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Course Information
Chemistry and Biological Chemistry Courses
- Core Courses
- Year 4 Prescribed Electives
- General Education Requirement (GER) Courses
- Electives
- Projects and Internships
- Graduate-Level Courses
Chemical Engineering Courses
Bioengineering Courses
The course covers fundamental concepts and organizing principles of chemistry that provide the foundation for many aspects of chemical science and related fields. It aims to bring Freshmen students in science and engineering to the same level of command of basic chemistry that is essential to progress to advanced courses. The concepts espoused in the course will be illustrated and connected with real world applications whenever relevant. Practical work is at the heart of chemistry. The laboratory component of this course aims to expose you to chosen experiments which will help you gain familiarity with a variety of skills, laboratory techniques and equipment and instill in you the ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
Pre-requisites: None
The course covers fundamental concepts and organizing principles of chemistry that provide the foundation for many aspects of chemical science and related fields. It aims to bring Freshmen students in science and engineering to the same level of command of basic chemistry that is essential to progress to advanced courses. The concepts espoused in the course will be illustrated and connected with real world applications whenever relevant. Practical work is at the heart of chemistry. The laboratory component of this course aims to expose you to chosen experiments which will help you gain familiarity with a variety of skills, laboratory techniques and equipment and instill in you the ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
Pre-requisites: None
Concepts of structures and properties of atoms and molecules, bonding, periodicity, isomerism and chemical reactions; fundamentals of spectroscopy. Laboratory work includes both qualitative and quantitative work.
Fundamental concepts and organizing principles of physical chemistry, including analytical, inorganic, organic and bio-related chemistry. Coupled with mathematical models, physical chemistry provides quantitative results to compare with and understand experiments, and to stimulate new experiments. The laboratory component consolidates the theoretical aspects learned during the course, including the principles of thermodynamics, kinetics and spectroscopy
Introduction to the structural, biophysical and chemical principles of biological macromolecules in living organisms. You will use your understanding of the underlying molecular bases and functions of the macromolecules involved in biochemical reactions to solve problems related to nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and vitamins.
Mutually exclusive with BS1005 - Biochemistry I
Additional topics in calculus, for students majoring in chemistry. Topics include: Cartesian and spherical coordinates; complex numbers; vectors; linear algebra and matrices; summation, series, and expansions of functions; Fourier series and Fourier transforms.
Prerequisite: MH1802
Introduction to modern analytical methods used to quantify species, and instrumental methods used to monitor the progress of reactions. The course comprises a mixture of numerical problem solving and descriptive chemical analysis.
Prerequisite: (CM1021 and CM1041) or CM5000/CM9001 or CY1101 or CM1001 or (BS1012 and BS1022) or by permission
Introduction to the fundamental ideas of inorganic chemistry, in particular bonding theories, main-group element compounds and transition metal coordination complexes. You will learn different bonding theories to explain the structures and hence reactivity of main-group element compounds and transition metal coordination complexes.
Prerequisite: CM1021 or CM5000/CM9001 or CY1101 or CM1001 or (BS1012 & BS1022) or by permission
Functional group transformations; disconnection approach to synthesis; synthesis and reactivity of polyfunctional organic molecules, heteroaromatic compounds, free radical reactions, pericyclic reactions, stereochemistry and reaction mechanisms.
Prerequisite: CM1031 or CM5000/CM9001 or CY1101 or CM1002 or (BS1013 and BS1033) or by permission
Basic principles of physical and biophysical chemistry, and how these principles can be applied to explain and predict chemical changes. You will develop the rigorous analytical ability to study chemistry based on scientific calculations and reasoning, and learn to appreciate the power of physical chemistry in chemical research and industry activities.
Prerequisite: CM1021 or CM1041 or CM5000/CM9001 or CY1101 or CM1001 or (BS1012 and BS1022) or by permission.
Laboratory operations in synthetic chemistry associated with the synthesis of organic and inorganic compounds, such as reactions requiring heating, inert atmosphere, use of bio-reagents and handling reactive intermediates. You will learn how to work in a safe and responsible fashion; how to evaluate risks and formulate appropriate precautions; how to purify the products of reactions using techniques such as recrystallisation, column chromatography and distillation under reduced pressure; and how to obtain and interpret characterisation data such as 1H NMR spectroscopy, infra-red spectroscopy, polarimetry and magnetic susceptibility.
Prerequisite: (CM1021 and CM1031) or CM5000/CM9001 or CY1101 or CM(1001 and CM1002) or (BS1012 and BS1022 and BS1013 and BS1033) or by permission
This laboratory course complements the lecture courses of CM1041, CM2011, and CM2041. It imparts practical experimental skills in analytical and physical chemistry. You will also be trained in the safe handling of chemicals and instruments, and in the assessment of risks associated with experimental procedures.
Prerequisite: CM1041 or CM5000 /CM9001 or CY1101 or CM1001
Principles and applications of chemical spectroscopic methods, including mass spectrometry (MS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, infrared (IR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, UV-visible-NIR spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. These techniques are used in the structural identification and determination of organic and inorganic compounds, and the study of their electronic properties, stability, and dynamics at the molecular level. You will learn about the principles and techniques of these spectroscopic methods, their applications to organic and inorganic chemistry, and the methods for interpreting spectra and deducing the molecular structures of unknown samples.
