CN3132 Separation Processes is a 4 MC module which teaches separation units used in chemical plants. This is the most content heavy 3k module in Chem Eng in my opinion as every chapter (new separation unit) has a rather new concept and new approach to analyse the specific unit. AND it requires knowledge from CN2101, CN2121, CN2122, CN2125 and CN2116 (but mostly from CN2125 and CN2121). SO yeap, it is a rather intense module and the most interesting part is that the Profs do not release any tutorial solutions; all your solutions will be based on your contributions during tutorial.
Assessment
20% Quiz 1 (Open Book, 1 hour, 20 Multiple response questions, on first half of module)
20% Quiz 2 (Open Book, 1 hour, 20 Multiple response questions, on second half of module)
3% Heat Transfer Online Quiz (Done on luminus, 7 MCQ questions, 10 - 15 minutes, it is like a revision of CN2125)
57% Finals (Open Book, 2.5 hours, 4 structured questions)
OR 10% Viva, 47% Finals (Viva is based on the challenge problems (explained later))
20% Quiz 2 (Open Book, 1 hour, 20 Multiple response questions, on second half of module)
3% Heat Transfer Online Quiz (Done on luminus, 7 MCQ questions, 10 - 15 minutes, it is like a revision of CN2125)
57% Finals (Open Book, 2.5 hours, 4 structured questions)
OR 10% Viva, 47% Finals (Viva is based on the challenge problems (explained later))
Lecturer:
Prof Farooq Shamsuzzaman (Weeks 1 - 7)
Prof Suraj Vasudevan (Weeks 8 - 13)
Prof Farooq Shamsuzzaman (Weeks 1 - 7)
Prof Suraj Vasudevan (Weeks 8 - 13)
Tutor:
Prof Farooq Shamsuzzaman & Prof Suraj Vasudevan (Weeks 2 - 13)
Prof Farooq Shamsuzzaman & Prof Suraj Vasudevan (Weeks 2 - 13)
Textbooks/Readings
1. Philip C. Wankat, Separation Process Engineering 3rd edition
2. Robert E. Treybal, Mass Transfer Operations 3rd edition
The first textbook is the one that the Profs refer to for the majority of the module and I would say it is pretty good to read the textbook to supplement what the Profs are teaching. The second textbook is more applicable for humidification and cooling towers which were only covered in weeks 12 - 13. So, the second textbook is clearly not as significant.
Lectures
Well, for my batch, for the first time, the two Profs decided to change things a little bit here and there. There's only one 2 hour lecture weekly for this module. And our tutorials are 2 hours long now every week (instead of the usual 1 hour tutorials). So, all the content that has to be covered in that week has to be covered in one 2 hour lecture. Since there obviously isn't enough time to cover everything in 2 hours, the Profs prepared online videos for us to watch before every lecture. For Prof Farooq's portion, he actually covers all the content of the lecture in the video. And then he repeats it again plus add additional information during physical lectures. For Prof Suraj's portion, he only covers like the first half of the lecture notes in the video. Thereafter, he'll cover the rest of the content in the physical lectures. Physical lectures are webcasted but I feel is pretty good to attend the lectures since you're bound to have quite a number of questions after every lecture and you can just ask the Profs straight away. Well, the Profs tried to make the lectures more interactive as well but I think it didn't really work too well because when they asked questions during lectures, nobody answers and like, probably only 1 or 2 guys at the front of the LT will answer (for every single lecture hahaha).
The separation units covered include flash distillation, distillation columns, absorbers/strippers, immiscible/miscible extraction, humidification and cooling towers. The content covered is definitely not easy to understand but in my opinion, I feel the Profs teach pretty well so it wasn't as bad. But still, I needed to re-read the lecture notes a couple of times before I could process all the information.
However, one main problem with the lecture notes is that there tend to be quite a number of errors here and there (equations, sentences, concepts etc) and the Profs had to re-upload a revised lecture notes almost every week.
AND one more thing. Basically, this module has a lot of content. So, there are certain things/concepts which the Profs find are rather straight forward. Then, all they did was upload a video lecture on that content and they never go through these content again in physical lectures or in tutorials. Yeap, and they're actually important content and will be tested in finals. Sooo, there's really quite a lot to take in for this module.
