Postgraduate Studies in Physics

The Department of Physics, NUS, offers full-time and part-time graduate studies by research leading to the degrees of Master of Science (M.Sc.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). APart-time M.Sc. programme by Coursework in Physics and Applied Physics are also available under the Department's graduate studies programme.

Graduate students in the Department have a choice of a wide range of research fields. Now, the department has 74 faculty members in which many of them are also members of one of the research centers – “Center for Quantum Technologies”, “Graphene Research Center”, “Nanocore” and “Mechanobiology Institute”, as well as the “Center for Ion Beam Application” and the “Center for Computational Science and Engineering”. It is supported by over 40 research staff, 54 technical/clerical staff and a well-equipped workshop. The Department has extensive facilities with state-of-the-art instrumentation suitable for both fundamental and applied research. Currently the graduate community numbers at about 200 with a good mix of local and foreign students. A friendly and informal atmosphere exists among staff and students as collaborative work with other disciplines and industrial R & D abound.

Research Programmes (Part-Time or Full Time)

Candidates enrolled in the Graduate Programme by Research will pursue a rigorous course of study and research leading to a M.Sc. degree or a Ph.D. degree. The M.Sc. programme has a maximum candidature of three years and Ph.D. programme has a maximum candidature of five years.

Admission Requirements: GRE (General Test) score, TOEFL score for applicants from universities where English is not the main language of instruction, at least a Bachelor's degree (or expected to obtain by the time of admission) in Physics or its equivalent.

Graduation Requirements: Graduate level coursework, seminar attendance, dissertation, and an oral examination.

• Ph.D. by Research
• M.Sc. by Research

Coursework Programmes (Part-Time or Full-Time)

Candidates enrolled in the Graduate Programme by Coursework will pursue a rigorous course of study leading to a M.Sc. degree in Physics or a M.Sc. degree in Applied Physics. These programmes comprise two study tracks, catered to candidates with different levels of qualifications: Track 1 which is a 40-modular credit programme and Track 2 which is an 80-modular credit programme.

Admission Requirements:

• Track 1: An Honours degree (or expected to obtain by the time of admission) in Physics or its equivalent.
• Track 2: A Bachelor's pass degree or completed three-years study in physics or related discipline.

Graduation Requirements: Coursework or coursework and a project.

• M.Sc. by Coursework in Physics
• M.Sc. by Coursework in Applied Physics

Research Areas

The Department of Physics at the National University of Singapore promotes excellence in a wide range of research areas, including condensed matter physics, surface physics, materials science, high energy physics, atomic physics, superconductor, solid-state ionics, astrophysics, infrared spectroscopy, laser optics, x-ray fluorescence, ion-beam applications, optics, acoustics and computer simulations.

Our aim in research development is not only to acquire new knowledge in fundamental areas, but also to tackle problems of relevance to Singapore's Industry development. The Physics Department sees a major role in itself in the national effort to advance Singapore into a high-tech era. To this end, many staff members are now carrying out collaborative research work with industry, overseas universities, and government ministries, and engaged in multi-disciplinary research.

The Physics Department has a number of first-rate laboratories which are equipped with excellent and modern research facilities. Among them are the Surface Science Laboratory, the Centre for Nuclear Microscopy, Centre for High-Temperature Superconducting & Magnetic Centre, the Laser Spectroscopy Laboratory and the Image & Signal Processing Laboratory. In addition, the Department has a well-equipped workshop to support the research activities, and three Computer and Applications Laboratories with 200 high-power workstations and PCs, and scientific and advanced visualization software. There are 35 staff members who are actively involved in research work besides their primary teaching duties. The number of postgraduate students is 120. The amount of annual funding, from the university, industries and government agencies, for new and ongoing research projects exceeds 2.5 million dollars, exclusive of equipment costs. The Department's excellence in research has been evidenced by the presentation of plenary/invited talks by its staff in international conferences and by their service as referees for internal journals.

