Internships in 2020 have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, NUS School of Computing (SoC) has taken additional measures to help students whose internships are affected by the pandemic.
Please use the flow chart below for a guideline on the options available for students.
*Last updated - 29 April 2020
** Usage of 3 month research projects and MOOCs to make up for Industry Experience Requirement valid only during 2020.
PDF of flow chart can be found here.
Frequently Asked Questions
General Covid19 Updates
Can local and overseas internships still proceed?
Local internships can still carry on.
Overseas internships have been suspended until 31 July 2020 for the welfare of the students.
*Please refer to the travel advisory by MOH on 18 March 2020 that advised all Singaporeans to defer all travel with immediate effect: https://www.moh.gov.sg/news-highlights/details/additional-measures-for-travellers-to-reduce-further-importation-of-covid-19-cases
Do companies need to take additional measures to counter Covid-19 spread?
The school does not stipulate any regulations for telecommuting, and it will be up to each company’s Business Continuity Plans for remote working measures. However, the school will need to understand how the student will be communicated with, taught, monitored and assessed during the internship period in order to approve the internship. This is to ensure that students will still be able to have the best learning experience for their internship.
What if the overseas internship allows the internship to be done remotely from Singapore instead?
If the student chooses to pursue the overseas internship with the option to work from home, the school will assess the company’s measures for interns who are working remotely.
Has the Covid-19 situation/Circuit Breaker led to any changes in the internship dates?
The internship period officially will remain as beginning from 11 May 2020. However, employers that are not able to implement telecommuting, can defer the internship period to begin from after the Circuit Breaker period.
For SIP, as the end date cannot be deferred beyond 10 August 2020, shortened internships will be accepted. However, students must make up the difference with independent study/projects/MOOCs. For guidelines on MOOCS, refer to the rules in the flow diagram above.
What if students are having difficulties finding an internship position during this period?
Students unable to source internships from companies can choose from the following options for SIP:-
- undertake 3 month projects under SoC professors
- undertake additional SoC modules to meet the Industry Experience Requirements for graduation (See Section: Using MCs earned from Modules to account for the MCs required for Industry Experience.)
- undertake MOOC courses on edX or Coursera to a maximum of 6 MCs. Additional MCs required will be supplemented by (a) or (b)
For ATAP, students can choose:
- undertake 6 month projects under SoC professors
- undertake additional SoC modules to meet the Industry Experience Requirements for graduation (See Section: Using MCs earned from Modules to account for the MCs required for Industry Experience.)
- 3 months project with SoC prof followed by 6MCs of SoC courses over and above the courses needed for graduation (mix of (a) & (b))
- Complete MOOC (up to a maximum of 6MCs), followed by 6MCs of SoC courses over and above the courses needed for graduation, to make up a total of 12MCs.
Is it possible for students or companies to withdraw from the internship programme?
Students who have accepted an internship offer are required to commit to the internship, similar to how companies are also expected to serve their commitment to students who have accepted their job offers.
For students who would like to withdraw from the internship after accepting the job offer, regardless of whether they have already started on the internship, it will result in them being awarded a Completed Unsatisfactory (CU) grade unless it was the company that changes the terms and conditions of the job offer.
If students are facing any difficulties, please communicate with your academic supervisors or contact the faculty internship team at internship@comp.nus.edu.sg for help.
Companies who are having difficulties committing to the internship programme should also contact internship@comp.nus.edu.sg to see how we can help you further.
For any additional information, please contact the faculty internship team at internship@comp.nus.edu.sg for help.
My course specifies that I can only use a 6 month long internship for my Industry Experience Requirement. Can I still use SIP (or a substituted SIP) to meet the Industry Experience Requirements? [Updated: 14 May 2020]
If you are graduating by the end of Semester 1 AY2021/2022, you can use one SIP (or a substituted/supplemented SIP - see below) to make up 6MCs of the Industry Experience Requirements.
Otherwise, you would have to follow the guidelines as stipulated in your course requirements.
Using Modular Credits earned from Modules to account for the MCs required for Industry Experience.
Students that are graduating in Dec 2021 and earlier, and who are not able to secure ATAP/IIP/SIP internships in 2020 will be allowed to take SoC Modules to make up for the 12 modular credits (MCs) towards Industry Experience Requirement.
What modules can I use to make up for Industrial Experience?
Students can take a combination of level 3000 SoC modules (non-internship) to make up 12MC. The modules must be over and above the modules the students need to take for their graduation and above, and hosted by SoC.
How many modules do I need to take?
You would need to still accumulate 12 MCs to meet the Industry Experience requirement. The number of modules would vary depending on the combination.
Example 1
One 4MCs module + one 4MCs module + one 4MCs module can be used to meet the 12MCs Industry Experience Requirement.
Example 2
One 4MCs modules + one 2MCs module + one 2MCs module + one 4MCs module can be used to meet the 12MCs Industry Experience Requirement.
I have already been given 6MCs Exemption for CP3200/I have already completed SIP I (CP3200). Do I just need to do 6 MCs worth of modules?
Yes, you can do one 2MC module and one 4MC module.
