech was separated into STS,two case studies and conclusion. He explained on how technology has improved through the years to tackle global warming. The first case study was about the rejection of electric vehicles and nuclear energy and the second case study was about the technology when improved can be used to solve the global warming problems.
Assoc Prof Bala elobrated more on the climate change assessment and mitigation. He also explained us how people around the world are affected due to the global warming. He suggested some measures to mitigate global warming. For example, Government should impose tax on companies which impose green house gases and public should be educated to use renewable energy sources.
Global Warming - 'An Inconvenient Truth'
Global Warming is one of the biggest problem that both developed and developing countries are facing now. Global warming is caused due to the increase in temperature in the atmosphere layers. As Mr. Al Gore explained, the increase in carbon dioxide and other green house gases has increased the temperature of the earth in the past years. Excess increase in temperature will increase the velocity of water which in turn causes sea level to raise.
In order to reduce global warming, all the countries in the world should work together. Public and private sectors must be educated with basic causes of global warming and the impact on it. In India, there has been many steps taken to reduce the emission of green house gases and efficient use of energies. The great Himalayas on the north of India is melting due to excess heat from the sun which raises the sea water level. As a result, two low-lying islands in Sunderbans were submerged causing death of thousands of people. This will also reduce the availability of fresh water. Since the southern part of India is surrounded by ocean water, increase in temperature in the sea might cause huricanes and cyclones in the coming decades.
India has taken many steps in order to reduce global warming. One of them is the signing of Tyoto Protocol on August 2002, together with many countries in the world. The main goal of the Tyoto Protocol is to achieve "stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system". Even though, India is not the main contributor of green gas emmission, as a developing nation it has the responsibility to control global warming together with other nations.
In order to reduce global warming, people must be educated on the impact of global warming, how they are creating it and how to reduce them. Many special interest group can control industries to reduce their emission of green house gases like carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, sulphur hexaflouride etc... As a citizen of this world, each and every person should understand their responsibility in protecting the resources of nature.
In order to reduce global warming, all the countries in the world should work together. Public and private sectors must be educated with basic causes of global warming and the impact on it. In India, there has been many steps taken to reduce the emission of green house gases and efficient use of energies. The great Himalayas on the north of India is melting due to excess heat from the sun which raises the sea water level. As a result, two low-lying islands in Sunderbans were submerged causing death of thousands of people. This will also reduce the availability of fresh water. Since the southern part of India is surrounded by ocean water, increase in temperature in the sea might cause huricanes and cyclones in the coming decades.
India has taken many steps in order to reduce global warming. One of them is the signing of Tyoto Protocol on August 2002, together with many countries in the world. The main goal of the Tyoto Protocol is to achieve "stabilization of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system". Even though, India is not the main contributor of green gas emmission, as a developing nation it has the responsibility to control global warming together with other nations.
In order to reduce global warming, people must be educated on the impact of global warming, how they are creating it and how to reduce them. Many special interest group can control industries to reduce their emission of green house gases like carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, sulphur hexaflouride etc... As a citizen of this world, each and every person should understand their responsibility in protecting the resources of nature.
World of Engineers
Engineers with their systematic critical analysis have become a workforce of technology who builds, manufactures and manage informations in today's world. Engineers are being trained to think systematically starting from their tertiary education. They are required almost in all the fields ranging from building houses to banking. The systematic approach of engineers has made them more attractive towards all the fields to lay down better solutions.
The tremondous achievements in technology has made them more popular. In the past, engineers are meant for building and manufacturing product. But nowadays in the universities and polytechnics, engineers are trained with logical approach and critical way of thinking solutions to problem like health care, global warming. Apart from developing new technologies, engineers also play an important role in protecting the people from natural disasters by inventing monitoring and warning systems against tsunami, hurricanes, etc...
Many top universities in the world are producing tremendous number of world class top engineers. This has been achieved by practical and efficient way of teaching things to them and also by giving hands on experience about the problems. Engineers are not only trained in their own faculty but also trained as a multi disciplinary person by taking modules from business, design and other faculties. Nowadays, Globalisation needs more informations within short period of time, trained engineers are recruited for their systematic approach in lesser time.
The tremondous achievements in technology has made them more popular. In the past, engineers are meant for building and manufacturing product. But nowadays in the universities and polytechnics, engineers are trained with logical approach and critical way of thinking solutions to problem like health care, global warming. Apart from developing new technologies, engineers also play an important role in protecting the people from natural disasters by inventing monitoring and warning systems against tsunami, hurricanes, etc...
Many top universities in the world are producing tremendous number of world class top engineers. This has been achieved by practical and efficient way of teaching things to them and also by giving hands on experience about the problems. Engineers are not only trained in their own faculty but also trained as a multi disciplinary person by taking modules from business, design and other faculties. Nowadays, Globalisation needs more informations within short period of time, trained engineers are recruited for their systematic approach in lesser time.
In day today life, engineers will be facing different problems in their work place. Solving them needs step by step analysis. Engineers should be trained to learn things newly in shorter time, because this will help them to solve problems and invent things newly and quickly in all fields. The importance of engineers is growing very rapidly in the past decades due to the invention of new technologies. With no doubt, this growth will continue in the future.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)