Program Overview

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Introduction to the MSc Biotechnology Program

The Master of Science in Biotechnology program at the National University of Singapore is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in biotechnology, covering a wide range of disciplines and applications. The program aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the biotechnology industry, with a focus on cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions.

Program Objectives

The objectives of the MSc Biotechnology program are:

• To introduce unique cutting-edge learning platforms for early and mid-career professionals, offering rigorous training in biotechnology for the twenty-first century.
• To enhance skills and opportunities for early and mid-career professionals with a curriculum that is adaptable to the rapidly changing biotechnology environment in Singapore and across the globe.
• To provide students with key knowledge in biotechnology and its associated fields of study.

Target Demographic

The program is designed for graduates with a Bachelor's degree who would like to pursue a postgraduate degree or enhance their knowledge in Biotechnology.

Admission Requirements

Applicants seeking admission to the program must possess one of the following qualifications:

1. A Bachelor's (with Honours) degree or 4-year Bachelor's degree in relevant disciplines, or
2. A Bachelor's degree with at least 2 years of relevant work experience. Applicants from countries whose native language is not English and whose medium of university instruction is not completely in English are required to provide one of the following:

• Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL): Minimum score of 85 (internet-based test)
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS): Minimum score of 6

Program Structure

The MSc in Biotechnology is a 40-unit program. The program can be completed full-time over one year (two semesters) or part-time over two years (four semesters) with a maximum candidature of two years for full-time students and four years for part-time students.

Core Courses

Students must read and pass three core courses (equivalent to total 12 units):

• BL5213: Protein Design and Engineering
• BL5601: Case Studies in Biotechnology
• BL5602: Genetic Engineering in Biotechnology

Elective Courses

Students are required to read and pass 28 units from any elective basket, including:

• Project-based Learning
• Bioimaging Basket
• Emerging Infectious Disease Basket
• Genomic Data Science Basket
• Nucleic Acid Biotechnology Basket
• Structural Biology Basket
• Urban Farming Biotechnology Basket
• Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Basket

Course Information

Core Courses

• BL5213: Protein Design and Engineering (4 units)
• BL5601: Case Studies in Biotechnology (4 units)
• BL5602: Genetic Engineering in Biotechnology (4 units)

Elective Courses

• BL5202A: Biophysical Methods in Life Sciences (4 units)
• BL5214: Advanced Proteins NMR (4 units)
• BL5215: Macromolecular X-ray Crystallography (4 units)
• BL5216: Advanced Genetics and Genome Sciences (4 units)
• BL5221: Plant and Microbial Development (4 units)
• BL5223: Advanced Molecular Genetics (4 units)
• BL5224: Signaling Mechanisms in Cancers and Metabolic Diseases (4 units)
• BL5232: Introduction to Bioimaging (4 units)
• BL5232A: Practical Bioimaging A: Electron Microscopy (4 units)
• BL5232B: Practical Bioimaging B: Light Microscopy (2 units)
• BL5232C: Practical Bioimaging C: Hands-on Microscopy (2 units)
• BL5612: The Biotech Revolution and Biologic Drugs (4 units)
• BL5623: Infectious Diseases and Host-Pathogen Interactions (4 units)
• BL5631: Practical Analysis of Genomic Data using R (4 units)
• BL5632: Genomic Data Science in the Cloud (4 units)
• BL5641: RNA biology and therapeutics (4 units)
• BL5642: CRISPR & Precision Gene Editing Technologies (4 units)
• BL5643: Applications of Industrial Biotechnology (4 units)
• BL5661: Urban Agriculture and Crop Biotechnology (4 units)
• BL5662: Biotechnology in Aquaculture (4 units)
• BL5690: Internship Project in Biotechnology (12 units)
• BL5699R: Capstone Project in Biotechnology (12 units)

Fee Structure and Payment Schedule

Full program fees of S$52,320 (inclusive of 9% GST) will be effective from AY2025/2026, Semester 1 intake.

• Full-time students will pay the tuition fees over the first two semesters.
• Part-time students will pay the tuition fees over the first four semesters.

Scholarship Opportunities

MSc Biotechnology students enrolled in the AY2025/26 intake may be eligible for the following scholarship opportunities:

• NUS Guangzhou Research Translation and Innovation Institute (NUS GRTII) Master's Scholarship
• NUS ASEAN Master's Scholarship

Career Opportunities

The program is designed for students to interact closely with industry players on application-oriented problem-solving. Students will develop critical thinking skills on real-world problems and be in a position to tackle these issues. The program is well-placed to position its graduates in government agencies, international organizations, and a wide range of company types, from start-ups to mature biotechnology corporations.

FAQs

• Am I eligible for the CPF Education Loan Scheme (CELS)?
• Am I eligible for the Post-Secondary Education Account (PSEA) scheme?
• Am I eligible for staff concession if I am a full-time NUS staff member?
• Am I eligible for the Service Obligation (SO) Scheme if I am an international student?

Continuation Requirements

For continuation of candidature, a student must obtain satisfactory progress during their candidature.

• Academic warnings will be issued to students if their GPA falls below 3.0 (but ≥2.50).
• Dismissal and/or refusal of readmission will be issued to students if their GPA falls below 2.50 for two consecutive semesters of study; or GPA below 3.0 (but ≥2.50) for three consecutive semesters of study.

Graduation Requirements

To be awarded the MSc in Biotechnology, the student must successfully complete a program of study consisting of at least 40 units with a minimum GPA of 3.00, according to the requirements of the Program Structure.