Partnership
with schools - training for students
The objectives are to provide out-of-school curriculum augmentation
and enrichment. Catering to specialized interests of students and
providing avenues for the development of talents in specialized
fields, it aims to promote science and to attract better students
to return to science.
Science research program
and science mentorship program
Started in 1988, these programs aim to give selected secondary school
and first-year junior college students with an interest and an aptitude
for scientific research, the opportunity to participate in projects
under the guidance of scientists in NUS and research institutes.
The Science Research Program (SRP) and Science Mentorship Program (SMP) aim to promote the importance of scientific research and intelligence
in Singapore. The SRP and SMP are highly selective programs in which
selected students undertake an eight-month research project from
March to November under an assigned mentor. Researchers from the
Faculties of Science, Engineering and Medicine have been involved,
as well as the Ministry of Defense and the Singapore Botanic Gardens.
Students and their mentors meet approximately once a week during
the university term and daily during the June vacation.
Laboratory visits and workshops
With the completion of the human genome project and the advent of
emerging technologies surrounding cell growth and bio-molecular
function, the study of biology is no longer reserved for molecular
biologists. It has now made its way into our lives. Thus to be able
to make a judgment on the options available, we need to understand
the social impact. These laboratory visits and workshops are organized
for the general public. They introduce subjects like genetic engineering
and connect the historical background with contemporary issues.
The application of genetic engineering to society in terms of medicine,
agriculture, environment, forensic issues, legal and ethical concerns
and biological warfare are covered. Organized over a period of one
to five days, depending on the scope covered, these workshops are
open to schools and the public wanting an informed exposure to the
biological sciences.
Singapore Biology Olympiad
The department also plays a vital role in the organization of the
Singapore Biology Olympiad in conjunction with the Singapore
Institute of Biology, NIE and MOE. We also train students that
will represent Singapore at the International Biology Olympiad.
The students get to interact with our dedicated staff and learn
more than the syllabus in their classroom context. Thus we help
identify, nurture and groom young talents in more than one way.
Training of teachers
The department also provides training for school teachers on the
new developments in the life sciences curriculum and also about
laboratory safety practices. Some training sessions involve hands-on
laboratory skills to further enhance teachers' competence in dealing
with the ever-progressing life sciences. We constantly keep in touch
with the schools as we see education as a continuum from school
to university.
Public lectures and seminars
Many public lectures and seminars are hosted including when the
department invites eminent scientists or visiting professors to
Singapore. All are welcome at these lectures/seminars.
For up-to-date information, please visit our seminar website.
Ongoing collaborations
The Department of Biological Sciences has ongoing collaborations
with many local and overseas institutions, companies and universities.
Memorandums of Understanding, signed between the department and
other institutions, are also instrumental in developing and strengthening
research collaboration among scientists and students. Outlining
the agreed principles governing future organization of conferences
and workshops, these facilitate the exchange of visiting research
staff, training of museum curators and research training of graduate
students in the study of biodiversity and ecology. They are also
instrumental in specifying the joint offering of teaching and twining
programs.
- Trilateral agreement with Tsinghua University & Xiamen
University (March 2000).
- MOU with University of Alberta & Toronto on Proteomics
& Structural Biology (November 2000)
- MOU with University of Sydney on Biotechnology (November 2000)
- MOU with Leiden University on Biodiversity (December 2000)
- MOU with Indian Institute of Science on Structural Biology
(July 2001)
- MOU with Chulalongkorn University on Biology (December 2001)
- MOU with College of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Guizhou (Nov 2004)
- MOA with Singapore Zoological Gardens (Mar 2006)
- MOU with Guangxi University College of Life Science and Technology (April 2006)
- MOU with Yunan University (Jan 2007)
Activities for JCs and Schools
- Talks on Biology
- Visits to Biology Research Laboratories
- Biology Field Trips Assistance with
field trips. Upon request by JCs / schools. Subject to staff
availability
- Biology Workshops/Demonstration Laboratory
Demonstrations (e.g. on techniques) Upon request by JCs/schools.
Subject to staff and lab availability
- Others - Talks on Biology curriculum
& career prospects. Upon request by JCs / schools Duration:
1 hour per talk. Venue: JC or school premises
Enquiries and requests may be
directed to:
|
