NUS Bulletin AY2021/22

School of Design and Environment

The College of Design and Engineering (CDE) came into existence on 1 January 2022 from the merger of the Faculty of Engineering (FoE) and the School of Design and Environment (SDE). Do check cde.nus.edu.sg for the latest on CDE’s programmes.

Undergraduate Education

SDE, together with the Faculty of Engineering (FoE), will adopt a new undergraduate curriculum structure for students enrolled in the new academic year starting in August 2021. Students will read a total of 160 modular credits (or the equivalent of 40 modules), as shown in the following schema:

The Common Curriculum is jointly developed by SDE, FoE and 6 industry partners who sit on the task force. It seeks to integrates knowledge and skillsets relevant to the professional training offered by both schools and to equip students with essential 21st century competencies. The following pillars make up the Common Curriculum, comprising 60 MCs (or the equivalent of 15 modules):

For more information, please refer to https://cde.nus.edu.sg/undergraduate.

The BA (Arch) is a four-year honours degree programme that comprises a general programme and three other design-focused tracks – 1) Design, 2) Landscape Architecture (LA) and 3) Urban Planning (UP). The curriculum content for the first three years is common to the general as well as the design-focused tracks.

The general programme terminates at the BA (Arch) degree whereas the design-focused tracks are concurrent with the Master of Architecture (M (Arch)) or Master of Urban Planning (MUP) degree programmes. Only students who have achieved creditable grades in design, i.e. at least a B or B- in design at the third year (depending on the track of study) will be permitted to opt for a design focused tracks.

Students who are not eligible for the design focused tracks will continue in the general programme in their fourth year of study, leading to BA (Arch). Under this programme, students will no longer be required to take the design modules at fourth year. In its place, students will take elective modules with options to focus on Design Computing, Architectural & Urban Heritage or Urban Studies. Students who graduate with a high CAP in the general programme would continue to have the opportunity to pursue other graduate programmes.

Career Opportunities and Professional Registration

Graduates with a BA (Arch) degree who have completed Advanced Architectural Studies on Design Computing, Architectural & Urban Heritage or Urban Studies could work within these areas in architectural practices, government agencies or in research.

Graduates would also have opportunities to work in related fields including and not limited to interior design, industrial design, industrialised building systems, graphic design, commercial art and architectural journalism. Graduates who complete the Landscape Architecture (LA) or Urban Planning (UP) specialisation may also work in fields related to their specialisation.

The BA (Arch) degree does not in itself qualify graduates for registration with the Board of Architects. In order to eventually register as an architect with the Board of Architects, Singapore, BA (Arch) graduates must complete the M (Arch) degree and serve a minimum of two years of practical experience in an architectural practice to be eligible for the Professional Practice Examination conducted by the Board of Architects, Singapore. Those who pass the examination are then eligible to apply for registration as architects in Singapore.

Table 1: Curriculum Structure of the Four-year BA (Arch) Programme

NO. MODULES MCs
1 University Requirements 20
a General Education Modules (GEM) 20
2 Programme Requirements 108
a Essential modules taken within the Department 108
3 Unrestricted Electives (UE) 1 32
  Total 160

1   Requisite modules taken to be considered for admission to the Masters programmes can be used to fulfil the UE requirements

Design-Focused Tracks

Students who have achieved creditable grades (B or B-, depending on the track of study) in design at the third year will be permitted to opt for the design-focused tracks.

The Design track will lead to the M Arch degree programme. The Design track offers students the opportunity to focus on design ideas, innovation and conceptualisation from a theoretical framework.

Students who obtained at least B average in design at third year level are eligible to be considered for Urban Planning track. The UP track allows students to proceed to the Master of Urban Planning programme subjected to fulfilment of the admission requirement.

The Landscape Architecture track enables students to migrate to the Masters in Landscape Architecture (MLA) programme. The LA modules will be offered at the third and fourth year. Students who have opted for the LA track after completion of second year but fail to achieve B- for design modules at third year will pursue the general degree programme.

Listing of Modules

The four-year BA (Arch) programme is structured as follows:

Table 3: BA (Arch) Curriculum – General Programme

  LEVEL 1 LEVEL 2 LEVEL 3 LEVEL 4
Sem 1 Sem 2 Sem 1 Sem 2 Sem 1 Sem 2 Sem 1 Sem 2
Design

AR1101
Design 1

(8 MCs)

AR1102
Design 2 (8 MCs)
AR2101
Design 3 (8 MCs)
AR2102
Design 4 (8 MCs)
AR3101
Design 5 (8 MCs)
AR3102
Design 6 (8 MCs)

Level 4000 & Above Arch Related Elective (in lieu of Design)

(8 MC)

Level 4000 & Above Arch Related Elective (in lieu of Design)

(8 MC)

History
Theory

AR2224 Ideas & Approaches in Design

(4 MC)

 AR2222 History and Theory of Western Arch

(4 MC)

AR2221 History and Theory of SEA Arch

(4 MC)

         
Urban & 
Landscape
       

AR3223 Introduction to Urbanism

(4 MC)

 

AR4221 Urban Design Theory and Praxis

(4 MC)

