About the Life Sciences Program

As an undergraduate student in the Department of Biological Sciences, you will benefit from our new interdisciplinary Life Science Curriculum. You will learn the fundamentals of the biological and biomedical sciences from more than 100 faculty members from the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Medicine. After your second year of study, you will have the choice among three concentrations in 'Biology', 'Molecular and Cell Biology', and 'Biomedical Science'. You may also choose from several minors (e.g., Bioengineering or Bioinformatics) and apply for the student exchange program and NUS's two prestigious interdisciplinary programs, the ' Special Programme in Science' and the ' University Scholars Programme'.

Links Life Sciences Program website Why Life Sciences (11 min video clip) Admission Special programs: NUS Overseas College Student Exchange Program Special Program in Science UROPs University Scholar Program

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Admission Requirements
Good 'A' Level passes or equivalent in Biology, Chemistry, and either Mathematics or Physics. Students without 'A' Level Biology or Chemistry may read the relevant bridging modules as entry requirements.
Visit the Office of Admission website for admission procedure.

Broad-based core curriculum
The Undergraduate Life Science Curriculum is a 4-year degree program that provides you with a broad-based foundation in the first two years of study. Students take courses in cell, molecular and organismal biology as well as chemistry, biocomputing, bioinformatics and biostatistics. An additional year leads to a B.Sc. degree and the fourth year leads to a B.Sc. (Honours) degree. From Year 3 onwards, students can diverge into any of the following areas of concentration: 'Biomedical Science', 'Molecular and Cell Biology' or 'Biology'. You will select modules according to concentration and may pursue Honours in the same area.

Teaching Philosophy
Most courses are team-taught by faculty from the existing Life Sciences departments from the Faculty of Science and Faculty of Medicine (e.g., Anatomy, Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Microbiology, Physiology and Pharmacology). The modules are taught by faculty with a distinguished research and teaching record and usually consist of a mixture of 'lectures' and a practical 'laboratories'. Interdisciplinary modules such as 'Principles of Modern Chemistry', 'Organic Chemistry', 'Biostatistics', 'Biocomputing and Bioinformatics' provide a multidisciplinary perspective to the Life Sciences.

Research Experience
In our state-of-the-art teaching labs, you will learn the experimental skills needed for a successful career in the Life Sciences. Many of our modules are project-oriented and give you first-hand experience in laboratory research. If you enjoy research, you have the opportunity to carry out independent research projects in our 'Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program in Science (UROPS)'. You will select your own research project and work with one of our staff members for 1-2 semesters. You will engage actively in laboratory research and experience at first hand the exhilaration of discovery and invention. The two-semester Honours project provides you with an even more extensive opportunity to follow your own research interests. You will go through all stages of a project starting with extensive literature searches over laboratory research to presenting your results orally and in your Honours thesis.

Career Prospects
The broad-based curriculum of the Life Sciences major prepares students well for careers related to research in the biomedical, molecular biology and biology sectors in general (may also be applicable to agriculture and horticulture). The curriculum also plays a significant role in nurturing and inspiring our undergraduates to be more creative with a strong desire to develop a global outlook. Besides the life sciences careers, past records show that our graduates may engage in challenging careers in diverse, non-life sciences disciplines such as mass media productions, teaching, banking and the civil service, including foreign affairs. The more entrepreneurial graduates may also set up their own ventures to provide IT and other product based services.