Master of Science (Life Sciences) (Full-Time & Part-Time)

Course introduction

Introduction

This programme is designed to equip teachers with the skills and knowledge associated with the life sciences.

This programme offers both part-time and full-time training courses leading to a Master of Science in five disciplines of Life Sciences: Applied Plant Sciences, Chemistry, Clean Energy Physics, Environmental Science, and Zoological Sciences. The programme is designed and mass-customised for students with relevant scientific and technical background to upgrade themselves. The curriculum is multi-disciplinary and intends to equip students with a deeper and broader knowledge of the life sciences. Students will be trained to understand basic concepts, to conduct experiments and projects using life science instrumentation, and to solve problems in the domain of life sciences. Therefore, a graduate in science or equivalent, or graduate teacher in school or junior college science education will be provided with opportunities to learn and explore recent knowledge and developments in the field of life sciences, i.e. biological and physical sciences, and related issues, with a holistic approach in a specialised area.

The Master of Science (MSc) in Life Sciences programme by coursework and dissertation is tailored to meet the needs of working teachers, science graduates or professionals interested in life sciences. It is designed and mass-customised in manageable courses to suit your previous educational background.

The programme aims to provide teachers and science graduates with specialised knowledge in the field of life sciences, by addressing not only the knowledge base, but also the necessary experimental skills required. Without sacrificing the necessary breadth and depth of the multi-disciplinary nature of the life sciences, you are offered a highly personalised roadmap in which the most recent scientific developments are taught, and social and bioethical issues are discussed.

As you receive training in the basic concepts, conduct experiments and projects under experienced and highly qualified scientists, you will be given the opportunity to interact and explore vast new realms in the life sciences.

Specialisations are:

Clean Energy Physics (previously known as Applied Physics)
Applied Plant Sciences
Chemistry
Environmental Science
Zoological Sciences

Curriculum Overview

Programme Structure

The Master of Science (Life Sciences) programme allows students to choose from two routes. Students are required to complete 30AU for both the Coursework only route and Coursework with Dissertation route. The core course (4AU) is entitled “Science Communication”. The other courses will also be 4AU courses, with the exception of a 2AU Critical Inquiry course.
There are two options within this programme. You are required to either:

Complete 6 courses plus a dissertation, or
Complete 7 courses plus a 2 AU Critical Inquiry Course

Coursework Only Route

Core Required Electives
4AU 4AU
4AU
4AU
2AUCI 4AU
4AU
4AU

Complete 1 core course (4AU), 3 required courses (12AU), 3 elective courses (12 AUs) and a Critical Inquiry course (2AU).

Coursework with Dissertation Route

Core	Required	Electives
4AU	4AU 4AU 4AU 6AU Dissertation	4AU 4AU

Complete 1 core course (4AU), 3 required courses (12AU), 2 elective courses (8AU) and dissertation (6AU).

Area of Studies

Life Sciences

Entry Requirements

The Master of Science programme by coursework is offered to:

Bachelor of Science with Honours degree, or equivalent, in relevant courses or
Bachelor of Science degree, or equivalent, in relevant courses, and a year's professional working experience.

International applicants whose first language is not English and graduates of universities with non-English medium of instruction are required to submit an official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score. Test dates must be within the last two years before the date of your application.

The courses are designed for the following target groups:

Science graduate teachers in schools and junior colleges who are keen to upgrade their knowledge in life sciences for their teaching and professional development.
Science and engineering graduates from NTU, NUS, and foreign universities, who wish to upgrade themselves for better job opportunities in life science related industries e.g. biomedical products, bioengineering processes, etc.

The target enrolment is 25 students for each specialisation, giving a total intake of approximately 125 students per year.

Duration & Intake

Programme Duration

There are generally two intakes a year (January and August) except for the Zoological Science which accept only one intake each year, in January. You are advised to visit the website and look out for NIE’s announcements in May/June and November/ December to confirm if the programme will be open for application at any particular intake.