RESEARCH PROGRAMMES

Doctor of Philosophy by Research

Coursework

Candidates pursuing Doctor of Philosophy in Physics by research are required to attend and pass examinations in a minimum of six modules:

• PC5198 Graduate Seminar Module in Physics, and
• Five level-5000 physics modules.

Candidates may read up to two graduate-level modules offered by other Departments subject to the approval from their thesis supervisor(s) and/or department(s). All modules, which include undergraduate modules and cross faculty modules, taken by the candidates will be included in the CAP computation.

Thesis

Candidates must submit, through the supervisor(s) and the Head of Department, their theses for examination within the maximum period of candidature. The thesis must be on a topic approved by the respective departments and must make some contribution to knowledge and not be a mere collation of existing materials. The thesis must contain original work or critical interpretation worthy of publication.

It is a common practice that candidates are required to present a seminar talk in the Department on their research findings before submitting the theses for examination.

Presentation before thesis submission (PhD & MSc by Research)

A presentation (25-30min) is required when a PhD or Master by Research student is about to submit his/her thesis. The dates of presentations are tentatively:

1. August, semester I, week 0 (e.g. Friday) on the “Physics Graduate Symposium”, organized by Physics Graduate Society.
2. November, Friday of last instruction week, the week before the reading week.
3. January, semester II, Friday of week 1
4. April, Monday of the reading week.

To facilitate the organization of a group presentations with several talks, students who intend to submit the thesis must plan earlier, and use one of the four slots indicated above. If the student decided to make a presentation for the purpose of thesis submission requirement, a title and an abstract should be submitted to Maggie (phylausk@nus.edu.sg), one week before the presentation date, so that the department can work out a schedule and announce the talks.

English Language

All international students are required to take an English Language proficiency test (Diagnostic English Test) unless exemption has been granted. This test will determine whether candidates would need to take the Graduate English course. If applicable, candidates are required to achieve an advanced level of proficiency in the Graduate English course.

Seminar Attendance

Candidates are required to attend 15 seminars organized by the Department. The Department Office will keep track the seminar attendance.

Important: Candidates are strongly encouraged to check with Registrar's Office for any possible official updates.

RESEARCH PROGRAMMES

Master of Science by Research

Coursework

Candidates pursuing Master of Science in Physics by research are required to attend and pass examinations in a minimum of three modules:

• PC5198 Graduate Seminar Module in Physics, and
• Two level-5000 physics modules.

Candidates may read up to one graduate-level modules offered by other Departments subject to the approval from their thesis supervisor(s) and/or department(s). All modules, which include undergraduate modules and cross faculty modules, taken by the candidates will be included in the CAP computation.

Thesis

Candidates must submit, through the supervisor(s) and the Head of Department, their theses for examination within the maximum period of candidature. The thesis must be on a topic approved by the respective departments and must make some contribution to knowledge and not be a mere collation of existing materials. The thesis must contain original work or critical interpretation worthy of publication.

It is a common practice that candidates are required to present a seminar talk in the Department on their research findings before submitting the theses for examination.

Presentation before thesis submission (PhD & MSc by Research)

A presentation (25-30min) is required when a PhD or Master by Research student is about to submit his/her thesis. The dates of presentations are tentatively:

1. August, semester I, week 0 (e.g. Friday) on the “Physics Graduate Symposium”, organized by Physics Graduate Society.
2. November, Friday of last instruction week, the week before the reading week.
3. January, semester II, Friday of week 1
4. April, Monday of the reading week.

To facilitate the organization of a group presentations with several talks, students who intend to submit the thesis must plan earlier, and use one of the four slots indicated above. If the student decided to make a presentation for the purpose of thesis submission requirement, a title and an abstract should be submitted to Maggie (phylausk@nus.edu.sg), one week before the presentation date, so that the department can work out a schedule and announce the talks.

