UTOD2001 Undergraduate Teaching Opportunities Programme (UTOP), offered by College of Design and Engineering (CDE) is designed to help you develop important competencies and practical skillsets that are relevant not only for you to contribute to the work force but also to be life-long learner, capable of critical, empathetic and independent thinking. UTOP is particularly suitable for you if you wish to acquire or hone your teaching skills under the supervision of an experienced academic lecturer while earning units (4 units) towards the Unrestricted Elective (UE) requirement of your Bachelor’s degree. Primarily focused on teaching, UTOP is not to be confused with UROP which relates to research opportunities.
Pre-Requisites
- Should be a registered undergraduate student of CDE. Non-CDE and exchange students are not allowed to register for UTOD2001. Non-CDE students can enquire with their home Faculty/College/School about UTOP opportunities.
- Completed at least 2 (regular) semesters of study.
- Attained a minimum GPA of 4.00.
- Obtained a good grade for the course that the student intends to assist in teaching.
- Specific skillsets required for the Teaching Support Project (if any), determined by the Supervisor.
Other Conditions
- Can only be taken once; students have a maximum of one semester to complete UTOP.
- Main supervisor for UTOP must be a full-time academic staff from CDE (includes staff with joint appointments with CDE).
- UTOP units will not be awarded for students who are being paid under NUS Student Work Scheme System (NSWS) to work as part-time tutors or being paid as Teaching Assistants teaching the same course. Students who are pursuing UTOP as a course will not be paid and will only earn modular credits upon having successfully completed the course.
What is involved?
A minimum of 130 hours. Students will be evaluated at the end of the semester and receive a CS/CU (Completed Satisfactorily/Completed Unsatisfactorily) grade for the course.
Registration Timeline for UTOP
Semester 2 of AY2024/2025
| Activity | Dates/Details |
| Eligible students receive an email from Dean’s Office on registration details. | 28 November 2024 |
| Successful students receive an email notification from Dean’s Office. | 20 December 2024 |
| Enrolment of UTOD2001 in EduRec by Dean’s Office. | Round 3 of CourseReg Schedule |
Note:
- Students who drop the course between Week 3 and end of the Recess Week will receive a ‘W’ grade, while those who drop the course after the end of the Recess Week will receive a ‘CU’ grade.
- To drop the course, send an e-mail to your supervisor and the UTOP Administration Team (ugep@nus.edu.sg) citing reason/s for dropping UTOP.
UTOP Timeline
| Activity |
Dates/Details | |
| Training requirements | Complete a self-paced training programme via the Canvas Learning Management System | From 2 January 2025 |
| Complete online assignments | 8 January 2025 | |
| Attend the face-to-face beginning of semester session | 9 January 2025, 10:00 - 13:00 | |
| Sharing your journey (Face-to-face meetings) |
Mid semester meetup | 27 February 2025, 10:00 - 13:00 |
| Share your experiences with the next cohort | Beginning-of-semester session in AY2025/2026 Sem 1. More details will be given at a later date. | |
Queries?
Please email ugep@nus.edu.sg for general and administrative enquiries.
Useful Links for Students
- UTOP Log Sheet
- UTOP Training - a list of topics offered by Centre for Development of Teaching & Learning (CDTL)
- Important Links:
i. Â Conflict of Interest
ii. Code of Student Conduct