open day e-booklet

RESIDENTIAL

COLLEGE 4

SMALL SYSTEMS BIG HEARTS

Content Page

MESSAGE FROM RC4 MASTER
SYSTEM THINKING
UTCP AND RC4 MODULES
COLLEGE PROJECTS
COLLEGE ACTIVITIES
INTEREST GROUPS 
HOUSES
AMENITIES
FAQS
COLLEGE CALENDAR

01

Master's Message

Welcome to RC4 where you will find yourself experiencing a
fine blend of vibrant community life and learning
opportunities.

Lakshminarayanan Samavedham Dynamism, openness, and purposeful action based on deep
understanding will be the core values guiding us. As students
Master of Residential College 4 of RC4, you will have abundant possibilities to shape life at
the college by proposing, developing and participating in
sports, cultural and societal engagement activities. You will
also indulge in college governance and develop leadership
skills.

The academic component will help you make sense of the
world through the lens of systems thinking and will cover
several subject domains that provide us means to
comprehend and develop an approach to solve the big
problems facing society. Issues based learning will be
augmented by internships, research opportunities and
innovative teaching approaches to make learning fun at RC4.

I look forward to working with you to make our college one of
the finest living and learning programs in the world.

Come, join us and help realize this vision!

02

System Thinking

What is systems
thinking?

Simply put, systems thinking is a
forward-looking problem solving
tool. It involves looking at various
constituent parts of a system, and
understanding how these parts
change over time and affect a
larger system. We use systems
thinking to identify the most
important “cogs” in the “machine” to
influence the largest change in
issues. Anyone who wants to solve
problems can use systems thinking to
gain a better understanding of the
issue, and thus form a better
approach on how to solve it!

An analogy

Suppose the clock stops working
properly and we want to fix the clock

We look into the clock's system of gears
and cogs to try to understand which
part of the clock needs fixing

By identifying the cog that is faulty, we
are best able to fix the clock
effectively while minimising the
resource used

Anyone who wants to solve problems
can use systems thinking to gain a
better understanding of the issue, and
thus form a better approach on how to
solve it!

03 RC4 Modules
University Town College Programme (UTCP)

UTCP emphasises multidisciplinary learning Students admitted into RC4 are expected to
complete the UTCP cirriculum of the following five
and active small-group learning. modules :

Students from different disciplines, cultures, 1)    Junior Seminar (JS) – UTC1702 code
2)    Senior Seminar (SS) – UTC27xx coded
and nationalities are put together in each 3)    Singapore Studies (SSU) based Senior Seminar
- UTS27xx coded
class, which helps them to assimilate and 4)    Ideas & Exposition I (IE1) – UTW1001 coded
5)    Ideas & Exposition II (IE2) – UTW2001 coded
synthesise cross-disciplinary knowledge,

facilitating multi-perspectival thinking.

UTCP will help students develop:
- effective communications
- strong writing skills
- critical thinking skills
- intellectual breadth and rigour

A host of informal learning activities, such as All these modules should be completed during
talks by distinguished visitors, social and your two-year stay in the college. Typically,
sporting activities, complementing the formal
curriculum. A JS and an IE1 in the first year

Two SS* and an IE2 in the second year

*Please note that you have to complete JS before signing up for SS/SSU modules
and you should read IE1 before signing up for IE2 module.

Please lookout for updates for UTCP modules on this link

http://rc4.nus.edu.sg/academic-programme/module-registration/

04 College Projects

Freshmen Orientation
Camp

4D3N of fun activities designed to
facilitate bonding among the freshmen and
also the seniors

Help integrate freshmen into the RC4
culture

Get to know the people you're staying with!

Fun guaranteed!

Open Day

Dive into our daily lives through our
college tour and experience a day of life
at Residential College 4 (RC4)!

A visit to RC4 will offer a glimpse of the
endless opportunities, limitless events and
homely facilities we have

Join us in exploring our wide range of
Interest Groups, where everyone is sure to
find somewhere they belong.

04 College Projects

Flag 2019

Flag day is the university's biggest fundraising event of the year

Residential College 4 Flag committee spearheaded our Residential College’s
fundraising efforts and community service projects, benefitting the needy and
underprivileged

This year, Residential College 4 championed for PAVE, a social organisation that
aims to prevent and provide support for victims of relationship and domestic
violence, through our resident’s flagging efforts and the sales of merchandise on
Rag and Flag carnival day.

