Degree Requirements

3.3.1     Curriculum Structure and Graduation Requirements

A.   Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Applied Science

To be awarded a Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Applied Science Degree, students must have:
(i)     Satisfied the University Level Requirements comprising:

• a.    8 MCs from General Education Modules (GEM) where at least 4 MCs must come from Subject Group B (Humanities and Social Sciences);
• b.    4 MCs from Singapore Studies modules (SS); and
• c.    8 MCs from Breadth modules (electives outside students’ Faculty).

(ii)    Satisfied the Programme Requirements comprising:

• a.    12 MCs of Faculty requirements (for B.Sc.) or 16 MCs of Faculty requirements (for B.Appl.Sc.); and
• b.    One set of major requirements.

(iii)   Accumulated a minimum of 120 Modular Credits (MCs)* (of which no more than 60 MCs may come from Level-1000 modules; Polytechnic Diploma holders who are granted advanced placement credits should refer to Section 3.3.2, Para A for more details);
(iv)   Obtained a cumulative average point (CAP) of at least 2.00;
(v)    Passed the requisite English Skills module(s) by the fourth semester (only applicable to students who fail to meet the exemption criteria based on the Qualifying English Test (QET) results); and
(vi)   Fulfilled all the above within a maximum candidature of four years unless under extenuating circumstances. Semesters spent on Leave of Absence (LOA) would be excluded from the period of candidature.

*       Students will read a set of Unrestricted Elective Modules (apart from those modules read in fulfilment of University Level and Programme Requirements) to meet the minimum number of MCs required for graduation.

**     For some multidisciplinary/interdisciplinary majors, part of the 12/16 MCs from Faculty requirements are built into the major. MCs required under programme requirements will vary from student to student depending on (1) the student’s choice of major, (2) the extent to which the Faculty requirements have been built into the student’s major, and (3) the combination of modules a student reads for his/her major. This will in turn determine the number of unrestricted elective modules a student has to read to meet the minimum MCs required for graduation. Students are advised to refer to Sections 3.3.3 and 3.3.4 for specific MCs requirements with respect to their chosen major.

B.   Bachelor of Science (Hons.)/Bachelor of Applied Science (Hons.)

To be awarded a Bachelor of Science (Hons.)/Bachelor of Applied Science (Hons.) Degree, students must have:
(i)     Satisfied the University Level Requirements comprising:

• a.    8 MCs from General Education Modules (GEMs) where at least 4 MCs must come from Subject Group B (Humanities and Social Sciences);
• b.    4 MCs from Singapore Studies modules (SS); and
• c.    8 MCs from Breadth modules (electives outside students’ Faculty).

(ii)    Satisfied the Programme Requirements comprising:

• a.    16 MCs of Faculty requirements [for B.Sc. (Hons.)] or 20 MCs of Faculty requirements [for B.Appl.Sc. (Hons.)]; and
• b.    One set of major requirements.

(iii)   Accumulated a minimum of 160 Modular Credits (MCs)* (of which no more than 60 MCs may come from Level-1000 modules; Polytechnic Diploma holders who are granted advanced placement credits should refer to Section 3.3.2, Para A for more details);
(iv)   Completed a mandatory year-long honours project module;
(v)    Obtained a cumulative average point (CAP) of at least 3.20;
(vi)   Passed the requisite English Skills module(s) by the fourth semester (only applicable to students who fail to meet the exemption criteria based on the Qualifying English Test (QET) results); and 

(vii)  Fulfilled all the above within a maximum candidature five years (applicable to students completing single and double majors) where semesters spent on Leave of Absence (LOA) would be excluded from the period of candidature.

*       Students will read a set of Unrestricted Elective Modules (apart from those modules read in fulfilment of University Level and Programme Requirements) to meet the minimum number of MCs required for graduation.

**     For some multidisciplinary/interdisciplinary majors, part of the 12/16 MCs from Faculty requirements are built into the major. MCs required under programme requirements will vary from student to student depending on (1) the student’s choice of major, (2) the extent to which the Faculty requirements have been built into the student’s major, and (3) the combination of modules a student reads for his/her major. This will in turn determine the number of unrestricted elective modules a student has to read to meet the minimum MCs required for graduation. Students are advised to refer to Sections 3.3.3 and 3.3.4 for specific MCs requirements with respect to their chosen major.

C.   Bachelor of Science (Pharmacy)/Bachelor of Science (Pharmacy) (Hons.) Requirements

To be awarded a Bachelor of Science (Pharm.)/ Bachelor of Science (Pharm.) (Hons.) Degree, students must have:

(i)     Satisfied the University Level Requirements comprising:

• a.    8 MCs from General Education modules (GEMs) where at least 4 MCs must come from Subject Group B (Humanities and Social Sciences);
• b.    4 MCs from Singapore Studies modules (SS); and
• c.    8 MCs from Breadth modules (electives outside students’ faculty).

(ii)    Satisfied the Programme Requirements comprising:

• a.    16 MCs of faculty requirements; and
• b.    One set of major requirements.

(iii)   Accumulated a minimum of 160 Modular Credits (MCs)* (of which no more than 60 MCs may come from level-1000 modules);
(iv)   Obtained a cumulative average point (CAP) of at least 3.20 for the award of the B.Sc. (Pharm.) (Hons.) degree. Students who obtain a CAP of less than 3.20 will be awarded a B.Sc. (Pharm.) degree.
(v)    Completed the module PR4199 Honours Project in Pharmacy (only applicable for the award of a Second Class Honours (Upper Division) degree and better); and
(vi)   Passed the requisite English Skills module(s) by the fourth semester (only applicable to students who fail to meet exemption criteria based on the Qualifying English Test (QET) results).

*      Students will read Unrestricted Elective Modules (apart from those modules read in fulfilment of University Level and Programme Requirements) to meet the minimum number of MCs required for graduation.

D.   University Scholars Programme (USP) Graduation

In general, scholars are required to fulfil the following USP requirements*:
i.      Three Foundation Tier modules worth 12 MCs
ii.     Eight Inquiry Tier modules worth 32 MCs
iii.    One Reflection Tier module worth 4 MCs

*       For specific breakdown of USP requirements, students should refer to the USP website at www.usp.nus.edu.sg

Scholars who read and pass the USP modules are deemed to have fulfilled 20 MCs of University Level Requirements. The remaining 28 MCs will be counted towards major/unrestricted elective requirements.

USP Independent Study Modules (ISMs)
Scholars who opt for the Academic Inquiry Track from the Faculty of Science are allowed to read three types of ISMs:
a.     ISMs riding on a regular department module
(e.g. PC3224)
b.     UROPS-based ISMs (e.g. LSM3288)
c.      Newly-designed ISMs

The following are some guidelines on how the different types of ISMs (listed above) may count towards a student’s major requirements:
a.     Scholars who read and pass an ISM riding on regular department module are deemed to have passed the regular module on which the ISM rides (e.g. PC3224).
b.     Scholars who read and pass a UROPS-based ISM are deemed to have passed the UROPS module on which the ISM rides (e.g. LSM3288). Whether the UROPS module may be used to fulfil students’ major requirements depends on each department’s/ programme’s policy regarding the use of UROPS modules for fulfilling major requirements (refer to Section 3.5.3 for more details). 
c.      For newly-designed ISM, what the module will count towards (major requirements or otherwise) will be decided by the Department at point of ISM approval. Typically, modules that do not fit into the major will be read as Unrestricted Elective Modules. 

Scholars must take at least one and up to three ISMs in place of regular Inquiry modules.

E.   Major Prerequisites

All students are expected to read one major in fulfilment of their degree requirements and will declare their major at the beginning of their first year of study. (For specific requirements of each major, please refer to Section 3.3.3).

They should meet the prerequisites (as stated in the table below) before choosing a particular major. Criteria are set to ensure that students have the necessary base knowledge to pursue studies in their selected major as well as to register for the relevant modules.

*    These majors are capped with quotas; eligibility to read these majors will be determined by additional selection criteria set by the department/programme.
**  B.Sc. (Pharm.)/ B.Sc. (Pharm.) (Hons.) degree.
†    Pharmacy and Computational Biology are strict four-year programmes, while all other programmes allow for graduation after three years with a general Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Applied Science degree. However, the general Life Sciences degree is only awarded with a B.Sc. degree and specialisations are only offered for B.Sc. (Hons.) programmes.

F.   Faculty Requirements

Listed in Table 1 are the Faculty requirements for the different programmes. This should be read in reference to Table 2.

