Master of Computing – General Track
The Master of Computing programme is a flagship graduate programme from the School of Computing @ National University of Singapore. Over the years, it has evolved to be a comprehensive and challenging graduate programme, with specialized courses that includes the latest research findings in both applied and fundamental computing fields. The programme provides advanced and in-depth knowledge of IT to prepare the students for challenges in their IT careers.
Starting from January 2021, the School of Computing will be introducing a General Track for the Master of Computing programme. This new track is designed primarily for students with non-computing undergraduate degrees and aims to provide a systematic pathway for graduates who wish to embark on an accelerated conversion to the computing field. In addition to helping build a strong foundation in computing fundamentals, this programme offers elective courses that cover deep computing expertise to help prepare MComp graduates for future career challenges in the Infocomm sector.
Structure of Programme
This new general track remains a Master by coursework programme. Students are required to pass the MComp requirement of 40 Units, together with an additional 12 Units of bridging courses, meeting the following requirements:
- six essential computing courses
- four elective courses
- one capstone project
| 6 essential computing courses | 12 Units used to strengthen computing foundations of MComp students | Bridging courses |
|---|---|---|
| 12 Units used to fulfil MComp curriculum requirement | MComp curriculum (40 Units) | |
| 4 elective courses | 16 Units chosen from level 4000/5000 courses offered by the School of Computing | |
| 1 capstone project | 12 Units (spanning across 2 semesters) |
To instil core computing competencies, students read six essential courses covering software development, computing systems, data structures and algorithms, enterprise systems, fundamentals of artificial intelligence and data analytics. Elective courses offered by the School of Computing cover areas such as computing systems, cybersecurity, data analytics, enterprise IT, financial technology, robotics and software methodology. A two-semester capstone project is aimed at allowing students to pick up practical software engineering and system design skills that are needed in the Infocomm sector. It will comprise of a computing internship component that will allow graduating students to obtain industry work experience that supports both practical skills and self-directed learning.
Out of the ten courses to meet the General Track requirement, students are allowed a maximum of two level 4000 courses, with the remaining courses at level 5000. Level 6000 courses are not part of the MComp (General Track) programme requirements. Students who have completed SoC Graduate Certificate (GC) in Computing Foundations I and/or II can apply to use the set of foundation courses completed as courses to meet up to 24 Units of the essential courses requirement of the General Track. Note that admission to the SoC master’s degree programmes is on a competitive basis and there is no guarantee of admission, even after the successful completion of the Graduate Certificate(s).
Sample Course Plan
For the full-time programme (normal candidature period of over 3 semesters), we recommend either of the following two course plans:
a.
| Semester 1 4 courses (16 Units) | Semester 2 3 courses (12 Units) | Semester 3 3 courses (12 Units) |
| Capstone Project (12 Units) (spans over Semester 2 and 3) | ||
b.
| Semester 1 4 courses (16 Units) |
Semester 2 4 courses (16 Units) |
Semester 3 2 courses (8 Units) |
| Capstone Project (12 Units) (spans over Semester 2 and 3) | ||
Generally, full-time students have some flexibility to complete more or less courses, as long as they do not exceed the maximum or minimum full-time workload of 20 and 12 Units respectively per semester. Note that industry capstone project would include a full-time internship attachment of at least 4 months either during the 3rd semester or immediately after it. Where possible, this full-time internship attachment would be organised during the May-September period.
Courses Offered under this General Track
The details of the essential and elective courses are listed in Annex A (General Track).
For details of the AY2023/2024 essential courses’ schedule, please refer to Annex (General Track).
Duration of Programme
The normal candidature period for full-time student is between 1.5 to 2 years, while part-time students is 2.5 years. The maximum candidature is 3 years for all students.
Workload
We expect the majority of the candidates for MComp (under General Track) to be full-time students that can have a maximum and minimum workload of 20 and 12 Units, respectively per semester. Where permitted, the maximum and minimum workload for part-time candidates shall be 12 and 4 Units respectively, per semester.
Continuation/Graduation Requirements
The Master of Computing programme uses the Grade Point Average (GPA) as a criterion for continuation and graduation. The University sets the minimum standards and specific programmes may implement stricter or additional requirements. For more information on the University’s continuation requirements and duration of the programme, please refer to http://www.nus.edu.sg/registrar/academic-information-policies/graduate/graduate-continuation-and-graduation-requirements.
In order to graduate from the MComp programme (under the General Track), students are required to fulfil the programme requirement of 40 Units together with the additional 12 Units of bridging courses, and also achieve a minimum final GPA of 3.0.
To apply click here.