Prerequisite: CM2021 and CM2031 or by permission
Introduction to organometallic chemistry, including an overview of the various types of ligands, their properties, and the reaction mechanisms encountered in organometallic chemistry.
Prerequisite: (CM2021 and CM2031) or by permission
Fundamentals of organic chemistry essential for advanced chemistry courses and the practice of chemistry, including issues of selectivity and specificity, especially in terms of regio-, stereo-, and chemo-selectivity and specificity, and the synthesis of complex molecules.
Prerequisite: CM2031 or by permission
Introduction to quantum mechanics and molecular spectroscopy, as applied to chemistry. Topics include the quantum behavior of atoms and molecules; how quantum mechanics forms the framework for interpreting molecular spectra; the application of quantum mechanics to understand rotational, vibrational and electronic spectroscopy; and the photophysics and photochemistry of light-excited molecules.
Prerequisite: CM2041 or by permission
Fundamentals of synthetic chemistry. In this course, you learn how to carry out laboratory operations in synthetic chemistry, such as reactions requiring heating, inert atmosphere, use of bio-reagents and handling reactive intermediates; how to work in a safe and responsible fashion; how to evaluate the risks inherent in procedures and formulate appropriate precautions; how to purify the products of reactions using techniques such as recrystallisation, column chromatography and distillation under reduced pressure, and how to obtain and interpret characterisation data such as 1H NMR spectroscopy, infra-red spectroscopy, polarimetry and magnetic susceptibility.
Prerequisite: CM2061 or by permission
This course complements the lecture courses of what you have learned in CM2011, CM2041, or will learn at a later time in the courses CM3011, CM3041, and CM4011, allowing you to hone your practical experimental skills in analytical chemistry, (bio)physical chemistry, and (bio)spectroscopy. You will also be trained in the safe handling of chemicals and instruments, and in the assessment of risks associated with experimental procedures.
Prerequisite: CM2062
Overview of modern analytical methods, and the instruments used to quantify chemical and biological samples and to monitor the progress of reactions. Students will learn about advanced electrochemical, spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques applied to chemical analysis, use their in-depth knowledge to devise experiments that can quantify a range of diverse chemical components, and apply their knowledge to real life problems in the environment.
Prerequisites: (CM2011 and CM2062 and CM3062) or by permission
This course covers (i) the use of NMR chemical shifts to elucidate structures of organic molecules, including how different (common) functional groups and non-covalent interactions (in organic chemistry) affect the 1H and 13C NMR chemical shifts of molecules, and (ii) how structural information on molecular compounds can be obtained, based on general considerations in structural determination, NMR spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography.
Prerequisites: (CM3011 and CM3021) or by permission
Introduction to bioanalysis, biomaterials, and electroanalytical methods, with focus on point-of-care diagnosis and food quality control. You will learn how perform a quantitative analysis of a sample, starting from the preliminary steps of sampling and sample preparation; how to choose a proper analytical method and interpret the results obtained; and how to compare the results of traditional analytical techniques to those obtained from more modern approaches by using chemical sensors and biosensors.
Prerequisites: (CM2011 and CM2062 and CM3062) or by permission
Chemistry and transport of chemical species in the atmosphere. Impacts of atmospheric chemistry on global climate and local environments.
Prerequisites: CM2011 and CM2062 and CM3062
The latest developments in inorganic chemistry. Topics will be selected from the latest research literature.
Prerequisites: CM3021
Principles of main group (s and p block) element chemistry, with an emphasis on synthesis, structure, bonding, and reaction mechanisms.
Prerequisites: CM2021
Principles of asymmetric synthesis, with an emphasis on methodologies for controlling the absolute stereochemistry of the desired product in organic synthesis, including natural product synthesis. The course will also introduce advanced topics such as asymmetric catalysis and the application of chiral synthons in total synthesis.
Prerequisites: CM3031 or by permission
Survey of the latest developments in synthetic chemistry, intended for students majoring in chemistry and related disciplines. Topics will be selected from the latest research literature.
Prerequisites: CM3031 or by permission
Synthesis of simple and complex molecules using the chemistry of transition metals, based on examples from the pharmaceutical and other industries. Students will learn how chemistry can be applied at scale, and how issues such as IP and green metrics impact industrial process.
Prerequisites: CM3021 and CM3031
Diversity of natural products and their roles in biological systems; chemistry and biosynthesis of the major natural product classes; synthesis of important natural products.
Prerequisites: CM3031
Concepts and applications of quantum mechanics to molecular, chemical and spectroscopic problems, including approximation methods and time dependent quantum mechanics. Principles of statistical thermodynamics, and how macroscopic thermodynamic properties of molecular systems can be derived from microscopic quantum mechanical properties.
Prerequisites: CM3041 or by permission
Advanced mathematical and physical methods for modelling chemical phenomena.
Prerequisite: CM3041 or by permission
Python programming and its applications to numerical simulations in chemical science. The basics of computational chemistry, and the use of ab initio computational software.
Prerequisite: CM3041 or (CH2108 and CH2123) or by permission.
Python packages for data science and AI, and their applications to chemistry.
