Undergraduate
Introduction
Biochemistry Courses for Medical, Dental and Life Science Students
The teaching programmes of the Biochemistry Department embody a fundamental approach to the chemistry of life and convey the strongly unifying contribution of molecular biology to other scientific disciplines. We teach students in four undergraduate years, in both the Natural Sciences and the Medical & Dental Sciences. Courses in the Faculty of Medicine increasingly flow across departmental boundaries, where there is scientific common ground, in terms of personnel and planning.
Medical
Undergraduate Medical Course
Medical Phase 1 (MD1140)
The track extends over the two semesters of the first year. It aims to introduce students to the basics needed to appreciate current thinking on the biochemical and molecular bases of human disease, as well as the biochemical basis of clinical investigations. Independent learning as a supplement to lectures is actively encouraged. Major topics include the structure and function of cells and tissues, energy production and utilisation, detoxification, cell and molecular biology, biochemical genetics and molecular medicine. These aspects are integrated with the teaching in the other two tracks.
Department Program Director: Dr Kenneth Ban
Contact number: +65 6516 3246
E-mail:bchbhkk@nus.edu.sg
Department Deputy Program Director: A/P Theresa TAN
Contact number: +65 6516 3685
E-mail:bchtant@nus.edu.sg
Administrative Staff: Ms Dee Pham
Contact number: +65 6516 3240
E-mail:bchdp@nus.edu.sg
Dental
Undergraduate Dentistry Course
Biochemistry DY1/MD1120A
Biochemistry DY1/MD1120A is taught in semester I and is compulsory for all first year dental students in the Faculty of Dentistry.
Coordinator: Dr. Long Yun Chau
Contact number: +65 66012084
E-mail:bchlongy@nus.edu.sg
Administrative Staff: Ms Dee Pham
Contact number: +65 6516 3240
E-mail:bchdp@nus.edu.sg
Life Sciences
Undergraduate Life Sciences
Program Structure & Curriculum Rationale
The Life Sciences Major curriculum is broad-based and integrated while at the same time streamlined. The coursework incorporates all the modern Life Sciences topics and bench work skills are taught in dedicated, state-of-the-art teaching laboratories.
Broad-Based Core Curriculum
The curriculum is structured to provide a common, broad-based foundation in the first two levels, Levels 1000 and 2000. Students study topics in Molecular, Cellular and Organismal Biology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Physiology and Ecology as well as Physical, Analytical and Organic Chemistry, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics. This is a reflection of the multidisciplinary nature of modern Life Sciences.
Core Skills
In addition to imparting fundamental concepts and principles in Life Sciences through lectures, tutorials, discussions, presentations and independent studies, the curriculum has a significant practical component that trains students in experimental skills essential to Life Sciences. This is augmented by technique-orientated laboratory-based modules and by research projects in UROPS (Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme in Science) and Honours research project.
Three Areas of Specialisations
At Level 3000, students can diverge into any of the three areas of study, namely Biomedical Science (BMS), Molecular and Cell Biology (MCB) or Environmental Biology (EVB), through selecting courses in the specialised areas. The selection of specialisation is guided by students’ interest.
After completing the curriculum for the 3-year Bachelor of Science degree, qualified students can further pursue an additional year of Honours study with one area of specialisation by building on their selected area of study via Level 4000 module coursework and completing one Honours research project of the chosen area. They will then graduate with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree major in Life Sciences with specialisation in the either BMS, MCB or EVB.
Please click here to see modules offered by Department of Biochemistry
UROPS
Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme in Science (UROPS)
Welcome to UROPS!
The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme in Science (UROPS) invites you to work with our Faculty staff and experience the challenges and benefits that come from pursuing an independent research project. UROPS is one of the most important means for undergraduate students to foster mentoring relationships with faculty and research staff and it provides you with a unique opportunity to work with one or more scientists in a specific area of study.
This programme allows you to engage actively in research, discussions, intellectual communications and other creative activities. By complementing the conventional classroom learning, UROPS places students at the frontiers of scientific research. Through the typical phases of doing research, you are able to enhance your knowledge in the latest development of science and technology; acquire special communication and presentation skills; experience creative thinking; interact and forge closer ties with the established scientists and members of their groups.
We believe that the experience you can gain upon completion of the project will assist you in the preparation for future careers and postgraduate training.
AWARD – Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher Prize
* The Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher Prize (OURP) was first launched by the Provost Office in AY2006/2007 as an annual university-wide competition to encourage research and to recognise the best undergraduate researchers in NUS.
* Through this competition, students develop their research skills for use in courses and other academic and professional pursuits; identify academic and career interests; learn about a new field; develop working relationships between classmates and faculty mentors; and provide them a glimpse of graduate life.
