{"id":3867,"date":"2021-03-30T10:26:01","date_gmt":"2021-03-30T02:26:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/?page_id=3867"},"modified":"2026-08-28T09:44:56","modified_gmt":"2026-08-28T01:44:56","slug":"curriculum","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/undergraduates\/curriculum\/","title":{"rendered":"Curriculum Structure"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2>\n\t\t\tMore Programmes\t<\/h2>\n<h1>\n\t\t\tCurriculum Structure\t<\/h1>\n\t\tShow me more&#8230;    \u25bc\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul id=\"menu-undergraduate\"><li id=\"menu-item-18769\" aria-haspopup=\"true\"><a aria-expanded=\"false\" href=\"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/undergraduates\/overview-of-bengmse\/\">Degree Programme<\/a>\n<ul>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-18776\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/undergraduates\/overview-of-bengmse\/\">Overview of BEng(MSE)<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-18780\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/undergraduates\/programme-educational-objectives\/\">Programme Educational Objectives<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-18794\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/undergraduates\/specialisations\/\">Specialisations<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-18752\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/undergraduates\/build-your-own-degree\/\">Build Your Own Degree<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-18753\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/undergraduates\/curriculum\/\">Curriculum Structure<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-18797\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/undergraduates\/minor-in-mse\/\">Minor in Engineering Materials<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-20402\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/undergraduates\/minor-in-ai-and-data-science-for-materials\/\">Minor in AI and Data Science for Materials<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-18821\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/undergraduates\/mentor-list\/\">Mentor List<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-18787\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/undergraduates\/timetables\/\">Timetables<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-18786\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/undergraduates\/course-registration\/\">Course Registration<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-18813\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/undergraduates\/internships\/\">Internships<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-18798\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/undergraduates\/study-abroad\/\">Study Abroad<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-18755\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/undergraduates\/admissions\/\">Admissions<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-18825\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/undergraduates\/studentsupport\/\">Student Support<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-18807\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/undergraduates\/mse-study-award-nus-scholarship\/\">MSE Study Award &amp; NUS Scholarship<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-18809\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/undergraduates\/admission-guide\/\">Guide For Prospective Students<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-18812\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/undergraduates\/faq\/\">FAQ<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<a role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\"  id=\"fl-accordion--label-0\">Degree Requirements (Cohorts 2025\/2026 onwards)<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" id=\"fl-accordion--icon-0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"fl-accordion--panel-0\"><i>Expand<\/i><\/button>\n\t<p>The Common Curriculum consists of 10 carefully curated pillars to give a solid foundation in interdisciplinary skills. We emphasise instilling lifelong skills via the following pillars:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Design Thinking<\/li>\n<li>Maker Space<\/li>\n<li>Artificial Intelligence<\/li>\n<li>Project Management<\/li>\n<li>Data Literacy<\/li>\n<li>Digital Literacy<\/li>\n<li>Critique and Expression<\/li>\n<li>Cultures and Connections<\/li>\n<li>Singapore Studies<\/li>\n<li>Communities and Engagement<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/02\/Common-Curriculum-2.jpg\" alt=\"Common Curriculum 2\" height=\"742\" width=\"700\" title=\"Common Curriculum 2\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\"  itemprop=\"image\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/02\/Common-Curriculum-2.jpg 700w, https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/02\/Common-Curriculum-2-283x300.jpg 283w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/>\n\t<hr \/>\n<h4><strong>CURRICULUM STRUCTURE<\/strong><\/h4>\n<hr \/>\n\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/02\/Curriculum-Stack_Cropped.png\" alt=\"Curriculum Stack_Cropped\" height=\"578\" width=\"369\" title=\"Curriculum Stack_Cropped\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\"  itemprop=\"image\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/02\/Curriculum-Stack_Cropped.png 369w, https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/02\/Curriculum-Stack_Cropped-192x300.png 192w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 369px) 100vw, 369px\" \/>\n\t<p>Students should complete a total of 160 units (or the equivalent of 40 courses), comprising:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Common Curriculum<\/strong>: 40 units (or the equivalent of 10 courses)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Primary Major<\/strong>: 80 units (or the equivalent of 20 courses)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Unrestricted Electives<\/strong>: 40 units (or the equivalent of 10 courses)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>These aim to provide CDE students with a comprehensive and well-rounded education, preparing them for success in their chosen careers and beyond.<\/p>\n\t\t<h3>\n\t\tCurriculum Structure:\n\t<\/h3>\n\t<p>Your matriculation year:<\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/08\/pdf_icon.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"23\" height=\"26\" \/><\/td>\n<td>AY2026\/2027 onwards &gt;&gt; <a href=\"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/08\/Matriculated_fm_AY2627.