Degree Requirements

3.2.1     Curriculum Structure and Graduation Requirements

The graduation requirements presented in this section are extracted from the Modular System for Cohort 2012, which contains other important information for FASS students. Students are strongly advised to print a copy of the Modular System for Cohort 2012for their reference,available at:
http://www.fas.nus.edu.sg/undergrad/toknow/academic_requirements/modular_system.html

All important announcements will be placed at the FASS website: http://www.fas.nus.edu.sg. It is, therefore, the responsibility of students to check the Faculty website and their NUS mailboxes regularly for updates. Students are also responsible for ensuring that they are contactable via their NUS mailboxes.

To graduate with a B.A. (Hons.) or B.Soc.Sci. (Hons.) degree, FASS students must have declared honours track* and accumulated a minimum of 160 Modular Credits (MCs) and achieved a Cumulative Average Point (CAP) of at least 3.2. Students who choose not to or do not complete the honours requirements may graduate with a B.A. degree, after accumulating a minimum of 120 MCs at a CAP of at least 2.00.

The requirements for graduation are:

1.     University Level Requirements which include:

• •     General Education modules (GEM)
• •     Singapore Studies module (SS)
• •     Breadth modules (electives outside student’s Faculty)

2.     Programme Requirements which include:

• •     Faculty Requirements
• •     Major Requirements

3.     Unrestricted Elective Modules (outside student’s major)

Details of the relative weightage and MCs required for graduation are presented in the following sections. University Scholars Programme (USP) students should refer to Section 3.2.1.3.

* Note: To declare an honours track, students must have completed at least 110 MCs including 60 MCs of major requirements AND have a minimum CAP of 3.50.

English for Academic Purposes (EAP)

All candidates offered admission to the Faculty must be exempted from or be required to take the Qualifying English Test (QET).  Students who pass the QET will be exempted from taking the EAP course.  Students who do not pass the QET will be required to take the EAP course which consists of two consecutive modules, ES1000 Basic English course and ES1102 English for Academic Purposes.  These two modules are additional essential modules for students who do not pass the QET. Students with poorer English proficiency will read ES1000 first. On passing ES1000, they will proceed to read ES1102. Students with better English proficiency will proceed directly to read ES1102. A pass in ES1102 is essential for graduation.

A full description of the modules is available at the CELC website:http://www.nus.edu.sg/celc

3.2.1.1     B.A. (Hons.) or B.Soc.Sci. (Hons.) degree

To graduate with a B.A. (Hons.) or B.Soc.Sci. (Hons.) degree, FASS students must have:

1.     Fulfilled the requirements specified in Table 1 and obtained the minimum MCs required for the relevant degree.
2.     Obtained a minimum CAP of 3.2 for the award of an honours degree. (Refer to Table 2)

1. Completed the B.A. (Hons.)/B.Soc.Sci. (Hons.) degree within a maximum of ten semesters, unless otherwise approved by the University.

Table 1: Graduation Requirements for FASS B.A. (Hons.) or B.Soc.Sci. (Hons.) degree with Single Major

*    Students must earn the stipulated minimum number of MCs from level-3000 and level-4000 modules of their major. The Faculty requires students to earn a minimum of 20 MCs from level-3000 modules and a minimum of 40 MCs from level-4000 modules or higher in their major. However, for both levels, some majors may stipulate a higher number for their minimum. Students may be allowed, in lieu of their level-4000 modules, a maximum of two level-5000 modules (subject to the department's approval and module pre-requisites, if any,) to fulfil graduation requirements. Students should take note that level-5000 FASS modules offered to undergraduates will be worth 5MC each. The level-5000 module codes for undergraduates will have the suffix ‘R’ (for example: EC5555R). Some departments as a matter of policy do not allow undergraduates to read their graduate modules. No level-5000 Independent Studies Modules (ISMs) or level-6000 modules (including ISMs) will be open to undergraduates. Please refer to the requirements specified by the Department/Programme for each subject.

B.A. (Hons.) or B.Soc.Sci. (Hons.) degree

Table 2: Award for Honours

*    Students with CAP of 4.50 and above but with ‘B+’ and below in the Honours Thesis/Project or no Honours Thesis/Project will be awarded a Second Class Upper Honours instead.

3.2.1.2     B.A. degree

FASS students who do not complete the honours requirements will graduate with a B.A. degree after they have:

1.     Fulfilled the requirements specified in Table 3 and obtained the minimum MCs required for the relevant degree.
2.     Obtained a minimum CAP of 2.00, which is equivalent to an overall ‘C’ grade.
3.     Completed the B.A. degree within eight semesters, unless otherwise approved by the University. The minimum period for the B.A. degree is four semesters.

Table 3: Graduation Requirements for FASS B.A. degree with Single Major

*    For the single major (B.A.), the Faculty requires students to earn a minimum of 20 MCs from Level-3000 modules. However, some majors may require students to earn more than this minimum. Please refer to the requirements specified by the relevant Department/ Programme for each subject.

3.2.1.3     B.A. (Hons.) or B.Soc.Sci. (Hons.) degree – USP students

To graduate with a B.A. (Hons.) or B.Soc.Sci. (Hons.) degree, USP students must have:

1. Fulfilled the requirements specified below and obtained a minimum of 160 MCs.
2. Obtained a minimum CAP of 3.2 for the award of an honours degree. Additionally, USP students are required to attain a minimum CAP of 3.5 to fulfil USP requirements.
3. Completed the B.A. (Hons.) or B.Soc.Sci. (Hons.) degree within a maximum of ten semesters, unless otherwise approved by the University.

