GRPN Academic Information
Curriculum Structure
Modules
Degree Requirements
The MSc (Nursing) programme is comprised of 20 module credits (three core modules and one elective module) and a 40.000 word thesis.
The PhD programme is comprised of 28 module credits (three core modules and three elective modules) and a 80,000 word thesis.
Coursework Requirements
MSc (Nursing) students are required to take coursework comprising of three core modules (worth 16 MC) and one elective module (worth 4 MC). The course work modules include core research skills, as well as research development modules. All PhD students are required to pass two additional elective modules (worth 8 MC). The modules offered by NUS Nursing are as follows:
Core Modules:
- NUR5002 Statistics for Health Research
- NUR6001 Graduate Research Seminar
- NUR6003 Research Methods
Elective Modules offered by the NUS Nursing:
- NUR5003 Independent Study
- NUR5013 Grant Writing and Writing for Publications
- NUR6004 Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
- NUR6005 Measurement Theory and Instrument Validation
- NUR6006 Intervention Research in Nursing and Health Sciences
- NUR6007 Research Leadership and Professional Development
Students are also encouraged to complete elective modules offered by the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (NUSMed) and other faculties/research institutes/centres that are of 4 MC if prior approval is given by their supervisors. Please refer to http://medicine.verzlab.com/postgrad/current-students/curriculum-structure-and-requirements/csr-elective-modules.shtml for elective modules offered by the NUSMed.
Timetable (Only for current NUS students)
NUSMed Graduate Timetable including cross-faculty modules offered by NUS Nursing for the current semester is are available here
Please note that timetables may be subjected to changes.
If there is a prompt to enter User Name and Password for the above timetable link, please enter as follows:
- Under User Name: Enter nusstfuserID for Staff
- Under User Name: Enter nusstuuserID for Student
- where userID is your NUS email account
- Under Password: Enter your NUS email account password
Module Registration
Please refer to the Registrar’s Office website at http://www.nus.edu.sg/registrar/events/module-enrolment.html
NURSINGNet (Only for current NUS Nursing students)
Please refer to the NURSINGNet at https://share.nus.edu.sg/nursingnet/default.aspx for the Student Handbook and timetables.
Continuation & Graduation Requirements
To remain in good academic standing and for continuation of candidature, students have to meet the following CAP set for coursework:
MSc (Nursing): CAP should not fall below 2.5 for two consecutive semesters or 3.0 for three consecutive semesters
PhD: CAP should not fall below 3.0 for two consecutive semesters or 3.5 for three consecutive semesters
Students whose CAP does not meet the requirements as stated above will have their candidature terminated.
Students who have failed a module are required to repeat the module. Students who have passed a module (scored D or higher) are not allowed to repeat a module to improve their grades.
Academic Standing Letters
MSc (Nursing)
For any semester in which the student’s CAP falls below 3.0 (but ≥ 2.5), that student will be issued an academic warning. If, in the following semester, the student’s CAP again falls below 3.0, s/he will be placed on probation. If the student’s CAP remains below 3.0 for the third consecutive semester, the student will be issued a letter of dismissal by the Registrar and denied re-admission.
For students whose CAP falls below 2.5 for two consecutive semesters, they will be placed on probation for the first semester, followed by dismissal in the second semester.
PhD
For any semester in which the student’s CAP falls below 3.5 (but ≥ 3.0), that student will be issued an academic warning. If, in the following semester, the student’s CAP again falls below 3.5, s/he will be placed on probation. If the student’s CAP remains below 3.5 for the third consecutive semester, the student will be issued a letter of dismissal by the Registrar and denied re-admission.
For students whose CAP falls below 3.0 for two consecutive semesters, they will be placed on probation for the first semester, followed by dismissal in the second semester.
A student may also be issued a warning or placed on probation or be issued a letter of termination for poor performance in the PhD qualifying examination, research thesis, or other programme requirements.
