Second Major / Minor in Computing (Design and Engineering)

(Open to all CDE majors except Computer Engineering)

Computing technologies are revolutionizing engineering and design disciplines, streamlining processes, optimizing designs through data analysis and simulations, and accelerating product development. Automation and virtual environments are driving efficiency across engineering fields, paving the way for the next wave of industrial innovations. Collaborative tools are transforming workplaces, facilitating real-time sharing of designs, data, and simulations.

In Singapore, the Industry Transformation Map (ITM) leverages digital and smart technologies to enhance competitiveness. The ITM focuses on building a robust digital infrastructure, cultivating a skilled workforce, and fostering a supportive business environment. Central to the ITM's success is the widespread adoption of computing-based technologies to boost productivity, efficiency, competitiveness, and innovation across industries. The ITM underscores the need for a skilled workforce proficient in digital technologies and adaptable to evolving work methods.

As a result, proficiency in computing technologies is now a prerequisite for various industrial roles, including entry-level positions. To prepare the next generation of designers and engineers, the Second Major / Minor in Computing (Design and Engineering) – hosted by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering – aims to equip students with interdisciplinary knowledge and skills. This program enhances technical proficiency, improves career prospects, and ensures students remain at the forefront of advancements in design and engineering.

Students completing the Second Major / Minor will be able to:

  1. Understand fundamental computing concepts and the underlying components that are required for the operation of computing systems;
  2. Analyze complex problems and use computing-based tools and techniques to find solutions to these problems;
  3. Apply cross-disciplinary tools and techniques to the analysis and design of practical strategies for digitization and automation;
  4. Evaluate emerging technologies in the area of computing and their potential impact on society and industry;
  5. Gain critical-thinking, perspective-sharing and team-working skills

Requirement for Second Major

To be awarded the Second Major in Computing (Design and Engineering), students must earn a minimum of 40 Units of approved courses during their undergraduate candidature. The programme structure is divided into a 24 Unit core with 16 Units of electives.

2nd Major in Computing (Design and Engineering) – 40 Units 
Core Courses  (24 Units) Elective Courses (Choose any four courses, or totalling at least 16 Units)

Note: at least 12 Units must be at Level 3000 or above

Core courses:

CS1010% Programming Methodology

EE2211 Introduction to Machine Learning or
CDE2212 AI for Design

CS2030DE Programming Methodology II
CS2040DE Data Structures and Algorithms
CS2100DE Computer Organisation
CS2103DE Software Engineering

If not taken as core:
CDE2212 AI for Design
EE2211 Introduction to Machine Learning


EE2028 Microcontroller Programming and Interfacing
EE3306/ME3163 Introduction to Cyber Physical Systems
EE3305/ME3243 Robotic System Design
EE3731C Signal Analysis
EE3801 Data Engineering Principles
EE4032 Blockchain Engineering
EE4210 Network Protocols and Applications
EE4211 Data Science for the Internet of Things
EE4212 Computer Vision
EE4216 Hardware for Internet of Things
EE4218 Embedded Hardware System Design
EE4308 Autonomous Robot Systems
EE4309 Robot Perception
EE4704 Image Processing and Analysis
EE4802/IE4213 Learning from Data

CG3207 Computer Architecture

AR2524 Spatial Computational Thinking

BN2102 Bioengineering Data Analysis
BN4202A Computational Biofluid Dynamics
BN4206 Computational Methods in Biomedical Engineering
BN4501 Engineering Biology
BN4701 Serious Games for Health
BN5205 Computational Biomechanics
BN5207 Medical Imaging Systems

CE2409 Computer Applications in Civil Engineering
CE3201 Civil Engineering Analytics and Data Visualization (2 Units)
CE3202 Data Acquisition for Civil Engineering Applications (2 Units)
CE3203 Optimization and Algorithms for Civil Engineers (2 Units)
CE3204 Data Management for Civil Engineers (2 Units)
CE5209 Transportation Data Analytics and Modeling
CE5210 Intelligent Transportation Systems and Simulation
CE5310 Hydroinformatics
CE5807A Digital Technologies for Construction (2 Units)
CE5807B Digital Construction Management (2 Units)

CN3104 Computer-Aided Chemical Process Simulation
CN4205R Pinch Analysis and Process Integration
CN4221R Control of Industrial Processes
CN5010 Mathematical & Computing Methods for Chemical Engineers
SH5209 Process Safety Digitalization

ESP2107 Numerical Methods and Statistics
ESP3201 Machine Learning in Robotics and Engineering

ID2112 Digital Design & Fabrication
ID2116 Computing for Design

IE3110R Simulation
IE4210 Operations Research II
IE4211 Modelling & Analytics
IE4215 Machine Learning for Industrial Engineering
IE4280 Generative AI and Web3 in Industrial Engineering

LAD4006 Digital Techniques in Landscape Architecture

ME3241 Microprocessor Applications
ME3242 Automation
ME3261 Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing
ME3281 Microsystems Design and Applications
ME3291 Numerical Methods in Engineering
ME4233 Computational Methods in Fluid Mechanics
ME4291 Finite Element Analysis

MLE4205 Theory and Modelling of Material Properties
MLE4217 Application of Big Data in Materials Science
MLE4218 Artificial Intelligence for Materials Discovery
MLE5215 Atomistic Modelling of Molecules and Materials
MLE5220 Computation of Macroscopic Materials Behaviours
MLE5223 Rational Materials Design for Sustainability

PF3209 Building Information Modelling
PF3211 AI Applications for the Built Environment
PF3502 Smart Facilities
PF4212 Advanced Building Information Modelling
PF4213 Building Energy Analysis and Simulation

 

Requirement for Minor

To be awarded the Minor in Computing (Design and Engineering), students must earn a minimum of 20 Units of approved courses during their undergraduate candidature. The programme structure is divided into a 12 Unit core with 8 Units of electives.

