MSc in Precision Scientific Instrumentation

           
MSPSI Aug Intake Banner AY 25

The Master of Science in Precision Scientific Instrumentation programme is a postgraduate coursework-based programme on advanced technical instrumentation. It covers the principles and operation of instruments used in the physical sciences and high-tech manufacturing.

Quantitative measurements are performed in every area of science, engineering and technology. High-tech enterprises rely on a variety of precision scientific instruments for the design, development, and manufacturing of new products. This postgraduate programme incorporates coursework from multiple scientific and engineering disciplines, including solid-state physics, microelectronics, optoelectronics, and materials science. Emphasis is placed on understanding the fundamental physical principles behind modern scientific instrumentation.

This postgraduate programme is suitable for recent graduates as well as working professionals in the semiconductor industry and other advanced manufacturing industries (non-volatile memory, photonics, etc.). With the ongoing boom in demand for talent in these industries, both in Singapore and around the world, the skills and knowledge taught in this programme are more valuable than ever.

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The MSc in Precision Scientific Instrumentation (MSPSI) Programme is an intensive one-year full-time or two-year part-time programme by coursework taught in 3 trimesters per academic year. The curriculum comprises four specialisations: Nanotechnology, Chip Technology, Optoelectronics and Quantum Technology.​​ The courses are delivered in intensive periods of 12 weeks. All courses are conducted at the NTU main campus evenings (6:30 PM-10 PM) on weekdays or Saturdays (9:30 AM-1 PM, 2 PM-5:30 PM or Full day).

The programme consists of a total of 32 Academic Units (AU), with 8 AU of compulsory courses, 9 AU from the chosen specialisation (Prescribed Electives), and 15 AU from other Electives courses:


Compulsory Courses (8 AU) 
Compulsory courses8 AU
Elective Courses (9+15 AU)
Prescribed Electives of the chosen specialisation*  9 AU
Unrestricted Electives15 AU
Total32 AU

*Prescribed Elective courses of one specialisation could be Unrestricted Elective courses of another specialisation.

Note:

Successful completion of all coursework requirements, with a minimum CGPA of 2.50, is required for completion of the programme.

 

Course List

 

Compulsory Courses

PH6601 Solid-State Electronic Devices4 AU
PH6701 Precision Instrumentation Laboratory4 AU

 

Prescribed Electives Courses

 
Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology in the semiconductor industry has opened new possibilities for developing smaller, more powerful, and more efficient electronic devices. As research in this area continues, we expect to see further advancements. Nanotechnology has significant potential in precision engineering and is expected to play an increasingly important role in developing high-precision components and devices.

PH6403 Physics of Surfaces and Interfaces3 AU
PH6404 Physics of Low Dimensional Structures3 AU
PH6711 Applied Solid State Physics3 AU

 

Chip Technology

Advancements in chip technology have enabled the development of increasingly powerful and efficient electronic devices. As the demand for smaller and more powerful devices continues to grow, the semiconductor industry must innovate and develop new chip technologies to meet these demands.

PH6717 Experimental Methodology in Solid State Physics3 AU
PH6739 Digital Electronics3 AU
PH6747 Magnetism and Spintronics Devices3 AU

 

Optoelectronics

The semiconductor industry is continuously innovating and developing new optoelectronic devices and technologies. Nanotechnology has opened up new possibilities for developing optoelectronic devices with greater efficiency and functionality, playing a crucial role in the semiconductor industry. It is expected to continue to grow and evolve in the future.

PH6730 Advanced Techniques for Spectroscopic Research and Engineering3 AU
PH6732 Optoelectronic Technology3 AU
PH6733 Silicon Photonic Chip Technology3 AU

 

Quantum Technology

Quantum technology is expected to significantly shape future trends in various fields, including computing, communication, sensing, and cryptography. It involves the development and application of quantum systems, devices, and algorithms. As the field of quantum technology continues to mature, It can expect to see new applications and technologies that leverage the power of quantum mechanics to solve some of the semiconductor industry's most pressing problems.

