Minor in Computing (From AY1112) 

The Minor in Computing is open to all students in NTU except students from the School of Computer Engineering and B.Bus (IT) students from the Nanyang Business School. A quota may be set by the School of Computer Engineering.
It is designed for students who do not wish to become computer engineers but recognise the value of basic computing knowledge and skills in complementing their selected course of study. Computing subjects require hands-on practice. The minor does not advocate a theoretical approach to design and implementation of Computing; Hence, each course assumes laboratory sessions.

Requirements 

A total of 15 AUs is required to obtain a minor in Computing. To be awarded a Minor in Computing, all students must complete a valid combination of five CE9xxx or selected CE/CZxxxx courses. In recognition that many schools offer a first course in programming, the minor has two routes:

  1. Those who have already completed an introductory programming course, and
  2. Those with no background in programming at all.

Students with no formal training in programming [1] will be required to complete both CE9001 and CE9002 as compulsory courses. The remaining 3 courses can be selected from the CE9xxx courses offered or those CE/CZ courses listed below. All students intending to select courses from the list in Section 2 must have successfully completed the requisite compulsory courses. Those intending to select CE/CZ4xxx level courses are required to be of final year standing. Approval of their selection is subject to the authorization by the Major Prescribed Elective course coordinator. It is anticipated that only those students with adequate background from their major will be deemed fit to register for these CE/CZ4xxx level courses.

The AUs obtained for the minor courses can be counted towards fulfillment of General Elective requirements. No monitoring will be carried out to explicitly retain or drop students from the programme. A student is expected to successfully accumulate the requisite number of AUs in order to be awarded the minor. The compulsory courses are tailored to suit the students in the minor programme rather than 'sharing' courses with SCE students.



Curriculum – Minor in Computing


Section 1
Computing Minor Specific Courses Semester Offered*
CE9001 JAVA and the Internet [COMPULSORY for students without formal programming background] Semester 2
CE9002 How Computers Work [COMPULSORY for students with and without formal programming background] Semester 1
CE9003 Applying IT Recommendation is for students to do CE9001 and CE9002 first Semester 1
CE9004 Reasoning with Objects Recommendation is for students to do CE9001 and CE9002 first Semester 2
CE9005 Open Source Office Productivity Tools Recommendation is for students to do CE9001 and CE9002 first Special Term

*SCE reserves the right to make changes

 


Section 2* Prerequisites
CE/CZ0002 Green Computing -
CE/CZ1003 Introduction to Computational Thinking

-
CE/CZ1005 Digital Logic -
CE/CZ1006 Computer Organisation and Architecture CE/CZ1005 can be taken concurrently
CE/CZ1007 Data Structures CE/CZ1003
CE/CZ2002 Object Oriented Design & Programming CE/CZ1007
CE2003 Digital Systems Design CE/CZ1005
CZ2004 Human Computer Interaction -
CE/CZ2005 Operating Systems CE/CZ1007
CE/CZ2006 Software Engineering CE/CZ2002 can be taken concurrently
CZ3006 Net Centric Computing -
CE/CZ4002 Media Management and Processing -
CE/CZ4003 Computer Vision -

*SCE reserves the right to make changes



Commencement of the Programme
 

Check NTU class schedule for courses offered during each semester.



Course Code and Title
Type
( i.e. Core/ Core elective/
GER core/ GER elective/
GER UE)
No of Hours Per Week
No. of AUs

Pre-requisite
Lect
Tut
Lab
Total

Section 1
CE9001 JAVA and the Internet
GER UE
2
-
2
4
3
Compulsory for students without formal programming background [1]
CE9002 How Computers Work
GER UE
2
1
1
4
3
Compulosry for all students
CE9003 Applying IT
GER UE
2
1
0.5
3.5
3
Recommendation is for students to do CE9001 and CE9002 first
CE9004 Reasoning with Objects
GER UE
2
1
1
4
3
Recommendation is for students to do CE9001 and CE9002 first
CE9005 Open Source Office Productivity Tools
GER UE
2
1
1
4
3
Recommendation is for students to do CE9001 and CE9002 first

Section 2
CE/CZ0002 Green Computing
GER Core
2
1
-
3
3

CE/CZ1003 Introduction to Computational Thinking
Core
2
1
1
4
3

CE/CZ1005 Digital Logic
Core
2
1
1
4
3

CE/CZ1006 Computer Organisation and Architecture
Core
2
1
1
4
3
CE/CZ1005 (can be taken concurrently)
CE/CZ1007 Data Structures
Core
2
1
1
4
3
CE/CZ1003