Example 1
One 2MCs module + one 4MCs module can be used along with previously accumulated 6MC to meet the 12MCs Industry Experience Requirement.
Can I double count the modules from my core modules or programme electives?
No. The modules used must be excluded from other parts of the graduation requirements. If they are being used to fulfil core modules or programme electives, the modules would not be permitted to double count for the Industry Experience Requirement.
If the modules would otherwise be within the pool of Unrestricted Electives, then it can be considered for the Industry Experience Requirement
My SIP was shortened to less than 12 weeks. Can I use SoC modules to make up the difference?
If your SIP was shortened to less than 10 weeks, you would need to arrange for MOOCs or additional projects (see the flow diagram) to make up the reminder of the SIP. You are not allowed to use other modules to supplement SIP (CP3200).
If your SIP is still within 10-12 weeks, we willd be able to process the SIP without any additional MOOCs/projects.
My ATAP/IIP was shortened to 4 months. Can I use assigned projects/assignments/MOOCs to make up the difference?
No. Assigned projects/assignments/MOOCs only apply to SIP.
You will have to take SoC courses to make up the balance duration.
I have completed >70% of my course and have a CAP of below 4.5. Can I opt to do FYP instead?
Yes, the CAP restriction is temporarily lifted during the Covid-19 pandemic. See https://www.comp.nus.edu.sg/programmes/ug/project/fyp/before/ for more details.
Must I do the modules during Special Term?
Not necessarily, you can do the modules during the regular term as well (Note that this applies to ATAP/IIP only, not SIP as SIP needs to be concluded before Sem1 AY20/21).
For reference, the modules offered by SoC for special term can be found here: https://www.comp.nus.edu.sg/cugresource/specialterm/
When/How do I apply for the modules?
You can register for the modules as per the normal ModReg exercise. For module registration, you can refer to: https://www.comp.nus.edu.sg/cug/mrm/ for more details.
Using MOOCs for Industry Experience Requirement.
Students that are graduating in Dec 2021 and earlier, and who are not able to secure ATAP/IIP/SIP internships in 2020, will be allowed to take Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) to make up to 6 modular credits (MCs) towards Industry Experience Requirement.
What MOOCs are eligible?
For CS/InfoSec/CEG students:
- The module cannot overlap with core CS/InfoSec/CEG modules or a primary module in a focus area.
- The module has to be a Computing/Math-related module or workplace/technical-related soft skills module.
For IS/BZA students:
- The module cannot overlap with core BZA/IS modules (depending on the degree programme) or core modules in a specialisation.
- The module has to be a Computing/Data Science/Finance/Marketing/Economics/Innovation-related module.
MOOCs under edX (www.edX.org) and Coursera (www.coursera.com), would be eligible.
How do I count a MOOC towards my shortened internships? [Updated 8 May 2020]
You would need to register your intent to use MOOCs to supplement a shortened Internship (SIP/ATAP) or substitute SIP at https://mysurvey.nus.edu.sg/EFM/se/543BE5C209206572 by 15 May 2020.
*Students will ONLY be sent the link to submit their MOOC certification if this form is filled.
At the end of your internship period, you will be required to submit your official MOOC certificate of completion.
Note that you would likely need to combine a few MOOC courses to make up for the modular credits you need.
When do I need to complete the MOOC?
You would need to complete the MOOC by the end of the internship period it is to be counted for.
For SIP, it would be by 31 July 2020.
For ATAP, it would be by 23 October 2020.
Do I have to pay for the courses?
While many MOOCs are free, official certification requires payment.
Coursera currently offers free courses if you register before 31 May 2020. (See https://blog.coursera.org/coursera-together-free-online-learning-during-covid-19/ for more details).
edX offers a coupon code redemption for affiliated universities. (See https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=Xu-lWwkxd06Fvc_rDTR-guZpDohCrZBEjAqa7ipM4jVUMVVVRURCVTQyTEJPMVc0Qzk1SkQ1NUkzQy4u)
How many MOOCs would I need to take to make up for a shortened SIP?
You would need to complete 10 hours of MOOCs for every week required to make up a complete SIP (12 weeks).
Example
If the SIP internship is shortened by 5 weeks, you will need to do 50 hours (5 weeks x 10 hours) worth of MOOCs, for a total of 12 weeks.
Can I use the MOOCs to count under NUS Design Your Own Module (DYOM) course?
No, MOOCs that have been completed to make up for shortened internships, cannot be double-counted for NUS DYOM courses. Do note that using MOOCs to replace internship will also not consume your quota for DYOM. You just need to choose a different course for that.
Can a completed MOOC count towards a module’s pre-requisite?
No, only NUS modules can be used to count towards a module’s pre-requisite.
Reporting and Internship Deliverables
What do I need to submit for the internship deliverables/reports?
The following deliverables would need to be submitted on the Project Admin System.
- Initial Objectives - To be submitted within two weeks of your internship starting.
- Monthly Reports - Optional. Not required during the 2020 Internships.
- Interim Report - For ATAP only. To be submitted by 7 August 2020.
- Final Report - To be submitted by 31 July 2020 (SIP), 13 November 2020 (ATAP)