PH6651 Quantum Information and Quantum Computation3 AU
PH6652 Quantum Devices for Quantum Communication and Sensing3 AU
PH6653 Quantum Mysteries and Quantum Mechanics3 AU

 

Unrestricted Electives Courses

PH6654 Quantum Optics
3 AU
PH6718 Graduate Professional Internship3 AU
PH6723 Computational Methods in Physics3 AU
PH6725 AI for Sciences3 AU
PH6760 Scientific Communication3 AU
PH6780 Supervised Research Project3 AU
MH6151 Data Mining3 AU
MH6301 Information Retrieval and Analysis3 AU
MH6812 Advanced Natural Language Processing with Deep Learning3 AU
MH6311 Stochastic Processes for Data Science1.5 AU
MH6321 Statistical Modelling and Data Analysis1.5 AU
MH6351 Web Analytics1.5 AU
MH6803 Python Programming1.5 AU
MH6804 Python for Data Analysis1.5 AU

 

Academic Year 2024/2025

For Trimester Calendar (for Graduate Programmes only), please click here

Admission Requirements

  • A good Bachelor’s degree in a quantitative programme such as physics, engineering, materials science, etc.
  • A TOEFL score of 85 or more, or IELTS score of 6.0 or more, for graduates from universities in which English is not the medium of instruction.
  • A Good GRE or GMAT score is preferred but not required.
  • All recommendation letters or referee reports are (no longer accepted)

Refer to the Coursework Programmes Admission Guide for the general requirements for admission. 

NOTE: Complete set of supporting documents (must be legible) have to be uploaded via the fully digital application portal. Do not send a hardcopy admission package unless requested.

Application Procedure and Timeline

1st Intake
AY25/26 

Course Commencement: 4 August 2025
Application Window: 1 August 2024 - 28 February 2025
Application link: Apply online here

Note:

Conditional offer letters are issued on a rolling basis.
*The processing time will be lesser than 30 days for highly qualified applicants.

2nd Intake
AY25/26

Course Commencement: Tentatively November 2025/January 2026
Application Window: Tentatively 1 March 2025 to 31 May 2025


Check Application/Result Status
Owing to a large number of applicants, we are unable to attend to phone or email enquiries on application status/results. Click here to check your application status after you have made a successful online payment.

 

Medical Check-Up

Enrolling students must go to the Medical Centre in NTU to do the medical check-up and obtain a receipt certifying that they are medically fit for studies. This certification must be presented before matriculation.

The tuition fees for Academic Year 2024/25 are as follows:

Tuition FeesS$45,780
Deposit FeesS$5,450 – This amount will be deducted from the first billing.
Payment Schedule

Full-time students will be billed in three trimesters;
Part-time students will be billed in six trimesters.

*All fees shown are inclusive of 9% prevailing GST.

Please note the following:

1. All fees shown are inclusive of the prevailing Goods and Service Tax (GST).
2. The above fees are based on the shortest candidature period. Additional fees will be determined and applied on a case-by-case basis.
3. There is an application fee of S$50.
4. A one-time miscellaneous fee will be billed every academic year. Please click here for details.
5. Tuition fees do not include the cost of recommended textbooks and other course materials. The costs of travel, accommodation and miscellaneous expenses must be borne by the student.
6. All grants will be distributed evenly across the entire billing period, whether it is 3 trimesters for full-time students or 6 trimesters for part-time students. The tuition fee will be paid in three installments at the beginning of each trimester. Study grants and other incentives will also be applied to these three installments.
7. This programme is not eligible for government subsidies. The university currently has no scholarship, government service agreement, or service obligation scheme available for students.
8. The fees and grants are reviewed annually and subject to revision.

 

Financial Assistance

  • Singapore Citizens (SCs): enjoy a study grant of S$10,000 + prevailing GST (S$10,900).

  • Singapore Permanent Residents (SPRs): enjoy a study grant of S$5,000 + prevailing GST (S$5,450).

  • Needy SCs and SPRs may apply for financial aid (up to S$5,450 in addition to the SC/SPR study grant).

  • NTU Alumni: in addition, a 10% grant of the tuition fee (S$4,200 + prevailing GST (S$4,578)). Eligible for holders of bachelor’s, master’s, and/or doctoral degrees obtained from NTU Singapore.
  • Other grants include Postgraduate Teaching Assistant Schemes (PTAS) and study grants. (Subject to approval)

 

Contact Us

For general enquiries, email [email protected].

The programme director is Associate Professor Wang Xiao, Renshaw ([email protected]).