STEER 2019

To explore and understand the environment and life in the hills of Himalaya,
some of our residents visited Western Himalaya in India to explore the farms,
forests and towns of the Kumaon range

Through observing, listening and reflecting on the influence of modern science
and development on their traditional knowledge and culture, we had a lot of
fun and enriched our perspectives on life there!

04 College Projects

Orca 2018

Project ORCA is RC4’s annual Overseas Community Involvement Project (OCIP) that
has been meaningfully engaging school kids in Vietnam since the year 2016

Project Orca 2018 involved 18 volunteers (16 RC4 students and 2 staff) who went to
Thanh Loc Commune, located in Cai Lay District of Tien Giang Province, Mekong
Delta region of Vietnam from 10th to 16th December 2018.The student volunteers
conducted a series of workshops employing creative and interactive teaching
methods in Thanh Loc Secondary School

The aim of these workshops was to improve secondary school students’ confidence in
English language communication

Besides giving back to the Vietnamese student community, the volunteers also went
on a cultural enrichment trip to Ho Chi Minh City.

04 College Projects

ICG 2019

The Inter-College Games is an annual
sports competition between residents
from all the residential colleges in NUS!

Our residents pit their best against the

other colleges and achieved

remarkable results!

Arts Night 2019

Arts Night is an annual arts concert that
showcases and celebrates the artistic
talents in Residential College 4, NUS

Over the past 4 years, this platform has
been the most anticipated concert put
together by our Arts interest groups

This is the biggest arts showcase of the
year, during which performers gain an
immense sense of pride for their art.

Experienced and non-experienced

residents are welcome to participate,

making this an inclusive and welcoming

platform for all to learn and grow. The

audience will take away a deeper

understanding of the different arts forms

and their genres through this event.

05 College Activities

Inter-House Games

Friendly competition among the 5 houses: Aquila, Noctua, Ursa, Leo and Draco. Games
range from sports like Badminton and Tchoukball to e-sports like Nintendo Switch
Overcooked 2!

Welcome Dinner

Formal dinner were residents will came
down dressed to the nines & were treated
to a scrumptious 3-course meal

Halloween Dinner

Informal themed dinner where residents came down
dressed as their favorite characters . As per the
Halloween theme, RC4Theatre put up a spooky
performance last year that left us with chills

Operation Tealsday

A day where we can purchase uniquely
RC4 merchandise to show some RC4 pride,
featuring our famous Orca plushie

05 College Activities

Carnival Games Night

Fun games were set up for residents to
come down to play together and chill.
Games included ring toss, Nintendo Switch
games and even Mahjong! Students also
came up to sing and perform adding to the
lively atosphere

Welfare Wednesdays

Free food and drinks were given to
residents as mid-week boosts. This
included snacks like Old Chang Kee
Curry Puffs and Gong Cha Pearl Milk
Tea!

Parents Night

Parents of the residents were invited down
for a night of food and performances.
Booths were also set up to showcase
certain IGs. The night served to give the
parents a glimpse of their child's life in RC4

05 College Activities

Music Night

A platform for music enthusiasts in RC4
to showcase their talents on stage.
Fellow residents get to hang out and
enjoy the performances put up by their
talented friends

Back to School Dinner

An informal dinner for residents to
reconnect with their friends as Sem
2 begins. Activities include talent
shows with attractive gift cards to be
won

Slumber Party

Movie screenings with food and
beverages provided by our very
own RC4Fe, Coffee Academy
and Orcabakes

05 College Activities

Valentines Day Bazaar

Roses were sold at affordable prices for residents to spread the love. Residents can nominate
their friends on the RC4 Instagram (@orcasnaps) to be featured as bachelors and bachelorettes

Farewell Dinner

Farewell for the seniors leaving RC4. A time to celebrate the end of the annual year and
look back at the memories made during the past year. This day is when we have an award
ceremony to thank the residents for their outstanding contributions.

06 Interest Groups (Arts IGs)

RC4rtsy is an avenue for you to paint, draw, sculpt,

and engage in whatever creative artsy-fartsy

activity you can think of! THERE IS NO ART

RC4rsty BACKGROUND REQUIRED!

With our weekly art-making sessions, members are

able to work on long-term masterpieces

alongside friends and guidance from instructors

will be provided!

