Application Guidelines | Notes to SPS/USP Students | Application Form

ISMs offer unique learning opportunities that are not found in the regular modules. The flexibility and educational gains that ISMs confer to students make them highly desirable as long as resources permit. They are modeled on existing modules in the department's repertoire.

A few such modules were conducted in Semester II, 1999/2000, under the auspices of the Special Programme in Science (SPS)/Science TDP. The department has been offering ISMs formally since Semester I, 2000/2001.

Application Guidelines

1. ISMs are offered to undergraduate students only. Any MA modules from level 2000 onwards may be offered as ISMs. GM and MQ modules are not offered as ISMs. 

2. Students in Special Programme in Science (SPS) and University Scholars Programme (USP) are given priority over the others. For students not in SPS or USP, only level 3000 and 4000 modules may be considered as ISMs.

3. The department offers a limited number of ISMs in any given semester. Priority will be given to students who matriculated earlier. For students who matriculated in the same year, priority will be given to those with higher Cumulative Average Point (CAP) in all mathematics modules taken.

4. To do an ISM, the student should find a willing supervisor, complete the application form in consultation with the supervisor, and have him/her sign on the form before submitting the form to the mathematics general office. Non SPS-USP students applying to read ISMs should have at least an average of A- grades in all mathematics modules. Result slips/records must be attached to the application.

5. The maximum number of students for each ISM should not exceed three.

6. For non ride-on ISMs, there would be at least two contact hours a week between supervisor and students.

7. Under normal circumstances, there will be examinations for ISMs. The department will nominate a setter for the examination paper, who may or may not be the ISM supervisor. Continuous assessments would be given at the discretion of the supervisors in formats they deem appropriate. Continuous assessments should contribute no less than 30% of the total mark for each ISM.

8. Application deadline:  Three weeks (5pm, Friday) preceding semester start date. No ISMs are offered in the Special Semester.

9. Students will be notified of the outcome via email during module registration period. All decisions made by the department are final and no appeals or late applications will be considered.

10. Students who are successful in their application for ISM/s will have the modules automatically registered. Hence, no online registration or adding is necessary for ISMs.

If the module is not a ride-on, students must reach a consensus with the supervisor for an examination date and session and inform the department before 5.00 pm on the Friday of week 4 (university calendar).

Notes to SPS/USP Students

Students applying to read MA modules as ISM to satisfy SPS/USP requirements must submit both departmental and faculty application forms to the department by its stipulated deadline. Due to the availability of a wide variety of math modules, the department generally offers to SPS/USP students ride-on ISMs, which are based on existing modules available in the particular semester.

The department's ISM coordinator is Prof Zhu Chengbo, who may be contacted at 65166400 or matzhucb(@nus.edu.sg). His office is located at S14 #03-04.

Application Form

Download ISM application form.