Discover CDE - NUS CDE Undergraduate Programmes Booklet - 2024

DISCOVER CDE

Contents

04 Welcome to the College of Design and Engineering

06 CDE Among the Top-ranked

08 The CDE Edge

12 Architecture (BA)

13 Biomedical Engineering (BEng)

14 Chemical Engineering (BEng)

15 Civil Engineering (BEng)

16 Computer Engineering (BEng)

17 Electrical Engineering (BEng)

18 Engineering Science (BEng)

19 Environmental Engineering (BEng)

20 Industrial Design (BA)

21 Infrastructure and Project Management (BEng)

22 Industrial and Systems Engineering (BEng)

23 Landscape Architecture (BLA)

24 Materials Science and Engineering (BEng)

25 Mechanical Engineering (BEng)

26 Engineering Scholars Programme (E-Scholars)

26 Design Scholars Programme (D-Scholars)

28 Computing (Design and Engineering) (Second major and minor)

29 Innovation and Design Programme (iDP) (Second major and minor)

30 Systems Engineering (Second major and minor)

31 Sustainable Urban Development (Second major)

32 Cities (Minor)

32 Visual Communication Design (Minor)

34 Specialisations

36 Admission Requirements

38

Welcome to the College of Design and Engineering — a vibrant hub where creativity meets innovation, shaping the educational journey of tomorrow!

Here at CDE, we offer 14 undergraduate degree programmes spanning Design, Architecture, and Engineering. Each programme is carefully crafted to cater to the diverse passions and ambitions of our students, setting you on a path to fulfil your academic and professional dreams.

Three core pillars underpin education at CDE.

First up, Practical Hands-on Learning

Right from the get-go, you will dive into solving real-world challenges, gaining invaluable hands-on experience along the way.

Complementing this is our Futurefocused Curriculum. This ensures you stay ahead of the curve, equipping you with the skills and know-how to adapt to the ever-evolving professional landscape.

The third pillar is Unparalleled Choice and Flexibility. Our ‘Build Your Own Degree’ approach puts you in the driver’s seat, allowing you to customise your education to fit your unique interests and career goals.

I’m excited to share that we have partnered with the NUS School of Computing to launch the minor and second major in Computing (Design and Engineering). This initiative is all about boosting your computing prowess within your chosen area of study, making you future-proof and an even more appealing prospect in today’s dynamic job market.

I am also thrilled to introduce the Design Scholars (D-Scholars) programme, complementing our existing Engineering Scholars (E-Scholars) programme. This is designed specifically for top talents venturing into Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Industrial Design.

Beyond our educational programmes, CDE stands as a world-class research institution. With leading professors at the helm of cutting-edge, high-impact research, we marry education with inquiry — and we invite our undergrads to join in and enrich their learning experiences.

But life at CDE isn’t confined to the classroom. Many of our students embrace the opportunity to broaden their horizons overseas, whether through a semester-long exchange, a stint at the NUS Overseas College, or our immersive summer and winter programmes.

Our campus life is buzzing with activity, thanks to new student spaces, a wide range of dining options, conducive study areas, and spots to simply unwind. With numerous student clubs and societies, you’re bound to find your tribe. Plus, our dedicated, full time staff are always on hand to ensure your well-being and success.

Choosing where to pursue higher education is no small decision. At CDE, we are not just preparing you for the future; we’re committed to making your journey here enriching and memorable. We can’t wait to welcome you aboard!

Yours sincerely,

Professor Teo Kie Leong Acting Dean

CDE is Globally Recognised

NUS emerged eighth in the latest UK-based Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2024

NUS is the highest-ranked Asian university and the first from Asia to place among the top 10 institutions in the world. That’s not all — CDE also shines in the subject-specific rankings.

8th

1st in the world in asia

Materials Sciences #12

Civil and Structural Engineering #4

Chemical Engineering #6

2023 QS World University Rankings

By Subject

Electrical and Electronic Engineering #10

Mechanical Engineering #10

Architecture and Built Environment #7

The CDE Edge

When you pursue a four-year direct Honours degree at CDE, you gain breadth, depth and flexibility through a combination of the common curriculum; a major of your choice; and a wide range of unrestricted electives

Common Curriculum — 15 courses to give you a solid foundation so you can maximise opportunities to advance your career, regardless of your discipline. We emphasise instilling lifelong skills in data and digital literacy, systems thinking, design thinking and critical thinking.

Primary Major — 15 courses to provide an in-depth education in your selected discipline among the 14 degree programmes at CDE. We’ll take care of equipping you with relevant competencies from theory to practice — you only need to choose the field in which you will thrive in the future:

Direct Admissions

• Architecture (BA)

• Landscape Architecture (BLA)

• Industrial Design (BA)

• Computer Engineering (BEng)

Common Admissions (Engineering)

• Biomedical Engineering (BEng)

• Chemical Engineering (BEng)

• Civil Engineering (BEng)

• Electrical Engineering (BEng)

• Engineering Science (BEng)

• Environmental Engineering (BEng)

• Industrial and Systems Engineering (BEng)

• Infrastructure and Project Management (BEng)

• Materials Science and Engineering (BEng)

• Mechanical Engineering (BEng)

Unrestricted Electives — 10 courses to expand your horizons, with over 4000 options across CDE and NUS at your fingertips. We believe in giving you the freedom to personalise your learning to align with your interests. This is your education, the way you always envisioned it.

• Design Your Own Course (DYOC): Flex your creativity by choosing what you want to learn, how you want to learn it, and who you will learn from (maximum of two courses).

• Second Major: Master dual disciplines by pursuing a second major suiting your professional goals. Note: it is a non-honour major with a lower unit requirement than that of your primary major.

• Minor: Intrigued by more than one programme? Take a minor (or two!) to explore an additional area beyond your major, within or outside of CDE.

• Specialisation: Deepen your knowledge and focus on a particular niche in your chosen field. Combine it with another specialisation or minor to tailor your education to your needs.