Table 1: Table of Faculty Requirements for various Programmes

Table 2: Table of Subject Groups

*    Modules CSxxxx, IT1001, IT1002 and IT1006 are offered by the School of Computing but if read, may be counted towards Faculty requirements from the Computing Sciences Subject Group.

** 

Table 3: Provisions for students in Special Programmes

*       CBMs = USP Course-based Modules; UMSs = USP Advanced Multidisciplinary Seminars

For more details on fulfilling Faculty requirements, students are advised to visit the following website: http://www.science.nus.edu.sg/undergraduates/curriculum/facreq.html

G.   English Skills Requirements

Based on the Qualifying English Test results, students who do not meet exemption criteria have to take and pass ES1102 English for Academic Purposes. In addition, very weak students have to take and pass ES1000 Basic English Coursebefore proceeding to ES1102.

ES1000 and ES1102 are not counted towards Modular Credits and CAP. However, they are counted as part of the workload for every semester. (Please refer to section 3.3.2)

Students who need to clear ES requirement for graduation must do so by their fourth semester at the latest.

H.   Honours Eligibility and Honours Projects

(I)   For B.Sc. (Hons.)/B.Appl.Sc. (Hons.)

• i.      Students who matriculated in and after AY2005/06 (excluding those majoring in Applied Chemistry, Computational Biology and Quantitative Finance) will be eligible for Honours if they have:
  • a.    Fulfilled the requirements of one major at B.Sc./B.Appl.Sc. level; and
  • b.    Obtained a minimum overall CAP of 3.50 on completion of 100 MCs or more.

• Students who matriculated in and after AY2005/06 and are majoring in Applied Chemistry or Quantitative Finance will be eligible for the Honours track if they have obtained a minimum overall CAP of 3.50 upon completion of the first two regular semesters of study.

Registering for Honours Projects:

• Students in majors excluding Applied Chemistry, Computational Biology and Quantitative Finance must have fulfilled the minimum eligibility criteria (as stated in Para i. above) at the point of registering for the honours project module.

Students in the Applied Chemistry or Quantitative Finance major must have completed the major requirements at B.Sc. level at the point of registering for the honours project module. Students from the Applied Science Programme must also have completed one semester of professional placement.

•   Students who do not choose to proceed to Honours even though they are eligible may exit from the programme and graduate with a B.Sc./B.Appl.Sc. degree after satisfying graduation requirements at B.Sc./B.Appl.Sc. level (see Section 3.3.1, Para A).

II) For B.Sc. (Hons.)
The Computational Biology major is a four-year programme leading to a Bachelor of Science (Hons.) degree, subject to a minimum CAP attainment.

(III) For B.Sc. (Pharm.) (Hons.)
Pharmacy is a four-year programme leading to a Bachelor of Science (Pharmacy) (Hons.) degree, subject to a minimum CAP attainment.

The completion of the honours project is only mandatory for the award of a Second Class Honours (Upper Division) degree.

I.    Degree Classification

All students are on a track that leads to either the B.Sc./B.Appl.Sc./B.Sc. (Pharm.) or B.Sc. (Hons.)/ B.Appl.Sc. (Hons.)/B.Sc. (Pharm.) (Hons.) degree. CAP computation is based on all modules completed at all levels, excluding:
i.      Modules for which grades obtained have no assigned grade points (for e.g. EXE, OCT, OVS, S/U, IC, IP); and
ii.     ES1000 Basic English Course and ES1102 English for Academic Purposes.

Students’ degree and Honours classification will be determined by their CAP as follows:

• B.Sc. (Hons.)/B.Appl.Sc. (Hons.)/B.Sc. (Pharm.) (Hons.)

(II)  B.Sc./B.Appl.Sc.

3.3.2     Policies and Procedures

A.   Advanced Placement/Exemptions

(I)   Exemptions from Programme Requirements
Before a student may read more advanced level modules within their chosen area of specialisation, they are assumed to possess a base of knowledge on which the subject matter of a particular advanced module will be built.

Advanced placement allows a student to read more advanced modules by being credited for the prerequisites of these higher level modules. This means that a student can graduate within a shorter time by gaining exemptions and Modular Credits from lower level modules.

Polytechnic Diploma Holders as well as students with  H2 and International Baccalaureate (IB) or equivalent qualifications who have obtained good grades may be granted advanced placement credits of up to 20 MCs for programme requirements subject to their performance in placement tests and/or interviews carried out by the relevant departments. The placement tests would be taken at the point of admission to the University.

Modules for which advanced placement may be awarded are:

*       Only students who were medal winners in the International Mathematical Olympiad may apply to be considered for advanced placement credit for MA1100.

Students who have read and passed H3 modules at NUS are not allowed to sit for Advanced Placement Test for the module(s) that they have read and passed. Students have to declare the H3 modules that they have read at the point of application for the Advanced Placement Test.

Students are deemed to have successfully read and passed the module(s) for which they have been granted advanced placement credits and will not be allowed to register for this/these module(s) subsequently. The module(s) from which students have been granted exemption will not be included in the calculation of the CAP.

1. Exemptions from University Level Requirements and Unrestricted Elective Modules (Only applicable to polytechnic diploma holders)

Polytechnic Diploma holders admitted to the Faculty will be automatically granted advanced placement credits of 20 MCs (not subject to performance in placement tests) as follows:
i.      8 MCs from University Level Requirements (one Group B GEM and one Breadth Module)*; and
ii.     12 MCs from Unrestricted Elective Modules (UEM).

*All 20 MCs of advanced placement credits are tagged at Level-1000. However, students should note that only the 8 MCs from University Level Requirements will be counted against the 60 MCs limit that students are allowed to read in fulfilment of the 120/160 MCs required for graduation. The 12 MCs from Unrestricted Elective Modules will not be counted against the 60 MCs limit that students are allowed to read.

B.   Workload

i.      Minimum workload: 15 MCs per semester. Students are only allowed to read less than 15 MCs in their graduating semester. Recommended workload: 20 MCs per semester.
ii.     Existing students wishing to read more than 26 MCs must have a CAP of at least 3.50.
iii.    Newly-matriculated students who wish to read more than 26 MCs must seek approval from the Science Dean’s Office via the Centralised Online Registration System (CORS).

C.   Types of Modules

Modules are classified as follows:

The first digit of the four-digit code for a module represents the level (Level 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5) of the module. The second digit of each four-digit code is used to indicate the type of module, i.e., 1 for essential, 2 for elective, 3 for enrichment.

Modules (Level 1 to 5) have prerequisites which a candidate must fulfil before he/she is eligible to read. Prerequisites may be “read” or “pass” prerequisites. For “read” prerequisites, the candidate needs only to read the module; a pass in the module is not required. For a “pass” prerequisite, the candidate must have been given exemption or Advanced Placement Credits for the module or have read and passed the module (D grade or better, or S (Satisfactory) grade). All prerequisites are “pass” prerequisites, unless otherwise stated.
Prerequisites indicate the base of knowledge on which the subject matter of a particular module will be built. Before taking a module, a student should complete the stated module prerequisites listed for that particular module.

D.   Repeating Modules

Students are not allowed to repeat modules they have passed i.e. grade D or better, or S (Satisfactory) grade. There is no limit to the number of times that students may read a module if they fail or obtain a U (Unsatisfactory) grade on it.

E.   Overlapping Modules

Some modules offered may overlap substantially in content with each other. These modules would hence be cross-listed with or precluded by another. Students are discouraged from taking overlapping modules unless both are required to attain a double major or degree, etc. In the event that a student reads two or more modules that overlap, they will only be awarded with the Modular Credits of one module, unless otherwise stated. 

Please refer to the list of modules and their respective overlaps at the student portal.It is the student’s responsibility to check if their modules overlap with each other. When in doubt, they should consult the course instructor or an academic advisor. 

F.   Independent Study Modules (ISM)

(I)   Modules for ISM
Unless there is a compelling reason, only modules from the current list of Level-2000 and higher modules, offered as regular modules in the semester under consideration, may be read as ISMs. Level-1000 modules are excluded because the material that is normally covered in a Level-1000 module should not require the level of special mentoring expected of an ISM.

(II)     Eligibility to do ISMs<
Only students with CAP 4.50 and above are eligible to sign up for up to a maximum of two ISMs during their undergraduate candidature.

For SPS students, this CAP requirement does not apply to the ISM that they may read to fulfil SP3173.

For USP students, this CAP requirement does not apply for the ISMs that they are expected to read in fulfilment of USP advanced module requirements.

Note:
Registration of ISMs will be done manually through the Science Dean’s Office.  All students reading ISM(s) for the semester whether taken for SPS/USP requirements or otherwise will need to submit a standard application form downloadable from the student portal.

