Admission Requirements

If I do not have an honours degree at all (i.e. only a basic degree), can I still apply to this programme?

Yes. You would then be considered for the 80-MC track programme.

Can I apply to this programme if my honours degree is not in the area of mathematics?

All applications are assessed for relevance in background knowledge and work experience, with respect to the course. Applicants without much mathematics background but with sufficient knowledge to embark on the programme may still be considered favourably. Some of our students were trained in engineering at undergraduate level.

Which institutions are accredited with the department or faculty?

We do not have a full list of accredited institutions for reference. Nevertheless, we review all applications regardless of the applicants' background or affiliations. We would investigate further if the affiliations are unfamiliar, in order to make better informed decisions. Some of our students hold qualifications from overseas universities and the Open University at SIM.

Must I sit for TOEFL and GRE tests?

Please refer to the conditions listed in the entry requirement.

TOEFL/IELTS ascertains a candidate's English language proficiency while GRE is a comparative all-purpose test for graduate admission. GRE Subject Test (Mathematics) is especially useful in helping the department better assess the applicants with non-mathematics background. For details on test centres and test dates, check the web sites of TOEFL and GRE.

If you have sat for the test but are worried that the score sheets may not reach us in time, you may email or fax a copy of the test candidate's score sheet to us first.

Application processing may be delayed if the required documents are not available during the review. 

May I be exempted from sitting for TOEFL and GRE tests since they are not available in my province/country?

You may replace TOEFL with IELTS or an official certification letter from your institution indicating that the medium of teaching/instruction was English, whichever is available. But GRE Subject Test cannot be replaced with any other tests.

Deferment, Leave, Withdrawal

I have been admitted to the programme but due to unforeseen circumstances, I may not be able to commence study as planned. Can I defer my admission to the next intake or do I have to apply for the programme again?

You may request for deferment if you have been offered admission or have registered for it, by emailing your request to us. You should also indicate the new start date in your email to facilitate follow up. The Faculty of Science will notify you of the outcome in writing, in due course.

Can I apply for leave at any time during the course?

Current students may apply for Leave of Absence if they have to be away for a while. The application is subject to approval by the Faculty of Science. If you need to apply for such leaves, you should email your request to us, indicating the period of absence intended, at the earliest possible to facilitate processing. If your request is submitted late or after a semester has started, you may still be liable to pay for the tuition fees (refer to Registrar's Office website on tuition fees). The Faculty will notify you of the outcome in writing, in due course.

I have problems continuing or completing the programme. Can I drop out from it?

You may request to withdraw from the programme by sending us an email. The Faculty will notify you of the outcome in writing, in due course.

Is there a closing date to apply for deferment, leave of absence or withdrawal?

There are no specific deadlines since we respect that such decisions may arise due to unforeseen circumstances. But you should apply for them at the earliest possible, especially if it is foreseeable.

Nevertheless, even with valid reasons, tuition fees may not be refunded after the cut-off dates.

Timetables

How often are classes conducted?

In general, each module consists of three hours' of lectures and one hour of tutorial every week. Lectures are usually scheduled in two 2-hour blocks in a week although they are not taught to the full hour (to allow time for students to move to other classes). Tutorials are scheduled separately.

Level 5000 and higher modules are usually small in enrolment so lecturers may sometimes conduct the tutorials within the four scheduled lecture hours instead of holding a separate tutorial class. Some higher level modules are originally structured to have only a three-hour lecture (no tutorial) every week.

A limited number of modules may be scheduled in one 3-hour block in the evenings (taught only once a week). In such classes, the lecturers would adjust their teaching accordingly to deliver both lectures and tutorials within the three hours.

When would the timetables be available?

They are usually posted on the web about a month before a new semester begins.

Students enrolled in the same module, be it undergraduates, honours or graduates, attend the same class. 

Changes to exam timetable are strictly not allowed. Hence, students are reminded to register for modules that do not have exam timetable clashes.