Graduation Requirements
The MSc (Nursing) degree requires:
- three core and one elective modules (worth 20MC);
- a CAP of at least 3.0 in the elective module;
- a satisfactory grade in all three core modules;
- a satisfactory grade in the Graduate English Course (Intermediate Level), for students who do not qualify for waiver of English Language requirement; and
- passing the MSc (Nursing) thesis.
The PhD degree requires:
- three core and three elective modules (worth 28MC);
- a CAP of 3.5 or above for the elective module;
- a satisfactory grade in the three core modules;
- passing the qualifying examination comprising of a comprehensive written examination and oral defence of the PhD thesis proposal;
- satisfactory performance at the annual PhD symposium (formative assessment);
- passing the PhD thesis and oral defence; and a satisfactory grade in the Graduate English Course (Intermediate & Advanced Levels), for students who do not qualify for waiver of English Language requirement.
Examination Matters
Thesis Advisory Committee
The Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC) should preferably be formed within two months after the students have passed the PhD Qualifying Examination for MSc (Nursing) candidates or two months after enrolment for PhD candidates.
Members of this Committee will be appointed by the Head of Department with nominations from the Chairman of the Programme Management Committee (PMC). TAC members need not be restricted only to staff members from the NUS Nursing or the NUSMed. Staff members from other faculties within NUS may be included. The student and Supervisor can decide on who would be suitable. The TAC members should hold a PhD qualification and normally they would be either a ‘gatekeeper’ or someone the student knows is an expert in the area. They must also be domiciled in Singapore.
PhD Qualifying Examination
The examination aims to
- Allow the student to upgrade / confirm as a PhD candidate;
- Ensure the student has satisfactory research progress;
- Ensure the student’s research proposal is sufficient for a PhD;
- Ensure the student is competent at the PhD level.
Composition of Examination Panel
- The PhD Qualifying Examination will comprise of a written and an oral component. The written component will be marked by two invited examiners.
- Students will be allowed to proceed to the oral component after they have passed the written component of the PQE
- For the oral component, there will be at least three members; one member nominated by the Head of department and the two invited examiners.
- The Chairperson of the oral panel is empowered to make decisions on the outcome of the PQE in consultation with the other two members.
- Supervisor(s) will be invited to sit in as observers. Supervisor(s) are not allowed to speak on behalf of their student unless he/she is asked to do so by the PQE panel. The supervisor(s) are also not allowed to take part in the deliberations on the PQE outcome.
Thesis Examination
Please visit the Registrar’ Office website at http://www.nus.edu.sg/registrar/event/exam.html for further details.
Students to refer to information on Thesis Submission and Examination published in the Student Portal.
Oral Examination Guidelines
Open Seminar and Oral Examination
PhD candidates are required to give an open seminar where the Oral Examination Panel will assess their presentation and ability to answer questions from the audience. A suitable date for the Open seminar will be arranged for the candidates.
Instructions to Candidates
- The duration of the oral presentation should not exceed 45 minutes. Slide projector, overhead projector and powerpoint through computer will be available for the presentation.
- At this presentation, the candidate should not spend too much time on the literature review but highlight the:
- aims of research project
- development of new methodology used in the project (if applicable)
- original contribution made to the research area
- impact of scientific/clinical findings in the research area
The candidate is expected to answer questions raised by the audience.
At the end of the open seminar, the candidate will meet privately with the Oral examination panel for discussion on any further questions that the Panel wishes to raise as well as any amendments to the written thesis.
Candidate who performs unsatisfactorily would be required to re-take the oral examination.
Other Information
Concurrent Degrees & External Courses
Unless approval is granted by the University, no student may concurrently be a candidate for more than one degree programme or register as a candidate of NUS and of another university or institute.
Students who wish to pursue external courses must seek the approval of their Supervisors and Head of Department before they enrol for the courses.
Students who enrol for another degree program or attend external courses without the approval of the University may be subject to disciplinary action by the School
The following information is relevant only to current NUS students and available at the Student Portal:
