The School of Physical & Mathematical Sciences (SPMS), established in 2005, has come a long way and has entered a new chapter in its history.
Consisting of three divisions – Chemistry & Biological Chemistry, Mathematical Sciences, and Physics & Applied Physics – the SPMS now has more than 60 faculty members and will have about 2000 students by August 2008. We are firmly committed to our missions in research and education, and the School has certainly made impact in both areas locally and internationally. This excellence in research and education is accomplished through the support of four key pillars: innovative curriculum, fine facilities, quality faculty and staff, and vibrant student body.
Young and energetic, the SPMS has 4 hotly sought-after high-quality direct Honours programs. The major in Chemistry & Biological Chemistry follows the rigorous American Chemical Society guidelines for professional training in the discipline. The major in Mathematical Sciences, building on strong fundamentals, highlights the relevance of mathematics in modern applications, and offers research and internship opportunities to enhance students’ understanding of the state of the art and appreciation of mathematics in real-life applications. The combined major in Mathematics & Economics, jointly offered with the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, is an interdisciplinary program built on the natural synergy between the two disciplines. Similar programs are also available in many top universities in the US and the UK. The major in Physics & Applied Physics provides a firm foundation in the core theories with strong hands-on experimental skills, thus preparing students well for careers from science to technology to finance.
The strong curricula are further supported by superb infrastructure to enhance teaching, learning and research. The brand new SPMS complex houses excellent facilities and provides an ideal environment for the pursuit of knowledge. Thoughtful design, the adoption and adaptation of best practices worldwide, and extensive consultation with the end-users have resulted in state-of-the-art laboratories with high safety standards, as well as classrooms and interaction space that are highly conducive for exchange of ideas. Visitors from both overseas and local universities have expressed marvel at what they saw.
SPMS has also built up a very strong and research-active faculty and has already several strong research groups. Our research groups in Organic Chemistry, Discrete Mathematics, and Condensed Matters and Spectroscopy, amongst others, are amongst the best internationally. Out of the 10 inaugural National Research Foundation (NRF) Fellows in 2008, 3 of the 4 Fellows in chemical, physical and mathematical sciences have chosen to join the SPMS. Their choices affirm SPMS’s reputation as a leader in research.
We value students as an integral part of the School, and we are proud to have with us many outstanding students who are not just good in their academic work, but who are passionate in learning, active in extra-curricular activities, and leaders in diverse ways. Together with helpful support staff, they have helped to build a very vibrant student culture and esprit de corps in the School. Their contributions have helped to shape the student- and faculty-centric culture in the SPMS.
All this would not have been possible without the leadership of our Founding Chair, Professor Lee Soo Ying, whose relentless work has made SPMS what it is today. With the strong foundation laid, SPMS is poised to scale greater heights.
SPMS is forward-looking and THE PLACE for the future. Come and join us in scaling greater heights and writing the next chapter of our history! We welcome you warmly!
Prof. Ling San
Chair, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences