Degree Requirements

4.1        Research Programmes

4.1.1     Degrees Offered

The Faculty of Science offers full-time and part-time graduate research programmes in all six departments leading to the Master of Science (M.Sc.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees.

4.1.2     Degree Requirements

Admission Requirements
All applicants are admitted into M.Sc. or Ph.D. programme.  For students pursuing Ph.D. candidature, they must pass the Qualifying Examination by the fourth semester.

Candidature
The period of candidature ranges from a minimum of one year to a maximum of three years for M.Sc. and a minimum of two years to a maximum of five years for Ph.D.

Research Scholarship
All applicants who wish to pursue full-time research studies may apply for the NUS Research Scholarship.

Entry Requirements
i.      The normal minimum entry qualifications for admission to the Graduate Programmes is a good relevant bachelor’s degree (applicants who are NUS graduates should have a bachelor’s degree with honours at least at second class upper level) and/or master’s degree and the ability to pursue research in the candidate’s proposed field of advanced study.
ii.     All applicants must submit either their GRE or GATE test score. The minimum requirement is 1800 or 90 percentile respectively. Under the new GRE format, the requirements are Verbal 500, Quantitative 700 and Analytical Writing 3.5.
iii.    As the medium of instruction at NUS is in English, applicants whose native tongue or medium of undergraduate instruction is not English should submit their TOEFL or IELTS score as evidence of their proficiency in the English Language. The minimum TOEFL score is 580 (Paper-based Test) , 260 (Computer-based Test) and 85 (Internet-based Test). The minimum requirement for IELTS score is 6.  Applicants are encouraged to take the TSE (Test of Spoken English) and TWE (Test of Written English).
iv.     Applicants who are not residing in Singapore or would like to do their research in overseas institutions must spend a period in residence in Singapore for a minimum of six months (master’s degree) or one and a half years (doctoral degree) during his candidature.
v.      The minimum and maximum period of candidature is as follows:

Research candidates may be admitted as full-time or part-time students. The minimum and maximum periods of candidature are the same.

There are two intakes per academic year: one in January and the other in August.  Application forms can be obtained from the respective departments or online.  Please note that applications must be submitted to the departments by 15 May  for the January intake, and by 15 November (for international students) for the August intake respectively.

Course Requirements
i.    Coursework
Candidates pursuing higher degrees by research are required to attend and pass examinations in a minimum  of three modules (two coursework modules and one compulsory seminar module) for M.Sc. and a minimum of six modules (five coursework modules and one compulsory seminar module) for Ph.D.  These courses are to be chosen in consultation with their thesis supervisor(s) and/or department(s).
ii.   Thesis/Dissertation
Candidates must submit, through the supervisor(s) and the Head of Department, his thesis/dissertation for examination within the maximum period of candidature. The thesis/dissertation must be on a topic approved by the respective departments and must make some contribution to knowledge and not be a mere collation of existing materials. The thesis/dissertation must contain original work or critical interpretation worthy of publication.
iii.  Any other additional requirements may be specified by the respective departments.

Continuation Requirements
i.    Masters
For continuation in the Master’s programme, a student’s CAP should not fall below 2.5 or equivalent for two consecutive semesters, or 3.0 for three consecutive semesters.
ii.   Ph.D.
For continuation in the Ph.D. programme, a student’s CAP should not fall below 3.0 or equivalent for two consecutive semesters, or 3.5 for three consecutive semesters.
iii   Termination of candidature will result if a student fails to maintain the minimum CAP.

A.   Ph.D. Programme in Medicinal Chemistry

(I)   Programme Objectives
The Departments of Chemistry, Pharmacy and Biological Sciences of Faculty of Science, Pharmacology of YLLSoM, and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering of Faculty of Engineering at the National University of Singapore, in collaboration with research institutes and local pharmaceutical companies, propose a graduate programme in Medicinal Chemistry to be implemented in support of the R&D needs of the pharmaceutical industry.

Medicinal Chemistry is an interdisciplinary research area incorporating Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Lead Optimisation, Pharmacology, Molecular Biology, Computer-aided Drug Design and Toxicology.

The aim of this programme is to provide graduate students with an integrated broad-based training in the various disciplines related to medicinal chemistry, including the most advanced research methodology in organic synthesis and the biomedical sciences

(II) Programme Rationale
The rationale for this programme is based on the following considerations:

Life Sciences Initiative in Singapore
Under the Singapore Industry 21 blueprint, the nation intends to create world-class capabilities across the whole value-added chain of life sciences activities and to develop life sciences as the fourth pillar of the manufacturing sector alongside electronics, chemicals and engineering.

In view of these national ambitions and the expected growth in the life sciences industry, there is a need for an integrated chain of expertise right across the spectrum, from basic research and development, product and process development, full-scale manufacturing, to clinical research and biotechnology. Trained researchers and chemists with a good knowledge of organic synthesis would also be needed to build a strong R&D foundation to sustain the long-term growth of this industry in Singapore.

Expansion of the Pharmaceutical Industry
The pharmaceuticals sector represents a major stalwart under the EDB Life Sciences Cluster map. To date, Singapore has established itself as a manufacturing base for the pharmaceuticals sector with multinationals such as Aventis, GlaxoWellcome, SmithKline Beecham, Kaneka, Schering-Plough and other pharmaceutical companies either have comprehensive operating facilities or assured their strong investment in Singapore.

Singapore aims to be home to 15 multinational life sciences companies by 2010 and the regional centre for clinical trials and drug development. One of the key challenges is to encourage world-class pharmaceutical companies to set up and carry out Research & Development (R&D) work in Singapore. A main consideration for such companies in deciding to locate/relocate R&D activities here would be the presence of a critical mass of appropriately trained R&D personnel within Singapore. On the basis of numerous dialogues and feedbacks from EDB and pharmaceutical firms, R&D personnel specially trained in Analytical Chemistry, Organic Synthesis and Combinatorial Chemistry at the graduate M.Sc./Ph.D. level are amongst those in greatest demand. The current anticipated output level of trained manpower in this respect is however definitely inadequate for the intended pharmaceutical R&D efforts in Singapore.

(III) Programme Planning

Figure 1: Flow Chart for Drug Discovery & Development

Drug discovery and development of novel pharmaceutical/medicinal products (before actual clinical trials) is a rigorous and lengthy endeavour that involves talents from various fields of science and medicine. Figure 1 above depicts an overview of the process, which cover four main phases:

• (a)    Therapeutic targets identification:This involves motif discovery and analysis for families and subfamilies of therapeutic targets and understanding of their mechanism of action.
• (b)    Lead selection: This process involves the organic synthesis of classes of compounds, determining the biological signals produced by a given target and assessing the affinity and selectivity of the most powerful compound(s) (“hits”) for these targets. Development and implementation of assays for screening of active ingredients and/or metabolites would be required via combinatorial technology.
• (c)    Lead optimisation: This entails the assessment of the compound's chemical stability, bioavailability, pharmacokinetics, pharmaceutical formulation, acute toxicity, structure-activity relationships (SAR), molecular modelling of drugs etc.
• (d)    Pre-clinical tests: This stage essentially involves the testing of potential drugs on animals. Apart from assessing their viability, suitable formulations are also developed for human application and sufficient quantities of the compound are prepared to support further clinical trials.

