Engineering with a Second Major in Society and Urban Systems


Environmental, urban planning and policy issues figure prominently in the world today. In particular, the growing complexity in city planning and development, as well as the sustainability of natural and urban ecosystems has been put into question by environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity, demographic change, consumption patterns, and depletion of – or lack of access to – resources. 

The Bachelor of Engineering with a Second Major in Society and Urban Systems programme, jointly offered by the College of Engineering (CoE) and College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (CoHASS), offers students an insightful interdisciplinary study on contemporary urban systems. Students will acquire understanding and develop appreciation for the rationale and processes behind the emergence, growth and evolution of the urban built environment from its natural environment. 

In addition to engineering and technological aspects, students will also engage with the social, political, economic and cultural considerations of urban systems planning and policy-making. Courses covered will include physical and environmental studies, planning and project management, as well as understanding the multifaceted causes, consequences, and costs of complex urban challenges - with a view towards integrating, synthesising and developing perspectives and solutions for a sustainable urban built environment and improved quality of life.

   
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE AND OPTIONS
 

The structure of the Bachelor of Engineering with a Second Major in Society and Urban Systems programme integrates the requirements of both majors within the normal candidature of 4 years. Students can choose from 4 programme options below:

 

For their Second Major in Society and Urban Systems, students will take 4 Foundation Core Courses and select Specialised Elective Courses from 3 areas – Urban Economics and Public Policy, Society and Culture, and Water and Environmental Management. 

Foundation Core Courses (4 Courses, 12AU)
 
1.  HE5091 Principles of Economics+
2.  SU2001 Urban Planning and Design
3.  SU3001 Integrated Urban Management
4.  SU4001 Leaders in Urban Systems and Policy
 
+ Prerequisite for all HE, HH, HG, HS and HY specialised elective courses offered by CoHASS below.
 
Specialised Elective Courses (6 Courses, 18AU)
 
(A)     Urban Economics and Public Policy (Choose 3, 9AU)
  • HE3021 Development Economics
  • HE3022 Public Economics
  • HE3031 Industrial Organization and Business Strategies
  • HE3024 Environmental Economics
  • HE3025 Health Economics
  • HE3026 Urban Economics^ 
  • HE4041 Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • HS2003 Economy and Society
  • HS2019 Sociology of Science & Technology
  • HS2022 Population & Society
  • HS2023 Environmental Sociology
  • HS3015 Development and Social Change
 
     

         ^ Good knowledge of economics analytical tools is required. 

(B)     Society and Culture (Choose 2, 6AU)  
  • HH1004 Science and Technology in Historical Perspective
  • HH2001 Singapore: The Making of a Cosmopolitan City State
  • HG2020 Language in Society
  • HG2021 ​Intercultural Communication
  • HS1001 Person and Society
  • HS1003 Social Problems in a Global Context
  • HS2007 Understanding Globalization
  • HS2008 Social Class and Inequality
  • HS2011 Ethnicity and Ethnic Relations
  • HS2013 Migration & Multiculturalism
  • HY2008 Environmental Ethnics
 
 
(C)     Water and Environmental Management (Choose 1, 3AU) 
  • EM5101 Environmental Quality
  • EM5104 Air Quality Management
  • EM5105 Energy Resources Management
  • EM5106 Environmental Impact Assessment (course is withdrawn) 
  • EM5107/ EN2005 Environmental Health and Safety Management

 

 

Academic Unit Requirements 

Integrating the Academic Unit (AU) requirements for both majors, the total AU requirement for the Bachelor of Engineering with Second Major in Society and Urban Systems is appended in the table below.

Table 1a: Total AU Requirements for Bachelor of Engineering (CEE, EEE and ENE) with a Second Major in Society and Urban Systems

Course Category   PI   PA
Major in Engineering83/84*83/84*
Interdisciplinary Collaborative Core  -  Common Core1717
Interdisciplinary Collaborative Core  -  Foundational Core1510
Second Major in Society and Urban Systems3030
Total145/146*140/141*


Table 1b: Total AU Requirements for Bachelor of Engineering (ME) with a Second Major in Society and Urban Systems

Course Category   PI   PA
Major in Engineering85/86*85/86*
Interdisciplinary Collaborative Core  -  Common Core1717
Interdisciplinary Collaborative Core  -  Foundational Core1510
Second Major in Society and Urban Systems3030
Total147/148*142/143*

* Students without H2 Level Physics will take PH1012 Physics A (4 AU).