Fun workshops will also be held from time to time
such as wood carving, terrarium making,
key-chain creation, polymer clay crafts and more!

Not only will this be THE platform to engage in

therapeutic creative work during a stressful school

term but also an excellent opportunity to learn
and make art alongside like-minded friends!

RC4Theatre

RC4Theatre aims to cultivate a passion for
the stage both in our members and the
wider RC4 community through our
performances

Our weekly sessions focus on developing
related skills like improvisation and
enunciation. After which, members can look

forward to participating in two main

productions per academic year

Performed for Halloween Dinner
and Arts Night

By providing the opportunity for both first-timers

and experienced performers to hone their

theatre skills, we hope to spread the joy and
freedom of theatre.

06 Interest Groups (Arts IGs)

RC4ME

RC4ME (RC4 Musical Expression) was

formed spontaneously when a group of

students realized they had a common
spark of interest in music

R4D is a combined dance IG with CAPT RC4D Over the years, that spark has ignited the
that aims to build a community of flames of passion in our musicians,
dancers, regardless of background, allowing us to spread the joy of music
who are safe and encouraged to with the college
dance
platformOur vision is for RC4ME to be a
for musicians to showcase and
improve their talents, a space that
prioritises dedication over ability, and
a home of close-knit musicians who
are not afraid to spread their love for
music

Together, we can enrich your lives with
the sounds of music.

R4D touches on various genres

including hip hop and contemporary

We help new dancers find their passion
for dance and experienced dancers to

go out of their comfort zone in trying
new genres or creating choreography

RC4With events like formal dinner and
Arts Night, there will be various

platforms for dancers to shine and work
on performances.

Through our IG, we hope to spread the
dance culture throughout RC4 and
other colleges.

06 Interest Groups (Arts IGs)

RC4MODA

Get ready to fall in love with fashion with R4MODA!

We are the first fashion society in NUS and we hope to inspire people
to create and pursue what their hearts desire

Here you will be introduced to fashion photography,
fashion design, modelling, styling and makeup

With these knowledge and skills, we will be working towards
a fashion show at the end of the year

Follow us @r4ontrend to find out more about what we do
and catch our collection this year!

06 Interest Groups
(Community/Lifestyle IGs)

RC4OrcaPlays

Initiated by passionate individuals eager to

share their passion for tabletop games,
OrcaPlays is RC4’s very own board and card
games Interest Group.

Aiming to bring smiles and laughter to the

community through entertainment and exciting
challenges, OrcaPlays is definitely an Interest
Group to join!

Get ready to dive into a world of fantasy,
adventure, love and betrayal, and develop
great camaraderie and sharp strategy on the
way

OrcaBakes

interested inOrcaBakes was created to help those who are
baking o learn and practice hands on

Each session is dedicated to learning a new method
of baking or to try out a new recipe

More importantly, it is the perfect place for the RC4 residents to

bond over sweet treats and equally sweet talks.

06 Interest Groups
(Community/Lifestyle IGs)

RC4Cafe

RC4FE aims to explore various recipes
and impart cooking techniques upon
members who have strong interests in
cooking.

RC4FE also strives to create a communal
relaxing gathering place for RC4
residents to interact with each other
while providing tasty and comforting
meals to them after a long day of school.

They have prepared delicious snacks like
Tuffle fries and Popcorn for Music Night
and other activites!

RC4tography

RC4tography aims to create a
community of photographers and share
our passion in practising this art form.

This IG will mainly focus on developing
photography skills for those who are just
starting out and to provide connections
and networks for more experienced
photographers.

06 Interest Groups
(Community/Lifestyle IGs)

RC4Coffee Academy

promoteRC4 Coffee Academy aims to
an appreciation for coffee – from bean

origins to preparation methods

trainsThe Coffee Academy also
residents to prepare coffee using
different methods while fostering an
environment ideal for education and
sharing knowledge

The Academy extends its efforts to the
RC4 community, featuring a wide range
of coffee for all to sample.

ARC4NA

A community where members get to

discover new aspects of gaming.

Experienced gamers can hone their
skills, while newcomers get to learn
and explore their areas of interest.

This community will be a unique
experience for residents to bond

together and has a low barrier for entry
for all curious parties.