Minor in Computing (Design and Engineering) – 20 Units
Core Courses  (12 Units) Elective Courses (Choose any two courses, or totalling at least 8 Units)
Core Courses:

CS1010% Programming Methodology (compulsory)

AND

Choose 8 Units from:
CS2030DE Programming Methodology II
CS2040DE Data Structures and Algorithms
CS2100DE Computer Organisation
CS2103DE Software Engineering

 

If not taken as core:
CS2030DE Programming Methodology II
CS2040DE Data Structures and Algorithms
CS2100DE Computer Organisation
CS2103DE Software Engineering


CDE2212 AI for Design

EE2028 Microcontroller Programming and Interfacing
EE2211 Introduction to Machine Learning
EE3306/ME3163 Introduction to Cyber Physical Systems
EE3305/ME3243 Robotic System Design
EE3731C Signal Analysis
EE3801 Data Engineering Principles
EE4032 Blockchain Engineering
EE4210 Network Protocols and Applications
EE4211 Data Science for the Internet of Things
EE4212 Computer Vision
EE4216 Hardware for Internet of Things
EE4218 Embedded Hardware System Design
EE4308 Autonomous Robot Systems
EE4309 Robot Perception
EE4704 Image Processing and Analysis
EE4802/IE4213 Learning from Data

CG3207 Computer Architecture

AR2524 Spatial Computational Thinking

BN2102 Bioengineering Data Analysis
BN4202A Computational Biofluid Dynamics
BN4206 Computational Methods in Biomedical Engineering
BN4501 Engineering Biology
BN4701 Serious Games for Health
BN5205 Computational Biomechanics
BN5207 Medical Imaging Systems

CE2409 Computer Applications in Civil Engineering
CE3201 Civil Engineering Analytics and Data Visualization (2 Units)
CE3202 Data Acquisition for Civil Engineering Applications (2 Units)
CE3203 Optimization and Algorithms for Civil Engineers (2 Units)
CE3204 Data Management for Civil Engineers (2 Units)
CE5209 Transportation Data Analytics and Modeling
CE5210 Intelligent Transportation Systems and Simulation
CE5310 Hydroinformatics
CE5807A Digital Technologies for Construction (2 Units)
CE5807B Digital Construction Management (2 Units)

CN3104 Computer-Aided Chemical Process Simulation
CN4205R Pinch Analysis and Process Integration
CN4221R Control of Industrial Processes
CN5010 Mathematical & Computing Methods for Chemical Engineers
SH5209 Process Safety Digitalization

ESP2107 Numerical Methods and Statistics
ESP3201 Machine Learning in Robotics and Engineering

ID2112 Digital Design & Fabrication
ID2116 Computing for Design

IE3110R Simulation
IE4210 Operations Research II
IE4211 Modelling & Analytics
IE4215 Machine Learning for Industrial Engineering
IE4280 Generative AI and Web3 in Industrial Engineering

LAD4006 Digital Techniques in Landscape Architecture

ME3241 Microprocessor Applications
ME3242 Automation
ME3261 Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing
ME3281 Microsystems Design and Applications
ME3291 Numerical Methods in Engineering
ME4233 Computational Methods in Fluid Mechanics
ME4291 Finite Element Analysis

MLE4205 Theory and Modelling of Material Properties
MLE4217 Application of Big Data in Materials Science
MLE4218 Artificial Intelligence for Materials Discovery
MLE5215 Atomistic Modelling of Molecules and Materials
MLE5220 Computation of Macroscopic Materials Behaviours
MLE5223 Rational Materials Design for Sustainability

PF3209 Building Information Modelling
PF3211 AI Applications for the Built Environment
PF3502 Smart Facilities
PF4212 Advanced Building Information Modelling
PF4213 Building Energy Analysis and Simulation

Eligibility:

The second major / minor in Computing (Design and Engineering) is only open to students reading a common admissions Engineering primary major, an Architecture primary major, an Industrial Design primary major, or a Landscape Architecture primary major.

Students may apply at the point of admission, where the selection criteria are based on their university admission score and/or their proficiency in mathematics. “In-flight” (i.e., current) CDE students may also apply for this second major / minor.

The following groups of students are precluded from taking the second major / minor in Computing (Design and Engineering):

  • Students who are not reading a CDE primary major;
  • Students reading Computer Engineering as a primary major;
  • Students taking a second major or minor in Computer Science

Students reading a Minor in Computing (Design and Engineering) can upgrade to the Second Major in Computing (Design and Engineering).

Students reading a Second Major in Computing (Design and Engineering) can downgrade to the Minor in Computing (Design and Engineering).

But students cannot read both of these second major and minor.

“In-flight” students should aim for at least a grade ‘A-‘ in CS1010E and a GPA above 4.0 to increase their chances of admission to these programs.  Admission is subject to approval.

Application by in-flight students: Year 2 and 3

Second major / minor in Computing (Design and Engineering) are restricted programmes which in-flight students must apply during the prescribed application window via EduRec in semester 2 of their Year 2 studies, or in semester 2 of their Year 3 studies.

Students will not be able to declare the restricted second major / minor themselves in the Academic Plan Declaration Exercise (APAD) before CourseReg begins for each semester. APAD is only for open minors / second majors which do not require special approval from the host department.

Please take note that the application date for this program will be from the Friday (9:00 AM) before reading week of semester 2 till end of first week of examinations on Sunday (11:59 PM), based on NUS academic calendar hereKindly refer here for more information on the application procedure for restricted programmes.

Refer: NUS Double-counting policy for Second Major and Minor

For more information on this programme, please refer to our FAQ here.

Students with any queries, click here.