CE/CZ2002 Object Oriented Design & Programming
Core
2
1
1
4
3
CE/CZ1007

CE2003 Digital Systems Design
Core
2
1
1
4
3
CE/CZ1005

CZ2004 Human Computer Interaction
Core (CS)
2
1
1
4
3

CE/CZ2005 Operating Systems
Core
2
1
1
4
3
CE/CZ1007

CE/CZ2006 Software Engineering
Core
2
1
1
4
3
CE/CZ2002 (can be taken concurrently)
CZ3006 Net Centric Computing
Core
2
1
1
4
3

CE/CZ4002 Media Management and Processing
Major PE
2
1
1
4
3
Approval required
CE/CZ4003 Computer Vision
Major PE
2
1
1
4
3
Approval required

Total No. of AUs to obtain Minor: 15

*SCE reserves the right to make changes
+ An additional 10 hours per semester have been allocated for these non-lab based courses for Example Classes. Faculty can use these time slots for their pedagogical needs such as to reinforce concepts, provide additional coaching, give more worked examples, allow students to do practice exercises or do research or work on the computers etc.

Download Timetable



FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 


1.

Why are there two different routes to obtaining a Minor in Computing?


Some students already have a sufficient exposure to an introductory language. Such students will be allowed to replace CE9001 with another elective.



2.

What is the definition of a formal course in Computer Programming?


Students who have successfully completed the First Year Common Engineering FE1008 are considered to be formally trained in Computer Programming. Please note that other Schools have some introduction to the use of computers but they do not constitute sufficient programming background.



3.

I have been involved in some computing activities such as web design, database and office applications writing during my secondary school days and would like to hone my skills professionally. The Minor in Computing does not seem to offer specialized areas for me to pursue my interest. Would I stand a better chance to work in the ICT industry if I have a Minor in Computing?


The Minor in Computing should provide a student with sufficient knowledge to work with basic ICT based jobs. The goal of this minor is to equip students so that they can work knowledgeably with their counterparts with a Computing Major when they enter industry. This serves as an edge over others without the minor.



4.

Is there any order for the non-compulsory minor courses that I should first take?


Students must complete their compulsory courses before they will be allowed to take the non-compulsory courses.



5.

Can I take CE9003 or CE9004 (or other course listed among the electives courses) before taking CE9001 or CE9002?


Students who are not exempted from CE9001 must complete CE9001 first. CE9002 must also be completed before other CE9xxx or CE/CZxxxx courses are made available.



6.

How will the minor enhance future employability?


It is envisaged that this minor will provide an edge in competing for jobs in the future. In whichever major you are taking, there is a universal need for computing tools and applications. Hence, an organization should view this minor as an added bonus in its employees.



7.

I am majoring in business and would like to go into eCommerce. But I notice your Minor does not offer specialities in the area. How can the minor help me?


The Minor in Computing provides a technological basis for students. It will cover the technical aspects of computing and how technology can be used to support eCommerce. It however will not focus on the business aspects of eCommerce.




GENERAL QUESTIONS



8.

Can I register for more than 1 minor course under the Minor programme in the same semester?


Students are advised to restrict themselves to one minor course. However, if due to a lighter course load, a student has time for a second minor course, they may be placed on the wait-list during registration. Subject to vacancies available after other students are allotted their first minor course, allocation will be carried out on a first-come basis during the add/drop period.



9.

If I inform the School that I am interested to do a Minor, can the School help me if there are clashes in my time-table?


The School will schedule classes to suit the majority. It is ultimately the responsibility of students to register for the minor courses based on their schedules.



10.

Will my performance in my major affect the status of the minor?


SCE will not query the status of the student's performance in the major. As long as the student is fulfilling the minor course requirements, SCE will not terminate the student's registration in the minor course. However, you should monitor your own progress and if you are unable to cope with your major, you should drop the minor.



1.1

When is the best time to start?


You should start taking Computing Minor courses after your first semester results are out. Due to the number of courses involved, students in Year 2 (for 3-year degrees) and Year 3 (for a 4-year degrees) or higher may not have enough time to fulfill the requirements for the Computing Minor.

[1] Refer to FAQ 1 and 2 for clarification
[2] Those intending to select CE/CZ4xxx level courses are required to be of final year standing.