• Research Experience: Step beyond the four walls of the classroom and learn by doing when you engage in cutting-edge research and innovation projects within CDE.

Where Your Choices Can Take You

Who do you want to become? In CDE’s interdisciplinary learning environment, the possibilities are limitless.

If

If

If you want a

Pharmaceutical

If

Digital

If

AI/Data

If you want a career

If

If you want to become a

Architecture Biomedical Engineering

Singapore’s premier architectural programme

In the Bachelor of Arts (Architecture) programme, you can build a broad and strong knowledge base through three years of design studio and other essential courses, then furnish it with a fourth year of elective courses.

For those who seek further training and aim to become practising architects, students can be admitted into the two-year Master of Architecture programme under the concurrent degree track.

By offering a wide range of opportunities and comprehensive training in both discipline-specific and essential skills, our programme prepares you to be able to navigate a complex and multivariate future. Our graduates are geared towards becoming influential citizens and visionary thought leaders, not only within the field of architecture but also in various other domains. Our students will have the benefit of a top-notch education from the world’s 7th best and Asia’s best architecture programme.

An Exemplary Campus

Step foot onto a campus dotted by award-winning architecture and design solutions. Our students spend their collegiate days in our net-zero energy buildings SDE1 and SDE4, which are a prime display of how ideas of sustainability can be brought to life, without compromising on other architectural values of experience, comfort and aesthetics. Inspired by these surroundings, you too can imagine new ways to tackle the problems that contemporary society faces today.

Contact

Department of Architecture

College of Design and Engineering

Website: cde.nus.edu.sg/arch

Tel: +65 6516 8736

E-mail: askdoa@nus.edu.sg

Impacting lives with healthcare technology

Career Opportunities

The design, research and thinking skills from the pre-professional programme BA (Architecture) prepares students to be:

• Design Educators

• Researchers

• Spatial Designers

The professional Master of Architecture programme equips graduates with a broad range of skills to effectively practise as:

• Architects

• Architectural Educators

• Architectural Technologists

• Heritage Consultants

• Landscape Architects

• Urban Designers

• Project Managers

Improving lives can take many forms. Rather than donning a white coat and stethoscope, perhaps your passions lie in designing and engineering medical technologies to prevent, diagnose and treat disease and enhance well-being. Then, the Bachelor of Engineering (Biomedical Engineering) is just the right degree for you.

We’ll train you in the fundamentals and important methodologies of design thinking, mechanical design, electronics, programming and machine learning, and equip you with cutting-edge skill sets in digital health, regenerative medicine, nanotechnology, medical robotics and AI. Design, research-based projects and industry internships are integral parts of the curriculum, aimed at fostering critical thinking skills in real-world settings. This means you’ll have both the foundation and the versatility to develop effective and practical solutions to biomedical engineering problems.

Given the far-reaching applications of Biomedical Engineering, we encourage and support our students to customise their degree. You can choose to dive into specialisations such as Robotics, Biomedical Materials, Tissue Engineering and Community Healthcare and Technology. Personalise your education to focus on the healthcare problems you want to solve, and make and impact in people’s lives and quality of care.

Career Opportunities

The Biomedical Engineering sector is on the rise both locally and globally. Professionals in this field are in high demand, amidst persisting clinical gaps in an ageing society, coupled with the government’s commitment to developing Singapore as a biomedical hub.

With the fast-growing adoption of technology in the healthcare setting, our graduates can design innovative medical devices and algorithms, develop new theranostic tools, support regulatory compliance for integrating these technologies in clinical practice, or spin off a startup to bring healthcare technologies from prototype to patient.

When you read Biomedical Engineering, several exciting career prospects are laid out for you:

• Medical Device Engineers

• Hospital Engineers

• Research Engineers

• Quality Engineers

• Healthcare AI Engineers

• Medtechpreneurs

• Regulatory Consultants

• Medical Doctor (after professional graduate degrees in medicine)

Career Opportunities

Chemical Engineering Civil Engineering

Chemical engineers make Molecules do the Waltz

Chemical Engineering involves the transformation of molecules and materials from nature, including living matter, into a huge diversity of products that drive our modern lives, from medicines and cosmetic products to fuels and computer chips. You name it, we do it! The ability to engineer molecular transformation places chemical engineers at the very frontier of modern technology in developing solutions to global challenges ranging from climate change to clean energy, air and water.

In Chemical Engineering, you build on your knowledge of the chemical, physical, biological and mathematical sciences to marshal the reactivity and transformation of invisible molecular building blocks in clean, efficient, scalable and economical ways. Along the way, you learn about dynamical systems, heat and mass transport, molecular thermodynamics, catalysis and reaction engineering, advanced automation and AI/data-driven process control. From a career perspective, the sheer breadth and depth of the discipline places you squarely at the crossroads of modern technological challenges — the future is indeed molecular!

As a chemical engineer, you can pursue a career in many industries. Chemical engineers, with their strong analytical and problem-solving skills, are also prized as consultants in the public and private sectors, and even play important roles in non-engineering fields like banking and finance.

Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology

Singapore is a global biomedical and pharmaceutical manufacturing hub, where revolutionary new therapies are developed and manufactured for lifethreatening diseases like diabetes and cancer.

Energy and Chemicals

Singapore is home to more than a hundred leading multinationals engaged in refining and chemical manufacturing, and is one of the top 10 exporters of refined oil products in Asia.

Semiconductors

The manufacture of state-of-art computer and memory chips involves chemical engineering processes and operations, including photolithography, reactive etching and vapor deposition. The semiconductor industry is one of the largest industries in the Singapore’s manufacturing sector.

Cosmetics and Consumer Products

Contact

Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

College of Design and Engineering

Tel: +65 6516 3835

E-mail: chbeug@nus.edu.sg

Most cosmetic and consumer products involve the formulation of molecular ingredients using chemical engineering operations. Singapore houses a thriving innovation ecosystem in this sector, with intense R&D and manufacturing activity involving both multinationals and startup companies.

