Faculty of Science
Research Programmes
The Faculty of Science offers full-time and part-time graduate research programmes in all seven departments leading to either the Master of Science (MSc) degree or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree.
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. The specific coursework requirements for the respective departments in the Faculty of Science may be found at the respective websites:
1. Department of Biological Sciences
3. Department of Food Science and Technology
5. Department of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences
7. Department of Statistics and Data Science
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
A student will be issued a warning if
-
- His/Her GPA falls below 3.00 but above 2.50 for the first time
A student will be placed on probation if
-
- His/Her GPA falls below 2.50 for the first time
- His/Her GPA falls below 3.00 but above 2.50 for two consecutive semesters
A student will be dismissed if
-
- His/Her GPA falls below 2.50 for two consecutive semesters
- His/Her GPA falls below 3.00 for three consecutive semesters
PhD
A student will be issued a warning if
-
- His/Her GPA falls below 3.50 but above 3.00 for the first time
A student will be placed on probation if
-
- His/Her GPA falls below 3.00 for the first time
- His/Her GPA falls below 3.50 but above 3.00 for two consecutive semesters
A student will be dismissed if
-
- His/Her GPA falls below 3.00 for two consecutive semesters
- His/Her GPA falls below 3.50 for three consecutive semester
Suspension or termination of scholarship may be imposed on research scholars who do not meet the coursework continuation requirements or obtain unsatisfactory research progress grading.
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/