1. Philip C. Wankat, Separation Process Engineering 3rd edition
2. Robert E. Treybal, Mass Transfer Operations 3rd edition
The first textbook is the one that the Profs refer to for the majority of the module and I would say it is pretty good to read the textbook to supplement what the Profs are teaching. The second textbook is more applicable for humidification and cooling towers which were only covered in weeks 12 - 13. So, the second textbook is clearly not as significant.
Lectures
Well, for my batch, for the first time, the two Profs decided to change things a little bit here and there. There's only one 2 hour lecture weekly for this module. And our tutorials are 2 hours long now every week (instead of the usual 1 hour tutorials). So, all the content that has to be covered in that week has to be covered in one 2 hour lecture. Since there obviously isn't enough time to cover everything in 2 hours, the Profs prepared online videos for us to watch before every lecture. For Prof Farooq's portion, he actually covers all the content of the lecture in the video. And then he repeats it again plus add additional information during physical lectures. For Prof Suraj's portion, he only covers like the first half of the lecture notes in the video. Thereafter, he'll cover the rest of the content in the physical lectures. Physical lectures are webcasted but I feel is pretty good to attend the lectures since you're bound to have quite a number of questions after every lecture and you can just ask the Profs straight away. Well, the Profs tried to make the lectures more interactive as well but I think it didn't really work too well because when they asked questions during lectures, nobody answers and like, probably only 1 or 2 guys at the front of the LT will answer (for every single lecture hahaha).
The separation units covered include flash distillation, distillation columns, absorbers/strippers, immiscible/miscible extraction, humidification and cooling towers. The content covered is definitely not easy to understand but in my opinion, I feel the Profs teach pretty well so it wasn't as bad. But still, I needed to re-read the lecture notes a couple of times before I could process all the information.
However, one main problem with the lecture notes is that there tend to be quite a number of errors here and there (equations, sentences, concepts etc) and the Profs had to re-upload a revised lecture notes almost every week.
AND one more thing. Basically, this module has a lot of content. So, there are certain things/concepts which the Profs find are rather straight forward. Then, all they did was upload a video lecture on that content and they never go through these content again in physical lectures or in tutorials. Yeap, and they're actually important content and will be tested in finals. Sooo, there's really quite a lot to take in for this module.
Tutorial
Tutorials took place once a week, and they were 2 hours long this time. What's different from usual Chem Eng tutorials is that this was a very interactive tutorial. We sat in like groups of 5 - 6 and were given time to discuss the tutorial questions. Then, one person had to go up to present the answer to one question. There were like 2 - 3 questions for each tutorial so yeap, as per usual, we (as per engineers) will hesitate to go up and present and then the Profs had to some kind of RNG method and stuff like that to get people to go up to present. In my opinion, I just feel that if they want us to contribute in class, then they should allocate class participation marks for the tutorials.
Also, every last question of the module is a challenge problem. They're basically tougher questions and some are even past year finals questions (and they ain't easy). They encourage us to discuss this question the most during the tutorial. Like about 30 - 40 minutes is allocated to discussing this question alone (sometimes nobody presents this question too cos there isn't enough time). AND there are no tutorial solutions for this module! So, congratulations you're on your own! (My version of tutorial solutions is found below.)
Viva
For the challenge problems, it'll be the basis for the viva (this is an individual thing, and it's optional). Basically, we have to submit a "portfolio" at like the last day of week 13 which contains all your worked solutions for past 12 tutorial challenge problems (there is no challenge problem for the last lecture). These worked solutions can be hand written. The viva will be held during reading week. It'll basically be 50% portfolio and 50% on viva presentation.