Build the world, shape the future

The underground superhighways that connect us; the utilities that power us; the iconic skyscrapers that define our skyline; the smart infrastructures that sustain us; and a coastal landscape that protects us from climate change.

These are tangible demonstrations of why civil engineers are so vital to maintaining and improving our standard of living. Recognising this, our Bachelor of Engineering (Civil Engineering) programme is dedicated to supporting those who aspire to shape our future cities.

Our programme grounds students in cornerstone fields such as sustainable materials, geotechnics, and smart transportation. Plus, you’ll get the chance to explore key concepts in urban policy, climate change, sustainable infrastructure systems and their construction management, all of which are integral to approaching engineering projects in environmentally sustainable ways.

After establishing a strong foundation, you can choose to further bolster your expertise through specialisations such as Digitalisation of Urban Infratructure or hone your management skills with a minor in Infrastructure Management and Finance. A strong interest in urban sustainability may also lead you to take up a second major in Sustainable Urban Development.

Contact

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

College of Design and Engineering

Tel: +65 6516 4270

E-mail: ceelccc@nus.edu.sg

Regardless of the specific path, civil engineers collectively plan, design, and create the world around us — and soon, you too can play an active part in building our sustainable future.

Career Opportunities

Our Civil Engineering graduates can opt for careers in multi-disciplinary fields to become policymakers who shape the built environment; entrepreneurs who provide technology solutions that transform the industry; or rising leaders in developer, consultancy and contractor firms.

Graduates can secure many employment opportunities as:

• Civil Engineer/Design Consultants

• Project Manager/Directors

• Tech Start-up Entrepreneurs

• Urban/Transport Planners

• Government Policy Planners

• Management Consultants

• Coastal Engineers

• Geotechnical Specialists

• Infrastructure Health Monitoring Consultants

Computer Engineering

Developing computing systems for a smarter world

“Design intelligence” is the name of the game when you pursue the Bachelor of Engineering (Computer Engineering) programme at CDE. Get ready to embark on a journey of developing exciting computing solutions that move and change the world.

Incorporating a unique multi-disciplinary approach, our curriculum offers a balance between electrical engineering, software design and hardware/ software integration topics. You will be involved in building computing systems across scales — from component-level circuit design, to the largescale integration of intelligent systems, energy management, communications and monitoring — effectively simulating existing gaps and innovation opportunities in various industries.

Hosted by two departments, Electrical & Computer Engineering and Computer Science, our programme ensures you can gain access to more resources and opportunities, as well as courses that are specially curated for this programme.

To further expand your horizons, you can choose specialisations such as Advanced Electronics, Robotics, and Space Technology, or jump into a second major or minor that piques your interest, such as Data Engineering, Management and Public Health.

Electrical Engineering

The driving force behind modern inventions

Career Opportunities

By bringing real-world problems and solutions into the university environment, our unique training makes our graduates highly soughtafter in the digital economy, as:

• AI/Data Engineers

• Full-Stack Developers

• HealthTech Engineers

• Innovator/Technopreneurs

• Quantitative Analysts

• Smart Device Developers

At CDE, the Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical Engineering) degree is your gateway into the world of innovation. Our priority is to make sure you become well-versed in the fundamentals, nurturing you to become clear-thinking and versatile individuals.

This stems from our conviction that electrical engineering is the driving force behind numerous modern inventions. Professionals in this field are agents of change, providing the intelligent technology platforms needed to confront complex global challenges, from healthcare and ageing to mobility and sustainability.

By first acquiring a good balance of competencies across different niches, you’ll carve out many potential pathways — all laid out for you to select where you want to apply your skills.

Then, you can choose to delve deeper into specialisations including Advanced Electronics, Robotics and Space Technology. Alternatively, diversify your learning journey by choosing a second major or minor, such as Computing, Data Engineering, Management and Public Health.

We want to see you grow into industry-ready individuals with high potential for leadership, allowing you to steer the creation of novel services and technology that can address the multifarious issues faced by society today.

Career Opportunities

Upon graduating, you can apply your electrical and electronic skills in a wide range of roles as:

• AI/Data Engineers

• Cybersecurity Engineers

• Electrical/Electronic Engineers

• HealthTech Engineers

• Innovator/Technopreneurs

• Semiconductor/Manufacturing Engineers

• Smart Device Developers Contact

Engineering Science

Where learning is grounded in science and engineering

Hey there, future engineer! What’s in store for you today? Perhaps it’s using nanoparticles to improve bioimaging or advancing data centre storage to support supercomputing tasks. Maybe you envision discovering cleaner forms of energy or enhancing the security of global communication.

You could do all this and more, with a Bachelor of Engineering (Engineering Science) degree as your foundation. Grounded in the principles of science and mathematics, this programme establishes the fundamentals you need to carry out multidisciplinary research and development projects that are relevant to real-world engineering applications.

In addition to hands-on experimentation coupled with scientific rigour, our courses’ design projects are intended to hone your skills in various disciplines such as electronics, mechanics, physics, mathematics and computing. Whether focusing on nanotechnologies, energy science, or medical systems, you can build the capability to find innovative solutions to today’s challenging engineering problems.

Specialisations

There’s something for everyone in this field. Deepen your learning through one of our many specialisations on offer: Computational Engineering Science; Energy Science and Technology; Engineering Science in Medicine; and Nanoscience and Technology.

Career Opportunities

The Engineering Science programme prepares you to step into a variety of sectors and roles. Take a look at some of the common career prospects of our graduates:

• Computational Engineering

Science: DSO, Micron Semiconductor Asia Pte Ltd, Strategic lnfocomm & Technologies

• Energy Science and Technology: Schlumberger, Schneider Electric, SIA Engineering

• Engineering Science in Medicine: Advanced medical analytical instrumentation companies such as Bruker, Zeiss, and Shimadzu

Contact

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

College of Design and Engineering

Name of contact: Joshua

Tel: +65 6516 5408

E-mail: engscience@nus.edu.sg

• Nanoscience and Technology: Applied Materials, KLA, Merck, Micron, SIMTech

Environmental Engineering

Saving the planet through technology

How will the global community make strides towards a clean and green environment in the future? If this sounds like a mission that is right up your alley, then our Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental Engineering) programme is a perfect match.