06 Interest Groups
(Community/Lifestyle IGs)

RC4lunteers KAR4OKE

RC4lunteers collaborates with Community KAR4OKE aims to provide a spontaneous,
Chest to provide a convenient platform for fun environment for anyone who wishes
RC4 students to volunteer with social to express themselves and simply to bond
service organizations via ad hoc and/or with others who enjoy singing their
long-term programmes. troubles away.

It aims to help the beneficiaries from social - A low-pressure environment free of
service organizations belonging to various judgement, KAR4OKE welcomes everyone
target groups – children with special and requires no musical proficiency. It
needs, children from families with will provide the RC4 community with an
difficulties, youths-at-risk, persons with avenue to relieve stress and bond with
disabilities, and the elderly. fellow college mates.

06 Interest Groups
(Community/Lifestyle IGs)

RC4Tea The overall intention of the IG is to promote the art
of making various tea related drinks.

This includes various tea preparation methods
predominantly from South East Asia.

This IG would be useful to the college community
as currently there are no available avenues for tea
appreciation in RC4.

The current beverage-appreciation IG in RC4 is
limited to coffee, which understandably is not
appreciated by all RC4 students.

The IG aims to appeal to these residents by not
only imparting the science behind tea preparation,
but also appreciation on how various cultures have
influenced the drink and its preparation.

06 Interest Groups
(Sports IGs)

RC4Basketball

To allow like-minded basketballers to
enjoy the game

RC4Basketball wish to spread the love of
basketball by including anyone that has
an interest in learning the game

Its objective is to create a space for
enthusiasts to develop their skills and
forge long-lasting friendships

RC4Basketball is a warm and friendly
environment where everyone is
encouraged to do their best without fear
of failure.

RC4Frisbee

RC4Frisbee is a platform for RC4 students
who love the game of Ultimate Frisbee to
come together, make new friends and
improve at the game.

RC4Frisbee aims to forge strong and
long-lasting friendships through this game
and become the best frisbee team
amongst all Residential Colleges.

06 Interest Groups
(Sports IGs)

RC4Climbing

RC4Climbing aims to promote climbing as
a recreational sport for all to try and join

As climbing is a sport that requires
additional equipment that not everyone
has access to, RC4Climbing strives to be
an appropriate environment for both old
and new climbers to explore and climb.

RC4Badminton

RC4Badminton is a friendly
neighbourhood IG that welcomes
everyone to join in a clill game of
badminton or to feed on the competitive
spirit within you to achieve a sporting
medal in the annual ICG

RC4Badminton hopes to be a place for
everyone to have fun, destress and make
friends.

06 Interest Groups
(Sports IGs)

RC4Volleyball

RC4Volleyball aims to expose volleyball to new
players who want to learn, as well as to experienced
players looking to train and have some fun

The sessions are carefully planned to ensure that
everyone is included and have the most fun possible

Volleyball is an increasingly popular sport

In RC4Volleyball, both male and female players work
together as a team.

RC4Volleyball isn’t just a team that plays together,
but a family that constantly looks out for each other
and cares for one another.

RC4Floorball

Held at RC4’s very own Multi Purpose
Sports Hall, RC4Ball aims to inculcate
interest and passion for both experienced
and new players.

With trainings happening twice a week,
RC4Ball hope to equip players with
sufficient skills.

Competitive players could also take part
in the Inter-College Games which occur
annually.

This team sport will install teamwork and
sportsmanship in all players; shaping them
into a holistic student.

06 Interest Groups
(Sports IGs)

RC4Squash

RC4Squash aims to introduce to new players the
game through weekly trainings

The sessions would be a time to make new friends
and have fun through the sport, while simultaneously
improving the general fitness amongst players.

RC4Soccer

RC4occer brings people together to
connect over all things.

Regardless of whether you are a newbie
to the sport or a passionate fan, there is
something for everyone!

With a fun and friendly atmosphere,
anyone can enjoy the sport and get to
know one another.

You can come de-stress and chill over live
screenings or a game of FIFA.

The IG members also train together to
represent the college in the annual Inter-
College Games.

06 Interest Groups
(Sports IGs)

RC4Table Tennis

RC4TableTennis aims to provide a space for
interested people to share in the joy of the sport

It is a recreational IG that caters to beginners and
experienced players alike.

In and out of training sessions, the IG hopes to build
team spirit and foster friendships.

