What
is the approximate cut mark in GRE and TOEFL (IBT), should
I get to have a fare chance in your institution?
We accept either GRE or GATE (Indian applicants only) scores.
The minimum requirement is 1800 or 90 percentile respectively.
Under the new format the minimum score for GRE should be Verbal
Ability: 500 , Quantitative Ability: 700 and Analytical Writing:
3.5. We convert the Analytical Writing score to a scale upon
800 (ie. x/6 * 800) and total the scores for the three
components- the sum total should be at least 1800.
The minimum TOEFL score for the IBT is 85. We can also accept
IELTS results, for which the minimum score is 6. However, if
your university course was taught in English, or English is your
native language, you do not need to sit for the TOEFL or IELTS
test. Most Indian applicants would therefore be exempted.
How
much financial support will be provided by your institute
per annum?
You may indicate in your application the desire to apply for
one of several scholarships. The majority of graduate students
in the Department of Biological Sciences receive the NUS
Research Scholarship;
which will grant you a full subsidy of your tuition fee and a
monthly stipend of SGD$2000 per month if you enter our PhD programme.
You may also be eligible for an additional stipend of up to SGD$500
per month upon passing the PhD qualifying exam; which is held
in your second year. Information on scholarships offered by NUS
is available at
http://www.nus.edu.sg/registrar/sfau/schemes-gd-scholarshipawards.html
Is
the provided stipend will also cover my room and board or I
have to go for any other on campus job for the fulfillment
of that purpose?
The stipend should be enough to comfortably provide for your
living needs, depending on your personal lifestyle. You will
not need to work for NUS in order to use on-campus accommodation.
Generally how many years
it will take to complete my PhD?
A PhD course in the Department of Biological Sciences lasts
up to 4 years for research scholars and up to 5 years for self-financed
students.
May
I have to take teaching assistance/ research associates as
the mean of the stipend?
Research scholars will have to perform teaching assistance
for at least 24 hours per semester.
What
are the approximate annual expenses over there?
The average living expenses per month for an international
student here is about SGD$1500 to $2000, based on a conservative
estimate.
What
do you feel about my academic background, is it will be fair
enough for me to apply for your institution?
In general, a GPA score of 4.00 (average score of 80%) is required
for the award of an NUS Research Scholarship.
Would
you suggest something so as to improve my CV, so as to enhance
my chance of acceptance in your institute?
Aside from good GPA, GRE/GATE and TOEFL/IELTS scores, the presence
of published papers and poster/paper presentations at conferences
has helped many candidates in the past.
What is the departmental code of your institute
for sending official GRE & TOEFL score?
The
TOEFL codes are 9087 for the university, and 035 for
the department. The GRE codes are 0677 and 0299 respectively.
Does the
GMIS taken by international students in NUS cover the cost
of dental treatments?
A. The Group Medical Insurance
Scheme (GMIS) taken by all international graduate students in
NUS does not cover the cost of dental treatments. GMIS covers
expenses relating to hospitalisation, surgery, mental health
and emergency treatments.
Can a current
student (whose RS will end this year and will be applying for
extension) carry forward her leave to next year?
No added leave will be given during the extended RS period. However,
any unconsumed leave may be used if the extension period falls
within the same academic year.
STUDY LEAVE -
What is the maximum no. of days a research scholar can go on
study leave?
Research scholars can apply up to 6 months of study
leave, beyond which the retention of the RS will be decided on
a case by case basis. This is for the entire period of the research
scholarship. Anything beyond the 6 months can be treated as unpaid
leave. However the department will have the discretion whether
to allow the student to go on paid or unpaid study leave.
After
submitting my thesis, if I wish to work, do I need to fill
in a form to convert to part-time candidature?
Yes, you will still be considered a full-time student after
submitting your thesis. Thus, you will need to submit an application
form for conversion to part-time candidature directly to the
Registrar's Office though you need not get the approval from
the supervisor, HOD and Vice-Dean.
What is a closed-door pre-thesis submission
seminar?
For students who do not have any paper published
before submission of thesis, they are required to come before
a Panel (arranged by the supervisor) - it's closed door (the
4-member Panel which comprises the supervisor and 2 other
staff members) to do a presentation of their research. The
Panel will assess the suitability of the thesis for submission
based on the presentation and Q & A session and submit
a report.