In view of the demands listed in each step of the process, a singular Ph.D. programme in support of the whole drug discovery & development chain by the various departments (mentioned earlier) has to be established. An M.Sc. programme is considered to be too short without adequate training to serve the highly research-oriented purposes of the pharmaceutical R&D.

The overall curriculum is normally a four-year programme, with a possible extension to four-and-a-half years:

(IV) Integrated Broad-based Course Requirement
Students are required to read appropriately-designed modules so that they will gain sufficient oversight to the whole drug discovery and development chain. Candidates will be required to do all the five courses. Coursework will normally be completed within the first year of study.

The following areas are considered essential:
(a)    Molecular Biology: A module to focus on cell functions at the molecular level, the molecular recognition that forms the basis of cell signalling networks that are used in various organisms to regulate their responses to extra-cellular and intracellular stimuli. A basic understanding of the mechanism of these protein-protein interactions should provide key insights on how a specific pathway can be inhibited or modulated as targets for the rational design and development of therapeutics in applied biotechnology.
BN5103 Advanced Molecular Biology (4 MCs)*
This is an existing module in the Division of Bioengineering. - Please refer to Faculty of Engineering for module details.
*       Students with B.Sc. (Hons.) in Life Sciences admitted to the Medicinal Chemistry Programme have to take one of the following modules in place of BN5103: BL5201 (Structural Biology and Proteomics), BL5202A (Biophysical Methods in Life Sciences) or BL5203 (Molecular Recognition and Interactions).

(b)    Drug Discovery and Design: A module to focus on the use of high throughput bioassays and structural activity relationship studies for identification of potential lead compounds from natural products (plant extracts, toxins, proteins) for purpose of drug development.  The module will introduce an overview of the drug development process.  The module will cover the principles of high throughput screening of natural products; characterisation of potential ligands; application of principles in medicinal chemistry for enhancing the drug-like property of the isolated natural products and identification of appropriate lead structures to be used as templates for combinatorial synthesis, to explore the relationship between molecular diversity and pharmacological action.
PR5212 Advanced Topics in Medicinal Chemistry (4 MCs)

(c)    Advanced Organic Synthesis: Biomimetic reactions, the application of organometallics to organic synthesis, synthesis of complex molecules, and other emerging areas in organic synthesis. Students will be required to write a proposal and a review on any topic related to organic synthesis. Topics covered include: parallel organic synthesis, solution, liquid and polymer-supported syntheses, strategies in combinatorial synthesis, library design, analytical methods and screening, and the applications of combinatorial chemistry. Bead technology and methods of deconvolution of lead compounds will be included.
CM5221 Advanced Organic Synthesis (4 MCs)

(d)    Computer-Aided Drug Design: Basic concepts of molecular modelling. Molecular mechanics. Molecular orbital methods. Conformational analysis. Solvation effects. Principles of computer-aided drug design. Quantitative structure-activity relativity (QSAR) and 3-D QSAR. Pharmocophore mapping. Chemical, protein and sequence databases and search tools. Molecular surfaces and molecular superimposition techniques. Algorithm of automated docking of drugs into receptor sites. De Novo ligand design. Molecular dynamic simulations. Prediction of binding free energy. Introduction to molecular modelling software (Spartan, Sybyl and Dock).
CM5236 Computer Aided Drug Design (4 MCs)

(e)    Pharmacology and Toxicology: A module to cover pharmacological principles of drug actions; receptor pharmacology; drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination; toxicology including toxicokinetics; and quantitative pharmacology for the evaluation of drug actions.
PP5201 Pharmacology and Toxicology (4 MCs)
Please refer to Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine for module details.

(f)    Essential Laboratory Training: This module allows students to develop a better understanding and appreciation of medicinal chemistry research.  Research laboratories will be broadly categorised as synthetic and non-synthetic, and students are required to be attached to two different laboratories for a period of two months each. During the laboratory rotation, students will be required to undergo an introductory course in molecular modelling and computational drug design.

(V) Research Specialisation
A student in this programme will work on a research project supervised by one or more Faculty members involved in this programme. The research proposal should be designed in collaboration with ongoing activities in the pharmaceutical industry and/or research institutions. Collaborative efforts of Faculty members with overseas partners may also allow students to go on international exchange.

The planning of the research proposal should be finalised before the end of semester two of study, when the research project commences immediately after completion of course work requirement. Each candidate should spend at least the equivalent of two semesters or more in the industry and/or research institution doing his/her research. The student will have to submit a thesis upon completion of his/her research work.

(VI) Candidature
The maximum scholarship duration is four years and the maximum candidacy is five years.

Although the programme aims to nurture Ph.D. candidates, all students will be admitted initially as graduate students to the programme. Students will have to sit for a qualifying examination between 12-16 months of their study, similar to the procedure for all graduate students at the Faculty of Science. Those who pass will continue to complete their Ph.D. programme. Those who fail (expected to be a very small number) will be advised to embark on a research project at an appropriate level for the fulfilment of a M.Sc. degree.

B.   ANU-NUS Joint Ph.D. Programme

(I)   Programme Structure
The Joint Degree Programme (JDP) is offered by the Department of Physics at NUS and the Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and the Research School of Physical Sciences and Engineering at the ANU.

A student’s period of candidature will commence at the beginning of any semester of an academic year.

Students at NUS and ANU will be expected to earn their doctoral degrees after three to four years of study.  For ANU students the minimum period of candidature for this JDP will be four semesters and the maximum will be eight semesters, with extensions of the JDP possible if approved by ANU.  For NUS students the minimum period of candidature for this JDP will be four semesters and the maximum will be ten semesters, with extensions of the JDP possible if approved by NUS.

Students will be required to spend at least two semesters in residence at the Host Institution.

Students enrolled in the JDP will be required to meet the degree requirements of their Home Institution.