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/08\/pdf_icon.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"23\" height=\"26\" \/><\/td>\n<td>AY2025\/2026 &gt;&gt; <a href=\"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/08\/Matriculated_fm_AY2526.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\"  id=\"fl-accordion--label-0\">Degree Requirements (Cohorts 2021\/2022 to 2024\/2025)<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" id=\"fl-accordion--icon-0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"fl-accordion--panel-0\"><i>Expand<\/i><\/button>\n\t<p>National University of Singapore will adopt a new undergraduate curriculum structure for students enrolled in the new academic year starting in August 2021. Students will read a total of 160 Units (or the equivalent of 40 Courses), as shown in the following schema:<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/09\/Common-curriculum_2-1.png\" alt=\"Common-curriculum_2-1\" height=\"633\" width=\"1520\" title=\"Common-curriculum_2-1\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\"  itemprop=\"image\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/09\/Common-curriculum_2-1.png 1520w, https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/09\/Common-curriculum_2-1-300x125.png 300w, https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/09\/Common-curriculum_2-1-1024x426.png 1024w, https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/09\/Common-curriculum_2-1-768x320.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1520px) 100vw, 1520px\" \/>\n\t<p>The Common Curriculum is jointly developed by the National University of Singapore and 6 industry partners who sit on the task force. It seeks to integrates knowledge and skillsets relevant to the professional training offered by both schools and to equip students with essential 21<sup>st<\/sup> century competencies. The following pillars make up the Common Curriculum, comprising 60 Units (or the equivalent of 15 Courses):<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/06\/CommonCurriculum-1-1024x462-1.png\" alt=\"CommonCurriculum-1-1024x462-1\" height=\"462\" width=\"1024\" title=\"CommonCurriculum-1-1024x462-1\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\"  itemprop=\"image\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/06\/CommonCurriculum-1-1024x462-1.png 1024w, https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/06\/CommonCurriculum-1-1024x462-1-300x135.png 300w, https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/06\/CommonCurriculum-1-1024x462-1-768x347.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\n\t\t<h3>\n\t\tCurriculum Structure:\n\t<\/h3>\n\t<p>Your matriculation year:<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/08\/pdf_icon.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"23\" height=\"26\" \/>AY2021\/2022 to 2024\/2025 &gt;&gt; <a href=\"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/08\/Matriculated_fm_AY2122.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a><\/p>\n\t<p><strong>Attention: Please refer to additional graduation requirements for cohorts 2022\/2023 to 2024\/2025<\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\"  id=\"fl-accordion--label-0\">Degree Requirements (Cohorts 2020\/2021 and before)<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" id=\"fl-accordion--icon-0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"fl-accordion--panel-0\"><i>Expand<\/i><\/button>\n\t<p>The <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.nus.edu.sg\/registrar\/academic-information-policies\/undergraduate-students\/curriculum-structure\">NUS undergraduate curriculum<\/a><\/strong> ensures broad-based learning combined with depth of specialisation, and comprises 3 components: University Level Requirements (ULR), Programme Requirements and Unrestricted Elective Courses (UECs). Workload is measured in terms of <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.nus.edu.sg\/registrar\/academic-information-policies\/undergraduate-students\/modular-system\">Units<\/a><\/strong>, where each Unit is the equivalent of 2.5 hours of work per week (including assignments and self-study) &#8211; most courses are typically 4 Units.<\/p>\n<p><em>* IA is optional if you are a polytechnic graduate<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>IA is also optional if you are in a special programme (i.e. double-degree &amp; concurrent degree) &#8211; the Units for IA can be utilised as UECs.<\/em><\/p>\n\t\t<h3>\n\t\tCurriculum Structure:\n\t<\/h3>\n\t<p>Your matriculation year:<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/08\/pdf_icon.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"23\" height=\"26\" \/>AY2020\/2021 &gt;&gt;\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/08\/Matriculated_in_AY2021.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/08\/pdf_icon.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"23\" height=\"26\" \/>AY2019\/2020 &gt;&gt;\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/12\/Matriculated_in_AY1920.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/08\/pdf_icon.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"23\" height=\"26\" \/>AY2018\/2019 &gt;&gt;\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/12\/Matriculated_in_AY1819.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a><\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>More Programmes Curriculum Structure Show me more&#8230; \u25bc Degree Programme Overview of BEng(MSE) Programme Educational Objectives Specialisations Build Your Own Degree Curriculum Structure Minor in Engineering Materials Minor in AI and Data Science for Materials Mentor List Timetables Course Registration Internships Study Abroad Admissions Student Support MSE Study Award &amp; NUS Scholarship Guide For Prospective [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":48,"featured_media":0,"parent":18190,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"rs_blank_template":"","rs_page_bg_color":"","slide_template_v7":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3867","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3867","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/48"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3867"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3867\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21338,"href":"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3867\/revisions\/21338"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/18190"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/mse\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3867"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}