Second Major / Minor in Applied AI (Design and Engineering)
(Open to all CDE majors)
Artificial intelligence (AI) is the imitation of human intelligence by computers and other machines. This includes tasks like learning, reasoning, problem-solving, perception, and natural language understanding.  In short, AI is about creating technology that can think, learn, and act like a human. AI technologies are rapidly penetrating every domain in our society, from education to business to manufacturing to the arts. Singapore has recognised the importance of being a leader in AI through a variety of actions. First, Singapore plans to invest more than $1 billion over the next five years to further boost AI activities to boost market competitiveness. Second, it has invested significantly in agencies such as AI Singapore to help train the next generation of AI engineers and AI entrepreneurs. Third, Singapore is putting in valuable resources to shape the regulatory landscape for AI technologies, especially generative AI. Given this national roadmap, it is imperative that the NUS College of Design and Engineering respond accordingly and provide the opportunity for its graduates to gain a solid grounding in AI.
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the design and engineering landscape. From autonomous systems and robotics to materials science and smart buildings, AI is becoming an indispensable tool for engineers. The Second Major / Minor in Applied AI (Design and Engineering) provides students with a solid foundation in data engineering, data science, and machine learning and enables them to:
- Develop innovative solutions: Apply AI to address complex engineering challenges and create novel products and services.
- Enhance problem-solving skills: Cultivate a data-driven mindset and leverage AI to optimise engineering processes.
- Increase employability: Gain in-demand skills that are highly sought after by industries across the board.
- Contribute to interdisciplinary research: Collaborate with researchers from across the campus, from law to medicine and other fields, to advance research and development.
The Second Major / Minor in Applied AI (Design and Engineering) equip CDE graduates with the necessary skills to excel in the digital age and become leaders in the fields of design and engineering. Design and Engineering graduates will be able to solve complex engineering problems using the foundations and concepts learned.
The Second Major / Minor in Applied AI (Design and Engineering) offers a suite of electives designed specifically for students across a range of Design and Engineering programmes, including civil and environmental engineering, industrial and systems engineering, materials science and engineering, electrical engineering, robotics and machine intelligence, infrastructure and facilities management, and computer engineering, among others. The syllabus and content of these electives are meticulously curated to highlight the relevance of AI to each student’s field of study. This contextualised approach helps students grasp the practical applications of AI within their discipline, thereby enhancing their employability and better preparing them for industry challenges.
The Second Major / Minor in Applied AI (Design and Engineering) offers a more targeted, interdisciplinary, and practical education tailored to CDE students. It provides Design and Engineering students with an industry-focused, hands-on learning experience that is immediately applicable to their fields of study.
Students completing the Second Major / Minor in Applied AI (Design and Engineering) will be able to:
- Grasp the fundamental concepts of AI, including machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision.
- Identify problems that can be addressed with AI and develop appropriate solutions for applications to different domains.
- Model a real-world problem using AI tools such as optimisation, classification, regression, and clustering.
- Assess the performance of AI models, including selecting performance metrics.
- Analyse complex problems, break them down into smaller, manageable components, and come up with innovative AI solutions.
- Understand the ethical implications of AI and how to develop responsible AI systems.
The Applied AI (Design & Engineering) program offers two flexible pathways for students to explore their passion for AI and apply these tools to their primary disciplines. The Second Major (40 Units) is designed for those seeking a deep dive into advanced computational topics like neural networks, embodied AI, and robust systems design, preparing graduates for highly specialized, AI-centric roles. In contrast, the Minor (20 Units) provides a streamlined, practical foundation built to seamlessly complement a student's primary major. Ultimately, both pathways equip students with powerful, industry-ready problem-solving capabilities tailored to their specific career goals.
Requirement for Second Major
To be awarded the Second Major in Applied AI (D&E), 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 Applied AI (D&E) – 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:
EE2211 Introduction to Machine Learning or EE2213 Intro to Artificial Intelligence EE3703 Machine Learning with Applications EE4312 Artificial Neural Networks EE4706 Embodied AI EE4707 Robust and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence |
BN3406 Biomedical Imaging and AI Applications CDE2212Â AI for Design CE3201Â Civil Engineering Analytics and Data Visualization CG3201Â Machine Learning and Deep Learning CN3105Â Machine Learning in Chemical Engineering EE2211Â Intro to Machine Learning ESP3201AÂ Machine Learning in Engineering Science ID4401Â Spatial Computing: Design and Development IE4211 Modelling & Analytics MLE4217Â Application of Big Data in Materials Science PF3211Â AI Applications for the Built Environment RB3301 Intro to Machine Intelligence |
Requirement for Minor
To be awarded the Minor in Applied AI (D&E) 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 Applied AI (Design & Engineering ) – 20 Units | |
| Core Courses (12 Units) | Elective Courses (Choose any two courses, or totalling at least 8 Units) |
| Core courses:
EE2211 Introduction to Machine Learning or EE2213 Intro to Artificial Intelligence EE3703 Machine Learning with Applications |
BN3406 Biomedical Imaging and AI Applications CDE2212Â AI for Design CE3201Â Civil Engineering Analytics and Data Visualization CG3201Â Machine Learning and Deep Learning CN3105Â Machine Learning in Chemical Engineering EE2211Â Intro to Machine Learning ESP3201AÂ Machine Learning in Engineering Science ID4401Â Spatial Computing: Design and Development IE4211 Modelling & Analytics MLE4217Â Application of Big Data in Materials Science PF3211Â AI Applications for the Built Environment RB3301 Intro to Machine Intelligence |
Eligibility:
The Second Major / Minor in Applied AI (D&E) is open to students taking a Primary Major within the College of Design and Engineering.
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.Â
The following groups of students are precluded from taking the Second Major / Minor in Applied AI (D&E):
- Students who are not reading a CDE primary major;
- Students taking a minor in Artificial Intelligence offered by SoC
Declaration by in-flight students: Year 1 and 2:
Students will be able to declare the second major / minor themselves in the Academic Plan Declaration Exercise (APAD) before CourseReg begins – by their 5th Academic Plan Declaration exercise.
Refer: NUS Double-counting policy for Second Major / Â Minor
For more information on this programme, please refer to our FAQ here.
Students with any queries, click here.