SERIUS

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 21 to July 16, 2025. 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 whatā€™s 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 ā€œSatisfactoryā€ or ā€œUnsatisfactoryā€.

Projects for SERIUS 2025: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 (5 Projects)
  • Civil & Environmental Engineering (1 Project)
  • Electrical & Computer Engineering (9Ā Projects)
  • Engineering Design & Innovation Centre (6 Projects)
  • Mechanical Engineering (15 Projects)

Note: Project supervisors may interview candidates via email or Zoom.

Accommodation

SERIUS students will stay in a single air-conditioned standard room at available on-campus student hostels. Common shower and toilet facilities are shared among the students. The room rates include the provision of bed sheet, pillow with pillowcase, blanket, free wi-fi and weekly housekeeping service with linen change. The hostels do not have a concierge service. Official check-in time is during office hours and additional charges may apply for after-hours check-in at the hostel (subject to availability).Ā 

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$42
Student's Pass Application Fee (one-time) S$75 ā€“ S$105
Accommodation at University Town (19 May to 17 July)Ā  S$2,900
Meals S$800 ā€“ S$1,600
Public Transport S$200 ā€“ S$300
Miscellaneous S$500

Note:

  1. Costs are in Singapore dollars, exchange rate at US$1 ā‰ˆ S$1.34. Fees and accommodation cost are correct as at November 2024 and are subject to change.
  2. Accommodation cost is a flat rate charged to all participating students for room charges and room services only, 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.
  3. Official check-in date/time: 19 May (2pm to 6pm) or 20 May (8am to 6pm). Request for after-hours check-in is subject to availability and additional charges may apply on a case-by-case basis.
  4. There may be additional charges by your home university. Please check with your study abroad office.
  5. 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 2025 Program)

Activity Date
Application start date November 15, 2024
Student application deadline to their respective home universities Please check with your study abroad office
Application deadline to NUS (from study abroad offices) January 23, 2025
Application outcome (project allocation results released to study abroad offices) February 20, 2025
Acceptance of allocated project (from study abroad offices) March 6, 2025
NUS Online Application Portal (OAP) submission deadlineĀ  March 20, 2025
Accept offer via OAP April 15, 2025Ā 
Studentā€™s Pass (Visa) application From April 15, 2025
IP Agreement form submission deadline (from study abroad offices)
April 30, 2025
Complete Registration (Part One) April 30, 2025
Payment for accommodation April 30, 2025
Miscellaneous Student Fees payment deadline May 16, 2025
Accommodation check-in May 19, 2025 (2pm to 6pm) orĀ May 20, 2025 (8am to 6pm)
Welcome Session: Registration (Part Two) and Orientation May 21, 2025
Project work May 21 to July 16, 2025
Farewell Session; Project Report and Log sheet submission deadline July 16, 2025
Accommodation check-out July 17, 2025 (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 Form and submit it, together with the relevant documents to their Universities' study abroad offices.

Universityā€™s 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€“ Courtney Beach, Assistant Director, International Programs cbeach@olin.edu
The Cooper Union ā€“ Beth Slack, Administrative Associate, Albert Nerken School of Engineering beth.slack@cooper.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 global.el@utoronto.ca
University of Wisconsin-Madison ā€“ Larissa Yankovich, Study Abroad Enrollment Manager, International Academic Programs. Please apply via the IAP application portal yankovich@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.

 

*Last Updated: 19 November 2024

Comments from Past SERIUS Students

Aroranayan Arora Nayan, Arizona State University

ā€œCome 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€

Nurrachmazhara Nurrachma Zhara, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

ā€œSERIUS 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€

Seokjiyeuxkim Seok Jiyeux Kim,Ā University of Pennsylvania

ā€œThe biggest highlight of the internship was my ability to take control of my project and dive deeper into areas that Iā€™m interested in, with the help of NUS. Also, Singapore is a great place to experience multi-cultures. You would never regret of coming hereā€

Determanchristinekatherine Determan, Christine Katherine, University of Pittsburgh

ā€œI would recommend this program to other Pitt students. Itā€™s a great blend of practical research experience and studying abroad. The research relates to my interests and will definitely help me in my career. Thereā€™s a lot of flexibility in the hours, so thereā€™s plenty of time to explore Singapore and the surrounding countries while youā€™re here!ā€

Plettaalexanderharrison Pletta Alexander Harrison, University of Wisconsin-Madison

ā€œI 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

Serius Photos 1 Serius Photos 2