Changes to lecture timetable are largely discouraged. If changes have to be made, they are subject to consensus among students and lecturer in the same class and approval by the department and Faculty. Requests are to be submitted through the lecturer on a prescribed form after lectures have started. 

Are part-time students allowed to attend classes in the day?

Yes, as long as they could fit the classes into their personal schedules and have registered for the modules.

Are examinations held in the day or evening?

It depends on the schedule which in turn, is determined by enrolment size and venue availability. The standard start times of examinations for

AM (Mon - Sat)	: 9.00am
PM (Mon - Thu & Sat)	: 1.00pm
PM (Fri)	: 2.30pm
Evening (Mon - Thu)	: 5.00pm
Night	: 7.00pm

Part-time students would need to take leave from work to sit for the examinations, if necessary.

Module Registration

What is the difference between being a part-time and full-time student?

Apart from paying half the fees that a full-time student normally pays in each semester, part-time course work students are only allowed to read up to three modules per semester.

How do I select and register for the modules that I wish to read?

The Faculy of Science's Division of Research and Graduate Studies would email to students the instructions and deadlines for registration.

For the convenience of part-time students who are working full-time, you may fax manually completed registration forms, if required, to us at +65-67795452 for processing. Forms must be completed accurately and legibly, signed and returned to us by the stipulated deadlines and before the office closes for that day. Sections requiring input from supervisor or graduate coordinator may be left blank for us to follow up.

Are there any guidelines on the type of modules that I should read?

The programme is run on a modular system like the undergraduate programmes. With this system, modules are structured to be taught on a semester basis. Based on the list of modules offered in every semester and the course work requirements outlined for the programme, you may choose to read any modules as long as you meet the prerequisites and that they suit your schedule. Most students would select modules that interest them most.

For modules with "Departmental approval" as (part of the) prerequisite, students may have to seek the department's permission via email prior to registration.

What are the modules that are available for selection?

The list may vary slightly in every semester. Please refer to the module list. 

Am I allowed to read more modules than are required for graduation?

Yes, as long as you have no problems coping with the schedule and that they are completed within the maximum candidature. 

Am I allowed to read modules outside the department?

You may read modules from other departments in the Faculty of Science, subject to the host department's approval. But you are only allowed to use a limited number of relevant modules to count towards your graduation.

CAP Computation

What are the grade points for each letter grade?

You can find the list here under "Grade Points".

Is the CAP computed on all the modules read?

It is computed based on the best x number of modules (minimum required to graduate) with passing letter grade (i.e. A+ to D). The project module is not included but you must still pass the project with the minimum D grade.

Will a "W" or "ABS" grade affect my CAP?

A "W" or "ABS" grade does not carry any grade point and will not affect the CAP. "W" means withdrawal before penalty period, while "ABS" means absent with valid reason.

What is "IP" grade?

A project module that spans across two semesters will be given "IP" grade in the first semester, which means "in progress".

Project & Graduation

Can the project requirement be substituted with passing more regular modules?

Only students admitted in 2006 and later cohorts are allowed this option. Refer to the graduation requirements for details.

Can the oral presentation and interview be conducted after the examinations?

No. They are part of the overall assessment process and contribute to the final mark and grade of the project module. If the marks are not computed and updated in time during the examination period, there would be no mark and grade for the project in that semester. The next available mark update period would be during the examination period of the following semester.

Besides, your supervisor and examiner would be preoccupied with marking exam scripts after examinations and may have more difficulties in attending the oral presentation and interview, and assessing your project.

Can the final amended project report be handed in after the examinations?

It is not advisable as it also contributes to the mark and grade of the project.

Is it possible to graduate within the minimum candidature of one year?

Is is possible if you are a full-time student and admitted to the 40-MC track programme.

Will the area of specialization appear on the transcript and degree scroll?

The area of specialization (Mathematical Finance or Operations Research) does not appear on the degree scroll. But it will appear on the transcript if students inform the department about it - they may so so any time within their candidature but must do so latest at the beginning of their last semester.

Send us an email if you have further queries