Faculty of Science
Research Programmes
The Faculty of Science offers full-time and part-time graduate research programmes in all seven departments leading to the Master of Science (MSc) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees.
Programme Overview
The research degree provides training in a particular subject area through independent investigation, study and experimental work, culminating in the submission of a thesis on the research undertaken. A supervisor or supervisors will be appointed for each candidate. Students are required to attend appropriate lectures and sit for written examinations.
The following degrees are awarded upon completion of the research programme:
- Master of Science (MSc) or
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
All applicants are admitted into the MSc or PhD programme. For students pursuing PhD candidature, they must pass the Qualifying Examination by the fourth semester.
Candidature
The period of candidature ranges from a minimum of one year to a maximum of three years for MSc and a minimum of two years to a maximum of five years for PhD
Research candidates may be admitted as full-time or part-time students. The minimum and maximum periods of candidature are the same.
Programme Intake
There are two intakes per academic year: one in January and the other in August. Please note that applications must be submitted to the departments by 15 May for the January intake, and by 15 November (for international students) for the August intake respectively.
Degree Requirements
A. Coursework Requirements
Candidates pursuing higher degrees by research are required to attend and pass examinations in a minimum of three courses (two coursework courses and one compulsory seminar course) for MSc and a minimum of six courses (five coursework courses and one compulsory seminar course) for PhD. These courses are to be chosen in consultation with their thesis supervisor(s) and/or department(s). The specific coursework requirements for the respective departments in the Faculty of Science are as follows:
1. Department of Biological Sciences
PhD
- Complete a minimum of twenty-four (24) units consisting of
- BL5198 Graduate Seminar Course in Biological Sciences
- NG5001 Academic Communication for Graduate Researchers
- Five (5) BL-coded graduate courses
- MB5104 – An Integrative Approach to Understanding Cell Functions (only for students under the Biophysics and Cell & Molecular Biology research groups. This is to be read during student’s first semester of study)
- Students may read up to two graduate-level courses from other departments (subject to approval)
MSc
- Complete a minimum of twelve (12) units consisting of
- BL5198 Graduate Seminar Course in Biological Sciences
- Two (2) BL-coded graduate courses
- MB5104 – An Integrative Approach to Understanding Cell Functions (only for students under the Biophysics and Cell & Molecular Biology research groups. This module is recommended to be read during student’s first semester of study)
- Students may read one graduate-level course from other departments (subject to approval)
2. Department of Chemistry
PhD
- Complete a minimum of twenty-four (24) units consisting of
- CM5198 Graduate Seminar Course in Chemistry
- CM5161 Advanced Chemical Laboratory Safety
- Four (4) CM-coded graduate courses
- Students may read up to two graduate-level courses from other departments (subject to approval)
MSc
- Complete a minimum of twelve (12) units consisting of
- CM5198 Graduate Seminar Course in Chemistry
- CM5161 Advanced Chemical Laboratory Safety
- One (1) CM-coded graduate course
- Students may read up to one graduate-level courses from other departments (subject to approval)
3. Department of Food Science and Technology
PhD
- Complete a minimum of twenty-four (24) Units consisting of
- FST5198 Advanced Food Science and Technology Seminar
- Five (5) FST-coded graduate courses
- Students may read up to two graduate-level courses from other departments (subject to approval)
MSc
- Complete a minimum of twelve (12) Units consisting of
- FST5198 Advanced Food Science and Nutrition Seminar
- Two (2) FST-coded graduate courses
- Students may read up to one graduate-level course from other departments (subject to approval)
4. Department of Physics
PhD
- Complete a minimum of twenty-four (24) units consisting of
- PC5198 Graduate Seminar Course in Physics
- Five (5) PC-coded graduate courses
- Students may read up to two graduate-level courses from other departments (subject to approval)
MSc
- Complete a minimum of twelve (12) units consisting of
- PC5198 Graduate Seminar Course in Physics
- Two (2) PC-coded graduate courses
- Students may read one graduate-level course from other departments (subject to approval)
5. Department of Pharmacy
PhD
- Complete a minimum of twenty-four (24) units consisting of
- PR5198 Graduate Seminar Course in Pharmacy
- One (1) other PR-coded graduate course in addition to PR5198
- For the remaining graduate courses, the students may read additional PR-coded graduate courses or non PR-coded graduate courses subjected to the justification and approval by the supervisor