The reality of population pressure and neglect of human infrastructures over the past decades have created many urgent issues that could threaten the future of the planet. Both developing and developed countries will need many adept environmental engineers — like you — to respond to the need for cleaner air, water and land, as well as for alternative energy and resources.

In the next four years, your training will ideally mould you into a changemaker who can take up the mantle and make significant contributions to the sustainable development of society. Thank you for wanting to make a difference in saving the planet!

Career Opportunities

As the environmental engineering discipline tackles growing concerns about sustainability and public healthrelated issues, the job market potential is expected to prosper locally and internationally.

• Environmental Consultant

• Environmental Health and Safety Director

• Environmental Project Manager

• Policy Maker

• Public Sector Engineer

• Researcher

• Risk Analyst

• Technopreneur

• Water Project Manager

Contact

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

College of Design and Engineering

Tel: +65 6516 4270

E-mail: ceelccc@nus.edu.sg

Industrial Design

Innovating for humanity

Industrial Design simply refers to the discipline that specialises in innovating for humanity. Its purpose is to create new products, services, spaces, apps, experiences, and businesses that people need and love.

Every creation from an industrial designer is anchored on a deep understanding of how people perceive, adopt and use solutions, including identifying the tangible and intangible resources that are put together to make these solutions a reality.

At CDE, our highly specialised honours programme unites the most creative aspects of technology, non-conformist engineering, artistry and entrepreneurship.

Students here dabble in both the arts and technology, have a penchant for questioning the status quo and ultimately dream of breaking new ground across sectors. You are unbridled in exploring your many curiosities. You are simultaneously artists, researchers, technologists, inventors, communicators, entrepreneurs, thinkers and doers — all mixed within each person in unique combinations.

With almost no exams or essays your learning comes through an immersive, hands-on environment akin to a bootcamp or hackathon.

Contact

+65 6516 7758 E-mail: askID@nus.edu.sg

You will be coached in small collaborative groups by world-class educators, renowned designers, industry leaders and President’s Design Award recipients. You will find that there is no disconnect between school, society, and industry.

Career Opportunities

Industrial designers are prized for their ability to think outside the box, and their transdisciplinary ability to bridge between different fields leads to bright career prospects in roles such as:

• Creative Technologists

• Design Entrepreneurs

• Design Facilitators

• Design Researchers

• Interaction Designers

• Motion Designers

• Physical & Digital Innovation Specialists

• Product Designers

• Service Designers

• Storytellers

• Strategists

• User Experience Designers

• Visual Communications Specialists

Infrastructure and Project Management

Leading the way in interdisciplinary settings

What happens when you integrate Engineering, Management and Law? You get the Bachelor of Engineering (Infrastructure and Project Management) programme at CDE.

This interdisciplinary programme centres on honing built environment professionals with T-shaped skills, who are in high demand in the industry. Here, you gain a good grasp of cross-disciplinary topics such as Sustainable and Digital Technologies, Cost and Contract Management, and Facilities Management, complemented by a strong emphasis on project management skills.

Our graduates are highly agile and adaptable thanks to their varied knowledge base and skill sets. Like them, you have the potential to pursue career pathways not only in the built environment industry but also in business, data analytics and consultancy. Possible employers of IPM graduates include: Changi Airport Group, City Developments Limited, Jones Lang Laselle (JLL), Knight Frank Property Asset Management, Land Transport Authority (LTA), McKinsey & Company, Surbana Jurong Private Limited, Turner & Townsend, Urban Development Authority (URA), Visa Inc., and more.

Career Opportunities

Our graduates are well sought-after by public and private sector employers and are well-equipped to take on a variety of roles:

• Project Managers

• Facility Managers

• Infrastructure Asset Managers

• Contract Manager/Quantity Surveyors

• Delay Analyst/Quantum Analysts

• Building Information Modelling (BIM) Managers

• Smart Sustainability Managers

• Energy Managers

Industrial and Systems Engineering

Nurturing holistic engineers to drive change

Industrial and Systems Engineering is about solving challenging problems in fields such as supply chain management, business, financial, sustainability and healthcare services in the three high-growth areas of the digital, green and care economies.

The Bachelor of Engineering (Industrial and Systems Engineering) combines broad-based learning with three possible specialisations — Supply Chain Analytics, Analytics and Decision Intelligence, and Sustainability Analytics. This ensures that students are equipped with versatile skills and in-depth knowledge of emerging areas.

Our curriculum focuses on theoretical mastery and extensive hands-on learning through industry attachment, design projects and research opportunities.

Students are trained in methodologies based on applied mathematics, data analytics, and computer science, to design smart, data-driven solutions that create positive impact to society across diverse fields of work.

Career Opportunities

The versatility of their training propels our graduates to find compelling employment opportunities across different sectors:

• Business and Finance

• Digital Technology and Analytics

• Government and services

• Manufacturing

• Supply Chain and Logistics

• Healthcare services

• Sustainability consulting

Landscape Architecture

Connecting nature, space and people

Whether pocket parks or city masterplans, landscape architects work in various stages of design to create life between buildings and breathe excitement into cities. They can be involved in a wide range of projects at multiple scales: to improve conditions of the built environment through the artful provision of green infrastructure and ecosystem services.

If creating life between buildings is an exhilarating prospect to you, then look no further than the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture programme.

This four-year Honours programme entails the study and practice of designing environments by blending aspects of art, architecture, climate, technology and sociology. You will learn in unique educational settings that promote imagination in design yet remain grounded in achieving action-oriented outcomes that are relevant to real-life issues.

Sounds overwhelming? Don’t worry — we’ve got you covered. From tropicality and site specificity to multifunctionality and placemaking, all these important factors are played out in our programme’s comprehensive lectures and integrated learning platforms in design studios.