Prerequisite: (PS0001 and PS0002) or (CH2107 and CB0494) or by permission
This course covers the organic chemistry of selected processes in living systems, linking organic chemistry to biochemistry. It integrates chemical principles with biological applications via examples drawn from biochemistry, molecular and cell biology. It also introduces modern synthetic chemistry and technology for the preparation, detection and sequencing of biomacromolecules.
Prerequisites: (CM1051, CM2031, CM3031, and CM9051) or by permission
Introduction to the latest development in synthetic chemistry. Topics will be selected from the latest research literature.
Prerequisites: CM1051 and CM9051
An interdisciplinary course on how drug molecules sustain their activities, their basic metabolism process, the essential pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs, biomedical analysis assay, biomedical microbiology and the antibiotic bacterial inactivation, and basic concepts in clinical anti-tumor treatment. New techniques in biomedical molecular imaging, and functional nanotechnology in nano-medicine, will also be covered.
Prerequisites: (CM1031, CM1051, CM2011, CM2031, and CM3031) or (BS1003, BS1005, CM2011, CM2031 and CM3031) or (BS1003, CM1051, CM2011, CM2031 and CM3031) or (BS1005, CM1031, CM2011, CM2031 and CM3031) or (CM1002 , CM2011, CM2031 and CM3031) or (BS1013 and BS1005 and CM2011 and CM2031 and CM3031) or by permission.
Mutually exclusive with CM4016
This course provides a broad introduction to contemporary topics in materials science, with an emphasis on relating materials chemistry to their unique properties and real-world applications. We will discuss fundamental chemistry governing the properties of various materials, and current material-based technologies and research.
Prerequisite: CM1021 or CM5000/CM9001 or CM1001 or CY1101 or by permission
Mutually exclusive with CM9021
Fundamentals in polymer science, including the synthesis and characterisation of polymers, the relation between chemical structure, polymer morphology and physico-chemical properties, and characterisation techniques commonly used in polymer science.
Prerequisite: CM2031 or by permission
Mutually exclusive with CM9092
CHEM and CBC-ES student only can take this course as a Major Prescribed Elective.
This course introduces the foundational principles of nanoscience and nanotechnology, a multidisciplinary field aimed at understanding and controlling small systems, in particular materials at nanometer length scales.
Prerequisite: CM3011 or by permission
The module will expose the students to fundamental concepts and frontiers in modern biochemistry and natural product biosynthesis, with the objective of equipping the students with essential analytical skills for dissecting the structure-function relationship in natural products enzymes and analyzing and annotating biosynthetic pathways. Textbooks and reading materials were chosen accordingly to foster the students’ interest in the research areas of drug discovery and natural product biosynthesis.
Prerequisites: CM2031
This course serves as an introduction to “How physics approaches living matter”, providing a framework for understanding biophysics and physical models of biological systems. You will build foundational knowledge in key topics of molecular biophysics and structural biology, and learn about common biophysical methods for investigating the structure and dynamics of biomolecules, as well as novel methods for manipulation and analysis in biophysics.
Prerequisites: (PH1011 or PH1012 or PH1801 and CM2041)
This foundational course aims to develop a basic understanding of core physics, engineering, basics of chemistry and related concepts including nanotechnology behind the cutting edge bioimaging and biosensing techniques for clinical diagnostics. Through this course, you will learn the fundamental theoretical background of these techniques. Further, you will be able to apply the basic knowledge of physics and engineering to understand the instrumentation of these biosensing and imaging modalities.
Prerequisites: None
Mutually Exclusive with PH4607/CM4017
The role of chemistry in current or potential socio-technological problems. The issues selected, the facts and principles presented, and the habits of mind developed will serve as a guide on how to live responsibly into the future.
Prerequisites: None
Introduction to how basic science can be applied to the solution of criminal cases. You will learn the basic chemistry, physics and biology behind forensic science, and how forensic science fits into the legal system alongside other forms of police work. You will appreciate not only what forensic science can do, but also what lies beyond its scope.
Mutually exclusive with CM5012.
History of chemistry, both practical and theoretical, from the ancient civilisations (Egypt, Greece, China), via Arabia and Medieval Europe, to the modern science of chemistry, including the development of the chemical industry.
Mutually exclusive with CM5004.History of chemistry, both practical and theoretical, from the ancient civilisations (Egypt, Greece, China), via Arabia and Medieval Europe, to the modern science of chemistry, including the development of the chemical industry.
Mutually exclusive with CM5003.Introduction to how basic science can be applied to the solution of criminal cases. You will learn the basic chemistry, physics and biology behind forensic science, and how forensic science fits into the legal system alongside other forms of police work. You will appreciate not only what forensic science can do, but also what lies beyond its scope.
Mutually exclusive with CM5002.
Introduction to how basic science is applied to the solution of criminal cases. You will learn the basic chemistry, physics and biology behind forensic science, and how forensic science fits into the legal system alongside other forms of police work. You will appreciate what forensic science can do, but also what lies beyond its scope.
Prerequisites: CM5012
Mutually exclusive with CM5002.
Role of mathematical and physical sciences in Defence. Topics covered include chemical defence, food for the soldier, the mathematical optimization of millitary operations, mathematical approaches to computational modeling and simulation, physics for new defense technologies, biological defence, novel materials, and cryptography.