Students enrolled in the JDP will be required to undertake a minimum of four physics graduate courses/modules:
•      In the first instance it is envisaged that NUS will offer graduate modules which students from ANU and NUS will be required to undertake.
•      NUS students undertaking the JDP must ensure that they complete NUS’ modules requirements as specified in Schedule 1.
•      NUS students will be required to enrol in up to two ANU graduate courses.  The credits earned from undertaking such graduate courses will be transferable to NUS.
•      ANU students will be required to enrol in up to two NUS graduate modules.  The credits earned from undertaking such graduate modules will be transferable to the ANU.
•      A student’s requirement to comply with the provisions may be varied by approval of the JDP Committee on the recommendation of the student’s thesis advisors.

Students who successfully complete a JDP will be issued with a joint testimony: Doctor of Philosophy: The Field of Study Being Physics.  Students will have their degree conferred by their Home Institution, but may elect to have their degree presented in either Singapore or Australia.

SCHEDULE 1: Syllabi of Level-5000 Modules Offered by Department of Physics at NUS

Graduate Modules offered by the Department of Physics, NUS,

Subject to the approval of the Head of Physics Department, a candidate may be allowed to choose up to three modules (12 MCs) at Level-5000 or higher from other Departments.

In addition, an NUS student is required to pass the Graduate Seminar Module in Physics (PC5198).

(II) Entry requirements
•      If applicable, the student must meet the English language proficiency
•      The student must have been admitted into graduate studies of the Department of either ANU or NUS;
•      The student must be a Ph.D. candidate approved for admission by the Home Institution;
•      The student must be accepted by not less than two Faculty members as supervisors, and at least one supervisor must be from each Party;
•      The student must obtain a student visa to enter and study in the Host Institution’s country; and
•      The student’s admission must be recommended by the JDP Committee.

(III) Assessment and Credit
•      For the JDP, an NUS student will be required to complete coursework comprising six modules at graduate level (including PC5198) with an average CAP of 3.5 (the list of graduate modules offered by the Department of Physics, NUS, is provided in Schedule 1).  ANU students will be required to complete a total of at least four physics graduate courses, with an average grade equivalent to a CAP of 3.5.
•      The Ph.D. thesis will be examined by a Ph.D. Exam Panel of three members, one nominated by the Head of Department of each Party, and an external referee nominated by the JDP Committee, and approved in accordance with the Home Institution’s usual Ph.D. practices.
•      Assessment of each student’s Ph.D. thesis will include an oral examination by video-conference between the ANU and NUS.
•      The award of the JDP to a student will be discussed and recommended by the Head of Departments, the Deans and the respective authorities of both Parties.

(IV) Financial Matters
•      Students will pay fees to their respective Home Institutions, even while they are undertaking courses at the Host Institution.  The student will be exempted from paying fees to the Host Institution.
•      Students will have secured an approved funding plan from their Home Institution prior to consideration of their application for enrolment by the JDP Committee.  Ph.D. candidates who have been awarded a research scholarship from their Home Institution will be bound by terms and conditions of the research scholarship of their Home Institution.
•      The airfare and travelling expenses incurred by students travelling to the Host Institution, accommodation and all living expenses, including medical/health insurance will be borne by students with possible support from either Party if available and merited.

4.1.3     Financial Assistance and Awards

NUS President’s Graduate Fellowships (PGF)

The President Graduate Fellowship (PGF) is awarded to candidates who show exceptional promise or accomplishment in research. A number of Ph.D. research students are selected each semester by the University for the award.  The bond-free fellowship is open to students of all nationalities who gain admission to a PhD programme in NUS.

The monthly stipend for Singapore citizens, Singapore Permanent Residents and foreigners are $3,000, $3,200 and $3,300 respectively. The award also cover one-off air travel allowance and settling allowance.  The award is tenable for an initial one year and, subject to the awardee’s satisfactory progress, renewable annually up to a maximum of four years.

NUS Research Scholarships

The University offers Research Scholarships to outstanding candidates to pursue a full-time graduate research degree at NUS. The bond-free scholarship is open to students of all nationalities.  Applicants must be university graduates with at least a Class II Honours degree or equivalent and, at the time of award of the Scholarship, must have been offered admission as a candidate for a full-time higher degree by research at NUS.

The Research Scholars will be given a monthly stipend and a full tuition fee subsidy. For Research Scholars in a Masters/Graduate Programme, the monthly stipend is S$1,500. For Research Scholars in a Ph.D. programme, monthly stipends for Singapore citizens, Singapore Permanent Residents and foreigners are currently S$2,300, S$2,200 and S$2,000 respectively.  Research Scholars in a Ph.D. programme may be eligible for an additional stipend of up to $500 per month upon passing the Ph.D. qualifying examination, which is normally held 12 to 18 months after registration of candidature.

The Scholarship is tenable for an initial 1 year and, subject to the Research Scholar’s satisfactory progress, renewable annually up to a maximum of one to two-and-a-half years for Masters candidates and three to four years for Ph.D. candidates, as determined by the University.

4.2        Coursework Programmes

4.2.1     Degrees Offered

• Master of Science in Applied Physics (Part-Time or Full-Time)
• Master of Science in Chemistry
• Master of Science in Financial Engineering (Part-Time, Full-Time or Distance Learning)
• Master of Science in Mathematics (Part-Time or Full-Time)
• Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology
• Master of Science in Physics (Part-Time or Full-Time)
• Master of Science in Quantitative Finance (Part-time or Full-time)
• Master of Science in Statistics (Part-Time or Full-Time)
• Joint Masters of Science in Industrial Chemistry (NUS & TUM)
• Joint Master of Science in Science Communication (Part-Time or Full-Time)
• Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) (Full-Time)

4.2.2     Degree Requirements

A.   Master of Science in Applied Physics (Part-Time or Full-Time)

Master of Science in Applied Physics is a coursework programme initiated as a part-time programme in July 2002.  It also can be enrolled on a full-time basis now.

The objectives of the programme are as follows:
•      Advanced training in applied physics (especially in semiconductor manufacturing, photonics and biophysics).
•      Opportunities for physics graduates and other professionals who have relevant working experience, to upgrade their professional skills and qualifications, or to switch to the hi-tech industry.

Admission Requirements
•      An Honours degree in physics or an equivalent qualification approved by NUS, or
•      A Bachelor’s pass degree in physics or related discipline, or
•      Completed three years of physics study in a university with a minimum Cumulated Average Point (CAP) of 3.00 on a full scale of 4.

(I)   Programme Structure
A candidate in the part-time M.Sc. Programme in Applied Physics by coursework must complete the following in order to be awarded the M.Sc. degree:

Track 1 (for applicants who have an Honours degree or equivalent qualifications)

EITHER

• i.      Complete coursework amounting to at least 24 MCs from physics modules (which the candidate should not have passed before) at Level-4000 or higher,
• ii.     Obtain at least 16 of the 24 MCs in (i) from Level-5000 physics modules, excluding PC5198. The candidate is also allowed to choose up to 8 MCs from PC4xxx modules, in Group B, which the candidate should not have passed before, and
• iii.    Complete a project and a written report, equivalent to 16 MCs, in an area specified by the Department.<

OR

• i.      Complete coursework amounting to at least 40 MCs from physics modules (which the candidate should not have passed before) at Level-4000 or higher; and
• ii.     Obtain at least 24, of the 40 MCs in (i), from Level-5000 physics modules, excluding PC5198. The candidate is also allowed to choose up to 12 MCs from PC4xxx modules (Group B) which the candidate should not have passed before.