In the end, you will gain the capacity to address multifaceted socio-ecological issues in Asia through critical thinking, analytical inquiry and creative expression.

Contact

Tel: +65 6516 2203

E-mail: ug_isem@nus.edu.sg

Career Opportunities

Your future career paths may include not only becoming a practising landscape architect but also having the potential to stretch into other sectors such as environmental planning and landscape management.

• Practise landscape architecture in design-related industries: Employ state-of-the-art technologies and techniques to design with nature and for nature — guided by an emphasis on mitigating and adapting to the impacts of climate change, biodiversity loss and food insecurity.

• Advocate for sustainable development and advise policies: Drive sustainable development by engaging in environmental impact assessment and advocacy efforts across public, private and NGO sectors within and beyond Singapore.

• Take a multi-disciplinary approach to landscape management: In an era of multi-functional landscapes, oversee the design and maintenance of landscape projects that contribute to the care of land while meeting the needs of stakeholders from various industries.

Contact

Tel: +65 6516 8736

E-mail: tcl@nus.edu.sg

Materials Science and Engineering

From molecules to materials to (engineering) masterpieces

Career Opportunities

With highly transferable skills, holistic training and an interdisciplinary background, our graduates can look forward to a wide range of career opportunities and employability in various sectors:

Ever imagined what it’s like to be taught by global experts, including a Nobel Prize laureate? Experience the scientific brilliance and mentorship from trailblazers in the field through the Bachelor of Engineering (Materials Science and Engineering) programme at CDE. Learn from the esteemed Professor Sir Konstantin “Kosyta” Sergeevich Novoselov, who won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2010 for his breakthrough in isolating graphene.

The programme is made for students like you, who are naturally curious about how things work at the atomic and molecular levels. It will stir your excitement about integrating knowledge from different fields — physics, chemistry and engineering — to create new materials and technologies.

Tap into your creative potential to develop novel materials with unique properties that can revolutionise industries, such as sustainable materials for energy-efficient computing systems; stronger and lighter materials for aerospace and automotive industries; and biocompatible materials for medical implants. This puts you at the forefront of driving technological advancements.

Contact Department

+65 6516 4672 E-mail: askmse@nus.edu.sg

• Energy and Utilities: REC Solar, Keppel Energy, Singapore Power

• Microelectronics: Micron, GlobalFoundries, AMD, IBM, Apple, UMC, IM Flash Technologies, Seagate, Intel

• Aerospace and Defence technology: Rolls Royce, GE Aviation, Pratt & Whitney, Singapore Technologies, Bombardier, DSTA, DSO

• Banking and Investing: Citibank, OCBC, UOB, DBS, Ministry of Finance

• Petrochemicals: ExxonMobil, Shell, SCG, Nippon Paint, Johnson Matthey

• Research Institutes: A*STAR, SPRING Singapore, DSO, National Labs, local and overseas universities

• Transport and Logistics: SMRT, Keppel Shipyard

• Life Sciences and Healthcare: Bayer, Ciba Vision, Clarins, Micro Technologies, P&G

• Materials Engineering and Industrial Technology: Bosch, Lloyd’s Register, Applied Materials, Mitsui Kinzoku, Saint-Gobain, STM Engineering

• Tech Companies: Google, Lazada, Shopee, Amazon

Mechanical Engineering

Powering a world in motion

Fascinated by aircrafts and drones, curious about intelligent robots, passionate about sustainable energy solutions, keen to build autonomous vehicles or eager to create life-changing medical devices?

Then Mechanical Engineering is just the degree for you!

Mechanical Engineering is one of the broadest and most versatile of the engineering disciplines, involving the design, analysis or manufacture of any system with moving parts.

Learn how to analyse the forces your product or system would encounter and the effects of its thermal environment, designing it for functionality, durability and aesthetics, and finally choosing the most suitable material and manufacturing approach to meet economic and other constraints. Soon you will be turning your ideas into reality!

Career Opportunities

All aspects of Mechanical Engineering are relevant to Singapore’s technological industries. Our graduates typically work in the creative design and development of new devices, processes or systems, as well as their manufacture, testing and maintenance. Our curriculum also equips graduates with analytical skills much sought after by non-technical sectors, such as banking and finance.

Our graduates are therefore versatile and are employed in a broad spectrum of industries, including:

• Aerospace: Airbus, Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce

• Biomedicals: GE Healthcare, Medtronic, Thermo Fischer Scientific

• Consulting, management, and finance: DBS, JP Morgan, McKinsey

• Defence: DSO, DSTA, ST Engineering

• Energy: PSC Consulting, Schneider Electric, SP Group

• Manufacturing: Dyson, Micron, Siemens

• Marine: Halliburton, SembCorp, SLB (Schlumberger)

• Transportation: LTA, SMRT, Thales

Contact

Department of Mechanical Engineering

College of Design and Engineering

Tel: +65 6516 2212

E-mail: enquire_me@nus.edu.sg

• Public Service: CAAS, EMA, PUB

• Research: A*STAR, NTU, NUS

Engineering Scholars Programme (E-Scholars)

The next generation of engineering leaders

The Engineering Scholars Programme aims to help train future leaders in engineering and innovation, to prepare them in tackling big global problems like protecting the environment, promoting sustainable development, preparing for pandemics and promoting long and healthy lives. The programme is a premier four- year runway that sponsors selected CDE students’ educational pursuits, including industry attachment placements, overseas experiential learning and master’s studies.

Programme Structure

Complete an accelerated Bachelor’s degree and then a Master’s degree in your final year, or complete a Double Degree Programme in four years.

Design Scholars Programme (D-Scholars)

Designing the future

The Design Scholars Programme is looking for future architects, landscape architects and industrial designers who can make an impact both locally and globally. At the interface between the arts and technology, this premier design programme supports talented students throughout their educational journey at CDE, providing both financial and academic support from our world class faculty.