Prerequisites: None
Fundamental concepts of entrepreneurship. The entrepreneurial perspective through class discussions, case analysis and out-of-class reading; business planning; the Internet and the role of e-commerce in entrepreneurship and business; the role of technology as a source of entrepreneurial ventures.
Mutually exclusive with Minor in Entrepreneurship.
CM5031
Analytical & Manufacturing Techniques in the Pharmaceutical Industry
3 AU | On hold
Previously listed as CM9031
Introduction to the process of drug discovery, development and manufacturing, including chemical development; manufacturing and formulation; Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls (CMC); traditional batch methods and emerging technologies such as flow chemistry; and the role of analytical methods across these activities. Analytical chemistry is a crucial segment of quality control in drug manufacturing, and the lab component is designed to supplement the lectures by providing hands-on training on advanced analytical and characterization skills relevant to the pharmaceutical industry.
Prerequisite: CM2031 or by permission.
Advanced course in biochemistry and modern biotechnology, covering the chemical principles behind key biological phenomena.
Prerequisites: (CM1051 and CM2031) or (CY1101 and CM2031) or by permission
Physicochemical principles of drug action; basic principles of drug design; the molecular basis of drug action; the structure-physicochemical activity relationship.
Prerequisites: (CM1051 and CM5000/CM9001) or (CM1031 and CM1051) or (BS1003 and CM1051) or (BS1005 and CM1031) or (BS1005 and CM5000/CM9001) or (BS1003 and BS1005) or (BS1013 and BS1005) or CM1002 or CY1101 or by permission
Target discovery and “drugability”; structure-activity relationships; new high-throughput design and screening methods for drug discovery.
Prerequisites: (CM1051 and CM2031 and CM5081) or (CM2031 and CM5081 and CY1101) or (CM1002 and CM2031 and CM5081) or by permission
Introduction to the principles of heterocyclic compounds, especially those based on 5- and 6-membered ring aromatic systems, which are frequently used as a core of pharmaceutical drugs. You will learn about their structural features and reactivity, various methodologies for constructing their scaffolds, and methodologies to install new functional groups to these heterocycles and to transform them into other heterocycles.
Prerequisite: CM2031 or by permission
Overview of industrial and environmental chemistry, with a focus on industries relevant to Singapore’s current and future chemical industry. You will be given opportunities to critically analyse and evaluate commercially viable chemical processes. Emphasis is placed on trends in sustainable development.
Prerequisites: (CM1021 and CM1031) or CM5000 or CY1101 or (CM1001 and CM1002) or by permission
This course is offered jointly with Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand and IIT Madras in Chennai, India. Students will hear about important chemical topics related to sustainability including air, water, manufacturing, energy and green chemistry in lectures given by faculty from the three institutions. Students will work in international groups with their peers from Chulalongkorn and IITM on projects related to Chemical Sustainability. Field trips to Thailand or to India will be arranged (optional). Assessment will be through group activities, written work and presentation of the project.
Students taking this course will not only understand more about issues around sustainability, but also gain skills in working with people from different countries. The Singapore economy is highly integrated with the World. Many graduates will find themselves working with colleagues from other countries and/ or cultures because they are employed by multinational companies, whether Singapore owned or not, or posted overseas, or simply have colleagues from overseas. Being able to adapt to work with people from such different backgrounds will be an increasingly important skill for the future workforce.
Prerequisites: https://wish.wis.ntu.edu.sg/webexe/owa/aus_subj_cont.main1
Introduction to green chemistry and its importance for society and the environment. Students will learn about what considerations must be taken into account when deciding whether something is green, how greenness can be quantitatively assessed, and what actions we can take to make chemical processes more green.
Prerequisites: (CM2021 and CM2013) or by permission
Introduction to the chemical composition of food ingredients, and the chemical transformations of the three major components in food: fats (oil), proteins, and carbohydrates. Students will learn laboratory skills relevant to food chemists working in industry and academia, including the safe handling of chemicals and instruments, and how to assess the risks associated with these experimental procedures.
Prerequisites: (CM1031 and CM1051) or (CM1051 and CM9001) or (BS1005 and CM1031) or (BS1003 and CM1051) or (BS1003 and BS1005) or (BS1013 and BS1005) or (CM1051 and CM5000) or CM1002 or CY1101 or by permission
Introduction to the analysis of food and assessing food safety, including how to determine the content of the principle food components (such as proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and moisture), as well as additives and contaminants; methods for sample preparation and analysis; and methods to assess chemical, physical and biological contamination of food. The concepts taught will be applied during laboratory sessions, including sample preparation and the analysis of food components and characteristics, based on equipment used in the food industry.
Prerequisites: CM1051 and (CM1031 or CM5000) or CY1101 or by permission.
Introduction to food quality, food preservatives, food additives, food preservation methods, as well as food processing.
Prerequisites: (CM5101 and CM9102) or by permission.
CM5201
Regulation in the Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology, and Medical Device Industries
3 AU | On Hold
Previously listed as CM9201
This course provides an overview of regulatory affairs in three areas of development: Drugs, Biologics, and Medical Devices. Regulatory affairs comprise the rules and regulations governing product development, as well as post-approval marketing. You will explore the responsibilities of a regulatory affairs specialist in the regulatory setting, and learn about the practical issues facing regulatory specialists as they work with local and international regulatory bodies on product approval.
A 13-week research-based Final Year Project programme, offered as an optional course for all Chemistry and Biological Chemistry undergraduate students. It is intended for students who have taken or will take the Professional Internship module and wish to gain academic research experience, or students who will take or have taken Honours Project 1 and wish to extend their projects.
Prerequisites: CM3061 and CM3062
13-week research-based Final Year Project programme, offered as an optional course for all Chemistry and Biological Chemistry undergraduates in their final year. The Final Year Project requires you to apply the knowledge and skills you have learned to an authentic research environment, to earn experience in solving real research problems, and facilitating the transition into your future vocation.
Prerequisites: CM3061 and CM3062
22-week Professional Internship programme, offered as an optional course for all Chemistry and Biological Chemistry undergraduate students in their final year. The Professional Internship requires you to apply the knowledge and skills you have learned to an authentic work environment, to gain exposure and develop practical industry experience and skills for your future selected vocation.
Prerequisites: CM3061 and CM3062
One semester of research activity in Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, culminating in a presentation and a comprehensive written report. The Final Year Project requires you to apply the knowledge and skills you have learned to an authentic research environment, to earn experience in solving real research problems, and facilitating the transition into your future vocation.
Prerequisites: CM3061 and CM3062
Internship in an approved chemical company or institution, offered as an optional course for all Chemistry and Biological Chemistry undergraduate students in their final year. The Professional Internship requires you to apply the knowledge and skills you have learned to an authentic work environment, to gain exposure and develop practical industry experience and skills for your future selected vocation.
Prerequisites: CM3061 and CM3062 (for students admitted in AY2019-20 and AY2020-21).
Prerequisites: CM3062 (for students admitted in AY2021-22 and later).
This 10-week Professional Attachment is offered as an Interdisciplinary Collaborative Core (ICC) course for all BSc in Chemistry & Biological Chemistry undergraduate students matriculated in AY2021-22 or later who are not intending to take up the longer 10 AU, 20-week Professional Internship (PI) and instead plan to take up the 10 AU final year research project (FYP).
The purpose of this Professional Attachment is to enable the application of knowledge and skills you have learned in a real world work environment. You will gain practical industry experiences and skills, and develop professional competencies that will enhance your readiness for the future workplace.
Prerequisites: Approval by the Division of Chemistry & Biological Chemistry
CM5071
First Undergraduate Research Opportunity in Chemistry and Biological Chemistry
4 AU | Special term | Unrestricted Elective
CM5072
Second Undergraduate Research Opportunity in Chemistry and Biological Chemistry
4 AU | Special Term | Unrestricted Elective
Research with one or more faculty members in Chemistry and Biological Chemistry.
Prerequisite: CM5071
CM5073
Third Undergraduate Research Opportunity in Chemistry and Biological Chemistry
4 AU | Special Term | Unrestricted Elective
Research with one or more faculty members in Chemistry and Biological Chemistry.
Prerequisite: CM5072
6-month internship with a startup company, located in a major global innovation hub (remote internship can be arranged if there are travel restrictions).
The Overseas Entrepreneurship Programme (OEP) allows entrepreneurially inclined students to intern at a startup company, so as to experience the process and challenges that entrepreneurs face in building and growing their companies. The startup companies are located in major global innovation hubs such as Silicon Valley, New York, Shanghai and Berlin. Students can also opt to work for a startup company that is based in Singapore, but with ambitions to grow their business globally.
Chemistry and Biological Chemistry: Graduate-Level Courses
Undergraduates may be allowed to read some graduate-level courses on a case-by-case basis. Please refer here for the graduate-level course listing and email the course coordinator(s) of the respective course(s).
The course will motivate you to work closely with data and make data-driven decisions in your field of study. The course will also touch upon ethical issues in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, and motivate you to explore the cutting-edge applications related to Big Data, Neural Networks and Deep Learning. Python will be the language of choice to introduce hands-on computational techniques.
This course provides an overview of chemical engineering and bioengineering, including career options after graduation. Industry speakers and alumni will share information on the industry landscape in Singapore, internship and career path preparation, and personal career journeys in chemical engineering and bioengineering.
Organic chemistry at the intermediate level, focusing on the fundamentals of bonding in organic compounds, and basic reactions of selected organic functional groups involving stereochemistry.
A foundational course on engineering mathematics, covering topics such as differential equations, linear algebra, vector calculus, probability, and mathematical statistics.
Prerequisite: MH1810
This course is aimed at students with an engineering background, and teaches the fundamentals of molecular and cell biology, biochemistry and biotechnology. It provides an overview of the biological science with emphasis on its relationship with biomedical engineering. Topics covered include the relationship between molecular structure and function, the dynamic character of cellular organelles, cellular interactions with microenvironment, mechanisms that regulate cellular activities, and practical applications of cell and molecular biology.
This course focuses on the material and energy balances in chemical processes, laying the foundation for other chemical engineering subjects such as thermodynamics, unit operations, and reaction kinetics. It introduces the engineering approach to problem solving: breaking a process down into its components, establishing the relations between known and unknown process variables, assembling the information needed to solve for the unknowns, and finally obtaining the solution using appropriate computational methods.