G.   Continuous Assessment

Continuous assessment (CA) will be taken into account and it normally contributes between 20 percent and 40 percent of the final grade of a module unless otherwise stated by the department. Homework, quizzes, tests, practicals, essays, projects, seminar presentations, performance during tutorials, field trips and other project work etc. are bases for continuous assessment.

H.   Filing for Graduation/Project Options

(I)   File For Graduation
Students will file for graduation online when they register for modules in their final semester. The filing can be done during the online registration period via the Centralised Online Registration System (CORS). Students must have obtained a minimum of 94 MCs (for bachelor's degree) or 120 MCs (for honours degree) before they can do so. Graduation will be delayed for students who miss the deadline for filing for graduation.

Students who wish to read additional modules after fulfilling the degree requirements are only allowed to stay for at most one additional semester in which at least 15 MCs of Level-3000 and higher modules have to be read.

Conversion of filing status after the release of examination results
Students who have filed for their graduation earlier in the semester but would like to pursue Honours (after meeting the Honours eligibility criteria) have up to three calendar days (from the date of release of the examination results) to convert their filing status from “File for Graduation” to “File for Honours Project”. Students may convert their filing status via the FFG Conversion website: https://neon.science.nus.edu.sg/intranet/student/undergraduate/ffg/convertffg/

(II) File for Honours Project
Students who intend to take honours projects in their respective majors have to file for Honours Project one semester before registering for their honours project. For example, if you intend to take the honours project in Semester 1, AY2012/2013, you will have to file for honours project at the beginning of Semester 2, AY2011/2012 during module registration. This filing may be done during the online registration period via CORS.

To qualify for honours projects, students must have fulfilled the minimum honours eligibility criteria as spelt out in Section 3.3.1, Para. H.

Conversion of filing status after the release of examination results
Students who filed for their honours project earlier in the semester but do not intend to pursue honours have up to three calendar days (from the date of release of the examination results) to convert their filing status from “File for Honours Project” to “File for Graduation”. Students may convert their filing status via the FFG Conversion website: https://neon.science.nus.edu.sg/intranet/student/undergraduate/ffg/convertffg/

(III) File for Graduation (with option to do Honours)
Students who intend to graduate but would like to do Honours if they manage to meet the Honours eligibility criteria by the end of the semester should file for this option during the online registration period via CORS.

If students do not meet the Honours Eligibility criteria after the release of the semester’s results but meet the criteria to graduate, they will automatically proceed to graduate. If they meet the Honours Eligibility criteria, they will automatically proceed to the next semester to do their honours project.

Conversion of filing status after the release of examination results
Students who qualify for Honours after the release of the semester’s results, but would like to graduate instead have up to three calendar days (from the date of release of the examination results) to withdraw from the project and “File for Graduation”. Students may convert their filing status via the FFG Conversion

Website: https://neon.science.nus.edu.sg/intranet/student/undergraduate/ffg/convertffg/

3.3.3        Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Science (Hons.) Programme Requirements [B.Sc./B.Sc. (Hons.)]

A.   Chemistry

How can fish and other aquatic life survive when water freezes in winter? What are the components of the air you breathe in? Which has greater global warming potential methane or carbon dioxide? What happens when lightning streaks through the atmosphere? What is done to prevent barnacles from growing on the hulls of ships and what are the environmental consequences of this action? Have you ever wondered about questions like these? Chemistry supplies answers to these and countless other questions, and by its very nature, occupies a central position among the sciences. Our lives have benefited enormously from Chemistry. It is in our own interest, as literate citizens and consumers, to understand the far-reaching effects, whether positive or negative, that Chemistry has on our lives and to be able to make informed decisions about the role Chemistry has to play in our world. It is not surprising for topics in Chemistry to range from the mathematical such as Quantum Chemistry to the biological such as Bioactive Molecules.

Programme Structure & Curriculum Rationale
Aside from the foundational and introductory modules at Level-1000, the curriculum is built upon the following major branches of a chemistry education:
•      Theoretical Chemistry
•      Physical Chemistry
•      Analytical Chemistry
•      Inorganic Chemistry
•      Organic Chemistry

Together with the spectroscopic applications they form the bulk of Level-2000 modules and lay out the important concepts of bonding, intramolecular and intermolecular interactions and transformations. Students are required to read all of these modules to obtain a solid foundation for more advanced topics in the latter stages of the course, such as:
•      Instrument Analysis 
•      Biomolecules
•      Transition Metal Chemistry 
•      Organic Reaction Mechanisms
•      Quantum Chemistry and Molecular Thermodynamics

The course has been planned to incorporate maximum flexibility. The student can select predominantly from modules which provide a more detailed coverage of the area of focus, or opt for a larger proportion of modules which provide broadening into other chemical disciplines relevant to the industry and research. Lecturers will impart knowledge gained from their own rich research experience in several frontier areas including Chemistry of Interfaces, Surface Chemistry, Asymmetric Synthesis, Specialty Polymers, Biomaterials, Drug Design, Supramolecular Chemistry, Computational Quantum chemistry, Combinatorial Chemistry, Nanomaterials and various Modern Analytical Techniques in order to provide a stimulating learning environment for the students.

In addition to formal lectures, learning is also achieved through laboratory modules in order that the basis of all scientific knowledge on proper experimentation is fully appreciated. These include Advanced Experiments in Inorganic, Organic, Analytical and Physical Chemistry. The emphasis of this programme is on a hands-on problem-solving approach to Chemistry, drawing on knowledge gained during the lectures and tutorials, to obtain a critical evaluation and a high standard of presentation of experimental work, to gain proficiency in the use of advanced analytical instruments available in the Department and to attain familiarity with aspects of experimental design and laboratory safety.

Career Prospects
Chemistry students have the best possible combination of numerical and literal credentials that a prospective employer looks for. Not only are chemistry-related jobs open to students, but those at first sight not even remotely resembling chemistry are there for the taking; banking and finance, business, public relations, sales, engineering, administration, management, writing and journalism, and even politics.

The Department’s main mission is to train the vital human resource needed for the growth of the national economy. Our graduates, both generalists as well as specialists, are found in the private and the public sectors. They occupy a myriad of jobs at all levels within the chemical, petrochemical, food, beverage, biomedical, pharmaceutical and electronics industries. Our graduates also serve in government and quasi-government organisations, as well as in our schools and junior colleges.

Graduates with advanced degrees also find ready employment in Singapore. Increasingly, R&D positions are becoming available in the universities, polytechnics, research institutes and industry.

Graduation Requirements
To be awarded a B.Sc. or B.Sc. (Hons.) with a primary major in Chemistry, candidates must satisfy the following:

Note:
Although Applied Chemistry lecture modules (CMxx6x) may be read as electives by those majoring in Chemistry, they cannot be counted towards the 18 modules or 72 MCs needed for the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. Applied Chemistry practical modules may also not be taken by students majoring in Chemistry.

Level-3000 CM elective modules
CM3212      Transition Metal Chemistry
CM3221      Organic Synthesis and Spectroscopy
CM3222      Organic Reaction Mechanisms
CM3225      Biomolecules
CM3231      Quantum Chem. and Molecular Thermodynamics
CM3232      Physical Chem. of the Solid State and Interfaces  
CM3242      Instrumental Analysis II
CM3251      Nanochemistry
CM3296      Molecular Modelling: Theory & Practice

Level-4000 or above CM elective modules
CM4211      Advanced Coordination Chemistry
CM4212      Advanced Organometallic Chemistry
CM4214      Structural Methods in Inorganic Chemistry
CM4222      Advanced Organic Synthesis and Spectroscopy
CM4223      Asymmetric Synthesis
CM4226      Current Topics in Materials Chemistry
CM4236      Spectroscopy in Biophysical Chemistry
CM4237      Interfaces and the Liquid State
CM4241      Trace Analysis
CM4242      Advanced Analytical Techniques
CM4261      Surface Science
CM4266      Current Topics in Materials Chemistry
CM4268      Advanced Polymer Science
CM4271      Medicinal Chemistry
CM5211      Contemporary Organometallic Chemistry
CM5221      Advanced Organic Synthesis
CM5222      Bioorganic Chemistry
CM5223      Topics in Supramolecular Chemistry
CM5224      Emerging Concepts in Drug Discovery
CM5232      Topics in Chemical Kinetics
CM5236      Computer Aided Drug Design
CM5237      Topics in Laser Chemistry
CM5241      Modern Analytical Techniques
CM5243      X-Ray Crystallography - A Practical Approach
CM5244      Topics in Environmental Chemistry
CM5245      Bioanalytical Chemistry
CM5261      Biomaterials
CM5262      Contemporary Materials Chemistry
CM5268      Advanced Organic Materials

Faculty requirements of 12 MCs and 16 MCs required for the B.Sc. and B.Sc. (Hons.) programmes respectively are partially fulfilled through the reading of MA1421 and LSM1401 within the major.