Programme Structure

• Architecture: Complete your Bachelor’s degree in four years and then pursue a Master of Architecture in your fifth year

• Industrial Design: Complete your Bachelor’s degree in four years

• Landscape Architecture: Complete your Bachelor’s degree in four years

Contact

E-Scholars

Tel: +65 6601 6579

E-mail: escholars@nus.edu.sg

Bond-free Scholarship

• 100% of tuition fees for four years^

• Subsidised on-campus accommodation for two years

• Living allowance for four years

• One-time computer allowance

• Subsidies for overseas experiential programme

^Students pursuing a Master of Architecture will enjoy an additional year of tuition fee support

Who Can Apply?

Singapore citizens presenting local qualifications, applying to any CDE degree programme

Mentorship and Community

• Receive close mentorship from a carefully selected pool of professors

• Enjoy exclusive opportunities to be mentored by alumni and industry leaders

• Join a close-knit community of like-minded individuals

Global Insights

• One-semester exchange at our international partner universities

• Priority consideration for NUS Overseas Colleges (NOC)

• Subsidy for summer/winter programme

Contact D-Scholars

E-mail: dscholars@nus.edu.sg

Computing (Design and Engineering)

A new second major or minor that focuses on deepening computing skills

Mark your calendars for the August 2024 intake! We can’t wait to roll out the brand new second major or minor in Computing (Design & Engineering), jointly created and curated by CDE and the NUS School of Computing.

This latest addition reflects CDE’s unwavering mission to expose students to emerging technologies, enhancing your skill sets and providing opportunities to thrive in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

The study course is built on a computer sciencebased core, where you’ll cover software engineering, cloud computing, AI and more. An extensive basket of applied electives awaits you so you can customise your learning to suit your interests and career aspirations.

You Will Learn To

• Understand fundamental computing concepts and the underlying components that are required for the operation of computing systems;

• Analyse complex problems and use computing-based tools to devise appropriate solutions;

• Apply cross-disciplinary techniques to the design of practical strategies for digitisation and automation;

• Evaluate emerging computing technologies and their potential impact on society; and

• Gain critical-thinking, perspectivesharing and team-working skills.

Innovation and Design Programme (iDP)

A second major or minor that integrates design, technology and entrepreneurship

Open to all undergraduates regardless of their primary major, the Innovation and Design Programme (iDP) is recommended for aspiring entrepreneurs, enthusiastic problem-solvers and those who enjoy working within multidisciplinary teams.

Whether as a second major or minor, iDP can be completed within the normal duration of an undergraduate degree in NUS (i.e. three to four years).

iDP Aims To

• Inculcate in you an entrepreneurial mindset so you can understand innovation and apply your knowledge and skills to solve complex, real-world problems or design new products, services and experiences;

• Nurture your passion for entrepreneurship by developing your projects for commercialisation;

• Provide a platform for you to collaborate with others from diverse disciplines, alongside instructors and industry partners, on handson, real-world projects spanning themes like healthcare, urban mobility, sustainable cities, smart living, intelligent systems and immersive reality.

Student competition team focusing on autonomous

Virtual reality training for childbirth delivery procedures

Sustainable Urban Development

An interdisciplinary second major that addresses urban development challenges and their impacts on cities

Discover the multifaceted dimensions of urban sustainability — cultural, socio-economic, environmental, political and social, as well as their complex interactions. Learn the ways to address sustainability issues at local and global levels using a solutions-based approach.

Do all that and more through the second major in Sustainable Urban Development, offered by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Stack it atop your chosen primary major and complete it in four years with no additional academic workload!

Student Learning Outcomes

• Apply a cross-disciplinary framework to the analysis of natural and built environments in urban areas;

• Integrate economic, environmental, energy, and social theory and principles to address urban sustainability challenges;

• Use effective and practical strategies at multiple scales for urban sustainability planning, policy and regulation in the context of climate change and sustainable development;

• Gain critical thinking, perspective sharing and effective networking skills; and

• Engage in collaboration, advocacy and leadership to implement transformational changes in cities for a sustainable future.

Contact

Tel: +65 6516 4270

E-mail: ceerbala@nus.edu.sg

Systems Engineering

A second major or minor that adopts an interdisciplinary approach to realise complex projects

Career Opportunities

• Carbon Footprint Manager

• Climate Adaptation Specialist

• Green Process Design Consultant

• Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Specialist

• Renewable Energy Manager

• Sustainable City Planner

• Sustainability Director

• Sustainability and Resilience Manager

Systems Engineering adopts a transdisciplinary and integrative approach to design, build, integrate and manage systems over their life cycles. It is offered as a second major by the Industrial Systems Engineering and Management department.

Play an active role from start to finish and spearhead the execution of complex engineering projects. You will learn how to define problems, identify system goals, create alternative design concepts, carry out trade-offs analyses to select and implement the best design, and verify that the design is properly built and integrated to meet system goals.

Career Opportunities

The top industries where our graduates are hired include:

• Software Development

• Engineering Services

• Automotive Manufacturing

• Information Technology Services

• Medical Device Manufacturing

Mechanical Engineering

Electrical Engineering

Chemical Engineering

Civil Engineering

Aeronautical Engineering

Other Speciality Engineering

Sales and Marketing

Human Factors Engineering Customer Representatives

Environmental Engineering

Systems Engineering

Safety Engineering

Reliability Engineering

Maintainability Engineering

SubContractors Manufacturers and Vendors

Manufacturing Engineering

Contact

Department of Industrial Systems Engineering and Management

College of Design and Engineering

Tel: +65 6516 2203

E-mail: ug_isem@nus.edu.sg

Cities (Minor)

Stemming from the imperative to train students to understand how cities can be made liveable amidst rapid urbanisation, the Minor in Cities provides a holistic lens through which students may understand cities complexity. Jointly taught by academics and practitioners, students learn how systems thinking is required to solve complex urban challenges, leading to integrated systems solutions that will attain the liveability goals. Students will have the opportunity to engage with renowned experts across disciplines and organisations on topics of current and critical importance, honing their abilities to be able to respond to contemporary urban complexities.