*    The Faculty Requirement for exposure modules will be reduced accordingly if the USP student enrolled in the FASS has successfully completed USP First Tier modules that are regarded as equivalents. The MCs thus freed up can then be used for the Unrestricted Electives (outside the major).
**  Students must earn the stipulated minimum number of MCs from level-3000 and level-4000 modules of their major. The Faculty requires students to earn a minimum of 20 MCs from level-3000 modules and a minimum of 40 MCs from level-4000 modules or higher in their major. However, for both levels, some majors may stipulate a higher number for their minimum. Students may be allowed, in lieu of their level-4000 modules, a maximum of two level-5000 modules (subject to the department's approval and module pre-requisites, if any,) to fulfil graduation requirements. Students should take note that level-5000 FASS modules offered to undergraduates will be worth 5MC each. The level-5000 module codes for undergraduates will have the suffix ‘R’ (for example: EC5555R). Some departments as a matter of policy do not allow undergraduates to read their graduate modules. No level-5000 Independent Studies Modules (ISMs) or level-6000 modules (including ISMs) will be open to undergraduates. Please refer to the requirements specified by the Department/Programme for each subject.

3.2.2     Department Degree Requirement

• 3.2.2.1
  • A. Chinese Language
  • B. Chinese Studies
  • C. Communications and New Media
  • D. Economics
  • E. English Language
  • F. English Literature
  • G. European Studies
  • H. Geography
  • I. History
  • J. Japanese Studies
  • K. Malay Studies
  • L. Philosophy
  • M. Political Science
  • N. Psychology
  • O. Social Work
  • P. Sociology
  • Q. South Asian Studies
  • R. Southeast Asian Studies
  • S. Theatre Studies
• 3.2.2.2 American Studies
• 3.2.2.3 Centre for Language Studies
  • A. Arabic Language
  • B. Bahasa Indonesia, Malay, Thai, Vietnamese Languages
  • C. Chinese Language
  • D. French and German Languages
  • E. Japanese Language
  • F. Korean Language
  • G. Hindi and Tamil Languages

3.3        Multidisciplinary Opportunities

3.3.1     Minor Programmes

Students may plan their degree so that it includes a designated minor. A multidisciplinary minor is a programme of study consisting of 24 MCs which may be offered solely by a department, across several departments or several faculties. A student may use, partially or wholly, the MCs under the Unrestricted Electives (outside the major) requirement to satisfy the minor requirements. Minors are offered by FASS as well as other faculties.

Currently, in addition to the subject minors, the multi-disciplinary minors offered by FASS are: China Studies, Cultural Studies, English Studies, Gender Studies, Geographical Information Systems, Geosciences, Health and Social Sciences, Religious Studies, Science, Technology and Society and Urban Studies.

For specific guidelines governing Minor Programmes offered by FASS, please refer to: http://www.fas.nus.edu.sg/ undergrad/toknow/academic_requirements/minors.html

3.3.1.1     China Studies

As the most populous nation and one of the oldest civilisations in the world, China has become increasingly important in international politics and the global economy. China is not only a dynamic market but also a strategic partner to Singapore. Today, China is Singapore’s fifth largest trading partner, while Singapore constitutes the sixth largest foreign investor in the People’s Republic of China. The realisation of a China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement by 2010 will potentially create a market area of 1.7 billion consumers and involve two-way annual trade worth US$1.2 trillion dollars. China, in short, offers enormous potential for Singapore and great prospects for new graduates. The demand for graduates with knowledge of China will increase significantly as the country and its economy continue to grow.

To engage China, one must understand its history and culture. Often, serious misunderstandings arise due to ignorance of the cultural sensitivities of the Chinese. In addition to history and culture, those intending to work or conduct business in China must understand the ways in which Chinese society, politics, and economy operate.

The study of China, therefore, requires a multidisciplinary approach. The Minor in China Studies offers just that. It aims at providing students with a basic understanding of Chinese culture, history, society, politics, and economy which can complement their major courses of study and prepare them for a career in or relating to China.

Programme Requirements

All modules read in fulfilment of the minor requirements should be graded. Modules taken on Satisfactory/ Unsatisfactory basis cannot be counted towards the minor requirements. For students on overseas exchange, credit transfer of up to 8 MCs of relevant modules for the minor may be accepted. For more information, please refer to: http://www.fas.nus.edu.sg/undergrad/toknow/special_programmes/sep.html

The curricular requirements of the Minor in China Studies are as follows:
Pass at least 24 MCs of modules, which include the following:
(1)     a minimum of 8 MCs from History and Culture group
(2)     a minimum of 8 MCs from Society and Economy group
(3)     a minimum of 4 MCs at Level-3000
(4)     One module (4 MCs) for the remaining two module required may be a Chinese language module offered by the Centre for Language Studies (CLS)

Note 1:       A maximum of 8 MCs from the minor can be used to satisfy the requirements of a major or another minor.

This Minor is not a specialist programme. The two groups of modules are designed to provide students with basic knowledge of China and the necessary tools to further their understanding and research. The Programme allows one CLS Chinese language module to be read in the Minor. While the Minor in China Studies is not a language programme, students are encouraged to study the Chinese language and to apply for “Study in China” under the University’s Student Exchange Programme (SEP).

Students should note the prerequisites and/or preclusions for particular modules in the Minor. New modules taught by faculty members from FASS and other faculties/schools will be added as the Minor in China Studies develops in subsequent years.