A laboratory course providing practical applications to reinforce theories and concepts taught in the first year of chemical and biomolecular engineering.
A laboratory course providing practical applications to reinforce theories and concepts taught in the first year of chemical and biomolecular engineering.
Introduction to the use of statistics and probability in engineering, including how to construct statistical models, and how to use these models to interpret data or make predictions.
Prerequisite: MH1810
Principles of fluid flow, including specific applications in chemical reactors, heat exchangers, and separation equipment such as distillation columns, fluidized beds, and filter beds.
Prerequisites: CB1117 and CH1104
This course take students with no prior experience of thinking in a computational manner to a point where they can derive simple algorithms and code programs to solve basic problems in chemical engineering.
Prerequisites: CB1117
Introduction to the conceptual forms of energy, ideal gases, and the laws of thermodynamics. The applications of thermodynamics are studied in terms of different phases and their coexistence via phase equilibria and mathematical formula, which are derived from the 1st and 2nd laws of thermodynamics. Phase equilibria criteria are introduced to understand the occurrence of the phase separation.
Prerequisite: CH1104
Fundamental concepts and theories of chemical reaction kinetics, and their use in reactor systems (e.g., ideal reactors, isothermal and heterogeneous catalytic reactors).
Prerequisites: CH1104, CH2108, and CH2123
Fundamental concepts in heat and mass transfer. You will learn how compute heat transfer rates and/or temperature distributions for processes involving heat and mass transfer, and how to develop representative models of real processes and system (e.g. heat exchanger, cooling tower). This course develops your ability to independently and critically analyse complex systems, and develop mathematical models to predict their behaviour.
This course covers thermodynamics at a more advanced level. It deals with thermodynamics concepts and principles for open flow systems, ideal and non-ideal gas and liquid mixtures, and to apply them on chemical engineering processes, in particular thermodynamics cycles, liquefaction, phase equilibria and chemical equilibria.
Prerequisites: CH1104, CB1117, and CH2108
This course is designed for students with an engineering background to learn particle processing and the separation techniques used for pharmaceutical and biological industries. It emphasizes the fundamental chemical engineering principles encountered in
gas-solid/liquid-solid systems, and provides an overview of different separation processes available for systems containing solids.
A laboratory course providing practical applications to reinforce theories and concepts taught in the second year of chemical and biomolecular engineering.
Engineers in the process industries are increasingly using biological systems for production and environmental management. This course introduces the key aspects of biochemical engineering, including fundamental concepts in biology (such as the basic structure and function of cells, enzyme structure and function, and basic molecular biology), and the principles of cell, genetic, and protein engineering.
Prerequisites: CH1104 and CB1131
Co-requisite: CH2114 and CH2112
A course on basic engineering business structure and economics, and how to identify and apply common decision tools for engineering business.
Modelling and controller design, and their application to process systems in chemical and petrochemical industries.
Prerequisites: CH1104, CH2112 and CH2114
Plant safety systems at an advanced level, and the fundamental tools used to design, manage, operate safely and to quantify risks in chemical and biological plants. This course teaches how systems can be engineered for error tolerance, not just prevention or mitigation.
Principles and fundamental concepts of separation processes, such as binary distillation, absorption and liquid-liquid extraction. Students expected to apply concepts on materials and energy balances as well as chemical engineering thermodynamics to develop, design, and evaluate the performance of these processes.
Prerequisites: CH1104, CH2108, and CH2123
A laboratory course providing practical applications to reinforce theories and concepts taught in the third year of chemical and biomolecular engineering.
The advent of the big data era has highlighted great new opportunities and challenges for statistical inference in manufacturing and daily life. To embrace big data (from an industrial manufacturing perspective), there is an urgent need to truly understand the core concepts and become capable of leveraging key algorithms/techniques/methodologies pertaining to data (big-data) statistics and computational inference, which is essential for extracting useful and valuable information for informed decision-making. This course will start with the core principles of data analytics and will equip you with the statistics and computational inference (including regression, dimensionality reduction, modeling) suitable for coping with big data case scenarios.
This course is expected to help students develop interpretation of easy-to-use techniques/algorithms/methods and equip the students with essential skills in addressing big data inference problems in the chemical and biomedical industries.
This course aims to introduce basic concepts in project management to the engineering students. This equips the engineers to improve their employability in the industry and helps in their career growth. Some of the key concepts such as project integration, scope management, project planning, project budget & cost management, project risks and opportunities, communication and conflict management shall be covered.
This course provides insight into drug formulation and the setting of quality specifications, including the process of bringing an active pharmaceutical ingredient into an effective and safe dosage form.
Introduction to drug actions, including administration, absorption, distribution, therapeutic effects, metabolism, and toxicity. Topics covered include the basic principles of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics, their interplay, and the implications for future drug design and targeted delivery.
Introduction to the hydrocarbon/refining/petrochemical industry. Students will learn about the standard key processes in a refinery and petrochemical complex; the fundamentals of each type of process and how to troubleshoot them; how to assess the impact of different mode of operations; Health, Safety, Environmental regulations in the industry; the economics and energy aspects of running a refinery and petrochemical complex; and how to apply simple calculations to optimize energy usage and profit for a site.
