Academics

Courses

Course Load: A normal full load equivalent to 15 credits is five courses. At NUS this is 20 units.

All students are advised to be as flexible as possible with their module requirements. There are no guarantees for any modules at NUS, and some modules are in high demand and will be difficult to register for. In particular, students who are not majoring in Economics, Psychology, Computer Science and Computing (Information Sciences) will be unable to take courses in those fields, and majors may find that courses are unavailable.

In NUS, generally the faculties tend to prioritize their courses for applicants are from the same majors back at their home universities. If there are surplus places, those may go to student applicants of other majors, subject to fulfillment of prerequisites.

Students may take modules across disciplines (with the exception of business and law). The ability to register will depend on a student's prerequisites, the availability of the module, and if the module will fit within a student's timetable (schedule) without overlapping other modules. Students typically register for modules in the 1000-3000 levels. 4000 level modules are typically not available exchange students. Modules at the 5000 level (graduate classes) are NOT available to exchange students. Modules are graded on a bell curve. Students must be prepared to study independently and participate in class.  

You can review the list of modules available and review the course syllabi. To review the syllabi, put the course code in the module code text box (ex. GEH1061). You will then put in the appropriate academic year and the semester you are taking the course (ex. semester 2 for spring semester).

Research Opportunities

Students interested in pursuing research are able to do so through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme in Science (UROPS). Students must be supervised by a faculty member and are expected to proactively reach out to faculty members regarding supervision for the semester. Students participating in the UROPS program typically earns 4 NUS credits (basically one course) and are able to register for up to four more regular semester courses. The research is unpaid and students will not receive financial sponsorship. 

Credit Approval

  • For assistance in selecting courses, see your faculty or college advisor. (Note: You may earn elective, distributional, minor or major credit depending on your major and college.)
  • To discuss program fit, such as program type, expectations, level of structure/independence, or to compare options, get advice from Global Learning advisors and returned students. 
  • Complete the Study Abroad Participation and Course Approval form that is part of the Global Learning application for a record of how your courses will count for credit at Cornell.

Academic Policies

  • Take the equivalent of 15 Cornell credits for a full semester, even if it is possible to take fewer and still graduate on time
  • Language study is not required. Since English is one of the four official languages in Singapore, Cornell students are not required to enroll in a language course at NUS. However, there are language courses available through the Centre for Language Studies (CLS) if you are interested.
  • Complete all the academic work and stay until the end of the program, defined as the last officially-sanctioned exam for any course you take abroad

Registration and Grades

  • You will be registered at Cornell and will earn credit for approved coursework for your semester/year study abroad
  • Decisions on the final allocation of credit are made upon successful completion of the course (must earn grade equivalent of a “C” or higher—all courses must be taken for a letter grade)
  • Grades will appear on the Cornell transcript in the same format as they are recorded on the original transcript generated by the study abroad program or university. Grades are not factored into the Cornell GPA