 
Tech 
Environment
  AR1327
Structural
Principles(4 MC)
  AR2524
Spatial Computational Thinking(4 MC)
       
 

AR1328
The Tropical Envelope

(4 MC)

AR2327
Architecture, Structure and Construction(4 MC)
AR2723
Strategies for Sustainable Arch(4 MC)
  AR3721
Environmental
Systems and
Construction(4 MC)
   
General Education Modules (GEM) – 20 MCs
Unrestricted Electives (within/outside SDE) (UE) – 32 MCs

Table 4: BA (Arch) Curriculum – Design Track

  LEVEL 1 LEVEL 2 LEVEL 3 LEVEL 4  
Sem 1 Sem 2 Sem 1 Sem 2 Sem 1 Sem 2 Sem 1 Sem 2  
Design AR1101
Design 1(8 MC)
AR1102
Design 2(8 MC)
AR2101
Design 3(8 MC)
AR2102
Design 4(8 MC)
AR3101
Design 5(8 MC)
AR3102
Design 6(8 MC)
AR5801 Options Design Research Studio 1
(8 MC)
AR5802 Options Design Research Studio 2
(8 MC)
 
History
Theory
AR2224
Ideas & Approaches in Design
(4 MC)
 AR2222
History and Theory of Western Arch
(4 MC)
AR2221
History and Theory of SEA Arch
(4 MC)
      Arch Elective#
(4 MC) 
   
Urban &
Landscape
        AR3223
Introduction to Urbanism
(4 MC)
  AR4221
Urban Design Theory and Praxis(4 MC)
   
Tech
Environment
  AR1327
Structural
Principles
(4 MC)
  AR2524
Spatial Computational Thinking
(4 MC)
    AR5321
Advanced Architectural Integration #
(4 MC)
   
  AR1328
The Tropical Envelope
(4 MC)
AR2327
Architecture, Structure and Construction(4 MC)
AR2723
Strategies for Sustainable Arch
(4 MC)
   AR3721
Environmental Systems and Construction
(4 MC)
 Arch Elective#
(4 MC) 
   
Management               AR5423
Architectural Practice#(4 MC)
 
General Education Modules (GEM) – 20 MCs
Unrestricted Electives (within/outside SDE) (UE) – 32 MCs
 
 

#Requisite modules to be considered for admission to the M.Arch programme. These modules can count towards UE requirements

*Additional UEs students have to complete on their own if they are taking the requisite modules listed under otherwise full 32 MCs of UEs will apply.

Table 6:      BA (Arch) Curriculum –Urban Planning Track

  LEVEL 1 LEVEL 2 LEVEL 3 LEVEL 4
Sem 1 Sem 2 Sem 1 Sem 2 Sem 1 Sem 2 Sem 1 Sem 2
Design AR1101
Design 1
(8 MC)
AR1102 Design 2
(8 MC)
AR2101 Design 3
(8 MC)
AR2102
Design 4
(8 MC)
AR3101
Design 5
(8 MC)
AR3102
Design 6
(8 MC)
DEP5101
Urban
Analysis
Workshop
&
DEP5101A
Qualitative
Methods for
Urban
Planning
(8 MCs)
DEP5103
Urban
Planning
Studio
&
DEP5103A
Quantitative
Methods for
Urban
Planning
(8 MCs)
History
Theory
 
AR2224
Ideas & Approaches in Design
(4 MC)
AR2222
History and Theory of Western Arch
(4 MC)
AR2221
History and Theory of SEA Arch
(4 MC)
         
Urban &
Landscape
            DEP5104
Urban &
Regional
Economics
(4 MCs) #
DEP5102
Urban
Planning
History
&Theory
(4 MCs)
            UD5521
Planning
Process
(4 MCs) #
MUP Elective 2
(4 MCs)  #
        AR3223
Introduction to Urbanism
(4 MC)
  MUP Elective 1
(4 MCs) #
MUP Elective 3
(4 MCs) #
Tech
Environment
  AR1327 Structural
Principles
(4 MC)
  AR2524
Spatial Computational Thinking
(4 MC)
       
  AR1328
The Tropical Envelope
(4 MC)
AR2327 Architecture, Structure and Construction
(4 MC)
AR2723 Strategies for Sustainable Arch
(4 MC)
  AR3721 Environmental Systems and Construction
(4 MC)
   
General Education Modules (GEM) – 20 MCs
Unrestricted Electives (within/outside SDE) (UE) – 12 MCs*

 #Requisite modules to be considered for admission to the M.UP programme. These modules can count towards UE requirements

*Additional UEs students have to complete on their own if they are taking the requisite modules listed under otherwise full 32 MCs of UEs will apply.

Teaching Approach

Design modules are taught through design studios. Critique sessions will form part of the studio procedure in teaching. Lecture modules include formal lectures, followed by seminars/tutorials. Field trips, site visits, measurement and study of buildings for research, investigation and documentation may be involved.

Assessment and Examination

Assessment criteria will vary according to subject content. In the Department of Architecture, design modules are assessed by 100% “continuous assessment” (CA). The other essential modules may also be assessed by 100% CA or a combination of CA and Examination.