This course exposes you to real life industry problems encountered in the chemical, pharmaceutical, healthcare and other industry sectors. You will interact with engineers from industries and work in groups to tackle problems as case studies.
Fundamentals of bioseparation processes used in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and food industries. This course covers the principles, application and scale-up of bioseparation processes that scientists and engineers are most likely to encounter in laboratory and industrial settings. It also introduces new concepts and emerging technologies that are likely to benefit biochemical product recovery in the future.
BG4240/CH4305
Special Topics in Bioengineering/ Biotechnology (Engineering Materials for Biomedical Engineering)
3 AU
This course discusses how to apply fundamental materials science and
engineering principles to solve challenging problems in medical related
fields especially in implant and medical devices. It covers the various
problems in the applications of biomaterials, such as biocompabtibility,
wear, fatigue fracture, and tissue irritability; fundamental
structure-property relationships and issues such as wear and structural
integrity; host-tissue response, blood compatibility, control drug
release polymers, bioadhesion, biodegradation, protein
adsorption,
corrosion, orthopaedic and cardiovascular implants, stress shielding,
materials selection in artificial organs and medical device regulation.
The course utilizes case studies, special invited lectures, discussion,
literature research and problem base learning techniques.
Introduction to modern bioanalytical and analytical methods and techniques, which are used in the study of analytes including drugs, biopharmaceuticals, and cells. These approaches are an integral part of quantitative and qualitative analysis in chemical, biochemical and biomedical engineering. Students will learn how to interpret experimental data from different analytical techniques in biotechnology, and how to apply bioanalytical techniques and instrumentation for studying products resulting from biochemical and biological processes, products of metabolic activities, etc.
Introduction to intellectual property (IP) protection regimes in Singapore, covering copyright, patents, registered design, trademarks and trade secrets and the relevant legislation and legal principles. This course teaches how to identify, differentiate and apply various aspects of these IP regimes in connection with a business’s intellectual asset outputs. Particular emphasis is placed on the legal issues in relation to creation, protection, and exploitation of intellectual assets.
A seminar course on the food industry in Singapore, Asia and beyond. Prominent speakers from various Food MNCs, local SMEs, and regulatory bodies (SFA and/or WHO) will be invited to present every week on various topics and food issues. This will give you an opportunity to interact personally with food industry representatives, and develop a deeper understanding of food policies and issues around the world.
The course introduces the rapidly growing and innovative field of alternative proteins, which is developing advanced replacements for traditional meat products. You will gain an understanding of the core scientific principles and three main technologies in the field – cultivated meat, plant-based meat and fermentation. As part of the course, you will develop a research proposal to address a real-world challenge facing the industry. This course is designed for students with a background in biochemistry who are interested in this emerging, fast-growing industry.
Prerequisite: Study year 3 or 4.
This 20-week Professional Attachment programme is offered as a core course for all Bioengineering and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering undergraduate students in Year 3 and Year 4. The purpose of this Professional Attachment is to enable the application of knowledge and skills you have learned in the university in an authentic work environment. It is usually taken in study year 3.
Prerequisites: Completed 4 semesters
An independent research project providing you with an opportunity to apply the knowledge you have learnt, your intellectual abilities and practical skills to solving practical chemical engineering problems. These problems may take the form of an investigation or development of processes, products or techniques.
On completion of this course, students should be able to apply various chemical engineering principles and economic evaluation methods to design a chemical plant and synthesize process flow diagram with the aid of computer simulation software. In addition to the technical aspect, through working on a capstone project, students will be able to manage projects as a team successfully, and to write good technical reports and effective presentations.
Prerequisites: Core Chemical Engineering subjects (CH1104, CH2103, CH2108, CH2112, CH2114, CH3140)
This course is designed for students with an engineering background to learn the fundamentals of molecular and cell biology, biochemistry and biotechnology. It provides a comprehensive and concise overview of biological science with emphases on its relationship with biomedical engineering. Topics to be covered include the relationship between molecular structure and function, dynamic character of cellular organelles, cellular interactions with microenvironment, mechanisms that regulate cellular activities, and practical applications of cell and molecular biology.
This laboratory course provide practical applications to reinforce theories and concepts taught in the first year of the bioengineering programme.
This laboratory course provides practical applications to reinforce theories and concepts taught in the first year of the bioengineering programme.
This course covers the acquisition and extraction of information from biosystems, focusing on five main areas: (1) Fundamental ideas of signals and systems; (2) Identification and processing of different types of signals; (3) Comprehension and examination of signals acquired in infinitesimal and non-infinitesimal amounts of time; (4) Conception of signals and systems from a time and frequency standpoint; and (5) Signal extraction and noise reduction.
Introduction to the fundamentals of electronic devices, and the design of electronics circuits for biomedical applications.
As many biomedical diagnosis devices (e.g. ECG) and pharmaceutical treatments (e.g. drugs targeting on ion channels for heart diseases) are based on bioelectricity, this course will be useful for your future study (e.g. for courses such as Bioinstrumentation) and career in biomedical industry.
