In collaboration with the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) Graduate Academy (A*GA), Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, the School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences (SPMS) at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) will offer a scholarship-supported programme in the Chemistry and Biological Chemistry for outstanding undergraduate students, beginning with Academic Year 2006/07.
To apply for the A*STAR PGA for Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, please download the application form and submit it with supporting documents to:Associate Chair (Academic)
School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, NTU
Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry
1 Nanyang Walk Block 5, Level 3
Singapore 637616
Deadline for application: 6 June 2006.
Download Terms and Conditions.
1. Aim
The objective of this programme is to provide students, admitted to NTU for undergraduate studies, with a strong and broad foundation in Chemistry and Biological Chemistry leading to graduate studies and research in areas of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry such as Synthetic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Biological Chemistry, etc.
2. B.Sc., Ph.D. Programme
Top undergraduate students taking the B.Sc. (Honours) course in Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, who had been admitted to the course on the basis of their outstanding ‘A’ level results (or equivalent) and who have keen interests/aptitude and desire to pursue postgraduate research in the Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, will be eligible for the B.Sc., Ph.D. Programme. These students may complete their undergraduate B.Sc. (Honours) course in 3 years (instead of the usual 4 years), followed by 3 - 4 years of Ph.D. The entire B.Sc., Ph.D. programme is expected to span a total of 6 years, and not longer than 7 years.
3. Pre-Graduate Award quantum and stipends
Up to 15 A*STAR Pre-Graduate Awards (PGA) will be made available annually to suitable candidates from Year 2 to Year 4 of their 4-year undergraduate studies. Selection of candidates for the awards would be carried out by a PGA Selection Committee of the NTU, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences chaired by the Chair. Successful candidates will be given awards that cover the following:
- Monthly stipends of $460 in Year 2, $560 in Year 3 and $760 in Year 4, for the entire course of study until the completion of their undergraduate degree or up to a maximum of 3 years of candidature, whichever is sooner.
- Payment of direct tuition fee amount and compulsory miscellaneous fees from Year 2 until the completion of their undergraduate degree or up to a maximum of 3 years of candidature, whichever is sooner.
There will not be retroactive awards for past course periods.
4. Selection Criteria and Requirements for the A*STAR PGA
To qualify for award of the A*STAR PGA for the Chemistry and Biological Chemistry Programme, candidates must have obtained a Grade Point Average (GPA – refer Table A) score of 4.25 or higher at the end of Year 1 of their degree programme.
Students with Grade Point Average (GPA) that project a possible second-class upper honours or higher, will also qualify.
Applicants should preferably be Singapore citizens only. Applicants from other ASEAN countries may be eligible for the awards on the understanding that they will apply for and take up Singapore citizenship if offered A*STAR Graduate Scholarships (AGS) for their graduate (PhD) studies. Should the applicants not qualify for AGS, awards of NTU Research Scholarship will not require the taking up of Singapore citizenship.
Enrolment into this scheme is conditional upon the student undertaking PhD studies at NTU, in Singapore or overseas upon graduation and seeking scholarships for their graduate programme in the following order of preference:
- A*STAR Graduate Scholarship
- NTU Research Scholarship (NTU-RS)
5. Continuance
Review of scholarships will be done on annual basis. Candidates with GPA score falling below 4.0 in Year 2 and subsequent years will have their Pre-Graduate Awards terminated. Penalties for dropping out will be governed by terms listed in the offer of Pre-Graduate Awards by A*STAR.
6. Bonds
PhD scholarship holders are required to serve a 4-year bond with A*STAR if they take up the A*STAR AGS award. Should scholars not qualify for AGS and choose to pursue PhD studies in Chemistry and Biological Chemistry under NTU-RS, they will not be required to serve a bond. Should scholars not qualify for AGS and choose to pursue PhD studies in NTU programmes other than Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, they will be required to honour a 2-year bond which they may serve in any of the A*STAR supported Research Institutes in Singapore.
7. Forfeiture and Penalty
Forfeiture and penalty will be governed by the terms and conditions as set by A*STAR.
8. Selection process for the A*STAR Pre-Graduate Award (PGA)
All PGA applications are to be submitted through the Chair’s Office of the School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences and will be subject to a 3-step selection process;
- Pre-Interview Screening
- PGA Selection Committee Interview (CBC)
- Final Confirmation (NTU and A*STAR)
Pre-Interview Screening will be undertaken by the Office of the Chair, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences. Applicants will be accepted or rejected based on the results in the first year of their undergraduate degree programme.
Candidates who are Year 2 students must obtain a GPA of 4.25 or higher in Year 1 to be eligible for consideration for award. Year 3 and Year 4 students must obtain a GPA of 4.25 or higher to retain their awards.
9. Application
All undergraduate students of the School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences at NTU are eligible to apply for the Pre-Graduate Awards and will be notified when applications are open.
Table 1 Grade Point Average (GPA) System in NTU