Students who fail an essential module will retake the module when it is next offered and must sit for the examination in that Semester. A retake module refers to a module where students have to attend lectures and tutorials and complete assignments and examinations. A new CA grade has to be obtained.

Students who fail a GEM/UE module may either replace it with a new GEM/UE module or retake the failed module the following year. There is no limit to the number of times a student may retake the same GEM/UE module.

A student who has passed the examination of a module will not be permitted to retake the same module for the purpose of improving his/her grade. This condition does not apply to the Design modules where the prerequisite for progression to the next level is a ”C” or “S” grade. Students who achieve a ”D” or “U” grade will be required to retake the Design module.

Progression of Students

Please see the table below:

Minimum MCs (in general) for promotion to the next level ARK1 -> ARK2 [>=40 MC]
ARK2 -> ARK3 [>=80 MC]
ARK3 -> ARK4 [>=120 MC]
Additional requirements

Must pass Design with a minimum “C” or “S”** grade

** Applicable to AR1101/ AR1102 if students declare S/U for the module(s) under the S/U policy (for 2016/17 cohort onwards)

Graduation Requirements for four-year BA (Arch) Programme

Students are required to take all essential modules offered in the semester to which they have progressed, provided they have passed the relevant prerequisites. In addition, they may take modules to satisfy University and other requirements.

Minimum Graduating criteria for

  • BA (Arch) Hons: Minimum Grade C for Design and CAP 3.00
  • BA (Arch): Minimum Grade C for Design and CAP 2.00

Students who exit the concurrent degree programme at the end of BA (Arch) Year 4 and consequently seek admission to M (Arch), M (LA) or M (UP) would be required to fulfil a minimum CAP of 3.50 and other criteria governing admission as determined at the point of application.

Advanced Placement Credits

Polytechnic diploma holders admitted to the programme may be granted advanced placement credits (APCs) for relevant modules. This is subject to Departmental consideration, given the wide range of subject modules from the polytechnics.

For up-to-date APCs list, please refer to:
https://cde.nus.edu.sg/arch/programmes/bachelor-of-arts-in-architecture/advanced-placement-credits-apcs-for-baarchitecture-programme/

The Bachelor of Arts (Industrial Design) (BA(ID)) programme at NUS was first offered in 1999 with support from the Faculty of Engineering and School of Business.

The BA (ID) programme is a four-year undergraduate honours programme, consisting of courses crafted with our synergistic three-pronged approach:

  1. Design Thinking: Out-of-box innovation strategies and investigative methods to discover new ideas and unmet needs.
  2. Multi-Disciplinary Aptitudes: Behavioral sciences, social economics, business strategy, engineering and technology knowledgedevelop  entrepreneurial strategic thinking and holistic problem-solving.
  3. Artistic Sensibility: Training of imagination, taste, and craft-like ability to give pleasing and appropriate aesthetics and emotion to ideas, through traditional and 2D/3D digital means, so that solutions are both functional and desirable.

The combined approaches equip our graduates with high-level strategic thinking, and enable them to translate problems and ideas to tangible, desirable solutions, i.e. meaningful products, environments and experiences that people love to have, love to use – and those which have a big impact on lives.

As part of our strategy to be thought leaders in industry, a major component of the course is a series of industry-sponsored ‘vertical studio platforms’. These are project teams comprising a mix of year 2 to year 4 students, encouraging cross-pollination of thoughts, skills and learning.

In these platforms, students tackle both conceptual and real-life projects led by our industry collaborators, e.g. Asus, Dell, L’Oreal, Estee Lauder, BMW Group DesignworksUSA, Tupperware, Toshiba, Osim, ICI, Swarovski, HansGrohe, Risis and Nakamichi.

Students may customize their individual course during the 4 years by selecting from amongst these different industry platforms – Each student will get the opportunity to be involved in 6-7 of these projects.

The programme has been proven to be effective in grooming students for the design and related industries. Apart from the success in local and international competitions and awards, recent graduates have achieved recognition in gaining scholarships for further studies as well as being placed in well-known design practices and reputable companies.

Students can also opt to do a second major in Management (Technology), offered by School of Business, in four years.

International Exposure

To broaden our students’ exposure to global challenges, two-thirds of each cohort are involved in one-semester overseas exchange programme during their 3rd year. Students typically go to distinguished design schools in Switzerland, France, Japan, Netherlands, Finland, USA, Germany, Italy and China.

Career Opportunities

Students are educated to become expert innovators and master problem-solvers. These attributes make them highly valuable in any industry.

Graduates pursue careers as industrial designers, interaction designers, brand and packaging designers, design managers, product managers and innovation consultants. It is also possible for industrial designers to rise to corporate leadership levels in the areas of creative innovation or design. These are highly-coveted positions, such as Chief Designer, Chief Innovation Officer (CIO), etc.

Armed with design, business and technological knowledge, graduates will be well-positioned to serve in R&D companies, technology start-ups, design consultancies, service industries, marketing sectors and government agencies as well as in design education.