RC4Tchoukball

RC4Tchouk is an interest group that aims to gather a
close and supportive community to play the fun sport
of Tchoukball.

Being an interesting and unique team sport,
Tchoukball is exciting and challenges players to hone
their physical abilities and awareness on the court.

RC4Tchouk provides an opportunity for intersted
beginner players to learn and play the sport
recreationally.

Members can also expect to be exposed to the
various beginner-friendly tchoukball competitions
held by the college such as the Inter-House Games
and the Inter-College Games.

06 Interest Groups
(Sports IGs)

RC4Touch Rugby

RC4Touch Rugby aims to create a community that is passionate about Touch Rugby and actively
contribute towards growing the sports culture in RC4.

In addition, the IG aims to provide a friendly yet challenging environment that welcomes
everyone to be part of the Touch Rugby family.

WilderNUS

Founded in 2018 by a group of outdoor enthusiasts,

WilderNUS aims to bring together like-minded peers in RC4 to participate in
outdoor activities.

Whether it is to relieve stress, learn new skills or to chase the adrenalin rush,
WilderNUS is about challenging your limits alongside your friends.

06 Interest Groups
(Sports IGs)

RC4Captains Ball

An interest group dedicated to
fostering interest interest in captain’s
ball and to give a platform for
participants to improve their skills
leading up to the Inter College
Games.

RC4Captains Ball provides

opportunities to get to know residents

outside a person’s own house and to

build a sense of belonging as a whole

team.

RC4 Health & Fitness

Rc4 Health & Fitness meets weekly for a dose of
workout sessions together, where we stress on
inclusiveness and OTOT (own time own target)!

We mainly do HIIT-based workout (or tabatha if you
wanna be fancy pansy) and we mix the workouts up
with pair activities sometimes or a jog or yoga or
whatever the group on that day fancies and also
depending on the instructor.

Humans, residents, professors of all fitness levels
are welcomed!!! Get your butt off the chair for
45mins once a week la maybe can get abs too

06 Interest Groups
(Sports IGs)

RC4Netball

Netball is an all-girls sport.

The RC4Netball Interest Group aims to
provide girls more choices of team sports
to play.

Netball boosts self-esteem and physical
health and it can also help to foster team
spirit and forge friendships.

RC4Trekking

RC4Trek was set up with the aim of
promoting fitness, community bonding and a
love for nature. 

IIn an age where a sedentary lifestyle is
prevalent among youths, RC4Trek gives
anyone and everyone the opportunity to
keep healthy and strong.

Members do not have to be athletic, but
simply have the passion to walk.

As Lao Tzu aptly puts it, a journey of a
thousand miles starts with a single step.

06 Interest Groups
(Cognitio Pods)

MIND4US

Mindfulness has shown promise in reducing
stress and dysphoria related problems such as

depression and anxiety.

This cognitio pod seeks to educate people on
mindfulness and provide a common platform

for interested individuals to practice
mindfulness in RC4 consistently.

Since stress is no stranger to any university
student, this pod will indubitable be of use to

interested members in the RC4 Community.

RC4EARTH

RC4EARTH is a team of passionate
environmental activists who aim to promote
sustainable living and awareness about our

current climate crisis to all RC4 residents.

They carry out various environmental
initiatives to inculcate environmentalism in

our residents and members.

06 Interest Groups
(Cognitio Pods)

RC4hilosophy Ever heard of the Trolley Problem? Pondered
whether it is right to eat animals? Stopped to

think if you are obligated to save that
drowning child over there?

By critically engaging with such well-known
conundrums and more, they hope to introduce

the RC4 community to basic philosophical
concepts and modes of reasonings

They believe that these knowledge would be
highly applicable to everyday life and current

affairs.

Sessions are conducted in a fun, informal, and
engaging setting.

RC4Space

A student initiative of RC4, RC4Space hosts
its own makerspace, engaging from 3D
printing to software development.

RC4Space also engages RC4 residents with
courses on 3D printing, Python programming,

and basics of IoT.

Over the years, the RC4Space community
has worked on multiple projects, extending

its efforts beyond drone flying to
incorporating technology into everyday

college life.

07 Houses of RC4

Aquila

Aquila, affectionately called by its
members as the house of love, is a second
home to many

Lunch & supper jios, jamming sessions,
chionging assignments together 

You name it, we have probably done it all
together. If you’re looking for some chill &
wholesome vibes, Aquila’s your best bet.