Contact

NUS Cities

College of Design and Engineering

E-mail: nuscities@nus.edu.sg

Visual Communication Design (Minor)

Visual communication has broad application across a wide range of disciplines. It is vital to empower students with the skills to develop clear and compelling communication whether it be for presentations, posters, branding, data visualisations, videography or time-based communication. The minor in Visual Communication Design will complement students’ current area of focus (major) by providing foundational visual communication strategies. It will supplement one’s intended area of study, enabling a broader set of skills. The result is that students will be able to demonstrate range with more diverse employability.

Contact Division of Industrial Design College of Design and Engineering

Email: askid@nus.edu.sg

Specialisations

Curious about diving deep into a field that sparks your passion?

Our array of specialisations is as broad as it is deep, cutting across majors to mirror the real world’s complexities and the endless opportunities it presents.

Biomedical Materials

Biomedical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering

Dive into the intersection of materials science and the medical world. This multidisciplinary area explores the use and impact of diverse materials in medical and biological applications, bridging the gap between industrial needs and research breakthroughs.

Digitalisation in Urban Infrastructure

Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering

Explore how digital technologies are reshaping civil and environmental engineering, transforming everything from design and construction in urban spaces. This specialisation aims to elevate urban living by integrating innovative digital solutions into the built environment.

Industry 4.0

Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering

Enter the realm where machines, equipped with cutting-edge sensors, not only talk to each other but also to servers, the cloud, and humans. This specialisation focuses on enhancing autonomy, visualisation and decisionmaking in industrial processes, paving the way for a productivity revolution.

Internet of Things (IoT)

Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering

Witness the seamless integration of computing technologies with the physical world. This specialisation is all about optimising everything under the sun — from physical infrastructure to social services to industrial operation — making the world smarter and more connected.

Microelectronics and Quantum Materials

Materials Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering

Shaping tomorrow’s materials for advanced electronics with MSE specialisation in Microelectronics & Quantum Materials. This specialisation explores the dynamic influence of diverse materials in microelectronics applications, unlocking the next-gen power electronics for future technologies.

Robotics

Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering

Practical applications and technological implementations of robotics. Developing and/or using robotics to improve the productivity and efficiency of processes in sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, and service industries, as well as in advanced engineering sectors. Design and construct robotic systems or their components.

Advanced Electronics

Aeronautical Engineering

Energy and Sustainability

Analytics and Decision Intelligences

Biomedical Materials

Biopharmaceutical Engineering

Community Healthcare and Technology

Computational Engineering Science

Design Futures and Critical Inquiry

Digitalisation in Urban Infrastructure

Energy Science and Technology

Engineering Science in Medicine

Functional Intelligent Materials

Industry 4.0

Internet of Things

Landscape Practice

Landscape Studies

Materials for Renewable Energy and Sustainability

Microelectronics and Quantum Materials

Nanoscience and Technology

Offshore Oil and Gas Technology

Process Engineering

Product Innovation

Robotics

Safety and Sustainability

Social and Service Transformation

Space Technology

Supply Chain Analytics

Sustainability Analytics

Sustainable Electric Transportation

Tissue Engineering

Admission Requirements

Course Architecture

Landscape Architecture

Computer Engineering

Biomedical Engineering

Chemical Engineering

Civil Engineering

Electrical Engineering

Engineering Science

Environmental Engineering

Industrial and Systems Engineering

Infrastructure and Project Management

Materials Science and Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Industrial Design

Double Degree in: Engineering and Business Administration Engineering and Economics

Double Majors and Minors in Engineering

Special Programmes:

Engineering Scholars Engineering and Medicine Track

SingaporeCambridge GCE ‘A’ Level

Pass in H1 Chemistry or Mathematics or Physics; or pass in ‘O’ Level Additional Mathematics

Pass in H2 Mathematics or Further Mathematics; and either H2 Physics, Chemistry or Computing

Pass in H2 Mathematics or Further Mathematics

Polytechnic Diploma

All diplomas

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma

Pass in SL Chemistry or MAA or Physics; or HL MAI

An accredited diploma. Please visit http://nus. edu/polyapply for more information

An accredited diploma. Please visit http://nus. edu/polyapply for more information

Pass in H1 Mathematics or Physics or Economics or Art; or pass in ‘O’ Level Additional Mathematics

All diplomas

Minimum prevailing admission criteria of both courses

Minimum prevailing admission criteria of the Engineering course

Will be considered if admitted to the Engineering course

Polytechnic graduates with an accredited diploma can apply. Please visit: https://www.nus.edu.sg/oam/apply-to-nus/polytechnic-diploma-from-singapore/admissions-requirements

International applicants with international qualifications can also apply. Please visit: https://www.nus.edu.sg/oam/apply-to-nus/international-qualifications/admissions-requirements

NUS

High School Diploma

Good Major CAP in Mathematics or Physics or Chemistry

Pass in HL MAA; and HL Physics or Chemistry or Computer Science

Pass in HL MAA

Good Major CAP in Mathematics and either Physics or Chemistry

Good Major CAP in Mathematics

Test or Interview Yes No No

Pass in SL MAA or Physics or Economics or Visual Arts; or HL MAI

Good Major CAP in Mathematics or Physics or Arts

Footnote

MAA = Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches

MAI = Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation

CAP = Cumulative Average Point

Applicants with IB Diploma obtained in Nov 2020 or earlier, please visit: https://www.nus.edu.sg/oam/apply-to-nus/international-baccalaureate-(ib)-diploma/subject-pre-requisites

Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Into CDE

What is the difference between common admissions and direct admission degree programmes?

Our direct admissions degree programmes are Architecture, Computer Engineering, Industrial Design and Landscape Architecture. Each of these has its own admissions requirements and admission standards. Our common admissions “Engineering” programme, as the name suggests, has a common set of entry requirements and a single admissions standard. If you are admitted to Engineering you have access to any one of the 10 majors (degrees) in the common admissions pool: Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Science, Environmental Engineering, Industrial and Systems Engineering, Infrastructure and Project Management, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering; which one you choose is up to you.