Well, for viva, the Profs will just ask you questions on one of the challenge problems. Basically, they'll usually re-create another scenario and you have to answer the questions they pose. The viva is entirely optional and it's a new thing the Profs are trying to test out for this module. I tried out the viva because I heard from seniors that the finals for this module tend to be really tough. However, we can choose to opt out of this viva after finals if we feel we did better for finals. And for me, I opted out of the viva. So, in a way, I wasted my time preparing my portfolio for the viva hahaha. But I'll just treat it as a learning process nonetheless. The viva questions were not easy to be honest and I have to guess my way through, so even though I was unsure about how I tackled some of the finals questions, I was still more confident of my finals than the viva. Thus, opting out of viva was a wise choice for me. It really depends for you because if you're someone who does well with answering questions on the spot, then it'll be good to try out the viva. If not, in my opinion, don't waste your time trying to do the portfolio and the viva. Just focus on finals.
Quiz 1 & 2
Quiz 1 was an eye-opener I guess? Both quizzes had the same format; 20 "MCQ" questions. Quiz 1 was on the first 6 chapters and was on week 7. Quiz 2 was on the last 6 chapters and was on week 13. Some questions were MCQ and some were multi response questions, meaning you had to choose a few options for that question. Some questions require you to show working, meaning the working is also awarded marks (so if you tick the correct answer but didn't show working, then you only get a portion of the marks). Also, sometimes there is an option to choose all of the above or a choice of a few options (but you have to write this option out because the option will put "a combination of options ___ and ___"). So, these quizzes are superr tricky imo. You have to read every statement in the question very closely too. There are simpler questions in the quiz but there are also the super tricky ones. Doing past year quizzes do help actually so I really recommend taking a look at them. Do revise the lecture notes and redo the tutorial problems in order to get a better understanding of the concepts taught AND take note of certain info the Profs share as well during tutorial (as they may help you for your quizzes and finals).
3% Online Quiz
The online quiz was done on like the first 15 minutes of lecture in week 10. It serves as a revision for CN2125 mass transfer content which would be needed for rate based separation design. This is basically a giveaway quiz since it's MCQ and everything is just based on simple concepts from CN2125. No calculations involved lol. The Profs do give a set of lecture notes and a video lecture for this revision topic so, you don't really need to worry too much about it. Of course, as per usual, just remember to read the questions carefully and you'll do fine.
Also, every last question of the module is a challenge problem. They're basically tougher questions and some are even past year finals questions (and they ain't easy). They encourage us to discuss this question the most during the tutorial. Like about 30 - 40 minutes is allocated to discussing this question alone (sometimes nobody presents this question too cos there isn't enough time). AND there are no tutorial solutions for this module! So, congratulations you're on your own! (My version of tutorial solutions is found below.)
Viva
For the challenge problems, it'll be the basis for the viva (this is an individual thing, and it's optional). Basically, we have to submit a "portfolio" at like the last day of week 13 which contains all your worked solutions for past 12 tutorial challenge problems (there is no challenge problem for the last lecture). These worked solutions can be hand written. The viva will be held during reading week. It'll basically be 50% portfolio and 50% on viva presentation.
Well, for viva, the Profs will just ask you questions on one of the challenge problems. Basically, they'll usually re-create another scenario and you have to answer the questions they pose. The viva is entirely optional and it's a new thing the Profs are trying to test out for this module. I tried out the viva because I heard from seniors that the finals for this module tend to be really tough. However, we can choose to opt out of this viva after finals if we feel we did better for finals. And for me, I opted out of the viva. So, in a way, I wasted my time preparing my portfolio for the viva hahaha. But I'll just treat it as a learning process nonetheless. The viva questions were not easy to be honest and I have to guess my way through, so even though I was unsure about how I tackled some of the finals questions, I was still more confident of my finals than the viva. Thus, opting out of viva was a wise choice for me. It really depends for you because if you're someone who does well with answering questions on the spot, then it'll be good to try out the viva. If not, in my opinion, don't waste your time trying to do the portfolio and the viva. Just focus on finals.