Table 1: Curriculum Structure of the BA (Industrial Design) Programme

NO. MODULES MCS
1 University Requirements 20
a General Education Modules (GEM) 20
2 Programme Requirements 108
a Essential modules taken within the Department 108
3 Unrestricted Electives (UE) 32
  Total 160

 Table 2: BA (ID) programme is structured as follows for Cohort admitted in AY2018/2019 onwards

   Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4
   1st Semester 2nd Semester 3rd Semester 4th Semester 5th Semester 6th Semester 7th Semeste 8th Semester
General Education
5 Pillars (20MC)
GEQ1000
Asking Question (4MC)
GER1000
Quantitative Reasoning (4MC)
Human Cultures – 4MC
Thinking & Expression – 4MC
S’pore Studies – 4MC
Industrial Design Major Requirements (108MC) Design Lecture Modules     ID2323 Technology for Design
(4MC)
         
ID1113
Modelling and Sketching for Design (4MC)
ID1322
Materials and Manufacturing for Industrial Design (4MC)
  ID2116 (NEW)
Computing for Design (4MC)
       
ID1223 History & Theory of Industrial Design
(4MC)
ID1121
Human Centred Design (4MC)
ID2111 Computer Aided Industrial Design
(4MC)
      ID4121
Project Research (4MC)
 
Design Studio ID1105
Design Fundamentals 1 (8MC)
ID1106
Design Fundamentals 2 (8MC)
ID2105
Design in Context & Sustainability (8MC)
ID2106
Design Platforms 1 (10MC)
ID3105
Design Platforms 2 (10MC)
ID3106
Design Platforms 3 (10MC)
ID4105
Design Platforms 4 (10MC)
ID4106
Design Thesis Project (12MC)
Unrestricted Electives (within/outside SDE) (UE) – 32 MCs

Table 3: Industrial Design Unrestricted Electives

Optional Industrial Design Electives
Semester 1
ID2113 Visual communication Design (4MC)
ID3124 Creative Communication & Design Argumentation (4MC)
ID3125 Colours, Materials & Finishing (4MC)
Semester 2
ID2112 Digital Design & Fabrication (4MC)
ID2114 Form, Material, & Making (4MC)
ID2115 Digital Sketching & Painting (4MC)
ID2122 Ecodesign & Sustainability (4MC)

Teaching Approach

Design modules are taught through design studios. Critique sessions will form part of the studio procedure in teaching. Lecture modules include formal lectures, followed by seminars/tutorials.

Assessment and Examination

Assessment criteria will vary according to the modules offered. In the Division of Industrial Design, design modules are assessed by 100% “continuous assessment” (CA). The other essential modules may also be assessed by 100% CA or a combination of CA and examination.

Students who fail an essential module will retake the module when it is next offered and must sit for the examination in that Semester. For a retaken module, students have to attend lectures and tutorials and complete assignments and examinations. A new CA grade has to be obtained.

Students who fail a GEM/SS/Breadth/UE module may either replace it with a new GEM/SS/Breadth/UE module or retake the failed module the following year. There is no limit to the number of times a student may retake the same GEM/SS/Breadth/UE module.

A student who has passed the examination of a module will not be permitted to retake the same module for the purpose of improving his/her grade.

Progression of Students

Please see the table below:

Minimum MCs (in general) for promotion to the next level IDS1 -> IDS2 [>=40 MC]
IDS2 -> IDS3 [>=80 MC]
IDS3 -> IDS4[>=120 MC]

Graduation Requirements for four-year BA (ID) (Hons) Programme

Students are required to take all essential modules offered in the semester to which they have progressed, provided they have passed the relevant prerequisites. In addition, they may take modules to satisfy University and other requirements. ‘Fulfilling’ Modular Credits means reading and passing the modules, which carry the Modular Credits.

Advanced Placement Credits

Polytechnic diploma holders admitted to the programme may be granted advanced placement credits (APCs) for relevant modules. This is subject to Departmental consideration, given the wide range of subject modules from the polytechnics.

For up-to-date APCs list, please refer to this link.

The Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) is a four-year Honours degree programme that prepares students to respond to multifaceted socio-ecological issues in Asia through critical thinking, analytical inquiry, and creative expression. BLA provides core foundation training in skills and knowledge that equips our graduates for professional practice or entry into advanced Master degree programmes. Relevant topics, including tropicality, site specificity, boundaries and scales, densification, multifunctionality, and placemaking are played out in the programme through integrated learning platforms in design studios and lectures. BLA is taught in unique education settings that concurrently promotes speculation in design and at the same time being produces grounded and action-oriented design outcomes relevant to real life issues.

For more information, please refer to:
https://www.cde.nus.edu.sg/arch/programmes/bachelor-of-landscape-architecture/

 

The four-year direct honours Bachelor of Science (Project & Facilities Management) (BSc (PFM)) programme combines management and technologically oriented subjects in a holistic and integrated manner. It is designed to develop leaders for the built environment sector.

Core areas of study

  • Project Management
  • Contract Management / Quantity Surveying
  • Facilities Management
  • Event Management

Eligible BSc (PFM) undergraduates may opt for a second major in Management (offered by NUS Business School) or in Management (Technology) (jointly offered by NUS Business School and Faculty of Engineering). Students may also opt for a Double Degree Programme.

