Program Overview

NUS-ANU (FoS) Joint Degree Programme

Introduction

The NUS-ANU (FoS) Joint Degree Programme is a four-year, Honours only, research-based degree in the fields of Chemistry, Physics, or Mathematics. The programme is offered to students pursuing the following majors: Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics. The Joint Degree Programme leads to a Bachelor of Science (Honours) from NUS and a Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) from ANU.

Upon successful completion of the Joint Degree Programme requirements, students graduate with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree. The degree carries the crests of both universities and certifies the student’s completion of the Joint Degree Programme and their field of study.

Selection and Admission

The Joint Degree Programme is restricted to six students from each institution annually. The programme is only offered to the Faculty of Science students in USP. Applications open in September/October each year, and applicants will be required to attend an interview. Successful applicants will be admitted provisionally into the Joint Degree Programme.

Final selection of Joint Degree Programme students will be made at the end of their third semester of study, based on academic performance in the first three semesters of study (CAP of at least 4.2).

Structure

The Joint Degree Programme is a four-year, Honours only, research-based degree in the fields of Chemistry, Physics, or Mathematics. Students accepted into the Joint Degree Programme will spend their first three semesters of study at NUS, three semesters at ANU, and the remaining two semesters back at NUS.

The course of study in each major is indicated in the tables below. There is significant flexibility, and a Joint Degree Programme student can design his/her programme of study in consultation with an assigned Academic Mentor, with approval from the relevant Field Coordinator.

• Chemistry course for NUS students
  • Semesters 1-3 (NUS): 15 modules including:
    • 7 modules in chemistry
    • 2 Special Programs in Science (SPS) modules
    • 6 University Scholars Programme (USP) modules: 3 Compulsory Foundation Modules and 3 Inquiry modules, two of which must come from the Humanities and Social Sciences domain [Total: 60 modular credits]
  • Semesters 4-6 (ANU): Completion of 12 6-unit courses including:
    • A minimum of 6 courses in chemistry
    • Advanced Studies 1, 2, and 3 [Total: 72 units]
  • Semesters 7-8 (NUS): Honours in chemistry. Completion of 10 modules, including:
    • A minimum of 9 chemistry modules of which 6 should be project work [Total: 40 modular credits]
• Mathematics course for NUS students
  • Semesters 1-3 (NUS): Completion of 15 modules including:
    • A minimum of 6 in mathematics
    • 3 Special Programs in Science (SPS) modules
    • 6 University Scholars Programme (USP) modules: 3 Compulsory Foundation Modules and 3 Inquiry modules, two of which must come from the Humanities and Social Sciences domain
    • Or: 7 in mathematics, 2 Special Programs in Science (SPS) modules, and 6 University Scholars Programme (USP) modules: 3 Compulsory Foundation Modules and 3 Inquiry modules, two of which must come from the Humanities and Social Sciences domain [Total: 60 modular credits]
  • Semesters 4-6 (ANU): Completion of 12 6-unit courses, including:
    • A minimum of 6 courses in mathematics
    • Advanced Studies Courses 1, 2, and 3 [Total: 72 units]
  • Semesters 7-8 (NUS): Honours in mathematics. Completion of 10 modules, including:
    • A minimum of 9 mathematics modules [Total: 40 modular credits]
• Physics course for NUS students
  • Semesters 1-3 (NUS): Completion of 15 modules comprising:
    • PC1431 Physics 1E
    • PC1432 Physics 2E
    • PC2130 Quantum Mechanics 1
    • PC2131 Electricity and Magnetism 1
    • PC 2193 Experimental Physics 1
    • MA1101R Linear Algebra
    • MA1505 Mathematics 1
    • 2 Special Programs in Science (SPS) modules
    • 6 University Scholars Programme (USP) modules: 3 Compulsory Foundation Modules and 3 Inquiry modules, two of which must come from the Humanities and Social Sciences domain [Total: 60 modular credits]
  • Semesters 4-6 (ANU): Completion of 12 6-unit courses, including:
    • A minimum of 7 courses in physics
    • Advanced Studies Courses 1, 2, and 3 [Total: 72 units]
  • Semesters 7-8 (NUS): Honours in physics. Completion of 10 modules, including:
    • A minimum of 9 physics modules [Total: 40 modular credits]

The Honours in Chemistry will be largely (approximately 60%) project work, although there will be a coursework component. Honours in Mathematics or Physics will comprise project work (between 40% and 50%) and coursework. Joint Honours project work between NUS and ANU are encouraged in the Joint Degree Programme.

The Joint Degree Programme requires completion of at least 100 modular credits at NUS and 72 units at ANU. Students are expected to maintain a CAP of at least 4.2 at NUS and an average mark of 80 at the ANU. Students who fail to meet the expected CAP or average mark for more than two consecutive semesters will be required to leave the Joint Degree Programme, with borderline cases referred for decision to the Joint Degree Programme Committee.

Students in the Scholars Programme must also fulfill one Singapore Studies (SS) requirement during his/her duration in the Programme. This requirement may be satisfied by a choice of modules designated as fulfilling the Singapore Studies requirement in the First-Tier or Advanced Modules curriculum.

Fees

Tuition fees are paid to the home university and are waived by the host university. The airfare and traveling expenses incurred by NUS Joint Degree Programme students traveling to ANU, accommodation, and all living expenses, including medical/health insurance, will be borne by students.

Selected students are eligible to apply for the NUS Awards for Study Abroad (NASA) Grant to help defray the cost of studying overseas.

Exiting the Programme

Students can choose to leave the programme, or be asked to leave if they fail to meet and maintain requirements. Students who choose to leave the programme are permitted to work instead for a single degree in their original home institution and Faculty. Modular credits completed during the duration of the Joint Degree Programme will be counted towards the fulfillment of the degree requirements of their degree at the home Faculty, subject to the normal limits of the Faculty curriculum.