Notes:
* Modules are conducted in Chinese
A)            Students with no Chinese language background would take”LAC1201 Chinese 1”. Students admitted directly from a polytechnic should sit for a placement test before enrolling in a Chinese language module. Please enquire with the Centre for Language Studies for information on the placement test.
B)            Students with some knowledge of the Chinese language will be required to sit for a placement test before enrolling in ”LAC2201 Chinese 2” or “LAC3201 Chinese 3”. Please enquire with the Centre for Language Studies for information on the placement test.
C)            Students with GCE ‘O’ Level Higher Chinese or GCE ‘AO’ Level Chinese or equivalent may take “LAC3203 Chinese for Science and Technology”.
D)            Students who have taken PH2205 and PH3205 before AY2009/2010 and LXA4057 could still count these modules towards the minor requirements.

For the latest updates, please visit the Minor in China Studies website at: http://www.fas.nus.edu.sg/oop

3.3.1.2 Cultural Studies

The import of “culture” for understanding human activity and the history of its many uses provide the initial basis of Cultural Studies, an interdisciplinary field formed over forty years ago, primarily in the US and UK. Since then, interest in the field has grown exponentially. Incorporating a diverse range of new theoretical inputs, methodological innovations and objects of inquiry, Cultural Studies takes up a number of issues related to contemporary culture while being aware of their specific historical formations. The research field broadly includes: analysis of contemporary urban cultural practices, including the consumption and politics of mass media, popular literature, consumerism, lifestyles and urban architecture and spaces, the construction of individual and collective identities and formation of subjectivities and, the politics and interests in knowledge production and reproduction. Students who take up this minor will leave it with knowledge of contemporary debates in cultural studies and with a theoretical tool-kit capable of analysing a range of social processes and cultural forms and practices including media, urbanism, critical theory, cinema, cyberspace, popular fiction, popular music and television. Although central to daily life in contemporary, high-technology-based societies, many of these contemporary cultural phenomena have been placed outside the boundaries of established disciplines such as sociology, history and literary studies, in part because the concepts developed within singular disciplines are unable to capture their complexities.

Through multidisciplinary methodologies, the Minor in Cultural Studies combines and adapts qualitative research strategies to specific analytic interests, including textual analysis, ethnographic observations and different theories of interpretation, including semiotics, psychoanalysis, post-structuralism and postmodernism.

The general aims of the Minor are:
1.     To provide coherence to possible combinations of the different modules offered by different departments elected by undergraduates.
2.     To provide conceptual and methodological tools for students to gain depth of understanding and skills in analysis of contemporary cultural practices.
3.     To provide students with analytic and conceptual skills which are increasingly demanded in a service-oriented and information-based economy.

Programme Requirements

Pass at least 24 MCs from the basket of Minor in Cultural Studies modules, which include the following:

• One core module – SC3224 Theory and Practice of Cultural Studies (See Note)
• Five elective modules
• A minimum of 8 MCs at Level-2000
• A minimum of 8 MCs at Level-3000 (including SC3224 Theory and Practice of Cultural Studies)

Students are limited to taking a maximum of three modules from the same department (outside student’s major).

Note:

• Students who have read XD3101 Theory and Practice of Cultural Studies prior to AY2010-11 can use it to fulfil the essential requirement of the minor.
• From AY2010-11, students will read SC3224 Theory and Practice of Cultural Studies to fulfil the essential requirement of the minor.

A maximum of 8 MCs from the minor can be used to satisfy the requirements of a major or another minor.

Major modules read in excess of graduation requirements may be used to fulfil the Minor requirements.

For the latest updates, please visit the Minor in Cultural Studies website at: http://www.fas.nus.edu.sg/oop

3.3.1.3 English Studies

In the last fifty years English has become the major world language. Spoken with different levels of competence by nearly 800 million people, it is the pre-eminent means of communication in international business, diplomacy, and academia, the medium of numerous vibrant national literatures, the language of many important films, as well as an almost ubiquitous presence in electronic communications of various kinds. The high level of English in Singapore has long been one of the country’s social, cultural, economic and intellectual assets. For these reasons, the Minor in English Studies is likely to be attractive to students from a number of diverse disciplines throughout the university.

The Minor in English Studies offers students a chance to develop a deeper level of knowledge and thinking abilities in the study of Literature and Language. It introduces students to some of the central questions of the two disciplines, and some of the methodologies they have developed for investigating those questions. In particular, students are encouraged to acquire a critical understanding of literary and linguistic analyses, and the capacity to engage meaningfully in analysis, interpretation, and explanation. There is also some room in the Minor for students to choose modules and develop interests of their own. The student who follows the Minor will have an increased understanding of the nature of the English language, and of literature in English, as well as tools for further independent investigation of literary and linguistic phenomena.

The Minor in English Studies is open to all students in NUS, but students majoring in English Language and/or English Literature are not eligible for the Minor in English Studies.

Programme Requirements

Pass at least 24 MCs of EL and EN modules, which must include the following:
(1)    EL1101E/GEK1011     The Nature of Language
(2)    EL2201 Structure of Sentences and Meanings
(3)    EN1101E/GEK1000    An Introduction to Literary Studies
(4)    A minimum of ONE level-2000 EN module from the following:
EN2201       Backgrounds to Western Literature and Culture
EN2202       Critical Reading
EN2203       Introduction to Film Studies
EN2204       Reading the Horror Film

• At least 8 MCs of EL and/or EN modules at level-3000.

Note 1:       Minor in English Studies is NOT offered to EL-major and EN-major students.
Note 2:       A maximum of 8 MCs from the minor can be used to satisfy the requirements of a major or another minor.
Note 3:       EN2201, EN2202, EN2203 and EN2204 are pre-requisite or co-requisite for level-3000 EN modules; all other level-2000 modules can be taken as electives so long as graduation requirements are met.

For reasons of staff availability and student enrolment, not all Level-3000 elective modules will necessarily be offered every academic year. Students are to check the Department website/notice board for the modules offered, and the relevant prerequisites and preclusion(s).