Students undertaking the B.Sc. programme are required to fulfil the remaining 4 MCs of Faculty requirements from any one of the following subject groups: Computing Sciences, Physical Sciences and ‘Multidisciplinary & Interdisciplinary Sciences’; but not from the following subject groups: Chemical Science, Life Sciences, Mathematical and Statistical Sciences.

Students undertaking the B.Sc. (Hons.) programme are required to fulfil the remaining 8 MCs of Faculty requirements as such:
(i)     4 MCs from any one of the following subject groups: Computing Sciences, Physical Sciences and Multidisciplinary & Interdisciplinary Sciences; but not from the following subject groups: Chemical Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematical and Statistical Sciences
(ii)    4 MCs of Non-CM prefixed module from any subject group

B.   Computational Biology

Today, the field of Computational Biology is a well-recognised and fast-emerging discipline in scientific research, with the potential of producing breakthroughs likely to impact the whole spectrum of the life sciences. Its distinguishing feature is the explosive growth of data generated by the post-genomic era and proteomics research, which requires novel and state-of-the-art computational approaches and instrumentations for their most effective analysis. Since the unravelling of the three-dimensional structure of DNA half a century ago, molecular and structural biology has experienced extraordinary progress, resulting in enhanced understanding of biological systems. This deeper understanding is obtained through the interdisciplinary interaction of Biology with the Computational and Mathematical Sciences, which has led to the emergence and recognition of Computational Biology as a discipline at the interface of these sciences. This discipline has today a well-connected peer community, with a host of well-established conferences and publication venues. Research has also been concomitant with the emergence of a vigorous professional market, spearheaded by the pharmaceutical and biomedical industries. 

Programme Structure & Curriculum Rationale
Launched in 2004, the main objective of this four-year programme aims to provide a multidisciplinary education that would produce graduates who would be equally at ease with algorithm design, mathematical and statistical analysis as they would be with biochemistry, biology/genetics, and wet-lab know-how.

Science students accepted into the programme will be on a four-year track that leads to a B.Sc. (Hons.) in Computational Biology. The structure of the programme will be such that students will read a basket of core multidisciplinary modules (lower division) in their first two years of study and proceed to an upper division specialised track in the next two years.

The lower divisionmodules embrace a fundamental body of knowledge in which a computational biologist should be proficient. This body of knowledge consists of the following:
•      Discrete mathematics and combinatorics, i.e., logic, sets, graphs, counting techniques, etc.
•      Probability and statistics, i.e., sample spaces, random variables, conditioning, distributions, design of experiments, significance tests, statistical inference, etc.;
•      Algorithm design and proficiency in some current programming language, i.e., combinatorial algorithms, algorithmic paradigms, analysis and design, working knowledge of current languages (for example, C, C++, Java) and experience in writing actual nontrivial code;
•      Organic chemistry and biochemistry;
•      Biology and genetics, including a moderate amount of wet-lab experience

The upper division specialised track will strengthen the student’s knowledge in the theoretical foundations of DNA/protein sequence analysis, mathematical models of genetic interactions and metabolic and cell signalling pathways, as well as modelling and computational prediction of protein structures and its applications in drug design. Students taking this track will need to have strong foundations in numerical analysis, stochastic process, and advanced calculus.

Career Prospects
Graduates from the programme will be equipped for a career as a researcher, analyst or engineer in the fast-paced pharmaceutical, biomedical or biotechnology industries. This will also help meet the demand of the local market for talents with such skill sets. Moreover, the breadth of instruction will pave the way for good students to pursue graduate studies in Bioinformatics.

Graduation Requirements

[1]     Modules are part of the lower division requirements for the Computational Biology Programme.

[2]     Science students will read CS1101C Programming Methodology (4 MCs) and CS1102C Data Structures and Algorithms (5 MCs) in fulfilment of their Breadth Requirements.

[3]       ZB3288 UROPS in Computational Biology can be taken in fulfilment of 4 MCs from any of the options in the level-3000 elective list.

[4]       Students may wish to read PC2267 Biophysics I as an unrestricted elective module to meet the prerequisites required for PC3267 Biophysics II (Level-3000 major elective module). Student without computing background may wish to read LSM2241 as a preparatory course before reading CS2220.

*     Students should choose the combined ST2131 and ST2132 in place of ST2334 if they plan to pursue higher ST modules. ST2131 is a pre-requisite to ST2132.

C.   Life Sciences

Hosted by the Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science (FoS), the NUS Life Sciences Undergraduate Programme offers the Life Sciences Major. The curriculum is taught by over 100 research-active faculty members from 10 departments at the Faculty of Science (Departments of Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Physics, and Statistics and Applied Probability), Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health and Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (Departments of Anatomy, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Pharmacology, and Physiology). The Life Sciences Major is designed to provide NUS undergraduates with the fundamentals in biological and biomedical sciences. With a solid foundation in the basic knowledge vital to all areas of Life Sciences required during the first 2 levels of study, the selection of relevant advanced-level courses directs students to one of the three specialised areas, namely Biomedical Science (BMS), Molecular and Cell Biology (MCB) or Environmental Biology (EVB). Graduates of the programme would be well prepared to take on challenges in the knowledge-based economy and to contribute and support Singapore’s initiatives in the field of Life Sciences.

Programme Structure & Curriculum Rationale
Broad-Based Core Curriculum
The Life Sciences major is structured to provide a common, broad-based foundation in the first two years of study for all students in Life Sciences. Students study topics in Molecular, Cellular and Organismal Biology as well as Biostatistics and Physical, Analytical and Organic Chemistry. This is a reflection of the multidisciplinary nature of modern Life Sciences.

Core Skills
Fundamental concepts and principles in Life Sciences are taught through lectures, tutorials, discussions, presentations and independent studies. A significant laboratory component is integrated into the curriculum. This is augmented by experimental- based modules, and by research projects in the UROPS (Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme in Science).

Three Areas of Focus
From Level-3000 onwards, students can diverge into any of the three areas of focus: Biomedical Science (BMS), Molecular and Cell Biology (MCB) or Environmental Biology (EVB).

To graduate with a B.Sc. degree, students will read and pass five Level 3000 Life Sciences modules from any area of focus or Life Sciences Related modules, out of which at least three have to be from one chosen area of focus (BMS/MCB/EVB).

Students eligible for Honours can further pursue the B.Sc. (Hons.) degree in Life Sciences with a specialisation extended from their selected area of focus by passing five Level 4000 Life Sciences modules from any area of focus or Life Sciences Related modules, out of which at least three have to be from chosen specialisation (BMS/MCB/EVB) and completing one Honours Research Project.

Career Prospects
Our graduates are ready to contribute to the manpower required for Singapore's initiatives in Life Sciences and related fields and industries. Good Honours graduates will be able to embark on graduate studies at NUS or overseas as well as enter graduate medical education such as the Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School.

NUS Life Sciences graduates are fully poised to pursue a diverse range of careers ranging from research and scientific services, to healthcare and medical industries, and to education and related professions. Having a general Science degree, coupled with the scientific thinking and analytical skills acquired during the undergraduate course, enables our graduates to be eligible for a wide array of careers that seek Bachelor degree as the entry qualification.

Life Sciences graduates are well suited for careers in biological, biomedical and biotechnological contexts, as well as agricultural, horticultural and environmental sectors. Prospective employers include Research Institutes, Government Ministries and Statutory Boards such as National Parks Board (NParks), National Environment Agency (NEA), Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA), specialist medical centres and clinics, government and private hospitals. Many of our graduates work as teachers in Schools, Junior Colleges, Polytechnics and Universities. MNCs and local companies from the private and industrial sectors involving biotech, medicine, pharmaceutical, food production and environmental technology are also common options considered by our graduates. 

In addition Life Sciences graduates have also embarked on a wide spectrum of non-life sciences related professions such as mass media productions, communications and information services, banking and finance, law and public services, defence and security. The more entrepreneurial graduates have also set up their own ventures.

Graduation Requirements
To be awarded a B.Sc. with a primary major in Life Sciences, candidates must satisfy the following:

To be awarded a B.Sc. (Hons.) with a primary major in Life Sciences (with specialisation in Biomedical Science, Molecular and Cell Biology or Environmental Biology), candidates must satisfy the following:

†        Faculty requirements of 12 and 16 MCs for the B.Sc. and B.Sc.(Hons.) programmes respectively are partially fulfilled through the reading of CM1401 and ST1232 which are essential modules within the major requirements.

Students undertaking the B.Sc. programme are required to fulfill the remaining 4 MCs of Faculty requirements from one of the following subject groups: Computing Sciences, Physical Sciences and Multidisciplinary and Interdisciplinary Sciences; but not from the following subject groups: Chemical Sciences, Mathematical & Statistical Sciences and Life Sciences.

Students taking the B.Sc. (Hons.) programme are required to fulfill the remaining 8 MCs of Faculty requirements as such:

1. 4 MCs from any one of the following subject groups:
   Computing Sciences, Physical Sciences and Multidisciplinary and Interdisciplinary Sciences; but not from the following subject groups: Chemical Sciences, Mathematical & Statistical Sciences and Life Sciences.
2. 4 MCs of non-LSM prefixed module from any subject group.

D. Mathematics and Applied Mathematics

Mathematics is the science of quantification and the art of precise reasoning.

It conceptualises the concrete and generalises the specific. It has evolved its own symbolic language with which it builds general theories about numbers, curves, surfaces and solids, and constructs axioms for abstract mathematical ideas. Its foundations are built on three main areas: algebra, analysis and geometry.  Mathematics provides a framework for the laws of physics and chemistry and a theoretical toolkit for applications in the physical and biological sciences, computer science, engineering, operations research, economic and statistical sciences and many areas of organised human knowledge. The specialisation of mathematics for applications, especially in science and engineering, has led to a broad discipline usually referred to as “Applied Mathematics”.

While mathematics is itself an achievement of various ancient and modern civilisations which has become part of the heritage of world culture today, many of its specific results have been successfully implemented by technological advances in raising the quality of and lengthening human life. Ubiquitous devices such as medical scanning machines, biomedical implants, cell phones and computers are now so much part of modern life that the mathematical principles that make them possible have been taken for granted. As Edward E. David (former president of Exxon R&D) once said, “Too few people recognise that the high technology so celebrated today is essentially a mathematical technology.”

Programme Structure and Curriculum Rationale
The Department of Mathematics offers the following undergraduate programmes leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science with Honours:

a.     Major in Mathematics
This is the flagship major that any leading university of the world is obliged to offer. Students will be exposed to all important areas of mathematical knowledge including algebra, logic, number theory and combinatorics, real and complex analysis, differential equations, geometry and topology with focus on mathematical foundations and fundamental techniques.
b.     Major in Applied Mathematics
In this major, students focus on mathematics that deals with algorithms, problem-solving techniques and applications to other areas of human concern. Topics offered include financial mathematics, optimisation and operations research, mathematical modelling, numerical methods and simulations, coding and cryptography, computational biology and many others.

These major programmes share a fundamental set of basic mathematical knowledge. While each of them develops its own specialised expertise, the mathematical training in all of them is guided by an educational philosophy that (i) fosters logical and critical thinking, and (ii) develops capabilities to conceptualise, improvise and innovate during the process of formulating, analysing and solving problems.

Career Prospects
Mathematics and Applied Mathematics graduates are able to find employment as operations research analysts in the airline, shipping and port industries; financial and risk analysts, actuaries, financial engineers and financial planners in banks, investment houses and insurance companies; data and system analysts, and cryptanalysts in multinational and defense organisations; software engineers in a range of organisations; lecturers, teachers, curriculum developers and publication officers in educational institutions and publishing houses; and administrators. They would also be well prepared for graduate studies in a range of disciplines, including mathematics, computer science, statistics and economics.

There are many mathematics courses that prepare a mathematics major student with the relevant skills to work in the specific area. The mathematics training in general also equips students with the analytical skills that are essential in many jobs, especially executive works. The list below serves as a guide:

Special Programme in Mathematics (SPM)

This programme is specially designed for a select group of students who have a strong passion and aptitude for the mathematical sciences. The programme consists of a number of specially designed modules (“S-modules”) in foundational mathematics, which are taught in much greater depth and sophistication than their regular versions. In addition, under the close mentorship of Faculty members, students will participate in two semesters of undergraduate seminars in the form of topic modules. Participants of the SPM will have enhanced opportunities for undergraduate research programmes locally and overseas, as well as graduate programmes at the Department of Mathematics in NUS. Through SPM, students will build a firm foundation to pursue graduate programmes and future careers in mathematical sciences.

SPM Enrolment Eligibility
Students who have passed (or have been exempted from) MA1101R and MA1102R with very good grades are welcome to apply. All applicants will be further assessed through interviews. Selected students will be enrolled in the SPM in the second semester of their first year or the first semester of their second year.

Participants of the SPM should generally be majoring in Mathematics or Applied Mathematics, though strong students majoring in Quantitative Finance, Statistics, Physics and Computer Science are also welcome to apply. In order to complete the SPM, a participant should pass 6 out of the following 7 modules:

MA2101S         Linear Algebra II (S)
MA2108S         Mathematical Analysis I (S)
MA2202S         Algebra I (S)
MA3110S         Mathematical Analysis II (S)
MA3111S         Complex Analysis I (S)
MA4291           Undergraduate Topics in Mathematics I
MA4292           Undergraduate Topics in Mathematics II

When an SPM student goes for student exchange programme, he/she may read an equivalent overseas module in place of one S-module. Each student is only allowed to replace one S-module this way.

Graduation Requirements (Mathematics)
To be awarded a B.Sc. or B.Sc. (Hons.) with a primary major in Mathematics, a candidate must satisfy the following:

List I:
-        MA1100          Fundamental Concepts of Mathematics
or
CS1231           Discrete Structures
-        MA1101R       Linear Algebra I
-        MA1102R       Calculus
-        MA1104          Multivariable Calculus

List II:
-        All MA modules at Level-2000, except those coded MA23XX
-        PC2130           Quantum Mechanics I
-        PC2132           Classical Mechanics
-        ST2132           Mathematical Statistics

List III:
-        All MA modules at Level-3000, except MA3311 and MA3312
-        CS3230           Design & Analysis of Algorithms
-        CS4232           Theory of Computation
-        CS3234           Logic and Formal Systems
-        EC3101           Microeconomic Analysis II
-        EC3303           Econometrics I
-        PC3130           Quantum Mechanics II
-        PC3236           Computational Methods in Physics
-        PC3238           Fluid Dynamics
-        ST3131           Regression Analysis
-        ST3236           Stochastic Processes I

List IV:
-        All MA modules at Level-4000 or higher
-        CS4236           Cryptography Theory and Practice
-        CS5230           Computational Complexity
CS5237           Computational Geometry and Applications
-        EC4101           Microeconomics Analysis III
-        EC5104           Mathematical Economics

-        PC4248           Relativity
-        PC4274           Mathematical Methods in Physics III
-        ST4238           Stochastic Processes II

List MA3:
-        MA3201          Algebra II
-        MA3205          Set Theory
-        MA3209          Mathematical Analysis III
-        MA3215          Three-dimensional Differential Geometry
-        MA3220          Ordinary Differential Equations
-        MA3265          Introduction to Number Theory
-        MA3266          Introduction to Fourier Analysis

List MA4:
-        MA4203          Galois Theory 
-        MA4207          Mathematical Logic
-        MA4211          Functional Analysis
-        MA4221          Partial Differential Equations
-        MA4247          Complex Analysis II
-        MA4262          Measure and Integration
-        MA4266          Topology

Graduation Requirements (Applied Mathematics)
To be awarded a B.Sc. or B.Sc. (Hons.) with a primary major in Applied Mathematics, a candidate must satisfy the following:

List I:
-        MA1100          Fundamental Concepts of Mathematics
or
CS1231           Discrete Structures
-        MA1101R       Linear Algebra I
-        MA1102R       Calculus
-        MA1104          Multivariable Calculus

List II:
-        All MA modules at Level-2000, except those coded MA23XX
-        PC2130           Quantum Mechanics I
-        PC2132           Classical Mechanics
-        ST2132           Mathematical Statistics

List III:
-        All MA modules at Level-3000, except MA3311 and MA3312
-        CS3230           Design & Analysis of Algorithms
-        CS4232              Theory of Computation
-        CS3234           Logic and Formal Systems
-        EC3101           Microeconomic Analysis II
-        EC3303           Econometrics I
-        PC3130           Quantum Mechanics II
-        PC3236           Computational Methods in Physics
-        PC3238           Fluid Dynamics
-        ST3131           Regression Analysis
-        ST3236           Stochastic Processes I

