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

The following groups of students are precluded from taking the second major/minor in Computing (D&E):

• 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

The differences are in the programme core and the units required.

• Core Requirements: 24 Units (6 courses) for the second major, and 12 Units (3 courses) for the minor.
• Unit requirements: 40 Units for the second major, and 20 Units for the minor.

The core of the two programmes may seem similar, but the second major/minor in Computing (D&E), offered by CDE, focuses on skillsets for solving design and engineering problems. This ensures that students are equipped not only with the tools and techniques for computing but also with exposure to solving complex engineering and design problems in the industry. This focus is further reflected in the choice of computing-related electives, which are drawn from a wide range of discipline-relevant electives across the CDE curriculum.

The Computer Engineering degree is explicitly designed (built from the ground up) for systems involving close hardware-software interaction and cyber-physical systems. The second major/minor in Computing (D&E), on the other hand, enhances essential computing skills for design, engineering, and innovation.

Some EE and CS electives are very similar; to avoid students from double dipping, e.g., taking a specialisation in EE and a second major/minor in CS for similar elective courses, EE students are not allowed to take the second major/minor in CS.  The second major/minor in Computing (D&E), on the other hand, does not have this concern.

The main aim of the minor in Data Engineering programme is to train graduates with the ability to handle and manage the large volume of data generated by the industry and glean actionable insights from that data.

The second major/minor in Computing (D&E) would augment the essential computing skills that are required for engineers with CDE-specific contextualization which would include but not limited to handling large data.

Students completing the second major/minor in Computing (D&E) 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.

Possible career options are (not exhaustive):

• AI/Data Engineer
• Biomechanics Engineer
• Computational Materials Engineer
• Computational Mechanics Engineer
• Computer Hardware Engineer
• Design Technologists
• Digital Architect
• Digital Manufacturing Engineer
• Games Developer
• Process Optimization Engineer
• Robotics / Automation Engineer
• Software Engineer
• Smart Building Designer
• UI/UX Designer
• Verification & Validation Engineer
• Virtual/Augmented Reality Architect

The second major/minor in Computing (D&E) programme will open up new avenues for careers within one’s primary major as well as across engineering and design that has a computing focus. The idea is not to compete directly, though overlaps are inevitable in certain fields.

• 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 during the prescribed application window via EduRec in semester 2 of their Year 2 studies, or in semester 2 of their Year 3 studies.

Second major/minor in Computing (D&E) 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. It is not possible to apply during Year 1.

Students who complete a double major, specialisation and/or minor successfully will receive one degree scroll for the primary major only.  The second major, specialisation and/or minor will, however, be reflected in the student’s transcript.

Yes, if the student plans well then the UE space is sufficient to complete the second major/minor in Computing (D&E) and another specialisation within CDE as some courses can be double-counted towards the minor/second major/specialisation requirements.  Please refer to NUS double-counting policy for second major and minor.

FYP/capstone project is not under the requirements of the second major/minor.  However, a student who wishes to work on a computing-focused FYP/capstone project may consider choosing such projects within the student’s primary major.

There is no penalty for withdrawal from the second major/minor programme. The courses studied could be counted towards the student’s UE space.

The following combinations are strongly recommended for synergy between the chosen programmes:

• Second major in Computing (D&E) + minor in Data Engineering
• Minor in Computing (D&E) + specialisation in Space Technology, Internet of Things, Robotics, Industry 4.0, Advanced Electronics, Sustainable Electric Transportation, Microelectronics & Quantum Materials