Note:
PI - Professional Internship (20 weeks)
PA - Professional Attachment (10 weeks)

 

Foundation Core Courses (4 Courses)
 
1.  HE9091 Principles of Economics+
2.  SU2001 Urban Planning and Design
3.  SU3001 Integrated Urban Management
4.  SU4001 Leaders in Urban Systems and Policy
 
+ Prerequisite for all HE, HH, HG, HS and HY specialised elective courses offered by CoHASS below.
 
Specialised Elective Courses (6 Courses)
 
(A)     Urban Economics and Public Policy (Choose 3)
  • HE2010 Development Economics
  • HE2021 Public Economics
  • HE2022 Industrial Organization and Business Strategies
  • HE3604 Health Economics
  • HE3005 Environmental Economics
  • HE3011 Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • HE3013 Urban Economics^ 
  • HS2003 Economy and Society
  • HS2019 Science, Technology and Society
  • HS2022 Population & Society
  • HS2023 Environmental Sociology
  • HS3015 Development and Social Change
 
     

         ^ Good knowledge of economics analytical tools is required. 

(B)     Society and Culture (Choose 2)  
  • HH1004 Science and Technology in Historical Perspective
  • HH2001 Singapore: The Making of a Cosmopolitan City State
  • HG2020 Language in Society
  • HG2021 ​Intercultural Communication
  • HS1001 Person and Society
  • HS1003 Social Problems in a Global Context
  • HS2007 Understanding Globalization
  • HS2008 Social Class and Inequality
  • HS2011 Ethnicity and Ethnic Relations
  • HS2013 Migration & Multiculturalism
  • HS8019 Living in Contemporary Cities
  • HY2008 Environmental Ethnics
 
 
(C)     Water and Environmental Management (Choose 1) 
  • EM5101/EM9101 Environmental Quality
  • EM5104/EM9104 Air Quality Management
  • EM5105/EM9105 Energy Resources Management
  • EM5106/EM9106 Environmental Impact Assessment
  • EM5107/EM9107 Environmental Health and Safety Management

 

Academic Unit Requirements 

Integrating the Academic Unit (AU) requirements for both majors, the total AU requirement for the Bachelor of Engineering with Second Major in Society and Urban Systems is 146/147 AU, including 30 AU for the second major.

Table 1a: Total AU Requirements for Bachelor of Engineering with a Second Major in Society and Urban Systems (with Professional Internship)
 
Majo​​r       AU    
Engineering​116/117*
  Core & Major Prescribed Electives102/103*
  GER-Core14
Second Major in Society and Urban Systems30
Total146/147*

Table 1b: Total AU Requirements for Bachelor of Engineering with a Second Major in Society and Urban Systems (with Professional Attachment)
 
Majo​​r       AU      
Engineering​116/117*
  Core & Major Prescribed Electives97/98*
  GER-Core14
​  Unrestricted Electives​5
​Second Major in Society and Urban Systems​30
Total146/147*
 * Students without H2 Level Physics will take PH1012 Physics A (4 AU).
 
 
Table 2b: AU Requirements for Second Major in Society and Urban Systems  
Second Major in Society and Urban SystemsAU
Foundation Courses (4 courses)
1.  Principles of Economics
2 . Urban Planning and Design
3.  Leaders in Urban Systems and Policy
4.  Integrated Urban Management
12
Specialised Courses (6 courses)    
 
i.   Urban Economics and Public Policy (3 courses)
ii.  Society and Culture (2 courses)
iii.  Water and Environmental Management (1 courses)
18
Total​​30


For the detailed curriculum specific to your chosen Engineering major, please follow the hyperlinks from the section on Programme Options above.   

Foundation Core Courses (4 Courses)
 
1.  HE9091 Principles of Economics+
2.  SU2001 Urban Planning and Design
3.  SU3001 Integrated Urban Management
4.  SU4001 Leaders in Urban Systems and Policy
 
+ Prerequisite for all HE, HH, HG, HS and HY specialised elective courses offered by CoHASS below.
 