List IV:
-        All MA modules at Level-4000 or higher
-        CS4236           Cryptography Theory and Practice
-        CS5230           Computational Complexity
-        CS5237           Computational Geometry and Applications
-        EC4101           Microeconomics Analysis III
-        EC5104           Mathematical Economics
-        PC4248           Relativity
-        PC4274           Mathematical Methods in Physics III
-        ST4238           Stochastic Processes II

List AM3
-        MA3209          Mathematical Analysis III
-        MA3220          Ordinary Differential Equations
-        MA3227          Numerical Analysis II
-        MA3233          Algorithmic Graph Theory
-        MA3236          Nonlinear Programming

-        MA3269          Mathematical Finance I
-        MA3252          Linear and Network Optimisation
-        MA3264          Mathematical Modelling

List AM4:
-        MA4211          Functional Analysis
-        MA4221          Partial Differential Equations
-        MA4230          Matrix Computation
-        MA4235          Graph Theory
-        MA4254          Discrete Optimisation
-        MA4255          Numerical Partial Differential Equations

-        MA4269          Mathematical Finance II
-        MA4268          Mathematics for Visual Data Processing

E.   Physics

Physics is one of the most fundamental of all sciences, and is the basis of our scientific knowledge of the physical world. It seeks to explain the behaviour of matter, time and space in the universe and covers phenomena ranging from subnuclear interactions to cosmological events like the Big Bang. The traditional B.Sc. degree in Physics is centred on understanding scientific fundamentals and it is through this basic approach that advances in scientific knowledge and technological innovations have been made.

Programme Structure and Curriculum Rationale
B.Sc. (Hons.) and B.Sc. in Physics is a rigorous course covering the core topics in physics. The broadness of the scope and the training in critical thinking and in analysis will enable graduates to choose from a wide variety of careers. B.Sc. (Hons.) students can choose to specialise in one of the following areas: (i) Astrophysics, and (ii) Physics in Technology. These programmes will prepare graduates with in-depth knowledge in each area of specialisation.

Career Prospects
The Physics Department, which has research strengths in many frontier areas including nanoscience, quantum information technology, optical and magnetic materials, and biophysics, provides a stimulating learning environment for all students who wish to major in physics.  Physics graduates will be able to embark on career paths in R&D in the physical sciences, engineering industries and microelectronics industries, as well as education and training, government scientific services sectors and IT. The unique problem solving skills our graduates acquire have enabled them to work and succeed in commerce, banking and finance.

Graduation Requirements
To be awarded a B.Sc. or B.Sc. (Hons.) with a primary major in Physics, candidates must satisfy the following:

^       At most 4 MCs of UROPS module may be used to fulfil the Physics major requirements.
*       These elective modules are only offered to students reading a double degree in Materials Science & Engineering and in Physics.

Note:
Level-4000 PC prefixed modules may be taken to replace up to 8 MCs of the Level-3000 PC elective modules above. In such an event, these Level-4000 modules cannot be counted towards the Level 4000 major requirements.
B.Sc. (Hons.) students majoring in Physics have the option to qualify for a specialisation in (1) Astrophysics, or (2) Physics In Technology.

To be awarded a specialisation in Astrophysics, candidates must read and pass the following modules, as part of the major requirements for B.Sc. (Hons.) with a primary major in Physics.

To be awarded a specialisation in Physics in Technology, candidates must read and pass the following modules as part of the major requirements for B.Sc. (Hons.) with a primary major in Physics.

**         Honours Project has to be in the area of specialisation.
†          Students with a strong mathematics background, in particular those intending to double-major in mathematics, may take MA1102R/MA1101R in lieu of MA1505/MA1506.

†        Faculty requirements of 12 MCs and 16 MCs [required for the B.Sc. and B.Sc. (Hons.) programmes respectively] are partially fulfilled through the reading of MA1505 and MA1506 within the major.

Students undertaking the B.Sc. and B.Sc. (Hons.) programmes are required to fulfil the remaining 8 MCs of Faculty requirements from any two of the following subject groups: Computing Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Life Sciences and Multidisciplinary & Interdisciplinary Sciences; but not from the following subject groups: Physical Sciences and Mathematical & Statistical Sciences.

F.   Quantitative Finance

Quantitative Finance is a multidisciplinary honours-track programme that combines mathematics, finance and computing with a practical orientation that is designed for high-calibre students who wish to become professionals in the finance industry. The explosive growth of computer technology, globalisation, and theoretical advances in finance and mathematics have resulted in quantitative methods playing an increasingly important role in the financial services industry and the economy as a whole.  New mathematical and computational methods have transformed the investment process and the financial industry. Today banks, investment firms, and insurance companies turn to technological innovation to gain competitive advantage. Sophisticated mathematical models are used to support investment decisions, to develop and price new securities and innovative products or to manage risk. Hence there is an increasing demand from the industry for persons with a high level of quantitative and analytical skills.

Programme Structure and Curriculum Rationale
The programme is conducted jointly by the Faculty of Science, NUS Business School and School of Computing. The curriculum is multidisciplinary with coverage in the following areas:
a.     Mathematical Theory and Tools
b.     Statistical Tools
c.      Computing Theory and Techniques
d.     Financial Theory and Principles
e.     Core Financial Product Knowledge

Quantitative finance courses enable students to have an integrated overview of how mathematical methods and computing techniques are applied to finance. With rapid developments of new financial products requiring quantitative skills, the curriculum also provides students with solid financial product knowledge and the know-how for creating new structured financial products.

Career Prospects
With the forthcoming implementation of Basel II, which requires quantitative modelling and risk management, there will be a big boost in demand for quantitative finance graduates.

Career opportunities are available in financial institutions such as banks, securities firms, insurance companies, investment companies, IT firms that support the financial institutions and multinationals. Graduates could find jobs in financial product development and pricing, risk management, derivatives pricing, hedging and trading, quantitative modelling, IT support for derivatives trading and risk management, investment decision support, quantitative portfolio management and asset management and wealth management.

Graduation Requirements
To be awarded a B.Sc. or B.Sc. (Hons.) with a primary major in Quantitative Finance, candidates must satisfy the following:

*           Faculty requirements of 12 MCs and 16 MCs required for the B.Sc. and B.Sc. (Hons.) programme are partially fulfilled through the reading of MA/CS modules within the major.

Students of the B.Sc. and B.Sc. (Hons.) programmes are required to fulfil the remaining 12 MCs of Faculty requirements from any three of the following subject groups: Chemical Sciences, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences and Multidisciplinary & Interdisciplinary Sciences, but not from the following subject groups: Computing Sciences and Mathematical & Statistical Sciences.

To apply for this major, please refer to the application procedure given in http://ww1.math.nus.edu.sg/undergrad.aspx?file=UP-QF#Application_Procedure for details regarding the admission requirements and the application form.

G.   Statistics

Statistics is the scientific application of mathematical principles to the collection, analysis, and presentation of numerical data. How does a business determine if an available site for a new restaurant is a potentially successful location? How does the health authority assess statistical evidence for the effectiveness of a new vaccine? How does an insurance company determine the risk level of a new proposal?

Statisticians contribute to scientific inquiry by applying their mathematical and statistical knowledge to the design of surveys and experiments; the collection, processing, and analysis of data; and the interpretation of the results. Statisticians may apply their knowledge of statistical methods to a variety of subject areas, such as biology, business, economics, education, engineering, finance, marketing, medicine, psychology, public health, and sports. In particular, biostatistics is a specialization of statistics for quantitative research in the health sciences. The designs and analytic methods of biostatistics enable health scientists and professionals in academia, government, pharmaceutical companies, medical research organizations and elsewhere to efficiently acquire knowledge and draw valid conclusions from their ever-expanding sources of information.

Programme Structure and Curriculum Rationale
Statistics is an interdisciplinary subject by nature.  In the development of Statistics, Mathematics and Computer Science respectively provide the theoretical foundation and the computational tools while real-world problems stimulate and guide further research.  These considerations are reflected in the Department’s curriculum.  In addition to Statistics modules, Statistics students are encouraged to read modules in Mathematics and Computer Science. 
The core statistical education consists of probability and stochastic processes, statistical principles, computer-aided data analysis, regression analysis, and categorical data analysis. Honours students majoring in Statistics have the option to specialise in Biostatistics or in Finance and Business Statistics. The department has particular strengths in survival analysis, epidemiology, clinical trials and longitudinal data analysis for Biostatistics, and in time series analysis, statistical methods for actuarial science and finance, and data mining for Finance and Business Statistics.

Career Prospects
The world is becoming increasingly quantitative and data-focused. Many professions, organisations and businesses depend on numerical measurements to make decisions in the face of uncertainty. The Chief Economist of Google has pointed out that “statistician is the dream job of the next decade.” Statistics graduates may look forward to being employed as statisticians in government, medical and pharmaceutical industry, manufacturing and engineering companies, banking and financial institutions, research and tertiary institutions.

