Special Programme in Physics (SPP)
The Special Programme in Physics (SPP) is a special programme offering enhanced coursework and training in conceptual and mathematical rigor beyond the normal curriculum.
The SPP caters to very good students who consistently demonstrate exceptional aptitude, motivation and drive towards excellence. This programme is suitable for those who seek deeper intellectual challenges and have clear aspirations for graduate programmes at top universities, high-impact roles in industry or startups in research-intensive sectors.
Programme Requirements
1. Pass with B grade or better for all of the following Level 2000 S-coded courses:
| PC2174S Mathematical Methods in Physics I (S) | 4 units |
| PC2031S Electricity and Magnetism I (S) | 5 units |
| PC2032S Classical Mechanics I (S) | 5 units |
| PC2130S Quantum Mechanics I (S) | 5 units |
| PC2135S Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics (S) | 5 units |
| Total : | 24 units |
Note: S-courses are conceptually and mathematically more rigorous than their non-S counterparts. Each S-coded course will act in lieu of its non-S counterpart in the Physics Major requirements.
AND
2. Pass with A- grade or better for both of the following:
| PC3288 (or its variants) Advanced UROPS in Physics I | 4 units |
| PC4288 (or its variants) Honours Project in Physics | 8 units |
| Total : | 12 units |
Note: The above requirements are in addition to the Physics Major requirements. Students who manage to complete all of the above requirements can read 1 less course under the Unrestricted Elective (UE) basket.
SPP Programme Schedule
Students who wish to enrol into the SPP programme should follow the schedule below:
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | ||||
| Sem 1 | Sem 2 | Sem 1 | Sem 2 | Sem 1 | Sem 2 | Sem 1 | Sem 2 |
| PC1101 Frontiers of Physics | PC2031S Electricity and Magnetism I (S) | PC2130S Quantum Mechanics I (S) | PC2135S Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics (S) | PC3288 Advanced UROPS in Physics I | PC4288 Honours Project in Physics | ||
| PC2174S Mathematical Methods in Physics I (S) | PC2032S Classical Mechanics I (S) | ||||||
Notes:
- PC2174S and PC1101 will be open to interested students in Yr 1 Sem 1.
- Each student will be assessed based on the results of these two courses. Students who performed exceptionally well will be considered for admission from the Yr 1 Sem 2. S-courses will then be pre-allocated thereafter.
- Students will finish all S-coded courses within the first 4 semesters and complete all requirements within the usual 8 regular semesters.
S-Courses Timetable and Lateral Transfer
- Each S-course will be conducted over the same lecture timeslot as its non-S counterpart, but at different lecture venues.
- The S and non-S sets are: {PC2174S, PC2174A} ; {PC2031S, PC2031} ; {PC2032S, PC2032} ; {PC2130S , PC2130} ; {PC2135S, PC2135}.
- Students who are unable to cope may drop out of the S-course and laterally transfer to its non-S counterpart without a clash in timetable.
- Special provision will be made to allow students to drop a S-coded course without penalty up to the first 4 instructional weeks of the semester.
- For example, a student in PC2174S will be allowed transfer to PC2174A (conducted concurrently at the same time slot) up to week 4 and continue with PC2174A for the rest of the semester.
Suggested Study Plan
| Special Programme in Physics (SPP) Recommended Study Plan | |||||||
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | ||||
| Sem 1 | Sem 2 | Sem 1 | Sem 2 | Sem 1 | Sem 2 | Sem 1 | Sem 2 |
Pair 1: Pair 2: | Pair 1: Pair | Writing | Scientific Inquiry II | Communities and Engagement | Interdisciplinary I | PC4288 Honours Projects in Physics (8MCs) | |
Pair 1: Pair 2: | Pair 1: Pair 2: | Digital Literacy | Artificial Intelligence | PC3235 Solid State Physics I | Interdisciplinary II | PC4230 Quantum Mechanics III | PC4241 Statistical Mechanics |
Pair A: Pair B: | Pair A: Pair B: | PC2130S Quantum Mechanics I (S) | PC2135S Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics (S) | PC3130 Quantum Mechanics II | PC3236 Computational Methods in Physics | PC4274A Mathematical Methods in Physics III | UE 4 |
| PC1101 Frontiers of Physics | PC2031S Electricity & Magnetism I (S) | PC2193 Experimental Physics and Data Analysis | PC3233 Atomic and Molecular Physics I | PC3231 Electricity & Magnetism II | PC3270 Machine Learning for Physicists / New AI course | UE 2 | UE 5 |
| PC2174S Mathematical Methods in Physics I (S) | PC2032S Classical Mechanics I (S) | PC3274A Mathematical Methods in Physics II | PC3193 Experimental Physics II | PC3288 Advanced UROPS in Physics | UE 1 | UE 3 | |
Note: Students have to complete all CHS Common Curriculum courses in their first two years except for the following 3 courses:
- Communities and Engagement course – can be taken from Years 2 to 4
- Two Interdisciplinary courses – can be taken in Years 3 and 4
Graduation Requirements (SPP)
Students must take both of the following courses in the UE space to fulfil the graduation requirements.
- PC3288 (or its variants) Advanced UROPS in Physics I (4 units)
- PC4288 (or its variants) Honours Project in Physics (8 units)
Should students wish to take a PC UPIP course (minimum 4 units), it is recommended that they be taken during a special term.