English Language

All international students are required to take an English Language proficiency test (Diagnostic English Test) unless exemption has been granted. This test will determine whether candidates would need to take the Graduate English course. If applicable, candidates are required to achieve an intermediate level of proficiency in the Graduate English course.

Seminar Attendance

Candidates are required to attend 10 seminars organized by the Department. The Department Office will keep track the seminar attendance.

Important: Candidates are strongly encouraged to check with Registrar's Office for any possible official updates.

COURSEWORK PROGRAMMES

Master of Science by Coursework in Physics

The Master of Science in Physics is a coursework programme initiated as a part-time programme in January 2000. It also can be enrolled on a full-time basis now.

Programme Objectives

• Advanced training in fundamental aspects of Physics
• Opportunities for Physics teachers and other professionals to further upgrade their professional skills and qualifications
  

Admission Requirements

• An honours degree in Physics from NUS or such other universities approved by NUS, or
• A Bachelor's pass degree in Physics or related discipline, or completed three years of Physics study in a university, or other qualifications as NUS may approve.

Programme Structure
A candidate in the M.Sc. Programme in Physics by coursework must complete the following in order to be awarded the M.Sc. degree:

Track 1 : 40 modular-credit programme (for applicants who have an Honours degree or equivalent qualifications)
EITHER

1. Read and pass five PC level 5000 modules (excluding PC5198) amounting to 20 MCs and at least 8 MCs must be from the following list of modules. Subject to approval, students are allowed to choose not more than 12 MCs from level 5000 modules offered by other Departments.
• PC5201 Advanced Quantum Mechanics
• PC5202 Advanced Statistical Mechanics
• PC5203 Advanced Solid State Physics
• PC5210 Advanced Dynamics
• PC5214 Principles of Experimental Physics

2. Read and pass two PC level 4000 modules amounting to 8 MCs
3. Complete a research project PC5288 equivalent to 12 MCs
4. Obtain a minimum Cumulative Average Point (CAP) of 3.00

OR

1. Read and pass eight PC level 5000 modules (excluding PC5198) amounting to 32 MCs and at least 8 MCs must be from the following list of modules. Subject to approval, students are allowed to choose not more than 12 MCs from level 5000 modules offered by other Departments.
• PC5201 Advanced Quantum Mechanics
• PC5202 Advanced Statistical Mechanics
• PC5203 Advanced Solid State Physics
• PC5210 Advanced Dynamics
• PC5214 Principles of Experimental Physics

2. Read and pass two PC level 4000 modules amounting to 8 MCs
3. Obtain a minimum Cumulative Average Point (CAP) of 3.00

Track 2: 80 modular-credit programme (for applicants who have a Bachelor's pass degree or completed a three-year study in physics)
EITHER

1. Read and pass five PC level 5000 modules (excluding PC5198) amounting to 20 MCs and at least 8 MCs must be from the following list of modules. Subject to approval, students are allowed to choose not more than 12 MCs from level 5000 modules offered by other Departments.
• PC5201 Advanced Quantum Mechanics
• PC5202 Advanced Statistical Mechanics
• PC5203 Advanced Solid State Physics
• PC5210 Advanced Dynamics
• PC5214 Principles of Experimental Physics

2. Read and pass eight PC level 4000 modules amounting to 32 MCs
3. Read and pass one PC level 4000 module or PC level 5000 module amounting to 4 MCs
4. Read and pass three PC level 3000 modules amounting to 12 MCs
5. Complete a research project PC5288 equivalent to 12 MCs
6. Obtain a minimum Cumulative Average Point (CAP) of 3.00

OR

1. Read and pass eight PC level 5000 modules (excluding PC5198) amounting to 32 MCs and at least 8 MCs must be from the following list of modules. Subject to approval, students are allowed to choose not more than 12 MCs from level 5000 modules offered by other Departments.
• PC5201 Advanced Quantum Mechanics
• PC5202 Advanced Statistical Mechanics
• PC5203 Advanced Solid State Physics
• PC5210 Advanced Dynamics
• PC5214 Principles of Experimental Physics

2. Read and pass eight PC level 4000 modules amounting to 32 MCs
3. Read and pass one PC level 4000 module or PC level 5000 module amounting to 4 MCs
4. Read and pass three PC level 3000 modules amounting to 12 MCs
5. Obtain a minimum Cumulative Average Point (CAP) of 3.00

Period of Candidature
The programme may be undertaken over a period of two to eight semesters for Track 1 or four to ten semesters for Track 2, and will comprise of coursework or coursework and a written report based on project work. Some classes will be conducted during the university semesters in the evening.