Polytechnic diploma holders who are granted Advanced Placement Credits (APCs) may complete the programme in 3.5 years.

Table 1: Curriculum Structure of the BSc (Project and Facilities Management) (Hons) Programme for students admitted from AY2019/2020 onwards

No. Modules MCs
1 UNIVERSITY REQUIREMENTS 20
1.1 General Education Modules(GEM)^
Students will be required to read one GEM from each of the following five pillars
 
a Human Cultures (GEH) 4
b Asking Questions (GEQ) 4
c Quantitative Reasoning (GER) 4
d Singapore Studies (GES) 4
e Thinking and Expression (GET) 4
2 PROGRAMME REQUIREMENTS 108
a Essential modules 56
b Project and Event Management (PEM) modules 8
c Contract and Cost Management (CCM) modules 12
d Facilities and Infrastructure Asset Management (FIAM) modules 12
e Integrated Digital Delivery Management (IDDM) modules 12
f Dissertation (for students on Dissertation track)* OR
Any 2 Programme Electives (for students on Non-Dissertation track)**
8
3 UNRESTRICTED ELECTIVES (UE) 32
  Total 160

Note:

^Please refer to GEM website (http://www.nus.edu.sg/registrar/general-education.html) for more details on the GEM requirements.*Dissertation track (students with CAP 3.50 and above):
– 25modules (100MCs) + 1 Dissertation (8 MCs) = 26modules (108MCs)
– Minimum 20 MCs of Level 4000 modules = PF4102 (4 MCs) + PF4101 (8 MCs) + 2 other Level 4000 Programme Electives/ non-PFM modules (8 MCs)

**Non-dissertation track (students with CAP below 3.50):
– 25modules (100MCs) + 2 programme electives (8MCs) = 27modules (108MCs)

– Minimum 20 MCs of Level 4000 modules = PF4102 (4 MCs) + 4 other Level 4000 Programme Electives/ non-PFM modules (16 MCs)

Table 2:  BSc (Project and Facilities Management) Programme Structure for students admitted from AY2019/2020 onwards

  Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4
Essential Sem 1 Sem 2 Sem 3 Sem 4 Sem 5 Sem 6 Sem 7 Sem 8
PF1101
Fundamentals of Project Management
(4 MCs)
  PF2109
Project
Feasibility
(4 MCs)
PF2108
Project Cost Management
(4 MCs)
PF3104
Project
Execution
(4 MCs)
  PF4102
Contract and Procurement Management
(4 MCs)
 
PF1106
Introduction to Measurement
(4 MCs)
PF1103
Digital Construction
(4 MCs)
PF2107
Construction Technology
(4 MCs)
PF2103
Measurement (Building Works)
(4 MCs)
       
PF1107
Project and Facilities Management Law
(4 MCs)
PF1108
Introduction to Building Performance
(4 MCs)
PF2102
Structural Systems
(4 MCs)
PF2110
Fundamentals of Facilities Management
(4 MCs)
PF3105
Research
Methods
(4 MCs)
    PF4101
Dissertation
(optional for CAP below 3.50)
(8 MCs)
Project  & Event Mgt (PEM)       PF2203
Quality and Productivity Management
(4 MCs)
PF3208
Project Leadership
(4 MCs)
  PF4209
Construction Enterprise Management
(4 MCs)
PF4208
Safety and Health Management
(4 MCs)
    PF2305
Event Management
(4 MCs)
PF2306
Event Management
Case studies
(4 MCs)
       
Contract & Cost Mgt (CCM)     PF2205
Project Finance
(4 MCs)
  PF3205
Advanced Measurement
(4 MCs)
PF3201
Measurement
(Specialist Works)
(4 MCs)
  PF4203
Project Dispute Management
(4 MCs)
          PF3207
Project
Management Law
(4 MCs)
   
Facilities & Infrastructure Asset Mgt (FIAM)         PF3307
Strategic Facilities Management
(4 MCs)
PF3305
Facilities Planning and Design
(4 MCs)
  PF4306
REITs Facilities Management
(4 MCs)
      PF2505
M&E Systems
(4 MCs)
PF3301
Maintainability of Facilities
(4 MCs)
PF3306
Facilities Management Law and Contracts
(4 MCs)
PF4309
Infrastructure Operations and Maintenance
(4 MCs)
 
        PF3504
Energy Management
(4 MCs)
     
Integrated Digital Delivery Mgt (IDDM)   CS1010S
Programming Methodology
(4 MCs)
PF2502
Development Technology and Management
(4 MCs)
  PF3209
Building Information Modelling(4 MCs)
PF3502
Smart Facilities
(4 MCs)
PF4501
Total Building Performance
(4 MCs)
 
      PF2504
Materials Technology
(4 MCs)
    PF4211
Additive Manufacturing for Construction
(4 MCs)
PF4502
Green Development
(4 MCs)
          PF4210
Project Studio
(4 MCs)
 
Internship (UE)       F2402 Work Experience Internship/
PF3401 Practical Training Scheme
(4 MCs)
PF2402 Work Experience Internship/
PF3401 Practical Training Scheme
(4 MCs)
 

The Qualifying English Test (QET) is an English Language test set by the Centre for English Language Communication. It must be taken by students who do not possess the necessary English Language qualifications when they enter the university. More information can be found at: http://www.nus.edu.sg/celc/programmes/qet.html

Length of Degree Programme

The programme is designed to allow students to progress at their own pace. Students who are able to progress at a faster pace can complete the programme in three-and-a-half years if they take additional essential modules in semester two of their Second and Third Levels. Those doing the programme at a regular pace should complete it in four years.