Track 2 (for applicants who have a Bachelor’s pass degree or completed a three-year study in physics or related discipline)

EITHER

• i.      Complete coursework amounting to at least 64 MCs from physics modules (which the candidate should not have passed before) at level 3000 or higher
• ii.     Obtain at least 20 of the 64 MCs in (i) at Level-5000 (excluding PC5198), obtain at least 24 of the 64 MCs in (i) at Level-4000, and obtain no more than 16 of the 64 MCs in (i) at Level-3000 which the candidate should not have passed before; and
• iii.    Complete a PC5289 project and a written report, equivalent to 16 MCs, in an area specified by the Department.

OR

• i.      Complete coursework amounting to at least 80 MCs from physics modules (which the candidate should not have passed before) at level 3000 or higher; and
• ii.     Obtain at least 24 of the 80 MCs in (i) at Level-5000 (excluding PC5198), obtain at least 32 of the 80 MCs in (i) at Level-4000 and obtain no more than 16 of the 80 MCs in (i) at Level-3000 which the candidate should not have passed before.

In both tracks above, subject to the approval of the Head of Physics Department, a candidate may be allowed to choose no more than three Level-5000 modules (12 MCs) from other Departments.

The modules under Groups A and B are as follows:
Group A

Group B

Note: At present, one module is worth 4 MCs.

The Department may change the modules offered from time to time and not all modules listed are necessarily offered every academic year. You are also advised to check the website: http://www.physics.nus.edu.sg periodically for any additional modules which may become available for the programme.

For students admitted into the programme, a minimum Cumulated Average Point (CAP) of 3.00 is required for graduation.

(II) Period of Candidature
The programmes may be undertaken over a period of two to eight semesters for Track 1 or to ten semesters for Track 2, and will comprise coursework or coursework and a written report based on project work. Some classes will be conducted during the university semesters in the evening.

(III) Programme Intake
There are two intakes per academic year: one in January and the other in August.

B.   Master of Science in Chemistry

This programme is designed for students with either a four-year Honours degree, or a three-year degree with two years of working experience, who would like to pursue a graduate degree in Chemistry. It is expected that the graduates of this programme will be well-equipped to secure senior industrial positions, or apply for advanced degree programmes (e.g., Ph.D.).

At the end of the course, the student will be equipped with up-to-date knowledge and skills that will enable him/her to execute and lead with confidence and perform leading roles as R&D scientists, managers and entrepreneurs in the practice of complex chemical processes.

(I)   Admission Requirements & Programme Structures

Structure 1:
For students with a four-year (Hons.) degree:
Complete two full-time or four part-time semesters of course requirements. Structure 1 is a 40-modular-credit programme consisting of four Level-5000 essential module (each of 4 MCs), four Level-5000 elective modules (each of 4 MCs) of coursework, and a research project equivalent to two coursework modules (8 MCs).

Structure 2:
For students with a three-year degree and two years of relevant working experience:
Complete four full-time or eight part-time semesters of course requirements. Structure 2 will be an 80 Modular Credit programme consisting of 10 Level-4000 elective modules (each of 4 MCs) (including up to two Level-4000 modules which may be replaced by two Level-3000 modules and up to four Level-4000 modules may be replaced by four Level-5000 modules towards the fulfillment of this requirement), four Level-5000 essential modules (each of 4 MCs), four Level-5000 elective modules (each of 4 MCs) of coursework, and a research project equivalent to two coursework modules (8 MCs).

Note:
Students in Structure 2 have the option to read two Level-3000 modules in lieu of two Level-4000 modules.

(II) Area of Specialisation
In order to cater to Singapore’s growing need for skilled manpower in chemicals, electronics and biomedical industries, there are four areas of specialisation available for students to choose from:
1.     Analytical Chemistry
2.     Synthetic Chemistry
3.     Materials Chemistry
4.     Medicinal Chemistry

To fulfil the requirements for each area of concentration, students are required to read at least three modules from one of the three Level-5000 subject groups (Analytical, Synthetic, Materials or Medicinal).

Please refer to the course website:http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/graduates/msc_coursework.htm for more details.

(III) Course of Study
The programme will be conducted by coursework. Majority of the courses will be conducted in the evenings during the university semesters.

(IV) Programme Intake
There are two intakes per academic year in August and January.

C.   Master of Science in Financial Engineering (Part-Time, Full-Time or Distance Learning)

The Master of Science Programme in Financial Engineering launched in July 1999, aims at equipping finance and banking industry professionals with current knowledge and skills in financial innovations and risk management. The domain knowledge includes financial product development, price and hedge modelling, investment technology, risk analyses, computational methods, and data support systems for trading.

The degree is awarded by the National University of Singapore, administered through the Risk Management Institute (RMI) and comprises teaching staff from the Departments of Finance, Mathematics, Statistics and Applied Probability, Economics and practitioners from the finance industry. It is a multidisciplinary programme that draws from the established strengths of the various NUS Faculties. There will be opportunities to attend lectures and seminars given by eminent professors from universities worldwide. Some modules will also be co-taught by senior bankers and industrialists in the relevant field. There are also elective modules held overseas that are conducted at an intensive pace over one week. Currently the overseas modules are hosted by Princeton University and the University of Waterloo.

The Master of Science in Financial Engineering (Distance Learning) was launched in July 2005. Distance learning students will study the same syllabus, use the same materials, be assessed by the same examinations, and graduate with the same certification as that of a student who studies on-campus.

Admission Requirements:
•      Good four-year undergraduate degree or an honours degree
•      Good GMAT or GRE score
•      Good TOEFL score if English was not the medium of instruction in undergraduate studies
•      Relevant work experience will be an advantage

(I)   Programme Structure
To graduate from the programme, each candidate is required to complete 40 MCs or ten modules. Of these, there are five core (compulsory) modules and a compulsory financial engineering project equivalent to 4 MCs each. Candidates must also choose four elective modules from a selection of ten , although some electives may not be offered every year.
Candidates must read a minimum of 12 MCs in the first year. Candidates can enrol in the Financial Engineering Project module only after completing the 20 compulsory MCs, or while completing the remaining compulsory credits in the same semester or term.