Ursa Noctua

URSA Noctua, family nest of the owls. No matter how
late at night it can be, in Noctua, you will
Ursa is home to a family of bears always find a friend to have a heart-to-heart
conversation with
We are brought together by our desire for
good food (prata, indomee and nanathai!!) If you need a helping hand, we will always be
here for you.
Rest assured, there will always be an
abundance of welfare under our roof HOOT HOOT.

We promise you good company and a
beary good time, always.

07 Houses of RC4

Leo

Leo, the house of Lions

Come rest in the Den when you’re
taking a break, and the only time we
leave is when we go for a hunt

Remember, a Lion is always welcome

✨back to its Den

Draco

When you're so high above, you can't help
but to just look down
No hate just love
Also follow us on instagram @rc4draco for
your daily dose of draco dragons (we follow
back).

08 Amenities of RC4

Common Lounge

A common area, open 24 hr, for gathering, chit chat
and sturdy area. Occasionally, houses will whole
their bonding event in that area.

There’s also a karaoke system in place and can be
easily booked by anyone! In there, there’s also
printing facilities.

Run out of snacks? Fret not! There‘s a corner set up,
simply PAYLAH and snack on it, at the same time all

profits are to charity!

Feeling talented? There’s also a piana available to
show off your skills!

Games Room

Open 24/7, hand itching for some mahjong,
table soccer or billard?

Find your kaki and game on!

Reading room

A quiet haven for those that want to have a good read
Where RC4Artsy have their Interest Group sessions!

08 Amenities of RC4

Seminar Room

Where talks/ RC4 activities are held

UTCP modules are also taught in these
spacious rooms!

During exam season, these rooms can be
booked for studying with friends as well!

Gym

Want to gym but yet laze walking all the walk to

the center of U-town? Want to gym at Utown

gym non-opening hours? Want to gym but

PAISEH with buff lords in Utown gym?

No worries, we got you covered with our own
RC4Gym. Newly built, exclusive to RC4
residents only.

Equipment we have include: yoga mats, bar
bells, weights, an ab roller, skipping ropes and
more! (& more to come so stick around for it!)

Level Amenities

Every house will have a pantry, 2 water dispensers
(1 in pantry), a laundry room,
& a lounge on each floor!

Level lounges are where you can chill with your
house mates or study together! House/Level events
and birthday celebrations are often held there too!

Study rooms are also available on L6 and L12

08 Amenities of RC4

MPSH

A space where most Sports IGs and RC4D regularly hold their
sessions

Residents can also book the space to play sports or for any
recreational activitiesin their own time

Theme room 4

This is where our interest groups,
RC4CoffeeAcademy,

RC4Cafe and OrcaBakes hold their IG
sessions.

Over here, we have numerous cooking,
baking and coffee making appliances

where we cook up delicious food.

RC4Space
Makerspace

The RC4 Makerspace allow residents to
collaborate

and work on projects using equipment such as
3D printers, soldering and hand tools.

08 Amenities of RC4

Dining Hall

Poor cooking skills or no longer have meals
prepared for you just like at home? We got you
covered with a prepaid meal system including

daily breakfast and dinner!

Apart from the per serving mains, breakfast
includes free flow breads with spread, milk,
soyabean, milk, coffee, tea and fruits! At dinner,

there’s even a help yourself salad bar!

Music Rooms

This is where aspiring musicians come to
practice

and jam with their fellow musicians.

RC4ME band practices are held here!

08 Amenities of RC4

Pantry

Love cooking or feeling inspired by a Tasty video? Or simply
having some late night cravings? Come on down to your house

pantry and get cooking!
Features an induction hob, a common fridge
that is large and spacious, and a water cooler!

Laundry Room

Features 2 washers and 2 dryers for you to
wash your clothes here in RC!

Don't have coins to spare? No worries! 1
washer and 1 dryer are ez-link accessible.

Suite Common Area

If you get a suite room, you'll have an
attached toilet & a common area with
sofas, a table and chairs for you & your

suitemates to hang out together!

09 Frequently Asked

Questions On University Town College
Programme (UTCP) :

What makes UTCP modules different from GEM?

UTCP modules are designed to be more coherent in terms of
delivery in general education and emphasise on
multidisciplinary learning and active small-group learning.

