Master by Research | Earth and Environmental Science

MbR Projects 

We welcome applications across all of our research areas.  We encourage you to email faculty to discuss potential research directions and potential funding opportunities. The required thesis component may be a product of an academic-industry collaboration, subject to appropriate arrangement of sponsorship and research collaboration. Students are encouraged to self-identify scholarship and fellowship sources for full-time enrolment, or opportunities for employer-sponsorship for part-time enrolment.

Please click on this link to find out more on our research areas. You may email the principal investigator/supervisor to enquire about MbR project opportunities.

The application deadline for August intake is 31st January and January intake is 31st July.

Apply online via the NTU website

If you have any questions about the application process and requirements, please write to Ms Christina Tee at [email protected].

• The minimum requirement for admission is a Bachelor’s degree  in a science, engineering or social science programme. Relevant working experience (in a related industry or environmental science related applications) and leadership potential will also be taken into consideration.

• All applicants are required to submit their GRE test scores for the general test (GATE in lieu of GRE for applicants from India) in support of their applications. Test dates must be within 5 years or less from the date of application. In some circumstances, special arrangement can be made for selected good applicants to sit for Technical Proficiency Test (TPT) in place of GRE.

• International applicants for whom English is not their first language are required to submit their TOEFL/IELTS test scores as well. Test dates must be within 2 years or less from the date of your application. In some circumstances, special arrangement can be made for selected good applicants to sit for NTU’s English Proficiency Test (EPT) in place of TOEFL/IELTS.

All duly completed application forms must be submitted via the NTU online application system.

Questions or queries on the MbR program in ASE/EOS should be directed to Christina Tee at [email protected]

Candidature

The MbR is designed to be completed within two years of study. During the first year, students take courses and initiate research projects in consultation with a faculty advisor and optionally a co-advisor from an Industry or Agency research partner or sponsor. During the first year, they also complete a proposal for their thesis content, which is evaluated and approved by their advisor(s). Students are required to complete 9 Academic Units of classes during their MbR, which roughly translates to around three courses. Students who have graduated with a BSc from ASE may request an exception to replace the required communications module with an additional elective or the required ASE elective with an out of school elective. 

MbR Timeline

• By the end of the first academic year (second semester): the student submits to the Associate Chair for Research: (1) Their MbR research proposal, with approval from their faculty advisor (2), a list of courses planned to satisfy the MbR requirement.
• By the end of the second academic year: (1) satisfactory completion of all course requirements; (2) submission of a written thesis consisting of 1 publication quality manuscript.
• If warranted, the student may request an extension of up to one year from the Associate Chair for Research.

Advising and Thesis Supervision

A supervisor will be assigned to each incoming student. This supervisor serves as a mentor and advisor with broad responsibility for a student's academic welfare throughout the graduate program. The supervisor is responsible for guiding students through the academic program, including course work, and completing ASE requirements and prerequisites. Supervisors are chosen from the student’s area of interest. 

During the first year, every graduate student will take ES 7003. Two additional elective courses should be completed by the end of the 2^nd year. One elective should be from ASE’s graduate course offerings, and another may be from graduate offerings outside ASE, subject to cross-registration approval. Throughout their graduate careers, students are expected to attend departmental seminars and seminar courses led by visiting scientists.

Thesis Examination

The student must submit a complete draft of their thesis to the advisor(s) at least two months in advance of the external examination deadline.

Revisions requested by the advisor(s) must be completed and submitted for final approval prior to submission of the thesis for final assessment. The final thesis assessment will be carried out by two examiners, who may be faculty of ASE, or external, excluding the candidate’s advisor(s).

If the student does not pass the thesis examination, subject to the recommendation of the thesis advisors and the approval of the Associate Chair for Research, the student may revise the thesis and undergo another examination within six months.

Admission

If you think that we might be a good fit for you, the first step is to learn about the research that happens here. Please take some time to look through the faculty research webpages, and identify faculty whose interests may align with yours. The first step to applying is to contact potential faculty mentors, who can tell you more about their research programmes and work with you to see if you might be a good match. Once you have identified a potential faculty mentor, you can work with them, along with our graduate services officer to submit your application.

• The minimum requirement for admission is a Bachelor’s degree.
• All applicants are required to submit their GRE test scores for the general test (GATE in lieu of GRE for applicants from India) in support of their applications. Test dates must be within 5 years or less from the date of your application. Special arrangements can be made for selected applicants to sit for Technical Proficiency Test (TPT) in place of GRE.
• International applicants for whom English is not their first language are required to submit their TOEFL/IELTS test scores as well. Test dates must be within 2 years or less from the date of your application. Special arrangements can be made for selected applicants to sit for NTU’s English Proficiency Test (EPT) in place of TOEFL/IELTS.

There are two intakes of graduate students every year in January and August. The deadline for the submission of applications is 31st January for August intake and 31st July for next year January intake. All applications must go through the online system of the Office of Admission.

Click here to apply online for graduate programs by research. Please note the following selections when completing your online application form:

• Under Program Applied For > Program Applied – Select "Asian School of the Environment: Programme code [280] Master’s by Research (ASE)" 

Applicants are strongly encouraged to visit the project site of the ASE and contact faculty to discuss possible MbR topics. Applicants who do not contact faculty before applying are unlikely to be admitted to the program.