Summer Engineering Research Internship for US Students (SERIUS)
This is an 8-week research attachment program offered to students from specific USĀ (now including Canada) partner universities. Successful applicants will undertake internships at NUS CDE labs in Singapore from May 22 to July 17, 2024. Students should preferably be in their junior year, but sophomores who are motivated and academically prepared, are welcome too.
In addition to developing research skills and finding out whatās at the cutting edge in engineering and technology, students learn from faculty and researchers who are experts in their field in a different culture and environment, at the National University of Singapore (NUS).
Projects
SERIUS is tagged to the NUS course, EG2605 Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme (UROP), and carries 4 Units. Participants will need to submit a report on their project at the end of the internship. This will be graded āSatisfactoryā or āUnsatisfactoryā.
Projects available:Ā
(projects are listed by host departments; some projects are multi-disciplinary and suitable for students of different engineering majors.)
- Biomedical Engineering (3 Projects)
- Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering (4 Projects)
- Civil & Environmental Engineering (1 Project)
- Electrical & Computer Engineering (9Ā Projects)
- Engineering Design & Innovation Centre (3 Projects)
- Mechanical Engineering (13 Projects)
Note: Project supervisors may interview candidates via email or Zoom.
Accommodation
SERIUS students would be stayingĀ in University Town (UTown), which is an educational hub complete with residential spaces and learning facilities. Ā It features four residential colleges, UTown Residence, an Education Resource Centre, Stephen Riady Centre, Town Plaza and Town Green. Ā It is linked to the main NUS Kent Ridge Campus via a link bridge.Ā There are numerous facilities from retail and dining outlets to multipurpose sports halls, a rock-climbing wall, a gym, recreational pool, an auditorium, dance studios and practice rooms at Stephen Riady Centre.
SERIUS students would stay in a single air-conditioned standard room with bed linen, towel and toiletries provided. Ā Common shower and toilet facilities are shared among the students.Ā Linen and towel will be changed on a weekly basis. Points for computer linkage to the universityās network and the Internet (WIFI) are provided in every room.
Financial Consideration
Tuition fee for participating students will be waived under the student exchange agreements NUS has with these universities. The estimated costs involved in this internship are in the following table:
Item | Estimated Costs (8 weeks) |
Student Services Fee (one-time) | S$33 |
Health Service Fee (one-time) | S$35 |
Student's Pass Application Fee (one-time) | S$90 ā S$120 |
Accommodation at University Town (20 May to 18 July)Ā | S$2,500 |
Meals | S$800 ā S$1,600 |
Public Transport | S$200 ā S$300 |
Miscellaneous | S$500 |
Note:
- Costs are in Singapore dollars, exchange rate at US$1 ā S$1.36. Fees and accommodation cost are correct as at November 2023 and are subject to change.
- Accommodation cost is a flat rate charged to all participating students, and early check-in / late check-out will not be available. Do make your own accommodation arrangements if your arrival and/or departure dates fall outside the stated period.
- There may be additional charges by your home university. Please check with your study abroad office.
- Actual costs will depend on your personal needs and lifestyle. Please note that the figures only include expenses for your daily essentials, and do not account for other items such as shopping, entertainment, computers, electronic/communication devices, recreational travel, etc. Do plan a larger budget if you intend to travel around the region.
Timeline (SERIUS 2024 Program)
Activity | Date |
Application start date | November 15, 2023 |
Student application deadline to their respective home universities | Please check with your study abroad office |
Application deadline to NUS (via email to siokling@nus.edu.sg) | January 24, 2024 |
Application outcome (project allocation results released to study abroad offices) | February 9, 2024 |
Acceptance and confirmation of project allocation | February 23, 2024 |
NUS Online Application Portal submission deadlineĀ | March 15, 2024 |
Studentās Pass (Visa) application | April 2, 2024 |
IP Agreement form submission deadline |
April 10, 2024 |
Accept offer and upload photo | April 15, 2024 |
Complete Registration (Part One) | April 30, 2024 |
Payment for accommodation | April 30, 2024 |
Miscellaneous Student Fees payment deadline | May 17, 2024 |
Accommodation check-in | May 20 or 21, 2024 (after 2pm) |
Welcome Session: Registration (Part Two) and Orientation | May 22, 2024 |
Project start date | May 23, 2024 |
Farewell Session; Project Report and Log sheet submission deadline | July 17, 2024 |
Accommodation check-out | July 18, 2024 (by 12pm) |
Prior to application, students will need to be nominated by their home universities for SERIUS. Please check with your study abroad offices on the internal application process and eligibility. Interested students will complete the SERIUS Application FormĀ and submit it, together with the relevant documents to their Universities' study abroad offices.