For students admitted into the programme, a minimum Cumulative Average Point (CAP) of 3.00 is required for graduation.

(II) Intake
The NUS M.Sc. in Financial Engineering has one intake per year, with candidates joining the programme in July every year.

(III) Duration of the Programme
The minimum and maximum periods of candidature are 18 months and four years for part-time and distance learning students. The minimum and maximum periods of candidature are one year and two years for full-time students.

(IV) Semester
The programme operates on the two regular University Semesters I and II from July-November, and January-April, and also on the special term from May-July. The Financial Engineering project may be taken in any semester or term.

(V) Classes
All modules meet ten times. There are also supplementary computer lab exercises or tutorials for each module. Lectures for both the part-time and full-time programmes are held in the evenings from 7.00pm to 10.00pm or on Saturdays from 2.00pm to 5.00pm. Some lectures for full-time programmes are held during the day time. Each lecture lasts three hours. Distance learning students are able to participate in the live classes through the Virtual Classroom System.

(VI) Leave of Absence
A leave of absence may be granted to a candidate for up to one year only. A candidate who has to leave the programme for longer than that will need to withdraw from the programme. The leave of absence will be included in the maximum period of candidature.

(VII) Exemptions
Exemptions will only be considered for FE5112 Stochastic Calculus and Quantitative Methods:
i.      If a student has Mathematics postgraduate degree background; or
ii.     If a student has Computer Science postgraduate degree background.

(VIII) Termination of Candidature
The candidature may be terminated if a candidate failed twice in the examination of a module, or failed in more than two modules throughout the course of study. No extension of the maximum period of candidature will be permitted. A candidate should also attain a minimum Cumulative Average Point (CAP) of 3.00 to remain in good standing.

D.   Master of Science in Mathematics (Part-Time or Full-Time)

Master of Science in Mathematics by coursework is a postgraduate programme offered by the Department of Mathematics, which may be pursued full-time or part-time. This programme aims to provide advanced training in mathematics with an emphasis on coursework. It offers opportunities to those who have an Honours degree or a Bachelor’s degree in mathematics to build and enhance their professional skills and qualifications in advanced mathematics in general and/or in some specialised areas of applied mathematics.

Admission Requirements
A candidate may be admitted to one of two study tracks depending on his/her level of qualification upon entry into the programme.

For admission into Track 1 (40 MCs), a candidate must have
•      An Honours degree in mathematics or an equivalent qualification, or
•      An Honours degree in a discipline with strong training in mathematics at university level.

For admission into Track 2 (80 MCs), a candidate must have
•      A three-year Bachelor’s degree in mathematics or an equivalent qualification, or
•      A three-year Bachelor’s degree in a discipline with strong training in mathematics at university level.

A candidate whose Honours or Bachelor’s degree is not in mathematics must complete the GRE subject test in mathematics.

In addition, a candidate whose native tongue or medium of undergraduate instruction is not English must complete the TOEFL, IELTS, or Diagnostic English Test (DET) administered by the NUS Centre for English Language Communication. The minimum acceptable scores are:  TOEFL – 580, IELTS – 6, and DET – pass.

(I)   Programme Structure

Students have to fulfil all the following conditions:

Track 1

EITHER

• Read and pass two MA modules at Level 4000 (or above) and eight MA modules at Level 5000 (or above);

OR

• Read and pass two MA modules at Level 4000 (or above), six MA modules at Level 5000 (or above), and complete an individual project and written report (equivalent to 8 MC) over a maximum period of two semesters.
• Obtain a minimum Cumulative Average Point (CAP) of 3.00.

Track 2

EITHER

• Read and pass two MA modules at Level 3000 (or above), nine MA modules at  Level 4000 (or above) and nine MA modules at Level 5000 (or above);

OR

• Read and pass two MA modules at Level 3000 (or above), nine MA modules at Level 4000 (or above), seven MA modules at Level 5000 (or above), and complete an individual project and written report (equivalent to 8 MC) over a maximum period of two semesters.
• Obtain a minimum Cumulative Average Point (CAP) of 3.00.

(II) Candidature & Application

Track 1

The candidature for full-time students is from a minimum of two semesters to a maximum of six semesters.

The candidature for part-time students is from a minimum of four semesters to a maximum of eight semesters.

Track 2

The candidature for full-time students is from a minimum of four semesters to a maximum of eight semesters.

The candidature for part-time students is from a minimum of seven semesters to a maximum of ten semesters.

(III) Programme Intake

E.   Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology

The Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology is designed to cater to special interest groups of prospective students who are already working or aspiring to enter the pharmaceutical industry. This may be in areas of manufacturing and quality assurance of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and/or finished pharmaceutical products, regulatory affairs, medication utilisation review and drug registration.

According to the feedback from the pharmaceutical industry, there is a lack of knowledge and skills in the area of formulation science, pharmaceutical process validation and pharmaceutical product quality assurance among the current workforce in Singapore, compared to those of India, Ireland, USA and UK. However, it remains necessary for the pharmaceutical industry to continue hiring people equipped with relevant core competencies, for example chemical engineering, organic synthetic chemistry, chemical analysis, biotechnology, biomedical sciences etc. Therefore, it will be useful for these people to have gained on-the-job skills and sufficient work experience to enable them to appreciate how their core competency is related to the general operations in pharmaceutical manufacturing and development of drug products.

This programme aims to address the gap in manpower training by introducing topics in pharmaceutical sciences and pharmaceutical technology that focus on the processing and manufacturing of the active pure drugs right through to the formulation and quality assurance of the final product.

Learning Outcomes
Graduates from this programme will enhance their on-the-job competency by:
•      Gaining in-depth knowledge and practical skills for formulation and process manufacturing of chemical and biological drugs into a range of pharmaceutical dosage forms, ranging from tablets to injectables.
•      Acquiring understanding of the regulatory and quality compliance of pharmaceuticals in the process of drug development and manufacturing.

Degree Prerequisites for Admission
To be admitted into the programme (full-time or part-time), candidates must be holders of one of the following degrees, or their equivalent:
•      Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Chemistry
•      Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Life Sciences
•      Bachelor of Applied Science (Honours) in Food Science & Technology
•      Bachelor of Applied Science (Honours) in Applied Chemistry (Drug Option)
•      Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy (Honours)
•      Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical Engineering) (Honours).

Candidates without a Bachelor degree in Pharmacy will have to read and pass PR3301 Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms as a bridging module.

Special Criteria for Admission
•      Candidates who do not have Honours classification in the degree prerequisites as stipulated above may apply for admission with GRE results.
•      Candidates who hold equivalent degrees from overseas universities may apply for admission with GRE and TOEFL results.