For the latest updates, please visit the Minor in English Studies website at: http://www.fas.nus.edu.sg/ell

3.3.1.4 Gender Studies

Gender Studies is now a widely recognised interdisciplinary field of enquiry in the humanities and social sciences. The reason that this field has become prominent over the past thirty to forty years is closely tied to social changes in industrialised countries. The Minor in Gender Studies aims to develop both conceptual knowledge and key abilities as a foundation for systematic inquiry into gender-related matters. Conceptually, these modules help students to build up a nuanced understanding, from different disciplinary perspectives, of the ways in which gender exerts far-reaching impact on everyday encounters and lived realities. Students who have undergone this programme are expected to be able to critically evaluate the merits of alternative interpretations by building arguments for or against particular explanations.

Programme Requirements
Requirements for Cohort 2009 and Before:
Pass at least 24 MCs from the basket of Minor in Gender Studies modules, which include the following:

(1)    SC2220              Gender Studies (Essential Module)
(2)    XD3102              Gender Studies Across Disciplines (Essential Module)
(3)    a minimum of 8 MCs at Level-3000 (including XD3102)
(4)    a minimum of 12 MCs from the CORE Track

ELECTIVE MODULES

Note:
(A) GE3214 Geographies of Social Life was previously GE2224 Geographies of Social Life

Requirements for Cohort 2010 and After:
Pass at least 24 MCs of Gender Studies minor modules: which include the following:

• SC2220 Gender Studies (Essential module)
• A minimum of two modules (8 MCs) at level-3000.
• A minimum of three modules (12 MCs) from the CORE track.
• Students are limited to taking a maximum of three modules from a single department (outside the student’s major).

ELECTIVE MODULES

Note:

• GE3214 Geographies of Social Life was previously GE2224 Geographies of Social Life

A maximum of 8 MCs from the minor can be used to satisfy the requirements of a major or another minor.

For the latest updates, please visit the Minor in Gender Studies website at: http://www.fas.nus.edu.sg/oop/

3.3.1.5 Geographical Information Systems (GIS)

What is GIS?
GIS—or Geographical Information System—is a multidisciplinary technology for the collection, storage, manipulation, analysis and display of all types of spatial information about locations and relations of different phenomena on the earth’s surface. The GIS analytical process is like the work of a detective trying to put all the pieces of evidence together to solve a mystery. GIS provides a means of integrating information in ways that help us understand and solve pressing research, planning, and management problems, such as tropical deforestation, rapid urbanisation, transportation planning, disease dispersal, hazard mitigation, and the impact of climate change. Using GIS to take the pulse of the Earth helps scientists plan, map, and model changes and trends to make better decisions for the future.

Students who choose to minor in GIS will gain experience using GIS software, as well as familiarity with various modern geospatial techniques, including GPS (Global Positioning Systems) and remote sensing. Completion of the minor will provide the student with skills and experience that are in great demand in today’s workplace, from government, private industry, to not-for-profit sectors. For example, the WHO has used GIS for emergency preparedness for flooding in SE Asia. In Singapore, the Urban Development Authority has used GIS in town planning and the National Environment Agency has used GIS to analyse patterns of dengue fever cases.

This Minor is open to all students.

Programme Requirements

Pass at least 24 MCs of modules, which include the following:

Note 1:       A maximum of 8 MCs from the minor can be used to satisfy the requirements of a major or another minor.

For Geography major students also taking the Minor in GIS, up to 8 MCs of the essential modules may be counted towards both the Geography major and the GIS minor. The third essential module will have to be taken in excess of graduation requirements. For all other students, please check with your Faculty with regard to double counting of modules.
For the latest updates, please visit the Minor in Geographical Information Systems website at:
http://www.fas.nus.edu.sg/geog/programmes/GISminor.html

3.3.1.6  Geosciences

Programme Requirements
Pass at least 24 MCs of modules, which include the following:

Note 1:       A maximum of 8 MCs from the minor can be used to satisfy the requirements of a major or another minor.

Please refer to the departmental website for further details.

3.3.1.7 Health and Social Sciences

Trends in the 21st century such as the prominence of health and illness in everyday life, the increasing rates of illnesses associated with people’s lifestyles, occupations, individual choices, governments’ decisions and the relevance of ecological factors, all accentuate the importance of analysing health and illness systematically from the perspectives of the social sciences and humanities.

The objective of the Minor in HSS is to introduce students to the rich and varied expertise from the social sciences and humanities on health phenomena. The Minor in HSS focuses on three areas of health knowledge contributed by social sciences, and based on these areas of health knowledge, the Minor in HSS is designed to attain three learning outcomes.

The first two are knowledge outcomes:

• Students will obtain basic knowledge on the influence of psychological, social, economic, cultural, historical, and environmental factors on health-related behaviour and attitudes as well as on illness and disability patterns in society and their consequences.
• Students will be acquainted with the application of social science research approaches to the analysis of three areas of health knowledge:
• the impact of the psychological dimensions of individual behaviour and attitudes;
• the socio-economic, and cultural dimensions of individual and collective health-related behaviour, attitudes, and beliefs including the structure, dynamics and roles of health organisations and social support networks;
• the relevance of the economic and physical environment to the population’s health.

The third learning outcome is related to ability:

• Students will be able to search for and identify evidence-based social science research on health-related behaviour and attitudes as well as on illness and disability issues and patterns in society.

Programme Requirements
Pass at least 24 MCs from the basket of Minor in Health and Social Sciences modules, which include the following:

Note 1:       A maximum of 8 MCs from the minor can be used to satisfy the requirements of a major or another minor.

Major modules taken in excess of graduation requirements may be used to fulfil the Minor requirements.