This course will provide you with the basic knowledge of human anatomy and physiology in the context of macroscopy and microscopic structure, mechanics and function. The focus is on the healthy body, with reference to diseases and ageing. It provides basic biological knowledge in human systems for bioengineering applications.
This course aims to support you to know and understand basic properties of biomaterials and methods so that we can manipulate them. You would also know the basic physiological consequences in relation to biomaterial implantation, and the methods for testing biomaterial compatibility. This knowledge is essential for biomedical engineers to work in biomedical fields.
This course aims to support you in learning the laws of thermodynamics, the ideal gas law and kinetic theory of gases. To learn basic relationships between enthalpy, entropy and the Gibbs Free energy, and their applications in chemical and biological
systems. To learn
the phase equilibria and behaviours of one- and two-component systems. To learn about reaction kinetics and mechanisms.
Fundamentals of statics of materials and biomechanics of cells/tissues. This course covers the relation between applied load and deformation, and the relation between stress and strain under different loading conditions for both biomaterials and biological systems (mainly cells and tissues).
This course takes students with no prior experience of thinking in a computational manner to the point of deriving simple algorithms and coding programs to solve basic problems in bioengineering.
Prerequisites: MH1810
This laboratory course provides practical applications to reinforce theories and concepts taught in the second year of the bioengineering programme.
This laboratory course provides practical applications to reinforce theories and concepts taught in the second year of the bioengineering programme.
This course covers the fundamentals of medical imaging and image processing techniques. It will introduce X-ray projection imaging, X-ray computed tomography (CT), nuclear imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, and optical imaging.
The course covers the principles, applications and design of medical instruments, devices, and techniques. Topics include measurements, sensors, biopotentials, bioelectrodes, noises and interferences, flow, temperature, pressure, displacement, etc.
This laboratory course provides practical applications to reinforce theories and concepts taught in the third year of the bioengineering programme.
This course aims to provide students the fundamentals of microfluidic and Lab-On-Chip technology, including the basic fluid mechanics theory, microfabrication for microfluidics, microfluidic flow control and system development. Function of microfluidics components, such as valves, pumps and mixers will be explained in details.
This course provides students with interest in medical innovation and entrepreneurship with a systematic scientific framework towards a commercialization pathway for biotechnology and medical devices. Entrepreneurship is not only a mindset, but can be taught as a skillset to significantly improve the odds of creating a successful and impactful ventures. The course is designed as an integrated toolbox by introducing key lean start-up fundamentals and presenting practical guides in customer discovery and market validation, MedTech product development and regulation, and business model design. These concepts will also be illustrated with selected case study of biotech and medtech start-ups.
A course on the principles of optics, focusing on the interactions between light and biological matter, and common optical spectroscopy and imaging techniques in biomedical optics.
Introduction to micro/nanotechnology and their applications in the biomedical field, including nanomedicine, medical diagnostics, pathways to molecular manufacturing, molecular transport, and nanosensors for medical applications.
Advanced topics in biomaterials, with a focus on soft, polymeric biomaterials for biomedical applications. Basic concepts and methodology on polymer synthesis, polymer physiochemical and biological characterization will be systematically introduced. Strategies for selection of polymer design to optimize their immuno-compatibility, biodegradability and optimal implant performance will also be illustrated via real-world clinical applications in medical devices, drug delivery, tissue engineering and consumer care. Students will also be briefly introduced to commercialization, clinical translation and regulatory issues related to biomaterial applications.
BG4240/CH4305
Special Topics in Bioengineering/ Biotechnology (Engineering Materials for Biomedical Engineering)
3 AU
This course discusses how to apply fundamental materials science and engineering principles to solve challenging problems in medical related fields especially in implant and medical devices. It covers the various problems in the applications of biomaterials, such as biocompabtibility, wear, fatigue fracture, and tissue irritability; fundamental structure-property relationships and issues such as wear and structural integrity; host-tissue response, blood compatibility, control drug release polymers, bioadhesion, biodegradation, protein
adsorption, corrosion, orthopaedic and cardiovascular implants, stress shielding, materials selection in artificial organs and medical device regulation. The course utilizes case studies, special invited lectures, discussion, literature research and problem base learning techniques.
Basic principles of drug delivery and tissue engineering, and the role of biomaterials in these applications. This course presents engineering analyses of drug delivery, along with biological and materials aspects of tissue engineering.
Knowledge of medical device regulatory affairs is critical for the development, commercialization, and distribution of safe and effective healthcare products. This course provides an overview of global medical device regulatory systems.
Introduction to intellectual property (IP) protection regimes in Singapore, covering copyright, patents, registered design, trade
marks and trade secrets and the relevant legislation and legal principles. This course teaches how to identify, differentiate and apply various aspects of these IP regimes in connection with a business’s intellectual asset outputs. Particular emphasis is placed on the legal issues in relation to creation, protection, and exploitation of intellectual assets.
A 20-week Professional Attachment programme offered as a core course for all Bioengineering and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering undergraduate students in Year 3 and Year 4. Usually taken in study year 3.
Prerequisite: Completed 4 semesters
A final year project providing the opportunity to apply the knowledge you have learnt, your intellectual abilities and practical skills to solving real bioengineering problems. These problems may take the form of an investigation or the development of engineering hardware, software, or both.
Prerequisite: Year 4