Assessment and Examination

Students are assessed on a mixture of class work and end-of-semester examinations for each module they had registered for in the semester. Continuous Assessment (CA) may be in the form of essays, laboratory work, projects, reports, or tests. Students’ performance during tutorials may be assessed as part of the CA.

Students who fail in an essential module have to retake the essential module the following year. For a retaken module, students have to attend lectures and tutorials and complete assignments and examinations. A new CA grade has to be obtained.

Students who fail a non-essential module may either replace it with a new module or retake the failed module the following year. There is no limit to the number of times a student may retake the same non-essential module.

Students who have passed any module are not allowed to retake the module to improve their grades.

Progression of Students

Please see the table below:

Minimum MCs (in general) for promotion to the next level PFM1 -> PFM2 [>=40 MC]
PFM2 -> PFM3 [>=80 MC]
PFM3 -> PFM4 [>=120 MC]

Requirements for four-year BSc (Project and Facilities Mgt) (Hons) Programme

Students have to take all essential modules offered in the semester to which they have progressed, provided they have passed the relevant prerequisites. In addition, they may take modules to satisfy University and other requirements. To graduate, a student must obtain a minimum of 160 MCs in accordance with the requirements shown in Table 1. ‘Fulfilling’ Modular Credits means reading and passing the modules which carry the Modular Credits.

Advanced Placement Credits

Polytechnic diploma holders admitted to the programme may be granted advanced placement credits (APCs) for relevant modules. This is subject to Departmental consideration, given the wide range of subject modules from the polytechnics.

For up-to-date APCs list, please refer to this link.

The Department of Real Estate offers a full-time BSc (Real Estate) undergraduate programme. This is a professional honours degree programme to be completed in four years by students proceeding at a normal pace. The programme is fully recognised by renowned local and foreign professional institutions.

Student may opt to complete a specialisation in real estate finance by completing 24 MCs of distinctive programme elective modules.

Career Opportunities

Students in this programme should be interested in the built environment covering issues from planning, development, management, and the social, economic, political to technical facets of the built environment. In Singapore, career opportunities for Real Estate graduates are found in both public and private sectors. Graduates are employed in the fields of real estate fund management (including REITs), real estate development and investment, urban planning, property valuation and corporate real estate management.

Table 1: Curriculum Structure of the BSc (Real Estate) (Hons) Programme

NO. MODULES MCS
1 University Requirements 20
a General Education Modules (GEM) 20
2 Programme Requirements 108
a Essential modules taught by the Department of Real Estate 76
b Essential modules taught by other Departments 4
c FYP Dissertation OR
FYP Academic Exercise plus programme elective
8
d Programme elective modules 20
3 Unrestricted Electives (UE) 32
  Total 160

Programme Structure

The programme is structured into three core areas of study as listed below:

 Core Areas

  1.  FINANCE • INVESTMENT • ANALYTICS •

Real Estate Investment and Asset Management

Real Estate Finance and Securitisation

Real Estate Portfolio and Risk Management

International Real Estate

  1. DEVELOPMENT • ENTERPRISE • SERVICES

Land and Business Law

Real Estate Valuation

Real Estate Business and Property Development

Real Estate Consultancy

Real Estate Marketing and Facilities Management

  1. ECONOMICS • PLANNING • POLICY

Planning Theories and Techniques

Public Policy and Real Estate Markets

Sustainable Development

Town Planning

Data Analytics

Urban Economics

Table 2A: BSc (Real Estate) Programme Structure (Normal Track)

Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4
Semester 1 Semester 2  Semester 1 Semester 2  Semester 1 Semester 2  Semester 1 Semester 2 
RE1701
Urban Land Use and Development
RE1704
Principles of Real Estate Economics
ES2007D
Professional Communication
RE2704
Introduction to Real Estate Valuation
RE3701
Real Estate Investment Analysis
RE3703
Advanced Real Estate Economics
(Pre‐req:  RE2705)
RE4711
FYP Dissertation (8MC)
OR
RE4712
FYP Academic Exercise (4 MC) + 1 PE
RE1702
Real Estate Data Analytics
RE1705
Real Estate Finance and Accounting
RE2701
Urban Planning
(Pre‐req:  RE1701)
RE2705
Urban Economics
RE3702
Property Tax and Statutory Valuation
(Pre‐req:  RE2704)
RE3704
Real Estate Marketing
RE4701
Real Estate Development
(Pre‐req:  RE3703,  RE3704)
PE4
RE1703
Principles of Law for Real Estate
RE1706
Design and Construction
RE2702
Land Law
(Pre‐req:  RE1703)
RE2706
Real Estate Finance
PE1 PE2 RE4702
Professional Practice and Ethics
(Pre‐req:  RE1703)
PE5
GE GER1000 RE2708
Computational Thinking and Programming for Real Estate
RE2707
Asset and Property Management
(Pre‐req:  RE1706)
UE2 UE4 PE3 UE7
GE GE GE UE1 UE3 UE5 UE6 UE8

Students who have not passed the Qualifying English Test at the time of admission to the University must take an additional module in English in Level One. Students who are exempted from the Qualifying English Test need not do an additional module in English.