As opposed to a lecture style where content is disseminated to

everyone, UTCP modules are able to engage with the students
on a more effective level, which helps to improve learning
conditions.

Students from different disciplines, cultures, and nationalities are
put together in each class, which helps them to assimilate and
synthesise cross-disciplinary knowledge, facilitating multi-
perspectival thinking.

Through its multidisciplinary curriculum, the

UTCP will help students develop effective
communications and strong writing
skills, critical thinking skills, and
intellectual breadth and rigour to tackle
the complex, inter-related challenges
confronting the world today.

Moreover, these skills learnt from UTCP
modules are able to be applied across
many disciplines, augmenting their
education experiences and allowing them
to gain possibly an edge over students who
do not take these modules.

09 Frequently Asked Questions | ON UTCP

The UTCP:

includes two modules on Ideas and Exposition. Process oriented, content driven and
rhetorically intensive, It also seeks to help students to develop core strategies that

underlie successful scholarly writing in the arts, humanities, social sciences, life sciences,
physical sciences and mathematics.

One Junior Seminar which allows undergraduates and faculty to explore a scholarly

topic of common interest in small group settings of no more than 15 students. This provides
an excellent platform for students to discuss an intellectual topic in-depth and to present
their ideas without the pressure of final examinations. Through this process, students will
sharpen their inquiry and critical reasoning skills

Students are expected to read two Senior Seminars, of which one should be a

Singapore Studies module. Targeted at Year 2 undergraduates enrolled in UTCP,
twoSenior Seminars serve as an educational reflection of NUS’ focus on Global-Asia
issues. These modules focus on a significant global issue that may be productively
discussed from both Asian and Singapore perspectives.

09 Frequently Asked Questions | ON UTCP

How is the workload like for both IEMs & Seminar Mods?

For IEMs:

Completing the readings provided by the professors. This is to aid students to grasp the content the

professors will be discussing in class, which later would greatly benefit us when completing the academic
papers.

Submit a total of 3 papers to be counted towards their final grades.
Paper 1 is a critical commentary where students would have to present an argument while cross-referring to

different sources.

Paper 2 is a lens paper where students are given a source to analyse and apply the skills and concepts learnt

in class to critique the said source.

Paper 3 is an independent paper in which students have the freedom over deciding the topic they want to

write an academic paper on, as long as it is within the domain of the module’s discipline of study.

(The curriculum is designed to guide and train students to deliver quality papers throughout the semester,

hence students who may not be inclined to writing essays would not be constantly at a disadvantage.)

Seminar Mods:

The difference is that Seminar Mods are generally more self-directed as students are required to do

independent research on their part as a group to present a topic of interest. In the case of RC4, we

Vensimare required to use a mapping software named to map out and analyse the relationality of the

factors, which often requires us to have pre-existing knowledge to derive. Class is about once a week, with

JS lasting for 2h and SS lasting 3h.

09 Frequently Asked Questions | ON UTCP

How does being a system thinker help me as an individual?

With a deeper understanding of the dynamics within a system, it allows organisation and
individuals to take full advantage of any element within the system.

- We become more efficient as we are training our self-optimisation.
- We can unpack problems in a more effective way
- We analyse the issue in a different lens, thus promoting innovation and creative
development. 

It becomes an avenue to address that never "seems to go away".

09 Frequently Asked Questions | ON UTCP

Is it difficult for someone with no background on
systems thinking to learn it?

Our JS modules offer a very beginner friendly way to learn systems thinking as a tool.
Lessons will help students to learn to actively apply said thinking process. RC4 has
many students from all faculties across NUS, and many of them have successfully
learnt systems thinking through RC4’s UTCP.

What are the different topics one can take in their time in RC4?

A list of our available modules can either be found on our website or earlier
in the booklet under the Academics section

09 Frequently Asked Questions | On Student Life

On Student Life:

What are the possible college
programmes available in RC4?

There are many ways to be engaged
in student life here in RC4!

Join any of our numerous IGs!
participate in the organization of
College Projects!
or take up various leadership
positions in our House committees
or College Students Committee
(CSC).
And even suggest their own
initiatives.

What are the differences between
an IG and a normal CCA?

Residents can explore their varied
interests and ideas, alongside
like-minded individuals.