(I)   Programme Structure

Candidates admitted into the programme must read and pass a total of ten modules (40 MCs), comprising six essential modules and four elective modules:

Six Essential Modules, 4 MCs each:

Four Elective Modules, 4 MCs each - choose from the following:

(II)  Graduation Requirements

To graduate with the degree in Master of Science (Pharmaceutical Sciences & Technology), candidates must have achieved a CAP of at least 3.00. The maximum candidature for a part-time student shall be four years, and that of a full-time student shall be two years.

F.   Master of Science in Physics (Part-Time or Full-Time)

Master of Science in Physics is a coursework programme initiated as a part-time programme in January 2000. It also can be enrolled on a full-time basis now.

The objectives of the programme are as follows:
•    Advanced training in fundamental aspects of physics
•    Opportunities for physics teachers and other professionals to further upgrade their professional skills and qualifications.

Admission Requirements
•    An honours degree in Physics from NUS or such other universities approved by NUS, or
•    A Bachelor’s pass degree in physics or related discipline, or completed three years of physics study in a university, or other qualifications as NUS may approve.

(I)   Programme Structure

A candidate in the part-time M.Sc. Programme in Physics by coursework must complete the following in order to be awarded the M.Sc. degree:

Track 1 (for applicants who have an Honours degree or equivalent qualifications)

EITHER

• i.      Complete coursework amounting to at least 28 MCs* from physics modules (which the candidate should not have passed before) at Level-4000 or higher,
• ii.     Obtain at least 20 of the 28 MCs in (i) at Level-5000 excluding PC5198  (at least 8 MCs should be Group A). The candidate is also allowed to choose up to 8, of the 28 MCs in (i) from Level-4000 Physics modules which the candidate should not have passed before; and
• iii.    Complete a PC5288 project and a written report, equivalent to 12 MCs, in an area specified by the Department.

OR

• •      Complete coursework amounting to at least 40 MCs from physics modules (which the candidate should not have passed before) at Level-4000 or higher; and
• •      Obtain at least 20 of the 40 MCs in (i), at Level-5000 Physics modules, excluding PC5198 (at least 8 MCs should be Group A). The candidate is allowed to choose up to 8, of the 40MCs in (i) from level-4000 Physics modules which the candidate should not have passed before.

Track 2 (for applicants who have a Bachelor’s pass degree or completed a three-year study in physics)

EITHER

• i.      Complete coursework amounting to at least 68 MCs from physics modules (which the candidate should not have passed before) at Level-3000 or higher,
• ii.     Obtain at least 20 of the 68 MCs in (i) at Level-5000 excluding PC5198 (at least 8 MCs should be Group A), obtain at least 32 of the 68 MCs in (i) at Level-4000 Physics modules. The candidate is also allowed to choose up to, 12 of the 68 MCs in (i) at Level-3000 Physics modules which the candidate should not have passed before; and 
• iii.    Complete a PC5288 project and a written report, equivalent to 12MCs, in an area specified by the Department

OR

• i.      Complete coursework amounting to 80 MCs from physics modules (which the candidate should not have passed before) at Level-3000 or higher; and
• ii.     Obtain at least 32 of the 80 MCs in (i) at Level-5000 Physics modules excluding PC5198 (at least 8 MCs should be Group A) and obtain at least 32 of the 80 MCs in (i) from Level-4000 Physics modules. The candidate is also allowed to choose up to 12, of the 80 MCs in (i) from Level-3000 Physics modules which the candidate should not have passed before

In both tracks above, subject to the approval of the Head of Physics Department, a candidate may be allowed to choose no more than 12 MCs)  from level-5000 modules offered by  other Departments.

The modules under Groups A and B are as follows:
Group A

Group B

Note: At present, one module is worth 4 MCs.

The Department may change the modules offered from time to time and not all modules listed are necessarily offered every academic year. You are also advised to check the website: http://www.physics.nus.edu.sg periodically for any additional modules which may become available for the programme.

For students admitted into the programme, a minimum Cumulated Average Point (CAP) of 3.00 is required for graduation.

(II) Period of Candidature
The programmes may be undertaken over a period of two to eight semesters for Structure 1 or to ten semesters for Structure 2, and will comprise coursework or coursework and a written report based on project work. Some classes will be conducted during the university semesters in the evening.

(III) Programme Intake
There are two intakes per academic year, one in January and the other in August.

G.   Master of Science in Quantitative Finance (Part-Time or Full-Time)

The Master of Science in Quantitative Finance by coursework is a postgraduate programme offered by the Department of Mathematics with the cooperation of the Department of Economics and the Department of Statistics and Applied Probability.  The objective of the programme is to provide advanced training in quantitative finance with an emphasis on coursework. Students in the programme are expected to acquire advanced knowledge in quantitative finance as well as a deep understanding of the background and implications of the use of quantitative methods in the financial industry. The programme offers opportunities to those who have an Honours degree in quantitative finance or mathematics to build and enhance their professional skills and qualifications in quantitative finance at masters level.

Admission Requirements
Candidates applying for admission into the programme should ordinarily possess or be expecting to obtain an Honours degree (or a 4-year Bachelor’s degree) in a discipline with strong training in quantitative finance or mathematics at university level, or an equivalent qualification.

In addition, a candidate whose native tongue or medium of undergraduate instruction is not English must complete the TOEFL, IELTS, or Diagnostic English Test (DET) administered by the NUS Centre for English Language Communication. The minimum acceptable scores are: TOEFL – 580, IELTS – 6, and DET – pass.

(I)   Programme Structure
Students have to fulfil all the following conditions:

Read and pass the following six essential modules:

• MA4257        Financial Mathematics II
• MA5247        Computational Methods in Finance
• QF4201         Financial Time Series: Theory and Computation
• QF5201         Interest Rate Theory and Credit Risk
• QF5202         Structured Products
• QF5203         Risk Management

Read and pass four elective modules chosen from the following list:

• QF5205         Topics in Quantitative Finance I
• QF5206         Topics in Quantitative Finance II
• EC5102          Macroeconomic Theory
• EC5103          Econometric Modelling & Applications I
• EC5332          Money and Banking
• ECA5315        Financial Econometrics
• ECA5334        Corporate Finance
• ST5207          Non-parametric regression
• ST5210          Multivariate Data Analysis
• ST5218          Advanced Statistical Methods in Finance
• MA5233        Computational Mathematics
• MA5248        Stochastic Analysis in Mathematical Finance

Obtain a minimum Cumulative Average Point (CAP) of 3.00.

Modules coded MAxxxx or QFxxxx are offered by the Department of Mathematics.
Modules coded ECxxxx or ECAxxxx are offered by the Department of Economics.
Modules coded STxxxx are offered by the Department of Statistics and Applied Probability.

(II) Candidature & Application
The candidature for full-time students is from a minimum of two semesters to a maximum of six semesters. 