  
Specialised Elective Courses (8 Courses)
  
(A)     Urban Economics and Public Policy (Choose 3)
  • HE2010 Development Economics
  • HE2021 Public Economics
  • HE2022 Industrial Organization and Business Strategies
  • HE3004/ HE3604 Health Economics
  • HE3005 Environmental Economics
  • HE3011 Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • HE3013 Urban Economics^
 
  • HS2003 Economy and Society
  • HS2019 Science, Technology and Society
  • HS2022 Population & Society
  • HS2023 Environmental Sociology

  • HS3015 Development and Social Change

    •  
         ^ Good knowledge of economics analytical tools is required. 
  
(B)     Society and Culture (Choose 3)  
  • HH1004 Science and Technology in Historical Perspective
  • HH2001 Singapore: The Making of a Cosmopolitan City State
  • HG2020 Language in Society
  • HG2021 ​Intercultural Communication
  • HS1001 Person and Society
  • HS1003 Social Problems in a Global Context
  • HS2007 Understanding Globalization
  • HS2008 Social Class and Inequality
  • HS2011 Ethnicity and Ethnic Relations
  • HS2013 Migration & Multiculturalism
  • HS8019 Living in Contemporary Cities
  • HY2008 Environmental Ethnics
 
 
(C)     Water and Environmental Management (Choose 2) 
  • EM5101/EM9101 Environmental Quality
  • EM5104/EM9104 Air Quality Management
  • EM5105/EM9105 Energy Resources Management
  • EM5106/EM9106 Environmental Impact Assessment
  • EM5107/EM9107 Environmental Health and Safety Management

 

Academic Unit Requirements

Integrating the Academic Unit (AU) requirements for both majors, the total AU requirement for the Bachelor of Engineering with Second Major in Society and Urban Systems is 152/153 AU, including 36 AU for the second major.

 
Table 1a: Total AU Requirements for Bachelor of Engineering with a Second Major in Society and Urban Systems (with Professional Internship)
 
Majo​​r       AU    
Engineering​116/117*
  Core & Major Prescribed Electives102/103*
  GER-Core14 
Second Major in Society and Urban Systems36
Total152/153* 
 
 
Table 1b: Total AU Requirements for Bachelor of Engineering with a Second Major in Society and Urban Systems (with Professional Attachment)
 
Majo​​r       AU      
Engineering​116/117*
  Core & Major Prescribed Electives97/98*
  GER-Core14
​  Unrestricted Electives​5
​Second Major in Society and Urban Systems​36
Total152/153* 
* Students without H2 Level Physics will take PH1012 Physics A (4 AU).
 
 
Table 2b: AU Requirements for Second Major in Society and Urban Systems  
Second Major in Society and Urban SystemsAU
Foundation Courses (4 courses)
1.  Principles of Economics
2 . Urban Planning and Design
3.  Leaders in Urban Systems and Policy
4.  Integrated Urban Management
12
Specialised Courses (8 courses)    
 
i.   Urban Economics and Public Policy (3 courses)
ii.  Society and Culture (3 courses)
iii.  Water and Environmental Management (2 courses)
24
Total​​36

For the detailed curriculum specific to your chosen Engineering major, please follow the hyperlinks from the section on Programme Options above.      

 

Foundation Core Courses (4 Courses)
 
1.  HE9091 Principles of Economics+
2.  SU2001 Urban Planning and Design
3.  SU3001 Integrated Urban Management
4.  SU4001 Leaders in Urban Systems and Policy
 
+ Prerequisite for all HE, HH, HG, HS and HY specialised elective courses offered by CoHASS below.
 
  
Specialised Elective Courses (8 Courses)
  
(A)     Urban Economics and Public Policy (Choose 3)
  • HE2010 Development Economics
  • HE2021 Public Economics
  • HE2022 Industrial Organization and Business Strategies
  • HE3004/ HE3604 Health Economics
  • HE3005 Environmental Economics
  • HE3011 Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • HE3013 Urban Economics^
 
  • HS2003 Economy and Society
  • HS2019 Science, Technology and Society
  • HS2022 Population & Society
  • HS2023 Environmental Sociology

  • HS3015 Development and Social Change

    •  
         ^ Good knowledge of economics analytical tools is required. 
  