An avenue for them to develop their
passions and leisure pursuits. It is
also more flexible than CCAs as
residents can start up new IGs and
activities depending on their own
personal interests, ie :

- RC4Earth’s hydroponics project

that was started by a group of
residents interested in researching
how to grow plants in high-rise
buildings.

- R4Moda was started by students
to learn about fashion and has
grown to even organise a fashion
show.

09 Frequently Asked Questions | On Student Life

What are the commitment
evels for IGs?

The level of commitment ultimately

depends on each individual. It is
2common practice for RC4 to have
weeks of IG exposure for you to try

out the different IGs you have interest
in and set your heart to officially join
the IG after the exposure sessions.

Even after exposure sessions, our
IGs welcome new members at any
point of time in the Academic year.

To be officially considered a member
of the IG by the end of the AY,

however, 50% attendance would
have to be attained!

Do you compete together in
IGs?

Some IGs participate in our annual Inter-
House Games as well as the collegiate-
wide Inter College Games, particularly our

sports, E-Sports and Strategic Games IGs. For
our Arts IGs, they participate in our annual

Arts Night and perform for our college

dinners. Our community and lifestyle IGs as
well as cognitio pods plan events for the
college. Ultimately different IGs contribute to
RC4 culture and show their participation in
different ways.

09 Frequently Asked Questions | On Student Life

What is RC4s culture?

RC4 prides itself on always empowering our residents to follow their
passions and pursue life-long learning. We have always provided

students with resources and support needed to explore their interests and

passions. We encourage residents to be engaged in social issues and
to use the skills learnt in RC4 to address these issues.

09 Frequently Asked Questions | On Application

On Application:

How do I apply to RC4?

All applications to UTCP
have to be done through the
Joint Residential College
Application System, do
remember to indicate RC4
as your preferred college if
you wish to apply here. The
application window for
AY2020/21 will open from 9
March 2020 (0830hrs) to 13
April 2020 (2359hrs).

What is the interview process
like?

RC4 will look through your
applications and shortlist students
for a one-to-one interview. In RC4,
we aim for the interviews to be
personal and comfortable for you.
Treat it as a casual chat where we
ask you questions about yourself!

09 Frequently Asked Questions | On Application

How much would it cost to stay in RC4?

Staying in the RC comes with a compulsory meal plan, which includes

breakfast and dinner from Monday-Friday as well as breakfast on Saturday and

Dinner on Sunday. RC4 is fully air conditioned, but residents can choose
between staying in a corridor room or a suite, which are of different prices.

You can check here for the prices, and check out our tour video for more

information on the RC4 rooms and facilities!

For all other questions, please feel free to check our RC4
website, drop us an email at [email protected]

NUSResidentialCollege4 orcasnaps Residential College 4
rc4openday20

10 College Calendar

taking a sneak peak of our 1st Sem!

29TH JULY - 1ST AUG: FOC
5TH AUG: FLAG DAY
5TH - 9TH AUG: HOUSE WELCOMING EVENTS
15TH AUG: EXCHANGERS' WELCOME EVENT
19TH AUG: IG FAIR
21ST AUG: FACULTY NIGHT
26TH AUG - 6TH SEP: IG EXPOSURE WEEKS
7TH SEP: NUS DAY OF SERVICE
11TH SEP: WELFARE WEDNESDAY
17TH SEP: FORMAL DINNER
21ST - 27TH SEP: INTER HOUSE GAMES

1ST OCT: OPERATION TEALSDAY
6TH OCT: PARENTS' NIGHT
8TH OCT: CARNIVAL GAMES NIGHT
15TH OCT: MUSIC NIGHT
23RD OCT: WELFARE WEDNESDAY
5TH NOV: INFORMAL DINNER
(HALLOWEEN THEME)
7TH NOV: HALLOWEEN HORROR NIGHT
10TH NOV: WELFARE PACK DISTRIBUTION

10 College Calendar

taking a sneak peak of our 2nd Sem!

13TH - 17TH JAN: HOUSE EVENTS
20TH-24TH JAN: STAFF APPRECIATION
WEEK
21ST JAN: SLUMBER PARTY
28TH JAN: INFORMAL DINNER
29TH JAN - 21ST FEB: ICG
13TH FEB: VALENTINES DAY EVENT
19TH FEB: WELFARE WEDNESDAY
23RD FEB: ARTS NIGHT
24TH FEB - 18TH MARCH: RC4
ELECTION