Quiz 1 & 2
Quiz 1 was an eye-opener I guess? Both quizzes had the same format; 20 "MCQ" questions. Quiz 1 was on the first 6 chapters and was on week 7. Quiz 2 was on the last 6 chapters and was on week 13. Some questions were MCQ and some were multi response questions, meaning you had to choose a few options for that question. Some questions require you to show working, meaning the working is also awarded marks (so if you tick the correct answer but didn't show working, then you only get a portion of the marks). Also, sometimes there is an option to choose all of the above or a choice of a few options (but you have to write this option out because the option will put "a combination of options ___ and ___"). So, these quizzes are superr tricky imo. You have to read every statement in the question very closely too. There are simpler questions in the quiz but there are also the super tricky ones. Doing past year quizzes do help actually so I really recommend taking a look at them. Do revise the lecture notes and redo the tutorial problems in order to get a better understanding of the concepts taught AND take note of certain info the Profs share as well during tutorial (as they may help you for your quizzes and finals).
3% Online Quiz
The online quiz was done on like the first 15 minutes of lecture in week 10. It serves as a revision for CN2125 mass transfer content which would be needed for rate based separation design. This is basically a giveaway quiz since it's MCQ and everything is just based on simple concepts from CN2125. No calculations involved lol. The Profs do give a set of lecture notes and a video lecture for this revision topic so, you don't really need to worry too much about it. Of course, as per usual, just remember to read the questions carefully and you'll do fine.
Final Exam
Finals was intense. You look at the cover page and it says 4 questions. You'll think to yourself "it ain't that bad" BUT it's really bad hahaha. There are many parts to each question and some parts take pretty long to understand and complete. Time management is really important. Since the paper is 2.5 hours, I advised myself to spend around 35 minutes on each question, so even when 35 minutes is up and I have not completed the question, I moved on to the next question. Then, come back to those undone questions again if I have time. I'm giving this advice cos it worked for me (as seen in my final grade). I did manage to complete the majority of the paper albeit being unsure of most of my answers. So, I feel that you should try to attempt every single question because the Profs do give method marks. Spending time to complete the initial working of a question (which is sometimes roughly the same outline as tutorial questions) will likely give you more marks than trying to figure out the final answer of a question.
Doing past year papers do help as well as you'll get used to the way the Profs set questions for this module. Certain concepts are definitely tough and are hard to test as well within a 2.5 hour setting. So, take note of the way the Profs ask questions in the past year finals.
Finals was intense. You look at the cover page and it says 4 questions. You'll think to yourself "it ain't that bad" BUT it's really bad hahaha. There are many parts to each question and some parts take pretty long to understand and complete. Time management is really important. Since the paper is 2.5 hours, I advised myself to spend around 35 minutes on each question, so even when 35 minutes is up and I have not completed the question, I moved on to the next question. Then, come back to those undone questions again if I have time. I'm giving this advice cos it worked for me (as seen in my final grade). I did manage to complete the majority of the paper albeit being unsure of most of my answers. So, I feel that you should try to attempt every single question because the Profs do give method marks. Spending time to complete the initial working of a question (which is sometimes roughly the same outline as tutorial questions) will likely give you more marks than trying to figure out the final answer of a question.
Doing past year papers do help as well as you'll get used to the way the Profs set questions for this module. Certain concepts are definitely tough and are hard to test as well within a 2.5 hour setting. So, take note of the way the Profs ask questions in the past year finals.
Expected Grade: B+
Final Grade: A+
Final Comments
I have attached my rough workings for the tutorial questions, past year quizzes and finals attempted solutions and all other notes for this module here. Do take note that the workings for the tutorials and challenge problems are done by me, meaning that they're clearly not 100% correct. So, just look at them as a point of reference and do not copy wholesale hahaha.
I feel that this module requires quite a lot of time to understand the concepts taught. Do re-read the lecture notes a couple of times, redo all the tutorial problems and look through all past year papers. Do read all questions carefully (at least twice) for quizzes and finals as they can be rather tricky.
I have attached my rough workings for the tutorial questions, past year quizzes and finals attempted solutions and all other notes for this module here. Do take note that the workings for the tutorials and challenge problems are done by me, meaning that they're clearly not 100% correct. So, just look at them as a point of reference and do not copy wholesale hahaha.
I feel that this module requires quite a lot of time to understand the concepts taught. Do re-read the lecture notes a couple of times, redo all the tutorial problems and look through all past year papers. Do read all questions carefully (at least twice) for quizzes and finals as they can be rather tricky.
Stay tuned for more updates.
- Alan
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