Do I need to have a background in Physics to apply for an Engineering common admission degree?

No. The only pre-requisite for the Engineering programme is mathematics. For Singapore-Cambridge GCE ‘A’ level applicants we require H2 Mathematics and we have equivalent requirements for those with other qualifications. Although physics is not an admission requirement, those without H2 Physics (or equivalent) may be asked to take a bridging course to prepare for higherlevel courses that require this knowledge.

What do I need to prepare when I apply for Architecture, Landscape Architecture or Industrial Design? Do I need to have a portfolio?

Shortlisted applicants for all three degree programmes will be required to attend an interview as part of the selection process to be considered for admission. The interview for Architecture or Landscape Architecture also requires applicants to bring along a portfolio showcasing the applicant’s creative work. For Industrial Design, a portfolio is not required. However, it is advisable to bring along a portfolio (or any creative material such as photographs, drawings, paintings, making hobbies, etc.) for the interview.

Does CDE consider applicants on discretionary criteria beyond academic performance?

Yes. We call this “Aptitude-Based Admissions”. CDE will consider your achievements beyond your academic grades. These could be anything from work experience, leadership, community service, entrepreneurship, Olympiads or other competitions, sporting achievements or anything else you have achieved that you think we should know about.

How can I assess my admission prospects?

The University provides prospective applicants with detailed information on grade profiles and programme availability, facilitating a well-informed application process. For more information, we encourage you to refer to the NUS Indicative Grade Profiles.

For more information please see https:// www.nus.edu.sg/oam/undergraduateprogrammes/aptitude-based-admission

Choosing Your Major

Do I have to declare a major at the point of application, or can I decide later?

If you choose one of our direct admissions major that choice is made when you submit your application. If you choose our common admissions “Engineering”, you will have the opportunity to choose your major at the point of application (called “preferred major” in the admissions portal). If you have yet to decide which Engineering major is for you, you can select “Major to be Decided” at the point of application.

If I select Engineering common admissions, will my preferred major be secured?

Yes. If you are admitted to the Engineering common admissions programme you can choose any one of those 10 majors. We will give you a place in your choice of major. There are no internal quotas; you will be placed where you want to go.

After I declare my major, can I still change my mind?

For the Engineering common admission courses, you can re-declare your major up until your fourth semester of study. For the direct admission courses, you can apply for a transfer in February and October each year.

Applying for Scholarships and Financial Aid

What are the different types of scholarships I can apply for?

The most common scholarships are our Engineering Scholars Programme, the NUS Global Merit Scholarship and the NUS Merit Scholarship. There are also NUS Scholarships for those who excel in sports and performing & visual arts. Apart from NUS Scholarships, there are also donated scholarships and other scholarships administered by NUS and that are funded by external organisations. From AY2024/2025, we will launch a Design Scholars Programme.

When should I apply for scholarships?

Application for NUS Scholarships should be made at the same time as application for admission to NUS. You should use the same application number and admission PIN.

Building Your CDE Degree Key Activities During The Academic Year

What does an education at CDE entail?

An education at CDE will be an exciting, interdisciplinary experience for students where their learning journey takes centre stage. We are equipping students with an adaptable toolbox of skills across disciplines, moving them beyond a knowledge-based education to a mindset-based approach to problemsolving. The CDE common curriculum provides a broad intellectual foundation on which you can continuously upgrade, evolve and re-pivot in a fast-changing world. Our Majors build on top of the common curriculum to allow you to explore your chosen field, and our unrestricted elective space gives you the freedom to customise your educational experience.

What is Build Your Own Degree? How do

Unrestricted Electives work?

Each of our undergraduate degrees is a fouryear direct honours degree and you need an equivalent of 40 courses to graduate. Your major is your primary area of study, comprising 15 courses. The Common Curriculum accounts for another 15 courses. This leaves 10 courses in the Unrestricted Electives (UE) space that you can use to decide how broad, deep or integrated you want your education to be. You can choose what you want to take from anywhere at NUS. Second majors (10 courses) and minors (5 courses) allow you to broaden your knowledge and skills in a complementary or contrasting area. A specialisation (5 courses) is a focus area within your chosen discipline. Alternatively, you can choose from over 4000 courses available across NUS as electives based on your interest.

Planning Your CDE Journey

What courses do we need to take each year in CDE? Is there a curriculum schedule assigned to students?

Some courses under the Common Curriculum will be pre-allocated to students. Each programme also has a recommended curriculum schedule that students can use to plan the courses they need to take each semester. You may then ballot for the courses you want during the course registration exercise before each semester. The recommended schedule is available on each department’s website.

What are the other opportunities available to CDE students?

CDE and the wider NUS community offer a wide range of global opportunities and special programmes to enhance your learning experience such as the NUS Overseas Colleges, Residential Programmes, Student Exchange Programme and Summer/Winter Schools. Those interested in NUS College will be pleased to know it is compatible with all CDE degree programmes. Beyond academics, we have a vibrant College life and offer a wide range of activities from wellness workshops to cooking lessons. With NUS’ huge range of clubs and societies there is never a problem with finding your niche!

June

Orientation Orientation marks the beginning of the freshmen’s journey with an enriching lineup of social engagement activities

May

End of Sem 2 (After exams)

Vacation 12–13 weeks

July

Start of Sem 1

Freshman Welcome

Welcoming the freshmen to their respective departments and being a part of NUS CDE community

August

Star Awards

Honours the students (individuals or groups) for their passion, talent, contributions & achievements for the faculty and the community at large.

September

Career Fair

Student Life Events

Start of Sem 2

Platform for students to engage key employers with exciting career opportunities. CDE Day

A day of college student celebration to build a vibrant and cohesive community

All other student clubs’ communications and activities

October

Sem 1

Community Day

A day of promoting and building social connectedness and community network

Student Life at CDE

CDE Day

Wellness at CDE

Community Day