Universityās Study Abroad Offices | Contacts |
Arizona State University ā Makkie Neuhouser, International Coordinator, Global Education Office | makkie.neuhouser@asu.edu |
Cornell University ā Joshua Kennedy, Global Internships Manager. Please apply via the Experience Cornell website. | jjk343@cornell.edu |
Johns Hopkins University ā Crystal Yuille, Assistant Director for Global Exchanges, Global Education Office | cyuille1@jh.edu |
Olin College of Engineering ā Suzanne Alcott, Assistant Director, Post-Graduate Planning for Employer & Student Engagement | Suzanne.Alcott@olin.edu |
The Cooper Union ā Beth Slack, Administrative Associate, Albert Nerken School of Engineering | beth.slack@cooper.edu |
University of California, Berkeley ā Sara Valentine, Assistant Director of International Initiatives, Berkeley Engineering | sara.valentine@berkeley.edu |
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ā Lucero Garcia-Villegas, Academic Advisor and International Programs Coordinator, International Programs in Engineering (IPENG) | lgarci42@illinois.edu;Ā ipeng@illinois.edu |
University of Pennsylvania ā Laurie Jensen, Associate Director and Joana Arruda, Global Programs Manager, Penn Abroad Office. Please apply via the UPenn application portal | intern-abroad@upenn.edu |
University of Pittsburgh ā Alicia Olalde, Director, Global Experiences, Swanson School of Engineering | A.Olalde@pitt.edu |
University of Toronto ā Madina Bulat, Learning Abroad Advisor & Manager, Centre for International Experience | learning.abroad@utoronto.ca |
University of Wisconsin-Madison ā Joanna Poinsatte, Assistant Director, Study Abroad Enrollment Management, International Academic Programs. Please apply via the IAP application portal | joanna.poinsatte@wisc.edu |
FAQ
You will find answers to most frequently asked questions on SERIUS here.
If you are unable to find your answers, please email to Ms Quah Siok Ling at siokling@nus.edu.sg.
Comments from Past SERIUS Students
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Arora Nayan, Arizona State University
āCome to NUS with the best hopes in your mind as NUS has a lot to offer. It is in my opinion a great opportunity for you to research in your area of interests with an open ended project with no limitations on what you can or should use to reach your result. The locals are so helpful and working in labs here would be the best time of your lives. NUS is ranked among the Top Universities around the world and studying here is a different experience altogether.ā |
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Nurrachma Zhara, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
āSERIUS has made me understand the topic about wastewater treatment even better. I have the privilege to learn all sorts of new equipment with close supervisions from the mentors. Previously I did an internship on the same topic but in a whole different environment. This has definitely increased my knowledge regarding this topic.ā |
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Seok Jiyeux Kim,Ā University of Pennsylvania
āThe biggest highlight of the internship was my ability to take control of my project and dive deeper into areas that Iām interested in, with the help of NUS. Also, Singapore is a great place to experience multi-cultures. You would never regret of coming hereā |
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Determan, Christine Katherine, University of Pittsburgh
āI would recommend this program to other Pitt students. Itās a great blend of practical research experience and studying abroad. The research relates to my interests and will definitely help me in my career. Thereās a lot of flexibility in the hours, so thereās plenty of time to explore Singapore and the surrounding countries while youāre here!ā |
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Pletta Alexander Harrison, University of Wisconsin-Madison
āI would 10/10 recommend the SERIUS program. I think the exposure to ways of life in a different part of the world gives a whole new perspective to living in a continually developing global world, both from a societal stand point andĀ with regard to engineering through research in a top-tier university.ā |
Photos of SERIUS
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