3.3.1.8  Religious Studies

What is the meaning of “religion” in the 21st century? Sigmund Freud sought to bring religion under the microscope of scientific rationality in his 1927 work The Future of an Illusion. Religion, answering back, might quote Mark Twain: “The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.” Religion has always been a prominent force in human life, and, despite predictions to the contrary, it remains one today. In this region, it is impossible to understand our society or those of our neighbours without understanding the religions that permeate them. Moreover, by virtue of its secular state and pluralistic society, Singapore is well positioned to take a leading role in the study of religion. Religious Studies at NUS will involve the scholarly exploration both of the phenomenon of religion and of different religious traditions. Religious Studies, as a scholarly and intellectual discipline, transcends individual disciplines to consider beliefs, practices, texts, history and social functions of religion from a variety of disciplinary perspectives. This programme will train students to discuss — with respect and grace — some of the most volatile issues of our time.

Programme Requirements
Requirements for Cohort 2009 and Before:
Pass at least 24 MCs from the basket of Minor in Religious Studies modules, which include the following:

Note A: Students who have taken PH2205 and/or PH3205 prior to AY2009/2010 could still count these modules towards the minor requirements. These modules are from Group C Religious Thought

Requirements for Cohort 2010 and After:
Pass at least 24 MCs from the list of Religious Studies Minor modules, which include:

Essential:

• GEK1045 Introduction to World Religions (Essential Module)

Electives:

• A minimum of two modules (8 MCs) at Level-2000
• A minimum of two modules (8 MCs) at Level-3000
• Students are limited to taking a maximum of three modules from a single department (outside the student’s major).

Students are advised to study more than one religion (i.e., you should not read ALL your electives in courses focusing on just Buddhism or just Islam).

A maximum of 8 MCs from the minor can be used to satisfy the requirements of a major or another minor

Major modules taken in excess of graduation requirements may be used to fulfil the Minor requirements.

For the latest updates, please visit the Minor in Religious Studies website at: http://www.fas.nus.edu.sg/oop

3.3.1.9     Science, Technology, and Society

Science, Technology, and Society (STS) is for students from any NUS faculty or discipline who want to understand the immense influence of science and technology on modern social, political, religious, and cultural life. The core courses within STS are historical and sociological, but electives are offered across a broad range of departments and faculties. Students need no background in any particular discipline to do well in this Minor.

The Minor in STS is designed to:
(a)    Serve as a formal scholarly ‘meeting ground’ for students throughout the university who are curious about the science-technology-society relationship.

(b)    Present students with a basic yet critical history of modern science, engineering, and medicine, i.e., how, where, and when they arose, and why they came to have such inordinate influence in the modern world.

(c)    Present students with a basic understanding of how social scientists study the physical sciences, life sciences, technology, and medicine, and how these activities have become embedded in social processes.

(d)    Allow students to understand how science and technology differ from (and converge with) other realms of human thought and activity. To expose students to critical thinking on the ‘scientific method’, the manipulation/conservation of nature, and similar concepts.

(e)    Acquaint students with the idea that science and technology (as human understandings of/mani-pulations of nature) interact with social, political, cultural, religious, and other realms normally considered ‘outside’ nature. To expose students to the lively scholarly disagreements as to the depth and limits of this interaction.

Programme Requirements
Requirements for Cohort 2009 and Before:
Pass at least 24 MCs from the basket of minor in STS modules, which include the following:

Requirements for Cohort 2010 and After:
Pass at least 24 MCs from the basket of minor in STS modules, which include the following:

• A minimum of two essential modules (8 MCs)
• From the list  of electives, a minimum of two modules (8 MCs) at level-3000
• A maximum of two elective (8 MCs) can be a ‘GEM’ or ‘GEK’; designation. Cross listed electives that were not taken under the GEM/GEK designation do not count towards this restriction
• Students are limited to taking a maximum of three modules from a single department (outside the student’s major).

A maximum of 8 MCs can be used to satisfy the requirements of a major or another minor.

Not all modules offered by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Faculty of Engineering and Faculty of Science in the list are offered every year, and new modules might be added from time to time.

For the latest updates, please visit the Minor in STS website at: http://www.fas.nus.edu.sg/oop

3.3.1.10  Urban Studies

It is estimated that the world’s urban population recently surpassed 50% of the total population. Asia remains less than 50% urbanised but is one of the most rapidly urbanising regions on Earth. International linkages between urban management professionals of various kinds are also increasing and Singapore is seen as a leader in many aspects of urban management, policy and planning. For these and other reasons, opportunities for urban professionals are likely to continue to increase.

Students will be offered the chance to develop expertise and skills in urban studies that would be an asset not only for those already majoring in an urban-related area, but also for the many others from various faculties who have an interest in urban-related careers. Students will get the opportunity to make explicit to employers their special strengths in this area. Students will be provided with a good balance of breadth of knowledge, practical skills, and theoretical depth in a range of urban-related fields. The minor is not conceived as an introduction to any major in urban studies or such like. Instead, it is to be seen purely as a minor which can enhance the degrees and employability of students taking a wide variety of existing majors. This Minor is open to all students.

Programme Requirements
Pass at least 24 MCs of modules, which include the following:
(1)   a minimum of 12 MCs from the Core modules, with
(i)    a minimum of 4 MCs from RE-prefixed modules
(ii)   a minimum of 4 MCs from GE-prefixed modules
(2)   a minimum of 8 MCs of Elective modules
(3)   a minimum of 8 MCs at Level-3000 or higher

Note 1:       A minimum of 16 MCs must be modules taken outside the department(s) of the student’s major(s).
Note 2:       A maximum of 8 MCs from the minor can be used to satisfy the requirements of a major or another minor.

       For the latest updates, please visit the Minor in Urban Studies website at:
http://www.fas.nus.edu.sg/geog or http://www.rst.nus.edu.sg

3.3.2        Double Major Programme

A Double Major consists of two single majors within the same faculty or from two different faculties.

Students intending to read a Double Major have to apply during the stipulated application period when they have completed 40 to 100 MCs, and have attained a minimum CAP of 3.5.

Both majors will be noted on the student’s transcript. In exceptional cases, the Faculty may design approved double major programmes in which case the requirements will be specific to the programme.

Students may withdraw from the Double Major Programme by informing the Dean’s Office of the home faculty. Students may also be asked to withdraw from the programme if they do not maintain the minimum academic standards required.  Students who withdraw from the double major programme will have to re-declare a single major. Modules read to fulfil the requirements of the second major may be used to fulfil some from the Unrestricted Electives (outside of Major) requirements.

Total MCs required for graduation will be dependent on the requirements of each of the two majors and how much double counting is permitted as specified by the respective Faculties/Departments.

Table 1 to 4 illustrates the minimum MCs required for the relevant degrees. Please refer to 3.2 Degree Requirements for other requirements that must be met for the respective degrees.

Table 1: Graduation Requirements for FASS B.A. (Hons.) or B.Soc.Sci. (Hons.) degree with Double Major

Table 2: Graduation Requirements for FASS B.A. (Hons.) or B.Soc.Sci. (Hons.) degree with Double Major (Cross Faculty)

+        Students must earn a minimum number of MCs from Level-3000 and Level-4000 modules of their major. The Faculty requires students to earn a minimum of 20 MCs from Level-3000 modules and a minimum of 40 MCs from Level-4000 modules or higher in the major. However, for both levels, some majors may require students to earn more than these minimums. Students may be allowed, in lieu of their level-4000 modules, a maximum of 2 level-5000 modules (subject department’s approval and module pre-requisites, if any), to fulfil graduation requirements. Note that some departments may as a matter of policy not allow undergraduates to read their graduate modules. No level-5000 Independent Studies Modules (ISMs) or level-6000 modules (including ISMs) will be open to undergraduates. Please refer to the requirements specified by the Department/Programme for each subject.
++       A maximum of 8 MCs, where possible, from the Second Major can be double counted with the Primary Major.
+++     Breadth modules are not required for students reading a second major from another Faculty.

Table 3: Graduation Requirements for FASS B.A. degree with Double Major

Table 4: Graduation Requirements for FASS B.A. degree with Double Major (Cross Faculty)

*       For the single major (B.A.), the Faculty requires students to earn a minimum of 20 MCs from Level-3000 modules.  However, some majors may require students to earn more than this minimum.  Please refer to the requirements specified by the relevant Department/Programme for each subject.
**     A maximum of 8 MCs, where possible, from the Second Major can be double counted with the Primary Major.
***   Breadth modules are not required for students reading a second major from another Faculty.

3.3.3     Double Degree Programme

A Double Degree consists of a combination of two separate degrees in two discipline areas from two different Faculties. Students can choose to devise their own Double Degree Programmes (DDPs) or enroll, in one of the existing specially customised DDPs.

Students who wish to devise their own DDPs must apply in writing to the Vice-Deans of both Faculties when they have completed between 60 and 80 MCs and attained a CAP of at least 4.0. Students must fulfil at least the honours requirements of their original degree.

Students who wish to enrol in the specially customised DDPs may apply for them at the point of admission or after their first year. Students who apply after their first year must meet the requisite qualifications for the intended DDP.

To ensure that students entering DDPs have the capacity to handle the demands of such programmes, students who do not maintain a CAP of 4.0 in modules contributing to the original degree/home course and a CAP of 3.5 in modules contributing to the second degree for any two consecutive semesters will be required to withdraw from the DDP.

Degree Requirements
University Level Requirements:
a)      Students need to satisfy one set of Singapore Studies (SS) and General Education Module (GEM) requirements only. The prevailing rules relating to satisfying the GEM requirements in the different subject groups shall apply. In accordance with the existing GEM requirements:
(i)      Students taking double degree combinations involving degrees from faculties in Group A (Science and Technology) and Group B (Humanities and Social Sciences) must read one GEM each from the Subject Group A and Subject Group B.
(ii)     Students taking double degree combinations in which one of the degrees is from the School of Design & Environment (which comes under both Group A and B) must read one GEM each from Group A and Group B.
(iii)    Students taking double degree combinations involving degrees from faculties in Group B (Humanities and Social Sciences) or within the same faculty in Group B must read at least one GEM from Group A (Science and Technology).
b)      If students read GEMs which are cross-listed with the second programme, and use them to fulfil the major requirement for the second degree, then they would need to read additional GEMs to fulfil the General Education requirement.
c)      Students will not be required to read breadth modules as the degrees are from two different Faculties. The modules read from one Faculty will satisfy the breadth requirements of the other Faculty.

Faculty Requirements
As the two degrees are from two Faculties, both sets of faculty requirements must be fulfilled.

Major Requirements
At least two-thirds of each major must be fulfilled by distinct (i.e., not overlapping) modules. A minimum 60% of major credits of each of the degrees must be letter graded and factored in the CAP of each degree.

Unrestricted Electives
Students are not required to read Unrestricted Elective (UE) Modules under the DDP. However, if UE modules are read, these can be used to count towards the requirement of either degree programme. Modules double counted towards the major requirements of both degrees cannot be used to fulfil the requirements of a minor.

Maximum Period of Candidature
The maximum period of candidature will be six years. The two degree programmes must be undertaken and completed within a single continuous candidature period (save for the usual provisions for leave of absence).

Computation of CAP
a)     The CAP for each degree programme will be computed separately, and the two CAPs, one each for the respective degree programme, will be reflected separately on the transcript.
b)     Students are required to declare every semester which modules they want to use to fulfil the requirements of each of the two degrees.
c)     The grades from modules (Singapore Studies, GEMs, or majors) that may be double counted will be used twice to compute the CAP for each of the two degrees.
d)     If UE modules have been read, the grades obtained will be used to compute the CAP for either one of the two degrees.

Minimum MC Requirements for Double Degrees
The minimum MC requirements for double degrees are as follow:

Double Honours Degrees – 200 MCs
Double Honours and Bachelor Degrees – 180 MCs

The actual total MCs will be dependent on the requirements of each of the two degrees and how much double counting is permitted as specified by the respective Faculties/Departments.

Award of Degree
Two separate degrees will be awarded and two degree scrolls issued, one for each degree.

For more details on faculty-designed Double Degree Programmes, please refer to Section R, Part II of this bulletin (the Curriculum Book on University-wide Institutes and Programmes, Other Multidisciplinary/Special Programmes).

Tuition Fee Implication

Please refer to Question 12 of the FAQ on DDP at: http://www.nus.edu.sg/registrar/faqs/ddp-cdp-dm-faq.html#ddp12

3.3.4        Degree Programmes With Other Universities

3.3.4.1     Australian National University (ANU)/National University of Singapore (NUS) Joint Honours Degree in Actuarial Studies and Economics

The Joint Degree programme in Actuarial Studies and Economics is offered by the School of Finance and Applied Statistics, Faculty of Economics and Commerce, ANU and the Department of Economics, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, NUS, leading to the degree of ANU/NUS Bachelor of Social Sciences with Joint Honours in Actuarial Studies and Economics. (Please refer to: http://ecocomm.anu.edu.au/programs/bsocscihons.asp)

A student in this programme will spend four semesters at NUS (for economics and the foundational courses) and four semesters at ANU (for the actuarial courses).

The programme contains the core of the Economics Honours curriculum as well as the actuarial studies that prepares students for the actuarial career. For more information on the actuarial education and profession, please go to: http://www.actuaries.asn.au/. The programme also includes elements of the NUS broad-based curriculum.

For NUS students, semester 1 of the programme will begin at NUS. Students will spend their first three semesters at NUS, joining ANU in their fourth semester. The eighth and final semester will be spent at NUS.

NUS students will pay NUS tuition fees throughout the course of study. There will be no additional tuition fees for studying at ANU, but students are responsible for their own medical/health insurance, travel, personal and living expenses and other incidental expenses when studying abroad.

Admission into the programme is highly competitive, and is available only to first-year students of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. No more than eight students will be selected for each intake. Selection of NUS students will take place after they have completed two semesters of study at NUS and will be based on academic performance. Students who wish to apply to the Joint Degree Programme must ensure that they complete the modules specified in the joint-degree programme for the first two semesters of study within their first year. Unsuccessful applicants may continue to work towards the Honours degree in Economics or any other major in the Faculty. The Programme’s academic coordinator will be able to offer advice to interested students at the start of each semester.

For information on pursuing an actuarial career and joining the Singapore Actuarial Society (SAS) as a member, please visit the following SAS website: http://www. actuaries.org.sg.

Further information on the programme is available at: http://www.fas.nus.edu.sg/ecs/undergraduate/anu_nus.html

3.3.4.2     Bachelor of Philosophy (Hons.) (ANU)/ Bachelor of Art (Hons.) (NUS) Joint Degree Programme

The ANU/NUS joint degree program (JDP) is aimed at very high-performing students in the Humanities and Social Sciences. Both the Bachelor of Philosophy (Ph.B.) (ANU) and the University Scholars Program (USP) (NUS) are research-focused undergraduate degrees. They are designed for high-achieving students who want to study in-depth and at the highest level, a more challenging program in the Humanities and Social Sciences. This distinctive four-year degree program leads to a qualification awarded by two of the world’s leading universities. This programme is only available to FASS USP students majoring in English Literature, History, Philosophy and Theatre Studies.

For more details, please refer to the Other Multidisciplinary/Special Programmes section of the Bulletin.

3.3.4.3     Joint Bachelor of Arts Programme with University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill

This is a jointly taught, assessed and awarded undergraduate degree offered by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH). The degree will combine the strengths of both curricula, integrate international experience fully into a student’s course of study, and confer a doubly validated qualification.

FASS students who successfully complete Honours requirements in this programme will be awarded Bachelor of Arts with Honours by NUS. To graduate with Honours from UNC, FASS students must complete the Honours Programme requirements at UNC.

The joint degree will be a common and distinctive programme, different from the degrees in either of the two universities. It will combine the broad, structured General Education component of the UNC-CH degree, with the extended, in-depth study of the major at NUS.

Students will stay at the host institution for a minimum of two and a maximum of four semesters. The period at the host university may occur at any time after (but not including) the first semester of study, and before (but not including) the eighth and last. It is likely, and recommended, that NUS students go relatively early in their course of study (semesters 3-5), in order to benefit from UNC-CH’s general education offerings.

Unlike SEP, students will transfer grades as well as credits. Grades will be converted using an agreed and equitable scale. Modules and grades may be used towards any part of the student’s programme of study, including electives, major, minor and general education requirements.

This programme is available to FASS students majoring in Economics, English Literature, Geography, History and Political Science as of AY2007/08.

For programme application and details, please refer to the Faculty website http://www.fas.nus.edu.sg/intl/JointDegree/JointBA-NorthCarolina.html.

