Postgraduate
Our department provides both coursework (MScPHM) and research postgraduate (MSc and PhD) programmes for nurturing future interdisciplinary scientists in industry and academia.
Research Postgraduate Programme under the School of Medicine (MSc and PhD)
The School of Medicine Graduate Programme is a research-oriented programme aimed at training competent biomedical scientists and clinician-scientists who will spearhead and drive the medical biotechnology efforts in the industry. The excellent infrastructure, vibrant research environment, and exciting professionalism of our staff attract both local and international students aspiring for intellectual growth. Graduate students have opportunities to learn cutting-edge technologies and to interact with faculty and visiting scientists.
The Department of Biochemistry offers projects leading to MSc and PhD degrees by research and coursework under the School of Medicine. Students are engaged in supervised research with staff members from the Department of Biochemistry for their period of candidature, at the end of which, they submit a thesis that is examined by a Board of Examiners.
Admission into our Graduate research-based programme is based on guidelines established by the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine. Generally, there are two intakes per academic year, one in August and the other in January.
NUS Graduate School’s Integrative Sciences and Engineering Programme (ISEP)
The NUS Graduate School’s Integrative Sciences and Engineering Programme (ISEP) promotes interdisciplinary PhD research and education. Students enrolled to the programme work at the forefront of science, engineering, computing, and related aspects of biomedicine at NUS faculties, including the Department of Biochemistry.
Master of Science in Precision Health and Medicine
Course Coordinator: A/P Caroline Guat Lay LEE and A/P Kenneth Hon Kim BAN
Precision medicine represents a paradigm shift in healthcare, moving beyond the traditional one-size-fits-all model to leverage cutting-edge technology and advanced analytics in tailoring treatments to each individual’s unique biological profile. To meet the growing demand for expertise in this revolutionary field, NUS Medicine offers the Master of Science in Precision Health and Medicine (MScPHM) programme.
Designed for students from medical, STEM, and other backgrounds, our MScPHM programme provides a comprehensive understanding of precision medicine principles and their real-world applications. Through a dynamic curriculum comprising coursework, group projects, case studies, and hands-on experience, our students develop core skills crucial to precision medicine. They learn to navigate the complexities of integrating diverse data sources, ultimately optimizing patient care in this innovative healthcare paradigm.
As one of Asia’s first inter-disciplinary precision medicine programmes, the MScPHM curriculum is co-led by various NUSMed departments including Biochemistry, Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medicine, Pathology, Biomedical Ethics, and Pharmacology. This collaborative approach extends beyond NUSMed, involving other faculties such as Science, Business, and Engineering, as well as partnerships with Centres of Excellence like the Cancer Science Institute, iHealthTech, and the Duke-NUS Centre of Regulatory Excellence.
To enhance the learning experience, our students also engage with experts from leading institutions, including the National Supercomputing Centre Singapore, A*STAR, SingHealth Duke-NUS Genomic Medicine Centre, and National University Hospital. This exposure to industry leaders ensures students remain at the forefront of precision medicine advancements.
By fostering such a comprehensive and immersive educational experience, our MScPHM programme equips graduates to contribute effectively to the ongoing transformation of healthcare. As our students enter the workforce, they are well-positioned to drive progress in precision medicine, aligning their expertise with both national and global priorities in this rapidly evolving field.
For more information on our course, please visit our website: https://medicine.nus.edu.sg/bch/msc-phm/
Postgraduate Courses for Research Graduates Offered by Department of Biochemistry
MDG5102 Techniques in Biomedical Research (Semester 2)
Course Coordinator: A/P Yvonne TAY and Dr Dennis KAPPEI
Administrative Staff: Ms Wana Rashid, wana.r@nus.edu.sg
This module aims to educate participants on current techniques in biomedical research, including molecular and cellular biology, protein analysis and animal modelling. Participants will develop an understanding of the fundamental principles underlying common experimental techniques, as well as the advantages and limitations of each technique for specific research applications, to facilitate the critical analysis of experimental data. These techniques include the different ways to study nucleic acids, proteins and lipids, key recent advances such as next-generation sequencing and CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats), disease-specific approaches such as in stem cell and cancer biology, and the importance of big data analysis in the fast-evolving biomedical research landscape. With this knowledge, participants will gain better productivity in the workplace and be able to contribute increasingly to cutting-edge research which improves overall healthcare delivery.
MDG5214 Research Skills (Semester 1)
Course Coordinator: A/P CHEN Ee Sin
Administrative Staff: Ms Wana Rashid, wana.r@nus.edu.sg
This course equips students with essential relevant research skills. The students will learn how to perform a comprehensive literature review of current evidence, critique journal articles, use software such as Endnotes to compile references and learn how to write scientific papers and grants. Students will be taught how to develop a scientific poster or prepare oral presentations of scientific findings. In addition, students will learn about the major funding agencies and the Institutional Review Boards in Singapore, and the principles of research ethics.
MDG5218 Biochemical and Genetic Approaches to Understanding Cell Biology (Semester 1)
Course Coordinator: A/P Thilo HAGEN
Administrative Staff: Ms Wana Rashid, wana.r@nus.edu.sg
This course focusses on transferable skills, with an emphasis on writing skills, personal reflections and individual goal setting. To develop writing skills, students will write a research paper based on cell biology related data with the help of generative AI tools (i.e. ChatGPT). Students need to submit the individual sections and reflect on how the use of ChatGPT has helped them (or not) in the process of writing the manuscript. The second assignment will consist of a final reflection video in which students document their learning over the semester. In addition, there will be class sessions on several topics, including experimental design and interpretation, creative thinking, writing and presentation skills.