FAQ
1. Briefly describe the curriculum for the Renaissance Engineering Programme (REP).
REP provides a broad-based, interdisciplinary engineering education, which integrates engineering, science, business, technology management and humanities. Students learn the fundamental courses in engineering, science, business, management, leadership, entrepreneurship and ethics. These then lead to studies on more specialised engineering skills in a particular discipline of the students' choice and business know-how relevant to a particular area of study. The curriculum is thus uniquely designed to nurture engineering leaders with an entrepreneurial spirit to serve society with integrity and excellence. It is a 4.5-year dual degree.
2. What is the name of the degree and who will award the degree?
Students will be awarded a Bachelor of Engineering Science with specialisation in a particular engineering discipline coupled with a Master of Science in Technology Management. The Bachelor degree is awarded by the College of Engineering, while the Master of Science is awarded by Nanyang Business School.
3. What is the difference between REP and taking engineering with a Second Major in Business?
REP is a signature programme in engineering to nurture students as future leaders of industry. It provides a broad-based, interdisciplinary engineering education integrating engineering, science, business, technology management and humanities. Students graduate with two degrees within 4.5 years: a Bachelor of Engineering Science (Engineering Specialisation) and a Master of Science (Technology Management). Engineering and Business subjects are taken by students from Year 1. In Year 2 and Year 4, students continue to take core subjects and embark on Major Prescribed core courses under their chosen engineering specialisation. Students spend a year overseas at a renowned overseas partner university in Year 3.
REP integrates engineering and business together in its curriculum. For example, in Fundamentals of Management taken in Year 1, management principles are examined in the context of engineering and high technology companies. Students work on team projects that require them to integrate engineering knowledge and design with business model innovation.
4. Would the curriculum in REP be too generalised and not specialised enough to prepare the REP graduates for their first job?
Students are exposed to a strong foundation in both Engineering and Business and they also take on a specialisation during the degree. As a result, they will acquire both technical and management skills and knowledge which will ease them into their first job.
5. Can students graduate with only a Bachelor of Engineering Science in their chosen specialisation and exit from the programme without proceeding to do the MSc?
Students will need to complete the MSc programme as part of the graduation requirements for the degree.
6. What is the pedagogy adopted in REP?
Lessons are conducted in Team-Based Learning (TBL) pedagogy, which provides a transformational, highly interactive and learner-driven educational experience. This approach enhances the learning of soft skills such as teamwork, leadership and influencing skills. It also helps to improve the overall learning experience and effectiveness of the learning of the course content.
TBL can be considered a subset of flipped classroom. Instead of attending passive lectures and spending time outside of class to work on tutorial questions and going through solutions in classes, students prepare for classes by going through materials such as interactive video segments, readings and self-paced exercises first. When attending class, students first work on individual questions to check the understanding of the pre-class materials, then work in teams on the same questions to affirm their level of understanding. Students will further work on more complex questions as a team to offer the solution.
7. What are the areas of specialisation students can choose from?
Students can choose from these specialisations: Aerospace Engineering, Bioengineering, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Materials Engineering and Mechanical Engineering.
8. When do students indicate their choice of engineering specialisation?
Students indicate their choice of engineering specialisation at the end of Year 1.
9. What are the primary differences between the overseas universities* in the US (Berkeley) and London (Imperial)?
REP students could expect differences in culture and environment during their experiences in University of California, Berkeley (UCB) and Imperial College London (ICL). In addition, each partner university has different characteristics. For UCB, the focus is more on entrepreneurial start-up. For ICL, it is the academic depth and rigour in engineering.
Before you make a decision, it is advisable to talk to seniors who have already been to these universities. In addition, there are resources available online that reflect the academic strengths of the different schools. REP students can decide on the university that best suits their needs. In terms of the credit-bearing professional attachment, students heading to ICL will start their professional attachment at the end of Year 2 while those going to UCB will do so at the end of Year 3.
*subject to change without notice10. What kind of professional attachment opportunities can students enjoy?
Students will be required to fulfil a 10-week credit-bearing professional attachment either locally or overseas. The professional attachment can be self-sourced or placed by the Career & Attachment Office (CAO). It can be in private organisations or start-ups. Examples of organisations which students had interned include Amazon, Micron, Shopee Singapore, HTX and Apple.
11. Can students do more than one professional attachment in the REP?
Only one professional attachment is counted as credit-bearing and as part of the curriculum requirement. However, students can choose to do more than one non-credit bearing internships during their semester breaks. With effect from AY2023, the credit-bearing Professional Attachment will be letter-graded.
12. Eleven batches of REP students had graduated. Where are most REP graduates employed?
Our graduates have been able to secure good jobs in a diverse range of industries in the private sector. There are also REP graduates in the public sector, pursuing their own start-up dream or doing postgraduate studies.
13. What skills do a REP graduate possess?
REP is a broad-based interdisciplinary programme. Skills such as engineering, communication and teamwork are particularly useful for your first job. The broad-based education in REP offers a good launchpad for those starting in their first jobs. Other than the technical knowledge they bring to their first job, they will also be able to tap on their business knowledge such as accounting, management and financial management and play an effective role in balancing both the technical and business aspects on the first job.14. Can students take up an external company's scholarship when they are holding on to REP scholarship?
The existing REP scholarship will cease once the company scholarship takes effect. Students are advised to seek the advice of the Scholarship Department and REP Office.
15. Do students need to maintain a minimum cGPA to maintain the scholarship?
Students need to maintain a minimum cGPA of 3.75 (for offers made from AY2017 onwards) to maintain the scholarship.
16. How do students go about purchasing the laptop with the one-off computer allowance from REP scholarship?
After students have matriculated in August, the one-off computer allowance will be disbursed to students in September. There is no need to submit any claim.
17. Is Renaissance Engineering Programme accredited?
In June 2024, Engineering Accreditation Board (EAB) has awarded REP full accreditation for the Bachelor of Engineering Science (Engineering Specialisation) degree for students graduating in the academic years 2023/2024 to 2027/2028. The next accreditation will take place in 2029.
18. How would you describe the learning experience of REP students?
REP is committed to provide students with various opportunities to explore their interests, meet and work with like-minded individuals on meaningful projects and have an enriching and rewarding student life.
We work closely with the REClub to co-organise events, or to provide mentorship and support to student-led initiatives. Some examples of student-led initiatives supported by the REP Office include Makers which allows students to create innovative solutions to real world engineering problems; Transition and Orientation Programme which is an annual week-long freshmen orientation programme; HEAL which is an overseas service learning and REPertoire which is the performing arts branch of REClub.19. How do freshmen apply for their hall?
All REP freshmen are required to stay in North Hill halls for the first year. Students can apply for Binjai, Tanjong or Banyan Hall via Hall OnLine Application (HOLA), and will be assigned to any one of these 3 halls.
Please click here to find out about the different accommodation choices.
20. Are REP students required to enrol in any courses during Special Term to clear some of the courses before the Semester officially starts in August?
There is no need for REP students to enrol in any modules before the Semester starts in August.