TABLE 2B: BSC (REAL ESTATE) PROGRAMME STRUCTURE (Fast TRACK)

Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4
Semester 1 Semester 2  Semester 1 Semester 2  Semester 1 Semester 2  Semester 1 Semester 2 
RE1701
Urban Land Use and Development
RE1704
Principles of Real Estate Economics
ES2007D
Professional Communication
RE2704
Introduction to Real Estate Valuation
RE3701
Real Estate Investment Analysis
RE4711
FYP Dissertation (8MC)
OR
RE4712
FYP Academic Exercise (4 MC) + 1 PE
 
RE1702
Real Estate Data Analytics
RE1706
Design and Construction
RE2701
Urban Planning
(Pre‐req:  RE1701)
RE2706
Real Estate Finance
RE3702
Property Tax and Statutory Valuation
(Pre‐req:  RE2704)
PE1 RE4701
Real Estate Development
(Pre‐req:  RE3703, RE3704)
 
RE1703
Principles of Law for Real Estate
GEQ1000 RE2702
Land Law
(Pre‐req:  RE1703)
RE2707
Asset and Property Management
(Pre‐req:  RE1706)
RE3703
Advanced Real Estate Economics
(Pre‐req:  RE2705)
PE2 RE4702
Professional Practice and Ethics
(Pre‐req:  RE1703)
 
RE1705
Real Estate Finance and Accounting
GE RE2705
Urban Economics
GE RE3704
Real Estate Marketing
PE3 PE4  
GER1000 GE RE2708
Computational Thinking and Programming for Real Estate
UE6 UE7 UE8 PE5  

Polytechnic diploma holders may be granted advanced placement credits (APC) up to 20 MCs for Unrestricted Elective modules.

Students who have not passed the Qualifying English Test at the time of admission to the University must take an additional module in English in Level One. Students who are exempted from the Qualifying English Test need not do an additional module in English.

Students admitted can undertake one of the 2 academic routes:

  • BSc (Real Estate)
  • BSc (Real Estate) with Specialisation in Real Estate Finance

A specialisation will be awarded if a student completes a basket of 24 MCs (6 modules) of stipulated Programme Electives.  The specialisation will be noted in a student’s transcript. It is not compulsory for students to pursue a specialisation.

A student may opt to complete a specialisation in real estate finance after they have completed the fourth semester.

Table 3: Real Estate Finance Specialisation Programme Electives

Module Code  Real Estate Finance Specialisation (REFS) Programme Electives  Pre-Requisites 
RE3802 Real Estate Finance Law RE1703
RE3805 Corporate Investment in Real Estate RE3701
RE3807 Corporate Finance for Real Estate RE3701
RE4711 FYP Dissertation (8MC)* Nil
RE4712 FYP Academic Exercise (4MC)* Nil
RE4801 Real Estate Internship Programme* Nil
RE4803 REIT Management RE3701
RE4804 Real Estate Securitisation RE3701
RE4806 Real Estate Finance Seminar RE3701
RE4807 Real Estate Risk Analysis and Management RE3701

*For RE4711 FYP Dissertation, RE4712 FYP Academic Exercise and RE4801 Real Estate Internship Programme to be counted as fulfillment towards the REFS, it must be Finance Related and approved by the Department. If RE4711 is accepted, student must still complete another 5 modules from the REFS programme electives.

Students who are not completing the real estate Specialisation are required to complete 20 MCs of programme electives in any combination (except RE4806 Real Estate Finance Seminar). In addition to the 20 MCs, students are still required to complete either RE4711 FYP Dissertation or RE4712 FYP Academic Exercise.

Table 4: Other Programme Electives

Module  Code Other Programme Electives Pre-Requisites 
RE2801 Research Methodology in Real Estate RE1702
RE3803 Strategic Asset Management RE2702
RE3804 Real Estate Development Law RE2702
RE3806 Advanced Real Estate Valuation RE3702
RE3901 Advanced Urban Planning RE2701
RE4802 Topics in Real Estate (Summer Programme) Year 2 Modules
RE4805 International Real Estate Development and Investment RE4701
RE4808 Urban Challenges and Policies RE2701, RE3703

Table 5: Real Estate Unrestricted Electives

Module Code Real Estate Unrestricted Electives Pre-Requisites
RE1901 Real Estate Wealth Management Nil
RE3000 Work Experience Internship Completed at least 4 Semesters and have  not accumulated 12 MCs of Internship credits
RE3902  Housing Markets and Policies Nil
RE3903 GIS for Real Estate Nil

Concurrent Degree Programme: BSc (Real Estate) + Master of Urban Planning

BSc (RE) students who are interested in Urban Planning (UP) can also choose to pursue the M (UP) concurrently. After a 5-year candidature, they will get 2 degrees:

  • BSc (RE) with a specialisation in UP
  • M (UP)

Eligibility Criteria
At the end of the third year in the BSc (Real Estate) course, applicants must obtain a CAP of at least 3.50. Applicants will be subjected to an interview for discretionary admission.