MSc
- Complete a minimum of twelve (12) units consisting of
- PR5198 Graduate Seminar Course in Pharmacy
- One (1) other PR-coded graduate course in addition to PR5198
- For the remaining one (1) graduate course, the student may read an additional PR-coded graduate course or one non PR-coded graduate course subjected to the justification and approval by the supervisor
6. Department of Mathematics
PhD
- MA5198 Graduate Seminar Course in Mathematics
- Eight (8) level 5000 or above MA-coded courses, with at least four (4) from Department’s Basic Graduate course list amounting to a minimum of thirty-two (32) units
- Students may read up to two (2) Level 5000 and above courses from other departments (subject to departmental approval)
- Additional fee may be applicable for reading certain courses. Please check with the department administrator to find out the details
Department’s Basic Graduate Course List for PhD Programme
- MA5203 Graduate Algebra I
- MA5204 Commutative and Homological Algebra
- MA5218 Representation Theory
- MA5205 Graduate Analysis I
- MA5206 Graduate Analysis II or MA5217 Graduate Complex Analysis
- MA5209 Algebraic Topology
- MA5210 Differentiable Manifolds
- MA5213 Advanced Partial Differential Equations
- MA5232 Modeling and Numerical Simulations
- MA5233 Computational Mathematics
- MA5241 Computational Harmonic Analysis
- MA5243 Advanced Mathematical Programming
- MA5245 Advanced Financial Mathematics
- MA5248 Stochastic Analysis in Mathematical Finance
- MA5249 Stochastic Processes and Algorithms
- MA5259 Probability Theory I
- MA5260 Probability Theory II
- MA5269 Optimal Stopping and Stochastic Control in Finance
MSc by Research
- MA5198 Graduate Seminar Course in Mathematics
- Five (5) other Level 5000 or above MA-coded courses, with at least three (3) from Department’s Basic Graduate course list amounting to a minimum of twenty (20) units
- Students may read up to two (2) Level 5000 and above courses from other departments (subject to departmental approval)
- Additional fee may be applicable for reading certain courses. Please check with the department administrator to find out the details
Department’s Basic Graduate Course List for MSc by Research Programme
- MA5203 Graduate Algebra I
- MA5204 Commutative and Homological Algebra
- MA5218 Representation Theory
- MA5205 Graduate Analysis I
- MA5206 Graduate Analysis II or MA5217 Graduate Complex Analysis
- MA5209 Algebraic Topology
- MA5210 Differentiable Manifolds
- MA5213 Advanced Partial Differential Equations
- MA5232 Modeling and Numerical Simulations
- MA5233 Computational Mathematics
- MA5241 Computational Harmonic Analysis
- MA5243 Advanced Mathematical Programming
- MA5245 Advanced Financial Mathematics
- MA5248 Stochastic Analysis in Mathematical Finance
- MA5249 Stochastic Processes and Algorithms
- MA5259 Probability Theory I
- MA5260 Probability Theory II
- MA5269 Optimal Stopping and Stochastic Control in Finance
7. Department of Statistics and Applied Probability
PhD
- Complete a minimum of twenty-four (24) units consisting of:
- ST5198 Graduate Seminar Course in Statistics
- ST5214 Advanced Probability Theory
- ST5215 Advanced Statistical Theory
- ST5222 Advanced Topics in Applied Statistics
- ST5224 Advanced Statistical Theory II
- Any other one (1) ST-coded graduate course
- Students may read up to two graduate-level courses from other departments (subject to approval)
MSc
- Complete a minimum of twenty-four (24) units consisting of:
- ST5198 Graduate Seminar Course in Statistics
- ST5214 Advanced Probability Theory
- ST5215 Advanced Statistical Theory
- Any other three (3) ST-coded graduate course
- Students may read up to two graduate-level courses from other departments (subject to approval)
B.Thesis/Dissertation
Candidates must submit, through the supervisor(s) and the Head of Department, his/her thesis/dissertation for examination within the maximum period of candidature. The thesis/dissertation must be on a topic approved by the respective departments and must make some contribution to knowledge and not be a mere collation of existing materials. The thesis/dissertation must contain original work or critical interpretation worthy of publication.
C. Other Requirements
Any other additional requirements that is specified by the respective departments.
Continuation Requirements
- Masters
For continuation in the Master’s programme, a student’s Grade Point Average (GPA) should not fall below 2.50 or equivalent for two consecutive semesters, or 3.00 for three consecutive semesters. - PhD
For continuation in the PhD programme, a student’s GPA should not fall below 3.00 or equivalent for two consecutive semesters, or 3.50 for three consecutive semesters. - Termination of candidature will result if a student fails to maintain the minimum GPA.
For information on faculty-level scholarship, visit https://www.science.nus.edu.sg/graduates/faculty-level-scholarships/
For information on university-level scholarship, visit https://nusgs.nus.edu.sg/scholarships/