(B)     Society and Culture (Choose 3)  
  • HH1004 Science and Technology in Historical Perspective
  • HH2001 Singapore: The Making of a Cosmopolitan City State
  • HG2020 Language in Society
  • HG2021 ​Intercultural Communication
  • HS1001 Person and Society
  • HS1003 Social Problems in a Global Context
  • HS2007 Understanding Globalization
  • HS2008 Social Class and Inequality
  • HS2011 Ethnicity and Ethnic Relations
  • HS2013 Migration & Multiculturalism
  • HS8019 Living in Contemporary Cities
  • HY2008 Environmental Ethnics
 
 
(C)     Water and Environmental Management (Choose 2) 
  • EM9101 Environmental Quality
  • EM9104 Air Quality Management
  • EM9105 Energy Resources Management
  • EM9106 Environmental Impact Assessment
  • EM9107 Environmental Health and Safety Management

 
Academic Unit Requirements

Integrating the Academic Unit (AU) requirements for both majors, the total AU requirement for the Bachelor of Engineering with Second Major in Society and Urban Systems is 150/151 AU, including 36 AU for the second major.

 
Table 1a: Total AU Requirements for Bachelor of Engineering with a Second Major in Society and Urban Systems (with Professional Internship)
 
Majo​​r       AU
Engineering​114/115*
  Core & Major Prescribed Electives102/103*
  GER-Core12
Second Major in Society and Urban Systems36
Total150/151* 
 
 
Table 1b: Total AU Requirements for Bachelor of Engineering with a Second Major in Society and Urban Systems (with Professional Attachment)
 
Majo​​r       AU      
Engineering​114/115*
  Core & Major Prescribed Electives97/98*
  GER-Core12
​  Unrestricted Electives​5
​Second Major in Society and Urban Systems​36
Total150/151* 
* Students without H2 Level Physics will take PH1012 Physics A (4 AU).
 
 
Table 2b: AU Requirements for Second Major in Society and Urban Systems  
Second Major in Society and Urban SystemsAU
Foundation Courses (4 courses)
1.  Principles of Economics
2 . Urban Planning and Design
3.  Leaders in Urban Systems and Policy
4.  Integrated Urban Management
12
Specialised Courses (8 courses)    
 
i.   Urban Economics and Public Policy (3 courses)
ii.  Society and Culture (3 courses)
iii.  Water and Environmental Management (2 courses)
24
Total​​36

 For the detailed curriculum specific to your chosen Engineering major, please follow the hyperlinks from the section on Programme Options above.      

 

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

Candidates must meet the entry requirements of the respective Bachelor of Engineering programme, including the minimum subject requirements. Please refer to the Office of Admissions for more information.   

    
   

TUITION FEES AND SCHOLARSHIPS

The tuition fees for the Bachelor of Engineering with a Second Major in Society and Urban Systems programme will be pegged to the fees for the Bachelor of Engineering programmes. Eligible students may also be considered for scholarships that include fully-paid subsidised tuition fees and living allowances. Scholarship terms and conditions apply. For more information on tuition fees and scholarships, please see Office of Admissions.

  

GRADUATION

Graduates of the Bachelor of Engineering with a Second Major in Society and Urban Systems programme will be awarded a Bachelor of Engineering in their chosen Engineering major with an additional certificate for the Second Major in Society and Urban Systems.

 

CAREERS


A Bachelor of Engineering fundamentally lays a firm and strong foundation for lifelong careers, ultimately offering students one degree but many choices. The interdisciplinary Second Major in Society and Urban Systems further adds value and provides students the impetus to broad and diverse career options in the built environment sector: 
•     Sustainable Urban Development and Built Environment
•     Economic Development, Housing and Real Estate
•     Environmental Integration
•     Transportation Management
•     Sustainable Resource Management
•     International Development
•     Consultancy
•     Management
•     Education
•     Research
 

In addition to the private sector, graduates can look forward to a plethora of career opportunities and professional development in the public sector including the following public agencies:

 
 
 ACCREDITATION
 
All Bachelor of Engineering programmes at NTU College of Engineering are accredited by The Institution of Engineers Singapore, the Singapore signatory of the Washington Accord​, through its Engineering Accreditation Board. The Washington Accord is an international agreement for mutual recognition of the substantial equivalence of engineering academic programmes in satisfying the academic requirements for the practice of engineering at the professional level.

 

INFORMATION AND ENQUIRIES

For more programme information or enquiries, please refer to our contact list here.


Information is accurate at the time of publication. The programme options, curricula and courses offered above are for students admitted from Academic Year 2021-2022. Students admitted earlier should check with their respective schools for the applicable curricula and courses. The University reserves the right to update any of the programme options and curricula without prior notice and obligation.