The candidature for part-time students is from a minimum of four semesters to a maximum of eight semesters.

(III) Programme Intake
There is one intake per academic year in August.

H.   Master of Science in Statistics (Part-Time or Full-Time)

The objective of the programme is to provide a sound knowledge of the statistical principles and methods required by practicing statisticians.

Admission Requirements:
Candidates may be admitted to one of two study tracks which are catered to candidates with different levels of qualification.

For admission to Track 1 (40 MCs), a candidate must have
•      A local honours degree in related fields, or equivalent
•      An equivalent overseas degree (a four-year Bachelor’s degree)

For admission to Track 2 (80 MCs), a candidate must have
•      At least a three-year Bachelor’s degree in related fields or equivalent, with a satisfactory GPA.

In addition, a candidate whose native tongue or medium of undergraduate instruction is not English must have a TOEFL score of at least 580 or an IELTS score of at least 6.

A GRE general test score of the following minimum scores would be an advantage:

(I)   Programme Structure
Track 1
A candidate for the programme must successfully complete coursework consisting of two compulsory modules and eight elective modules. Among the eight elective modules, two modules can be taken from other departments subject to departmental approval.

A candidate who has an Honours degree in Statistics or Mathematics might be exempted from reading one or more compulsory modules upon the approval of the Head of Department of Statistics and Applied Probability, but an exempted module must be replaced by an elective module.

A successful candidate should have passed all the ten modules within the maximum period of the candidature.
In addition, the candidate must receive a CAP of minimum 3.00 (an average grade of at least B- for all the modules sat for).

Track 2
Only the full-time programme will be offered for this track.

A candidate must first complete a coursework requirement of 40 MCs at Level-4000. It includes six modules (24 MCs) and a project, ST5199 (16 MCs). Among the six modules, two modules can be taken from other departments subject to departmental approval. Courses will be conducted in the daytime.

In addition, the candidate must also complete the requirement of 40 MCs of modules at Level-5000 required for Track I candidates.

The total number of credits required for Track II is 80 MC. The required overall CAP for graduation is 3.00 or higher.

(II) Course of Study
The programme will be conducted by coursework. Courses will be conducted during the university semesters.  Level-4000 courses will normally be conducted during day time and most of the level-5000 courses will be conducted in the evenings.

(III) Period of Candidature
The minimum period of candidature will be one academic year and the maximum period will be four academic years, both counted from the date of the candidate’s admission to the programme.

(IV) Programme Intake
There is only one intake per academic year in August.

I.    Joint Masters of Science in Industrial Chemistry (NUS & TUM)

Objectives
The Masters of Science in Industrial Chemistry will be an enabling postgraduate course for specialist engineers for the pharmaceutical, as well as the fine and speciality chemical industries.

This programme differentiates itself from M.Sc. courses currently offered by the Department of Chemistry and the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering:
•      An experienced international teaching staff with a considerable proportion of specialists from the industry.
•      Laboratory skills taught in compact whole day courses of one week each (four courses).
•      Development of cultural awareness through student exchange, language programmes, and cultural immersion.
•      The inclusion of economics, business administration, and management science in the curriculum.

For admission into the Masters programme, a candidate must:
•      Have a good Honours or equivalent degree in chemistry or related disciplines.
•      Satisfy the Joint Academic Board of the Faculty of Chemistry of TUM and the Department of Chemistry NUS on the basis of an interview and/or written test.
•      Have good language skills in English [see Para (5) (c) for details].

(I)   Programme Structure
Candidates must successfully complete a programme of study comprising all the following:

i.      Five essential (Four Chemistry + One Business/ Management) and a minimum of four elective graduate modules,
ii.     Cross Discipline Courses to improve general knowledge, skills and social competence,
iii.    One industrial project of nine weeks’ duration, and
iv.     A six-month research project.

If the English language is not the candidates’ native language, candidates will be required to take and pass the Diagnostic English Test, conducted by NUS Centre for English Language Communication. Candidates, who failed in the Diagnostic English Test, will be required to complete and pass the PE5001 English Language Course — Intermediate Level. Alternatively, the internationally recognised TOEFL test from the candidate is acceptable.

Each essential graduate module CM5101, CM5102, CM5103 and CM5104 is based on 45 teaching hours with an additional laboratory component of one week (40 hours) and carries 6 MCs. The remaining essential chemistry module CM5105 which has 45 teaching hours with no practical component will be accorded 4 MCs. Elective modules are taken from existing modules offered by Department of Chemistry and the Department of Chemical & Environmental Engineering at NUS and/or from the Faculty of Chemistry at TU Munich.

With the exception of CM5105 which has no practical components, each essential graduate module (CM5101, CM5102, CM5103 and CM5104) comprises 45 contact hours of lectures/tutorials/assignments with an additional laboratory component of one week (40 hours) is assigned 6 MCs. CM5105 is accorded 4 MCs.

Graduation requirement
Nine modules with a total of 44 MCs (consisting of five core/essential and four elective modules) of graduate modules, successful completion of a two-month (nine weeks) industrial attachment, and completion of a project/thesis of six months’ duration. The thesis is accepted after an oral defence in the presence of four members of the examination board.

Programme Essentials
Each module: 30 Hours of Lectures + 15 Hours of tutorials unless otherwise specified.
(Each essential module apart from CM5105 will have one week of practical work comprising a total of 40 hours.)
•      Five essential modules (Four Chemistry + One Business/Management)
•      Four (out of twelve) elective modules (Chemistry/Chemical & Environmental Engineering /TUM)
•       Two weeks of language course (Business/Technical English)
•      Nine weeks of industrial internship
•      Six-months project (Master Thesis)

Cross Discipline Courses in evening and weekend: (10 hours for each module)
•      Selected Topics in Chemical Business Administration
•      Management Methods in Chemical Industry
•      Legal Aspects in Chemical Industry (e.g. Environmental Laws)
•      International Patent Law
•      Aspects of European and Asian History and Culture

(II)   Period of Candidature
The current full-time programme spans one and a half years comprising two full semesters of course work and six months of research work culminating in a written Masters Dissertation. The programme also entails nine weeks of internship in industry (Germany or Singapore).

(III)    Graduation Requirements/Conferment/Award of Degree
For graduation, a student must:
i.      Obtain a minimum CAP for all modules of 3.0 (B-);
ii.     Complete and pass the five core/essential modules and at least four elective modules;
iii.    Obtain a ‘P’ (Pass) Grade for the industrial project; and
iv.     Obtain at least a Grade D for the English Language Course ‑Intermediate Level (if not exempted from the English Language requirement).

NUS and TUM will confer the degree jointly. The degree scroll will be a common one for the joint programme.