Continuation Criteria at the end of the fourth year
At the end of the fourth year, the candidate of the CDP must have completed RE4711 FYP Dissertation, and also obtain a minimum CAP of 3.00 (for MUP modules only).

Graduating criteria at the end of the 5th year, include a minimum CAP of 3.00 (for MUP modules taken in Year 4 and Year 5).

Student Workload

In any one semester, students are not allowed to take more than 8 modules (excluding English), whether essentials, electives, or GE modules.

Length of Degree Programme

The programme is designed to allow students to progress at their own pace. Students doing the programme at a regular pace should complete it in four years. Students who are able to progress at a faster pace can complete the programme in three-and- a-half years if they take additional modules in each of the four semesters in their Second and Third Levels.

Assessment and Examination

Students are assessed based on a mixture of class work and end-of-semester examinations for each module they had registered for in the semester. Continuous Assessment (CA) may be in the form of essays, projects, reports, or tests. Students’ performance during tutorials may be assessed as part of the CA.

Students who fail in an essential module will have to retake the module the following year. In such instances, students have to attend lectures and tutorials and complete assignments and examinations. A new CA grade has to be obtained.

Students who fail a non-essential module may either replace it with a new module or retake the failed module the following year. There is no limit to the number of times a student may retake the same non-essential module.

Students who have passed any module are not allowed to retake the module to improve their grades.

Progression of Students

Please see the table below:

Minimum MCs (in general) for promotion to the next level RST1 -> RST2 [>=40 MC]
RST2 -> RST3 [>=80 MC]
RST3 -> RST4 [>=120 MC]

Graduation Requirements for four-year BSc (Real Estate) (Hons) Programme

Students have to take all essential modules offered in the semester to which they have progressed, provided they have passed the relevant prerequisites. In addition, they may take modules to satisfy University and other requirements. To graduate, a student must obtain a minimum of 160 MCs.

Advanced Placement Credits

Polytechnic diploma holders admitted to the programme may be granted advanced placement credits (APCs) for relevant modules. This is subject to Departmental consideration, given the wide range of subject modules from the polytechnics.

For up-to-date APCs list, please refer to this link.

The credit-bearing internship programmes offered by the Departments within SDE are listed below.

For a list of other internship opportunities, please visit Centre for Future-ready Graduates (CFG)’s internship page.

Architecture Internship Programme – Department of Architecture

The internship programme aims to provide opportunities for third year undergraduates to work in architectural or allied firms or organisations with design centric focus to gain the exposure and experience and apply the knowledge learnt in school in the professional setting.

Students are required to perform a structured and supervised internship in a company/organization for 24 weeks during the regular Semester. Weekly logbook as well as internship reports will be used a part of the evaluation of their internship experience.

Practical Training Scheme – Department of the Built Environment

BSc (Project and Facilities Management) students may undertake a twelve-week-long Practical Training Scheme which is normally held at the end of the second semester in the Third Level. The aim of this scheme is to give students essential real-life work exposure in Singapore or abroad. The Department finds suitable placements with an organisation in the construction or real estate industry for students, and their work is supervised by a staff member of the Department, and a senior person within the organisation to which they are attached.

The module will contribute 4 MCs and a CS/CU grade is awarded.

Work Experience Internship – All Departments

Undergraduate students may undertake an approved internship of at least 10 weeks in duration during the vacation period. This module is opened to full-time undergraduate students who have completed at least 60 MCs.* The module recognises that work experiences in fields that may or may not be directly related to the student’s major can lead to viable career pathways.

The module will contribute 4 MCs and a CS/CU grade is awarded.

*Departments may impose additional requirements or pre-requisites. 

The School of Design and Environment’s donated scholarships and bursaries are designed to offer generous financial support to our undergraduates. To be considered for the School-Level financial assistance/scholarships and selected NUS-level donated scholarships, please apply through the Office of Financial Aid (OFA) at the Undergraduate Financial Aid portal from February to April every academic year.

School-Level and Department-Level Financial Assistance/Scholarships

Please visit https://cde.nus.edu.sg/undergraduate/apply-to-cde/donated-scholarships-and-bursaries/

More university-wide Scholarships and Financial Aid, visit the following links:

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

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

The exception to this ruling would be students who are involved in internships, accelerated programmes or double degree programmes. For these students, they need to have a minimum of 24 MCs graded modules. In addition, students must have also completed a minimum of 16 MCs in the subject within the academic year.

For a full list of the medals and prizes for SDE undergraduates, please visit https://cde.nus.edu.sg/undergraduate/academic-awards-and-prizes/