Course Exemptions

General Information

All applicants that accept a place in the Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences degree programme (with and without ABP status) will be automatically assessed for exemption eligibility. The eligible undergraduates will then be notified about the exemptions before the start of the first semester.

Please note that after being offered with exemptions from Year 1 courses, you may choose to decline the exemption and register for the course(s) without penalty.

Students who are awarded with course exemptions can choose to: take additional elective courses that may contribute to a minor; take later year courses in earlier semesters; or spend additional time on extra-curricular activities such as involvement in various campus clubs and societies.

Course Exemptions for Students with A Level Qualifications

Exemptions from selected Year 1 courses will be offered to students in the Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences degree programme who have meet the criteria listed below. A maximum of three exemptions from Year 1 courses will be awarded.

Qualifications Exemption Criteria
SINGAPORE CAMBRIDGE GCE 'A' LEVEL
H3 Chemistry BS1012 Foundations of Chemistry I
BS1013 Foundations of Chemistry II 		Distinction or Merit
H3 BiologyBS1007 Molecular & Cell Biology IDistinction or Merit
Other H3 Subjects Exemptions will be granted on case-by-case basis Distinction or Merit
LOCAL POLYTECHNIC DIPLOMAExemptions from selected Year 1 core modules will be offered to students in the Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences degree programme on a case-by-case basis. Exemptions will be based on academic merit and relevance of polytechnic courses completed. Students admitted may be granted exemption from up to 3 Year 1 core modules.  
NUS HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA Qualifications BS1012 Foundations of Chemistry I
BS1013 Foundations of Chemistry II 		Through Exemption Test
Overall CAP in Chemistry > 4.50
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE DIPLOMA Qualifications
  		BS1012 Foundations of Chemistry I
BS1013 Foundations of Chemistry II 		Through Exemption Test
Students with subject grade of 7 may apply to take the exemption test. Exemption is only granted to those who pass the Exemption Test.
INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIADS
  		BS1012 Foundations of Chemistry I
BS1013 Foundations of Chemistry II 		Through Exemption Test
 
International Olympiad Medalist (Chemistry)
 
SM2 BS1012 Foundations of Chemistry I
BS1013 Foundations of Chemistry II 		Through Exemption Test
 

Note: Exemption for BS1012 & BS1013 will not be applicable for students with 2nd major in Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology and 2nd major in Biomedical Structural Biology. 

Exempted courses are listed with an “EX” grade in the degree transcript. They do not count toward CGPA calculations, but the earned Academic Units contribute toward graduation requirements. NTU requires at least 69 AU of letter-graded courses, and at least 3 academic years of study, for the conferral of an undergraduate degree. Exempted courses are considered non-graded courses.