Programme Intake
There are two intakes per academic year, one in January and the other in August.

COURSEWORK PROGRAMMES

Master of Science by Coursework in Applied Physics

The Master of Science in Applied Physics is a coursework programme initiated as a part-time programme in July 2002.  It can be enrolled on a full-time basis now.


Programme Objectives

• Advanced training in Applied Physics (especially in semiconductor manufacturing, photonics and biophysics).
• Opportunities for Physics graduates and other professionals who have relevant working experience, to upgrade their professional skills and qualifications, or to switch to the hi-tech industry.

Admission Requirements

• An Honours degree in Physics or an equivalent qualification approved by NUS, or
• A Bachelor's pass degree in Physics or related discipline, or
• Completed three years of Physics study in a university with a minimum Cumulated Average Point (CAP) of 3.00.

Programme Structure
A candidate in the M.Sc. Programme in Applied Physics by coursework must complete the following in order to be awarded the M.Sc. degree:

Track 1: 40 modular-credit programme (for applicants who have an Honours degree or equivalent qualifications)
EITHER

1. Read and pass four PC level 5000 modules (excluding PC5198) amounting to 16 MCs. Subject to approval, students are allowed to choose not more than 12 MCs from Level 5000 modules offered by other Departments.
2. Read and pass two PC level 4000 modules amounting to 8 MCs
3. Complete a research project PC5289 equivalent to 16 MCs
4. Obtain a minimum Cumulative Average Point (CAP) of 3.00

OR

1. Read and pass seven PC level 5000 modules (excluding PC5198) amounting to 28 MCs. Subject to approval, students are allowed to choose not more than 12 MCs from Level 5000 modules offered by other Departments.
2. Read and pass three PC level 4000 modules amounting to 12 MCs.
3. Obtain a minimum Cumulative Average Point (CAP) of 3.00

Track 2: 80 modular-credit programme (for applicants who have a Bachelor's pass degree or completed a three-year study in Physics or related discipline)
EITHER

1. Read and pass five PC level 5000 modules (excluding PC5198) amounting to 20 MCs. Subject to approval, students are allowed to choose not more than 12 MCs from Level 5000 modules offered by other Departments.
2. Read and pass six PC level 4000 modules amounting to 24 MCs
3. Read and pass one PC level 4000 module or PC level 5000 module amounting to 4 MCs
4. Read and pass four PC level 3000 modules amounting to 16 MCs
5. Complete a research project PC5289 equivalent to 16 MCs
6. Obtain a minimum Cumulative Average Point (CAP) of 3.00

OR

1. Read and pass six PC level 5000 modules (excluding PC5198) amounting to 24 MCs. Subject to approval, students are allowed to choose not more than 12 MCs from Level 5000 modules offered by other Departments.
2. Read and pass eight PC level 4000 modules amounting to 32 MCs
3. Read and pass two PC level 4000 modules or PC level 5000 modules amounting to 8 MCs
4. Read and pass four PC level 3000 modules amounting to 16 MCs
5. Obtain a minimum Cumulative Average Point (CAP) of 3.00

Period of Candidature
The programmes may be undertaken over a period of two to eight semesters for Track 1 or four to ten semesters for Track 2, and will comprise of coursework or coursework and a written report based on project work. Some classes will be conducted during the university semesters in the evening.


Programme Intake
There are two intakes per academic year: one in January and the other in August.