* For more information of OUR Prize, please refer to the link here.
Module Coordinator: A/P Bor Luen TANG
Contact number: +65 6516 1040
E-mail:bchtbl@nus.edu.sg
Module Coordinator: A/P Wen Shan YEW
Contact number: +65 6516 8624
E-mail:bchyws@nus.edu.sg
Administrative Staff: Ms Amanda LIM
Contact number: +65 6601 6742
E-mail:amandalim@nus.edu.sg
Honours
Honours Research Project LSM4199 (16 MCs)
The Honours curriculum involves an essential two semester-long research project. Qualified students will be trained in advanced research techniques and conduct scientific research along with our M.Sc. and Ph.D. students under the mentorship of full-time and adjunct faculty members from the Life Sciences departments. The research attachments in our well-equipped state-of-the-art laboratories offer our students many opportunities to develop their organising, analytical and problem-solving skills. They will participate in seminars and presentations aimed at developing communication and writing skills, and present their work via poster presentation and submission of a research Honours thesis at the end of the project.
Module Coordinator: Dr Yun Chau LONG
Contact number: +65 6601 2084
E-mail:bchlongy@nus.edu.sg
Administrative Staff: Ms Dee Pham
Contact number: +65 6516 3240
E-mail:bchdp@nus.edu.sg
Honours Award: Prof Sit’s Honours Book Prize
Sponsored by Emeritus Professor Sit Kim Ping to award cash prize of $400 to honour distinction student who had completed the honours project with the Department, with highest FYP score.
Honours Award: Singapore Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (SSBMB) Award
Offers a cash prize of $150 to the best student in Life Sciences with concentration in Biomedical Science or Molecular and Cell Biology in the Examination for the degree of Bachelor of Science with Honours.
Life Sciences Modules Offered by Department of Biochemistry
LSM1106 Molecular Cell Biology
Module Coordinator: Sem 1: A/P Lih Wen DENG | Sem 2: A/P Heng Phon TOO
Prerequisite: GCE ‘A’ level or H2 Biology or equivalent, or LSM1301 or LSM1301X
Workload: 26 lecture hours + 4 tutorial hours + 12 practical hours
LSM2211 Metabolism and Regulation
Module Coordinator: Sem 1: A/P Wen Shan YEW
Prerequisite: Read LSM1106
Workload: 39 lecture hours + 11 tutorial hours
Module Coordinator: Sem 1: A/P Foong May YEONG | Sem 2: A/P Thilo HAGEN
Prerequisite: Read LSM1106
Workload: 35 lecture hours + 11 tutorial hours
LSM3224 Molecular Basis of Human Diseases
Module Coordinator: Sem 2: A/P Foong May YEONG
Prerequisite: Pass in LSM2211 or LSM2233 or PR2122
Workload: 26 lecture hours + 6 tutorial hours + 18 laboratory hours
LSM3226 Medical Mycology and Drug Discovery
Module Coordinator: Sem 2: A/P Foong May YEONG
Prerequisite: Read LSM2233 or LSM2252 or LSM2291
Workload: 22 lecture hours + 6 tutorial hours + 18 practical hours incorporating self-directed study
LSM3231 Protein Structure and Function
Module Coordinator: Sem 1: A/P Maxey CHUNG
Prerequisite: LSM1106
Workload: 26 lecture hours + 6 tutorial hours + 18 laboratory hours
Module Coordinator: Sem 1: A/P Matthew CHANG
Prerequisite: LSM2211/2232/2233
Workload: 28 lecture hours + 20 tutorial hours
LSM3247 Practical Synthetic Biology
Module Coordinator: Sem 2: A/P Matthew CHANG
Prerequisite: LSM2191 / LSM3246
Workload: 8 lecture hours + 5 tutorial hours + 30 Practical hours
LSM4216 Molecular Nutrition and Metabolic Biology
Module Coordinator: Sem 1: Dr. Yun Chau LONG
Prerequisite: Read LSM2211
Workload: 22 lecture hours + 16 journal club hours + 10 hours (tutorials/student assignments/CAs)
Module Coordinator: Sem 2: A/P Yunn Hwen GAN
Prerequisite: LSM3223
Workload: 30 lecture hours + 20 tutorial hours
LSM4225 Genetic Medicine in the Post-Genomic Era
Module Coordinator: Sem 2: A/P Caroline Guat Lay LEE
Prerequisite: LSM2232
Workload: 30 lecture hours + 22 presentation/self-directed learning/preparation hours
Module Coordinator: Sem 2: A/P Maxey CHUNG
Prerequisite: LSM3231 or LSM3241
Workload: 30 lecture hours + 20 tutorial, self study and presentation hours