My name is Ivan Loo Jien Hoeng and 20 years old. I am a first year Bachelor of Science (Construction) student from Faculty of Built Environment, University of Technology Malaysia.
One of my course that I been taught this first semester is SBEC (Materials and Specifications) by one of my good and friendly lecturer who is Mr. Muzani Mustapa. This courses usually brief and studies regarding the different types of engineering materials involved in the construction industry which the physical and chemical properties of the materials, the uses of the materials, the process of materials formation and others. In my opinion, Mr. Muzani is a good lecturer and throughout the first semester, I found that Mr. Muzani has help me a lot especially guide me along the course and examination. He also explained a lot of term that I find it difficult to understand. Generally, I found that this five month courses has give me a clearer picture regarding the course I pursuing and the life in universities.
As I step in as a new undergraduate student during the first week of the class, I found that the study ways between classroom at school and lecture hall at university is totally different. I still remember the classroom of my previous school is full with tables and chairs compare to lecture hall where the table usually come with chairs. Well, back to topics, the chapter that had been taught this week is Introduction to Building Materials and Bricks. For the Introduction to Building Materials, this subjects is regarding the uses and important of various building materials in the construction industry. While, for Bricks, this subjects introduces the different types of bricks, the physical and chemical properties, the brick formation process and others. Throughout the lecture, the most interesting section is when Mr. Muzani explained the formation process of bricks using the video clips which I find it interesting and easily helped me to understand the process.
On the second week, the topic for this week is cement and aggregates where we learn about the different types of cement and aggregates, the physical and chemical properties of cement and aggregates, the cement and aggregates formation process and others. Throughout the lecture, the most interesting section is when Mr. Muzani explained the formation process of cement using the video clips which I find it interesting and easily helped me to understand the process.
On the third week, the topic will be discuss is concrete. This subtopic is one of the most important part in this subject and the construction industry as told by Mr. Muzani because due to the advance technology, most of the Malaysian or even worldwide construction industry are using the different types of concrete as it more economical and cheaper prices compare to other materials. During the lecture, Mr. Muzani explained the different types of concrete, the physical and chemical properties of concrete, the concrete formation process and others. Throughout the lecture, the most interesting section is when Mr. Muzani explained the formation process of concrete using the video clips which I find it interesting and easily helped me to understand the process of making this material.
Lecture week five my bad and good days as early morning I wake up for the class after just take my bath and I received a messages that the class had been cancelled but the good thing is I have a day break.
On week six and seven, I was studying the notes from first week to fifth week as the short quiz will be carried along this two week. I found that studying this subject is very interesting because we able to know what are construction material all about and it important. The result is I am satisfied with my quiz result although I am not the highest.
Moreover, on the seventh week, I face the difficulties on catching up the syllabus as due to the shortage time, En. Muzani had rocketed his speed on lecturing by lecturing three topic which are Steel & Reinforcement, Timber and Rock within a single week. However, I still able to handle the topic because due to the proper management of time, I able to allocate some time to revise the lecture note.
On week eighth, it known as Mid Semester Examination Week and of course there are no lecture during this week however I still to do twice harder and manage my time well to do revision for my mid semester examination. Unfortunately, the day before the exam paper for this subject had suffered an electricity breakdown but nothing can stop a person to study if he or she willing to study and at last I am quite happy to get a good result for this paper mid semester examination which 19 out of 20%.