Further, there are many jobs that do not bear the word "statistician" but will rely much on the knowledge and training that you can acquire from studying Statistics at NUS. Some of these are business analyst, quality assurance engineer, pharmaceutical engineer, marketing professional, financial analyst, banking executive, telecommunication executive, actuary, data analyst, and risk analyst.

Graduation Requirements (Statistics)
To be awarded a B.Sc. or B.Sc. (Hons.) with a primary major in Statistics, candidates must satisfy the following:

List A
MA3209        Mathematical Analysis III
MA3218        Coding Theory
MA3227        Numerical Analysis II
MA3229        Introduction to Geometric Modelling
MA3233        Algorithmic Graph Theory
MA3236        Nonlinear Programming
MA3269        Mathematical Finance I
MA3252        Linear and Network Optimisation
MA3256        Applied Cryptography
MA3259        Mathematical Methods in Genomics
QF3101         Investment instruments: Theory and Computation
CS3230         Design and Analysis of Algorithm
CS3223         Database Management Systems
CS3243         Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
CS3244         Machine Learning and Neural Networks
EC3304         Econometrics II

List B
MA4211        Functional Analysis
MA4229        Approximation Theory
MA4230        Matrix Theory
MA4233        Dynamical Systems
MA4254        Discrete Optimisation
MA4269        Mathematical Finance II
MA4260        Stochastic Operations Research
MA4261        Advanced Coding Theory
MA4262        Measure and Integration 
CS4231         Parallel and Distributed Algorithm
CS4220         Knowledge Discovery Methods in Bioinformatics
EC4303         Econometrics III

Honours students majoring in Statistics have the option to qualify for specialisation in
(A)   Biostatistics or
(B)   Finance and Business Statistics.

(A)    To be awarded a specialisation in Biostatistics, a candidate must pass at least six modules (24 MCs) from the following, as part of the major requirements for B.Sc. (Hons.) with a primary major in Statistics:
ST3232         Design and Analysis of Experiments
ST3242         Introduction to Survival Analysis
ST3243         Statistical Methods in Epidemiology
ST3244         Demographic Methods
ST3245         Statistics in Molecular Biology
MA3259        Mathematical Methods in Genomics
ST4232         Nonparametric Statistics
ST4241         Design and Analysis of Clinical Trials
ST4242         Analysis of Longitudinal Data
ST4243         Statistical Methods for DNA Microarray Analysis

(B)    To be awarded a specialisation in Finance and Business Statistics, a candidate must pass at least six modules (24 MCs) from the following two lists, with at least two modules (8 MCs) from each of the lists (FBS 1, FBS 2), as part of the major requirements for B.Sc. (Hons.) with a primary major in Statistics:

FBS 1
ST3233         Applied Times Series Analysis
ST3234         Actuarial Statistics
ST3246         Statistical Models for Actuarial Science
MA3269        Mathematical Finance I
ST4245         Statistical Methods for Finance
MA4269        Mathematical Finance II

FBS 2
ST3239         Survey Methodology
ST3240         Multivariate Statistical Analysis
ST4238         Stochastic Processes II
ST4240         Data Mining

†        Faculty requirements of 12 MCs and 16 MCs [required for the B.Sc. and B.Sc. (Hons.) programmes respectively] are partially fulfilled through the reading of CS/IT/CZ/MA modules within the major.

Students undertaking the B.Sc. and B.Sc. (Hons.) programmes are required to fulfil the remaining 8 MCs of Faculty requirements from any two of the following subject groups: Chemical Sciences, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences and Multidisciplinary & Interdisciplinary Sciences; but not from the following groups: Computing Sciences and Mathematical & Statistical Sciences

3.3.4     Bachelor of Applied Science/Bachelor of Applied Science (Hons.) [B.Sc./B.Sc. (Hons.)]

A.   Applied Chemistry

Chemistry is a major contributor to human welfare. Fuels, fertilisers, plastics, herbicides and insecticides, drugs and pharmaceuticals are all products of chemical transformations. Chemistry will continue to play a leading role in any attempt to provide quality of life for an increasing world population. Emerging problems that have to be addressed in the 21st century are the depletion of fossil fuel reserves, and a sustainable “green” economy.

The curriculum of the Applied Chemistry course is designed to produce qualified chemistry graduates with the necessary skills to work in industry or to pursue higher degree studies in chemistry or a related field. Graduates of the programme will not only have a solid knowledge of the fundamental disciplines of chemistry, but will also acquire some familiarity with chemical engineering topics such as heat and mass transfer, fluid dynamics, reactor design, and process kinetics.

Programme Structure & Curriculum Rationale
In conjunction with the University Requirements, the course stands in a liberal arts tradition, and aims to produce outward-looking individuals with a holistic world view, who recognise the complexity of the world in which we live, and who will be able to develop, manage, and use the technologies of the future.

The Applied Chemistry curriculum shares many modules with the Chemistry major. The Department of Pharmacy cooperates in offering the Drug (Medicinal Chemistry) option.

More specifically, the course covers the following disciplines:
•      Physical Chemistry
•      Organic Chemistry
•      Inorganic Chemistry
•      Unit Operations and Process Design

with specialisations in the following areas:
•      Medicinal Chemistry
•      Drug Design
•      Polymer Chemistry
•      Environmental Chemistry
•      Catalysis

Special emphasis is placed on the practicals and laboratory sessions, where students are familiarised with modern analytical techniques, computer applications, synthetic chemistry, and unit operations.

A special feature is the Professional Placement in the 3rd year, with a reputable company or research institute, either locally or overseas, in Canada, Europe, Japan, New Zealand, or USA. Professional Placement provides the student with a first-hand encounter with the chemical industry, and offers them an opportunity to network and develop contacts with future employers.

The Honours Year is an integral part of the Applied Chemistry Course, and it is expected that the majority of students who are accepted into the programme will follow the full four-year course.

Career Prospects
We expect that Applied Chemistry students see a position in the chemical or process industry (including pharmaceutical companies and wafer plants) as their first career goal. With the establishment of more R&D industries in Singapore, the demand for chemists has greatly increased over the years.

Chemistry students have the best possible combination of numerical and literal credentials that a prospective employer looks for. Not only are chemistry-related jobs open to students, but those at first sight not even remotely resembling chemistry are there for the taking: banking and finance, business, public relations, sales, engineering, administration, management, writing and journalism, and even politics.

The Department’s main mission is to train the vital human resource needed for the growth of the national economy. Our graduates, both generalist as well as specialists, are found in the private and the public sectors. They occupy a myriad of jobs at all levels within the chemical, petrochemical, food, beverage, biomedical, pharmaceutical and electronics industries. Our graduates also serve in government and quasi-government organisations, as well as in our schools and junior colleges.

Graduates with advanced degrees also find ready employment in Singapore. Increasingly, R&D positions are becoming available in universities, polytechnics, research institutes and industry.

Graduation Requirements
To be awarded a B.Appl.Sc. or B.Appl.Sc. (Hons.) with a primary major in Applied Chemistry, candidates must satisfy the following:

*       Elective modules available under Materials Option:
CM2263         Materials Chemistry
CM2264         Polymer Chemistry I

         Elective modules available under Drug Option:
CM2121         Organic Chemistry
LSM3211       Fundamental Pharmacology
LSM3221       Human Pharmacology
PR3101          Principles of Medicinal Chemistry
PR3104          Pharmaceutical Biotechnology

**     Elective modules available under Materials Option:
CM3261         Environmental Chemistry
CM3262         Advanced Inorganic Materials
CM3263         Chemistry of Semiconductors
CM3264         Petroleum and Industrial Organics
CM3265         Polymer Chemistry II
CM3266         Physical Properties of Polymers
CM3268         Molecular Basis of Drug Design
CM3232         Physical Chem of the Solid State and Inerfaces
CM3242         Instrumental Analysis II

         Elective modules available under Drug option:
CM3221         Organic Synthesis & Spectroscopy
CM3222         Organic Reaction Mechanisms
CM3225         Biomolecules
CM3242         Instrumental Analysis II
CM3264         Petroleum and Industrial Organics
CM3268         Molecular Basis of Drug Design
LSM3211       Fundamental Pharmacology
LSM3221       Human Pharmacology
PR3101          Principles of Medicinal Chemistry
PR4105          Natural Products
PR4205          Inorganic Principles of Medicinal Chemistry

^^        Level-4000 and above CM elective modules
CM4212         Advanced Organometallic Chemistry
CM4214         Structural Methods in Inorganic Chemistry
CM4222         Advanced Organic Synthesis and Spectroscopy
CM4223         Asymmetric Synthesis
CM4226         Current Topics in Materials Chemistry
CM4236         Spectroscopy in Biophysical Chemistry
CM4241         Trace Analysis
CM4242         Advanced Analytical Techniques
CM4261         Surface Science
CM4266         Current Topics in Materials Chemistry
CM4268         Advanced Polymer Science
CM5221         Advanced Organic Synthesis
CM5222         Bioorganic Chemistry
CM5223         Topics in Supramolecular Chemistry
CM5224         Emerging Concepts in Drug Discovery
CM5236         Computer Aided Drug Design
CM5237         Topics in Laser Chemistry
CM5241         Modern Analytical Techniques
CM5243         X-Ray Crystallography - A Practical Approach
CM5244         Topics in Environmental Chemistry
CM5245         Bioanalytical Chemistry
CM5261         Biomaterials
CM5262         Contemporary Materials Chemistry

Note:
CM3221 and CM3222 will not normally be available to Applied Chemistry students as these modules are usually offered in Semester 1.