(IV)   Continuation and Termination of Candidature
For continuation of candidature, students are to obtain either a Cumulative Average Point (CAP) or a Semester Average Point (SAP) of at least 2.50. Students will be issued an academic warning if the CAP and SAP are < 2.50.

Students’ candidature will be terminated (and refused re-admission) if:
i.      In the first semester of study, the SAP for NUS modules < 1.0; or
ii.     For two consecutive semesters of study, both CAP and SAP for NUS modules are < 2.50

(V)   Examinations
Candidates will be examined at the end of their study for the coursework modules including cross discipline courses. The Joint Academic Board will decide on the examination results of the modules offered at each university.

A committee comprising a minimum of four academics from both Universities will examine the Masters Dissertation. The examination process will entail a presentation of the research work done by the candidate followed by a question and answer session by the examiners. The location of the examination will be conducted where the candidate has performed the major part of the work.

(VI)  Programme Intake
There is one intake per academic year in July.

J.    Masters of Science in Science Communication

The M.Sc. in Science Communication is a joint M.Sc. degree offered by NUS and the College of Science, Australian National University (ANU).  The programme aims to foster the skills necessary to:

• be competent, confident communicators of science and technology to the general public and school-age audiences;
• develop materials for effective communication to non-specialist audiences;
• propose and supervise project work and other scientific activities; and
• develop confidence in lifelong learning.

(I)    Admission Requirements
Applicants have to fulfill the admission requirements for both universities in order to gain admission to the joint degree programme.

Applicants seeking admission must have:
-     a good bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) from a reputable university
-     a postgraduate diploma from National Institute of Education for teachers without an honours degree
-     good TOEFL score if English was not the medium of instruction in their undergraduate studies

Applicants without an honours degree in science will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

(II)   Programme Structure
The minimum candidature is 1 year (2 semesters) and the maximum candidature is 4 years (8 semesters). Full-time students can expect to graduate within 1 – 1.5 years. Part-time students can expect to graduate within 2 – 2.5 years. Full-time students will spend one semester (January to June) at NUS and one semester (July to December) at ANU. Alternatively, they may complete the whole programme at NUS. Part-time students will read the ANU core modules in intensive mode at the Singapore Science Centre (SCS) and the ANU elective modules through ANU online facilities.

The 4 core modules are:

Elective modules from ANU are:

(III)  Coursework Requirements
Students must read and pass NUS and ANU modules worth 40 NUS modular credits (MCs) or 48 ANU credits, with a CAP (NUS) of 3.0 or its equivalent over their approved candidature period.

(IV)  Programme Intake
There  is only one intake in January per year.

K. Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)

Only available in full-time mode.

In response to the changing health care environment, Pharmacy as a profession is continually evolving to expand its scope of services and responsibilities to meet the needs of patients, health care systems, and other professionals. Traditionally, the primary responsibility of the pharmacist was the safe and accurate dispensing of drugs prescribed by the physician.  Today, pharmacists are involved in the clinical care of their patients. To face the challenges in the practice of pharmacy in Singapore and abroad, pharmacists have to be equipped with not only the knowledge, but also the skills, attitudes and values required to deliver high quality, consistent and safe treatments to patients in collaboration with other health care professionals.

The primary objective of the NUS Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) programme is to train pharmacy practitioners to possess leadership qualities, advanced expertise and clinical experience that enable them to be at the forefront of the Pharmacy profession and health care in a variety of settings - institutional, community practice, government, academia, industry, translational research and drug development. The curriculum emphasizes a patient-centred course of study and involves a structure that will enable the students to develop into reflective practitioners with skills and attitudes to evaluate critically and modify practices in a timely and effective manner.

Criteria for Admission

• Candidates must be holders of the following degree, or its equivalent:
  • Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy (Honours).
• Candidates must have fulfilled the pre-registration pharmacist training requirements and registered to practise Pharmacy.
• Preference for those with relevant work experience as a pharmacist (hospital, community etc.)
• Candidates will also be evaluated based on an interview, their written statement of career goals and at least three letters of recommendation.

Special Criteria for Admission

• Candidates, who do not have Honours classification in the degree pre-requisites as stipulated above, may apply for admission with GRE results.  Candidates, who hold equivalent degrees from overseas universities, may apply for admission with GRE and TOEFL results.  Such candidates, if found to be suitable, would be submitted for approval by BGS on a case-by-case basis.
• Candidates, who have not read and passed the following 6 essential Pharmacy modules or their equivalents, will have to read and obtain good passes for them prior to admission.

-     PR1105         Pharmacy Practice I
-     PR3105         Pharmacotherapy I
-     PR3107         Pharmacy Practice II
-     PR4101         Pharmacotherapy II
-     PR4102         Pharmacotherapy III
-     PR4103         Pharmacy Practice III

Programme Structure

Length of Study
The NUS PharmD programme requires 2 full-time academic years of study consisting of a 1 year didactic component and 40 weeks of clerkships.

Curriculum
The didactic component of the programme consists of 12 modules, comprising 8 essential Level 5000 modules and 4 elective Level 5000 modules as described below:

Didactic Coursework<

Essential Modules (28 MC)

Elective Modules (16 MC) – undertake all coursework modules OR the clinical research project (PR5239) + coursework module(s)

Clerkships
All PharmD candidates must complete 40 weeks of clerkship consisting eight 5-week attachments at various practice settings.  The clerkship component of the programme aims to provide hands-on application of the knowledge gained in the first-year modules, and to develop the clinical skills necessary to provide advanced pharmaceutical care. 

• Compulsory clerkships (25 MC) (5 weeks each, total of 25 weeks)

This will consist of clerkships in the following areas:

-      PR5150        Ambulatory Care (5 MC)
-      PR5151        Adult Acute Care Medicine (5 MC)
-      PR5152        Adult General Medicine (5 MC)
-      PR5153        Critical Care Medicine (5MC)
-      PR5154        Drug Information (5 MC)

Elective clerkships (15 MC) (5 weeks each, total of 15 weeks)
This will consist of three 5-week attachments to allow students to gain exposure to a broad range of pharmacy practice settings, as well as to allow them to pursue areas of personal interest.  Options for elective clerkships will depend on available resources and clerkship sites.

-     PR5250         Elective Clerkship I (5 MC)
-     PR5251         Elective Clerkship II (5 MC)
-     PR5252         Elective Clerkship III (5 MC)

Graduation Requirements
Candidates will need to complete 44 MC worth of modules plus clerkships (40 MC) as indicated in the curriculum. The maximum candidature for a full-time student will be 3 years. To graduate with the PharmD degree, the candidate must have achieved a CAP of at least 3.5 for all 12 modules, in addition to passes for all eight clinical clerkships.