Doctor of Philosophy | Chemistry

PhD

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Programme Type

Full-time, Part-time

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A rigorous PhD programme in Chemistry combining advanced coursework with research experience.

Chemistry PhD students take advanced courses focusing on active research topics, and perform research under the supervision of a faculty member. The programme culminates in writing and defending a scientific thesis before a panel of scientific experts.

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There are two intakes each year - August or January. Applicants are advised to upload their applications 4 months before their desired intake.  Intake in August or January is subjected to the school's selection and recommendation. The University reserves the right to admit applicants in other semesters.  
 
Eligibility Criteria for Admission into Postgraduate Programmes:

Applicants from Local Universities
Applicants from autonomous universities in Singapore must have a relevant Bachelor’s degree with at least Honours (Distinction) or better. Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE), Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and International English Language Testing System (IELTS) need not be provided.

Applicants from Overseas Universities (based on the first degree)
Applicants from overseas universities must have a relevant Bachelor’s degree with at least 2nd Upper Honours or better.

Applicants from universities in China must have an average grade of 80 or above for the relevant Bachelor’s degree.

Applicants from universities in India must have 1st Class Honours for the relevant Bachelor’s degree.

All applicants from overseas universities must provide GRE and TOEFL scores. Applicants from India may use GATE to replace GRE. IELTS may be used in place of TOEFL.

GRE requirements (validity of 5 years from date of application):
Minimum GRE Verbal Reasoning Measure (V) and Quantitative Reasoning Measure (Q) scores must be equivalent to or more than 149 for each category. Applicants with total GRE scores (V + Q) equivalent to or more than 319 are strongly encouraged to apply.

Minimum GRE Analytical Writing Measure score (AW) must be equivalent to or more than 3.5.

GATE requirements (validity of 3 years from date of application):
Minimum GATE percentile score must be equivalent to or more than 90%.

TOEFL requirements (validity of 2 years from date of application):

Minimum TOEFL score must be equivalent to or more than:

  • 600 for paper-based test
  • 250 for computer-based test
  • 100 for internet-based test
IELTS requirements (validity of 2 years from date of application):
Minimum IELTS score must be equivalent to or more than 6.5.

The TOEFL/IELTS requirements may be waived if the applicant can prove that English was used as the medium of instruction during tertiary studies. The documentary proof is usually in a form of a letter or certificate.
Official original test scores are not required during the application stage. However, if successfully accepted, the applicant must produce original hardcopy documents during matriculation in NTU.

For more information on the Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA), please visit this link.

We emphasize that the selection process is competitive. Meeting all prior requirements does not guarantee selection. All applicants will be holistically evaluated based on the submitted research proposal, research and work experience, and other relevant experiences.   

 

Applications for admission must be submitted online. For more information, please click on Research Programmes Admissions Guide. 

PhD Coursework Components

  • 16 AUs (4 AU Graduate Seminar Course, min 8AU from CCEB Science courses, max 4AU can be from other Schools with CGPA 3.5)
  • Graduate English (HWG703)* & University Teaching for Teaching Assistants (HWG702)*
  • Research Interdisciplinary Collaborative Core (PGR ICC) Course – to be completed in Yr1 Sem1

*  For full time PhD students only

    CoS Transferable Skills Programme

    • HWG704 (3 AU) and 3-minute thesis (3MT)
    • CoS Research Integrity Workshop (before QE, held annually in October)
    • CoS Diversity Workshop (optional, held annually in January)

    Research Component

    • Qualifying examination & confirmation 
    • Submission of thesis for examination
    • PhD oral examination

    Programme Structure

    • All candidates will commence as Research Students in the first instance. Subsequently, the candidate will be required to pass the Qualifying Examination and Confirmation Exercise in order to be confirmed as a PhD candidate or MSc candidate. 
    • The candidate will pursue the research work under the supervision of the supervisor and submit for examination a thesis based on the research work done.  The candidate must keep in frequent and regular contact with the supervisor regarding the research throughout the candidature period. 
    • The candidate is required to attend classes and pass the examination to meet the coursework requirements such as Academic Unit (AU) and Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA).   
    • Candidates are required to complete all the coursework and undergo a Qualifying Examination cum Confirmation Exercise within the period stipulated.  
    • Upon completion of the research, the candidate is required to submit the thesis in a form ready and acceptable for examination before the expiry of the maximum candidature. 
    • In addition to being examined on the thesis, a candidate for the degree of PhD must pass an oral examination) on the subject matter of the thesis and other related subjects.