†        Faculty requirements of 8 MCs are fulfilled through the reading of MA1421 and LSM1401 within the major.

Students undertaking the B.Appl.Sc. programme are required to fulfil the remaining 8 MCs of Faculty requirements through CM3181 Professional Placement.

For honours students who have read and passed Non-CM prefixed elective modules to fulfil their major requirements
Students undertaking the B.Appl.Sc. (Hons.) programme are required to fulfil the remaining 8 MCs of Faculty requirements from CM3181 Professional Placement.

For honours students who have not read and passed Non-CM prefixed elective modules to fulfil their major requirements
Students undertaking the B.Appl.Sc. (Hons.) programme are required to fulfil the remaining 12 MCs of Faculty requirements as such:
(i)     8 MCs from CM3181 Professional Placement
(ii)    4 MCs of non-CM prefixed module from any subject group

B.   Food Science and Technology

A safe and adequate food supply is one of man’s basic needs and the food industry today has grown into a multi-billion dollar industry to service this need. The modern food industry increasingly operates within the global market and requires academically well-qualified graduates to be its future researchers and managers. Such people will need to understand the science and technology of food the market needs and be capable of operating within the international food industry. In this increasingly competitive market, graduates will have to be technically competent, to grasp market opportunities and be able to transfer technology creatively and appropriately in different regions of the world. They need to be capable of dealing with change and be responsive to challenges whilst working and communicating effectively in multi-cultural groups and in society. The Food Science and Technology (FST) course at NUS aims to produce well motivated, numerate and responsible high-flying food scientists and technologists able to demonstrate effective leadership, analyse data and solve problems to improve food products and processes, and identify and exploit new business opportunities for the food industry of the 21st century.

Programme Structure and Curriculum Rationale
Food Science is the study of the nature of foods, the causes of their deterioration, and the principles underlying food processing. The food scientist is an important link in the chain of events which results in the widespread availability of a variety of nutritious, safe, and reasonably priced foods. The scientific principles are then applied to develop technological processes designed to produce sophisticated products. Food Technology is the application of physical, chemical and microbiological sciences to food processing and preservation, and to the development of new improved food products. The food technologist is primarily concerned with problems related to production of food, which is safe, nutritious and attractive, using techniques that are more efficient and less costly.

By its very nature, the subject of Food Science and Technology is wide ranging and students need to understand not only the chemistry of foods (i.e., how the components of food might react together), but also nutrition, toxicology, food legislation, microbiology and process engineering. Many food products are potentially “high-risk” in that unless they are handled and stored correctly, they could be the source of food poisoning in man.

This programme, therefore, involves the study of the relevant sciences, including chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, mathematics and engineering and of the application of these sciences to food systems. The curriculum also includes the study of the relationship of food to man in terms of nutrition, health, safety, food acceptability and consumer protection.

Career Prospects
The course prepares students for food research and careers related to food and related industries. The opportunities for graduates in this programme are good. Graduates in Food Science may work in basic and applied research, quality control, production supervision, technical sales, food inspection or product development. Students also receive appropriate training for the pursuit of graduate education in food science or related fields of physical and biological science. Graduates will mainly find employment in food and allied industries, government and non-government organisations, and in education.

Graduation Requirements
To be awarded a B.Appl.Sc. or B.Appl.Sc. (Hons.) with a primary major in Food Science and Technology, candidates must satisfy the following:

Note: The department recommends that students read the following modules:
MKT1003         Marketing (to fulfil University Breadth Requirements or Unrestricted Electives)
DSC2006          Operations Management (to fulfil University Breadth Requirements or Unrestricted Electives)
DSC3218          Physical Distribution Management (to fulfil University Breadth Requirements or Unrestricted Electives)
FST2201          Introduction to Human Nutrition (to fulfil Unrestricted Electives)

†             16 MCs of Faculty requirements are partially fulfilled through 4 MCs from ST1232 within the major. The remaining 12 MCs are fulfilled through (i) 8 MCs from FST3181 Professional Placement; and (ii) 4 MCs from any one of the following subject groups: Computing Sciences, Physical Sciences, Multidisciplinary & Interdisciplinary Sciences.

††          20 MCs of Faculty requirements are partially fulfilled through 8 MCs from ST1232 and CM/LSM within the major. The remaining 12 MCs are fulfilled through (i) 8 MCs from FST3181 Professional Placement; and (ii) 4 MCs from any one of the following subject groups: Computing Sciences, Physical Sciences, Multidisciplinary & Interdisciplinary Sciences.

In general, students undertaking the B.Appl.Sc. and B.Appl.Sc. (Hons.) programmes are required to fulfill 16 MCs and 20 MCs of Faculty requirements respectively, inclusive of the 8 MCs of Professional Placement.

3.3.5     Bachelor of Science (Pharmacy)/Bachelor of Science (Pharmacy) (Hons.) [B.Sc. (Pharm.)/B.Sc. (Pharm.) (Hons.)]

A pharmacist is a healthcare professional who is an expert on drugs. Therefore, the pharmacist is specially trained to be knowledgeable in every aspect of drugs. The vast knowledge is multidisciplinary and it ranges from the properties and actions of drugs to the technology and science behind the production of a medicinal product, to the rational use of a drug for optimal therapeutic outcome in patients.

Pharmacy is a profession that is evolving continuously and new practices are introduced to provide better healthcare for people. If you are dedicated to helping the sick get well from the appropriate use of medicines and to promoting wellness and a healthy lifestyle, pharmacy will be a good choice of study. In addition, studying pharmacy may lead you to the exciting pharmaceutical industry where you can be involved in the research and development of drugs, clinical trials, pharmaceutical marketing and pharmaceutical sales.

Programme Structure and Curriculum Rationale
The primary aim of the pharmacy course is to provide the relevant knowledge and skills that are required for entry into the profession. The course focuses on laying a strong foundation in topics related to pharmaceutical sciences and pharmacy practice so that graduates can readily apply these fundamental principles to their future employment, be it in the community practice, hospital service, healthcare business, pharmaceutical industry or research. In addition, interprofessional education is integrated into the curriculum as an essential component to prepare graduates for interprofessional collaborative patient-centred practice as healthcare professionals.

Pharmacy is a four-year programme and the degree B.Sc. (Pharmacy) with Honours will be awarded to candidates who have performed well throughout the course of study, as determined by their cumulative average points. Those who do not qualify for Honours degrees will be awarded a B.Sc. (Pharmacy) degree.

Career Prospects
Upon completion of the Pharmacy degree course and registration with the Singapore Pharmacy Council (after a 12-month pre-registration training programme), a wide variety of career options is open to the registered pharmacists. Pharmacists may seek to build a career and specialise in patient care practice either in the hospital or community pharmacy. Intensive care, oncology, infectious diseases, nutritional support, geriatric care and drug information are some areas of specialisation that pharmacists may choose to pursue. Besides patient care, pharmacists may prefer to enter the pharmaceutical industry where they seek jobs related to clinical trial management, product registration, pharmaceutical manufacturing, sales and marketing of pharmaceuticals, healthcare products and medical devices. In addition, pharmacists may be involved in regulatory affairs of prescription drugs, health supplements, cosmetics and traditional Chinese medicines. Therefore a degree in Pharmacy certainly offers diversity and flexibility in career development.

Graduation Requirements
To be awarded a B.Sc. (Pharm.) or B.Sc. (Pharm.) (Hons.), candidates must satisfy the following:

Note:    Curricular content and graduation requirements may be subject to change.