Special Programmes

3.5.1     Professional Placement Programme (PPP)

In order to provide the necessary hands-on training and exposure, professional placement is an integral part of the Applied Sciences programmes, namely Applied Chemistry, and Food Science and Technology. The placement period is six months, usually from July to December.

For more information, please visit the URL http://www.science.nus.edu.sg/undergraduates/enhancement/ppp.html

3.5.2     Undergraduate Professional Internship Programme (UPIP)

For more information, please visit the URL : http://www.science.nus.edu.sg/students/enrichment/upip.html

3.5.3     Special Programme in Science (SPS)

SPS is an intense programme designed for a small cohort of undergraduates who have a strong aptitude and passion for science. It is directed at students who delight in rigorous training of the mind and character. The programme introduces participants to some of the broad areas of contemporary scientific concerns through an inter-disciplinary approach. Opportunities abound for participants to dabble in scientific investigations and to embark on in-depth studies of advanced topics that are at the forefront of modern scientific endeavour. Participants get to enjoy close interaction with their peers and mentors through project work and seminar discussions. The programme also provides students with a rare opportunity to interact with renowned scientists visiting the university. With the goal of encouraging a free exchange of opinions and ideas, it is hoped that students will imbibe among other things, some of the wit and wisdom that the visitor may bring.

Students in the programme will read six modules in all:
SP2171       Discovering Science (4 MCs) – read over two semesters in the first year of study
SP2173       Atoms to Molecules (4 MCs) – read in semester I of the first year of study
SP2174       The Cell (4 MCs) – read in semester II of the first year of study
SP3175       The Earth (4 MCs) – read in semester I of the second year of study
SP3176       The Universe (4 MCs) – read in semester II of the second year of study
SP3172       Integrated Science Project (4 MCs) – can be read in either semester I or II of the second year of study

16 MCs (SP2173, SP2174, SP3175 and SP3176) of the above SPS curriculum may go towards fulfilling the Faculty requirements. Students who have passed SP2173, SP2174, SP3175 and SP3176 are deemed to have completed 16 MCs of the Faculty Requirement from 3 distinct subject groups outside the group under which their major falls. Students who may have part of their Faculty Requirements fulfilled by modules within their majors can use the remaining MCs as Unrestricted Electives.

3.5.4     Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme in Science (UROPS)

The Faculty introduced USRP (Undergraduate Science Research Programme) in AY1994/95. USRP was renamed UROPS in 1998. The aim of this programme is to provide undergraduates with a unique opportunity to work with one or more scientists in a specific area of study. It allows undergraduates to engage actively in research, discussions, intellectual communications and other creative activities, and to experience first-hand the exhilaration of discovery and invention. Students will be presented the challenge of working at, or near, the frontiers of Science and this exposure will complement conventional classroom learning. Through participation in research in the UROPS, a student will get a chance to:
•      enhance his/her knowledge of the latest developments in science and technology;
•      experience an intellectual process of inquiry and creative thinking;
•      interact and form ties with established scientists and members of their groups;
•      hone his/her communication and presentation skills;
•      have the opportunity to mature professionally; and
•      become a value-added graduate.

Students will undertake all phases of research activities, which include reading scientific journals, designing and execution of experiments, analysing data and presenting results.

To ensure some degree of standardisation, the programme will be administered by the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme in Science (UROPS) Committee formed by representatives from the respective departments and chaired by an Assistant Dean or Vice-Dean, with the Dean as Advisor.

Eligibility
To apply for Level-2000 UROPS module/s, the applicant must have:
i.      Completed at least one semester upon application; and
ii.     Attained a CAP of at least 3.00.

To apply for Level-3000 UROPS module/s, the applicant must have:
i.      Completed at least three semesters upon application; and
ii.     Attained a CAP of at least 3.00.

Module Registration & Evaluation
The module codes for the UROPS projects are: XX2288, XX2289, XX3288 and XX3289 where the first digit in the module code refers to the level at which the project is being undertaken. Each module is worth 4 MCs.

For 8 MCs UROPS, students will read XX2288/XX3288 in one semester and XX2289/XX3289 in the following semester. They must drop the module XX2288/XX3288 in the first semester (i.e., when they are doing the first 4 MCs of the project) if they wish to and this will be in accordance with the module dropping deadlines in CORS. Students must complete the 8 MCs project in the second semester.

A student can only undertake one UROPS project during an academic semester. Also, the same module code cannot be repeated. For e.g., a student who has done a Level-3000 UROPS from the Department of Chemistry (i.e. CM3288) is not allowed to do the same level of UROPS from the same Department again.

Project Duration: One semester (4 MCs)
Students undertaking a one-semester long project will register online for a 4 MCs UROPS module (i.e. XX2288 or XX3288). Students will be evaluated at the end of the semester and receive a grade for the module.

Project Duration: Two semesters (8 MCs)
Students undertaking a two-semester long project will register online for one 8 MCs project (XX2288 or XX3288 will be preallocated at the beginning of the first semester that they embark on the project). They will only receive an IP (in progress) grade for that module at the end of the first semester since evaluation only takes place at the end of two semesters. The Dean’s Office will preallocate XX2288/XX3288 and XX2289/XX3289 at the beginning of the second semester. Upon evaluation at the end of second semester, students will receive a final grade on both modules XXx288 and XXx289.

Departments will decide on the format of evaluation/ examination.

Application Procedures
The application procedure is outlined below:

*       Dates are subject to change. For latest updates, please visit http://www.science.nus.edu.sg/undergraduates/enhancement/urops/registration.html

Reading UROPS modules in fulfilment of Major Requirements
(i)     For majors in Applied Chemistry, Pharmacy, Statistics and Statistics (with specialisation in Biostatistics) and Statistics (with specialisation in Finance and Business Statistics), UROPS modules cannot be read in fulfilment of the major requirement.
(ii)    For all other majors, UROPS modules may be read in fulfilment of the respective major requirements but subject to conditions laid out in the table below:

NUROP Congress

All students who have completed UROPS modules are encouraged to participate in the National Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme (NUROP) Congress. Nominated students will be invited to submit a Congress paper that will be included in the Congress Proceedings. In addition, selected students may be required to present their research findings in the plenary or parallel sessions or in the form of posters.

3.5.5     University Scholars Programme (USP)

The University Scholars Programme is an interdisciplinary academic programme for NUS undergraduates. It offers students in this programme the freedom to explore across disciplines, a wide range of extracurricular and overseas opportunities, and a community of exceptionally motivated and talented students.

FoS students may wish to enrol in this programme for a more vibrant science education. Students enrolled on this programme would also get the chance to be enrolled on the Joint Degree Programme with the Australian National University or the Double Degree Programme with Waseda University.
(Section R of Part II of the Bulletin)

For more information, please visit the website: http://www.science.nus.edu.sg/undergraduates/enhancement/usp/index.html