3.3.4.4     Double Degree Bachelor of Arts (Honours) with Waseda University (School of International Liberal Studies)

NUS and Waseda University has a double degree programme (DDP) which provides opportunities for up to 5 students of NUS’ University Scholars Programme and Waseda University’s School of International Liberal Studies (SILS) students to study at the partner institution. The participating NUS faculties in the DDP are the Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences and the Faculty of Science.

Waseda is one of the best universities in Japan and is regarded as one of Japan’s top two private universities. SILS is a small select college within Waseda that has a wealth of student opportunities. SILS itself has a strong emphasis on internships and other activities (such as community and volunteer work) that will take the students outside the university. The underlying philosophy at SILS includes a global outlook emphasizing intercultural understanding.

The University Scholars Programme (USP) is NUS’s talent programme. It is specially designed to stretch the intellectual, leadership and personal capacities of some of the brightest and most highly motivated undergraduates of NUS.

NUS students who successfully complete the DDP will be issued with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from NUS and a Bachelor’s degree from Waseda University.

3.4        Special Programmes

3.4.1     Student Exchange Programme

Students with good grades may apply for the Student Exchange Programme (SEP) in which they spend a period of time (a maximum of two semesters) abroad pursuing courses that complement their work at NUS. The choice of modules is subject to approval by the Head of Department or designate and the length of study is subject to approval by the Dean or designate.

Students in the SEP are granted credit transfer but not grade transfer for modules that are graded with a satisfactory pass and that have been approved as equivalent NUS modules by the Head of Department or designate.

Students intending to participate in SEP should be aware of the following policies and rules:

Students who have advanced placement credits and exemptions (APC) granted for modules taken and passed prior to admission to NUS, for modules completed at another tertiary institution recognised by the University, or based on performance in placement tests set by the relevant Faculty/School, are to refer to Section 3.4.1.1 for the calculations of maximum ungraded MCs allowed.

3.4.1.1     Maximum Ungraded MCs Allowed Towards Graduation Requirements for Students without APC (For 07 cohort students onwards)

If a student participates in SEP without any APC, the maximum number of MCs of ungraded modules, to count towards graduation requirements is subjected to the rules listed above. Ungraded modules refer to modules whose grades are not factored into CAP; including credits from overseas modules and other NUS modules taken on S/U basis (maximum of 12 MCs).

Example 1
A student reading a B.A. (120 MCs) has read 60 MCs of modules graded thus far and has also accumulated 8 MCs of modules graded ‘S’. The student will need to read a minimum of 20 MCs of graded NUS modules to fulfil the minimum residency requirements.

The student may transfer up a maximum of 32 MCs of modules from SEP. Please note that if the student chooses to exercise S/U option on another NUS module, only a maximum of 28 MCs will be allowed for credit transfer.

Example 2
Using the same example of a student reading a B.A. (120 MCs) has read 60 MCs of modules graded thus far and has also accumulated 8 MCs of modules graded ‘S’. This student has however been granted 20 MCs of APC.

The student may transfer up a maximum of 12 MCs of modules from SEP. Please note that if the student chooses to exercise S/U option on another NUS module, only a maximum of 8 MCs will be allowed for credit transfer.

For more information, please refer to: www.fas.nus.edu.sg

3.5        Academic Awards

Awards
Medals and book prizes are awarded only once in the academic year, after the Semester 2 Examination. In all instances, a prize-winner must be of sufficient merit. He/She must have passed all modules attempted and must be a good overall student. No award will be made unless there is a candidate of sufficient merit.

In general, to be eligible for consideration for an Academic Year Award, a student must have completed a minimum workload of 40 MCs, 80 MCs and 120 MCs for the Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3 awards respectively.  In addition, students must have completed at least 36 MCs of graded modules within the academic year of the award.

The eligibility criterion for consideration for Subject Awards requires a student to have completed a minimum workload of 36 MCs within the academic year of which, at least 28 MCs must be graded modules.  The exception to this ruling would be students who are involved in internships, accelerated programmes or double degree programmes.  For these students, they need to have a minimum of 24 MCs graded modules. In addition, students must have also completed a minimum of 16 MCs in the subject within the academic year.
For a full list of the medals and book prizes for FASS students, please visit the following website at: http://www.fas.nus.edu.sg/undergrad/toknow/academic_awards/medals_and_book_prize.html

Dean’s List
The Dean’s List is an award given to the top 5% of each cohort, with meritorious academic achievement, at the end of each semester (excluding the special term). There is therefore no specific cut-off as only the top 5% of eligible students are selected.  Selection should be based on the Semester Average Grade Point (SAP), subject to a CAP that is above the current pass with merit cut-off.  Those in their fourth year of study must have a CAP of at least 4.0.

To be eligible for consideration to be placed on the Dean’s List, students have to read a minimum  workload of 16 MCs in a semester of which, at least 12 MCs (bold) must be graded modules.  Double degree students must complete a minimum of 12 MCs of graded modules that fulfil FASS requirements.

The selection will be made from the fourth official week of the release of exam results.

Dean’s Commendation
As a way to encourage and motivate students, the Faculty commends those who show great improvement in their studies. Students will be selected on a semestral basis (excluding Special Term) using Semester Average Point (SAP). The selection is based on the difference in SAP between the previous and current semester.

The selection will be made from the fourth official week of the release of exam results.

The required improvement on SAP is reflected in the table below, based on the year of study as dictated by the course code.

To be eligible for selection, a student:
(a)    Must not be refused readmission in the semester of selection.
(b)    Must have a CAP of at least 2.00 in the semester of selection.
(c)    Must have a minimum workload of 16 MCs in the semester, of which at least 12 MCs must be graded modules that count towards FASS workload.