Specialisation

 

Specialisations

MSE currently offers seven niche specialisations under the Materials Science and Engineering programme. These specialisations allow students to pursue greater depth in a chosen area and add value to their degrees. The specialisation will be reflected on the academic transcript, which would immensely assist students in their job search/career as well as in their higher studies.

 

Specialisation Criteria

In order to obtain a specialisation, students have to meet the following criteria:

  1. Complete minimum 15 AU courses from a particular specialisation area.
  2. Each specialisation area comprises of 2 Core+ courses and at least 3 Elective courses ( MPEs/ BDEs).
  3. A course cannot be counted towards more than one specialisation
  4. A course cannot be double counted as a second major program elective and a specialisation elective
  5. Courses counted towards a specialisation cannot be S/U or on FGO.
  6. Students who do not wish to obtain a specialisation may still choose courses of their interest from different specialisation areas.

+ Includes GER-Core, Common Core and Foundational Core

 

Specialisation Area 1: Medical Materials​

Specialisation Area 1: Medical Materials​ 

  • Starting from AY2024-25, MS4013 Biomaterials has been revised to 2 AU. Students who take the 2 AU version of MS4013 must complete 4 elective courses (MPE/UE/BDE) to meet the specialisation requirement of a minimum of 15 AU.
  • MS4610, MS4611, and MS4612 are elective courses that are offered under both the Second Major in Medical Biology (MTMB) and Specialisation Area 1: Medical Materials. Students enrolled in the MTMB who also wish to pursue the Medical Materials specialisation must select separate electives for each. Each course can only be counted toward either the second major or the specialisation, but not both.

CoursesTypeAUOffered in Semester

MS2013 Introduction to Polymer Science

Core3Semester 2
MS4013 Biomaterials​ ​Core 2Semester 1
​MS4610 Advanced Biomaterials ​​MPE/UE/BDE 3Semester 1
MS4611 Biomedical Devices​ ​​MPE/UE/BDE 3Semester 2
​MS4612 Drug Delivery & Tissue Engineering ​​MPE/UE/BDE 3Semester 2
​MS4613 Wearable Sensors in Healthcare# ​Major PE 3Semester 1
MS4620 Polymer TechnologyMPE/UE/BDE3Will be offered in due course following a planned revamp
MS4701 Special Topics in Medical Materials 1MPE/UE/BDE1Not offered at NTU; to be fulfilled by matching with equivalent courses at the partner university during the exchange
MS4711 Special Topics in Medical Materials 2 MPE/UE/BDE2
MS4721 Special Topics in Medical Materials 3 MPE/UE/BDE3

 

Specialisation Area 2: Industrial Materials Engineering​ ​

Specialisation Area 2: Industrial Materials Engineering​

For students with double specialisations (specialisation areas 2 & 3), the Core course will be MS2015 Mechanical Behaviour of Materials for specialisation area 2 and MS3014 Analysis of Materials for specialisation area 3.

CoursesTypeAUOffered in Semester
​MS2012 Introduction to Manufacturing Processes ​Core 3Semester 1
MS3014 Analysis of Materials / MS2015 Mechanical Behaviour of Materials* ​Core 3Semester 1 & 2
MS4601 Principles of Semiconductor Devices MPE/UE/BDE3Currently not offered
MS4602 Fundamental of Semiconductor DevicesMPE/UE/BDE2Semester 2
MS4603 Microelectronic Process Integration​ ​MPE/UE/BDE 3Semester 2
MS4620 Polymer TechnologyMPE/UE/BDE3Will be offered in due course following a planned revamp
​MS4621 Selected Topics on Applied Polymer Materials MPE/UE/BDE 2Semester 1
MS4622 Composite MaterialsMPE/UE/BDE3Semester 2
MS4630 Photovoltaics Devices and Energy Storage MPE/UE/BDE3Semester 2
​MS4631 Corrosion Engineering MPE/UE/BDE 3Semester 1
​MS4642 Additive Manufacturing of MaterialsMPE/UE/BDE 1Semester 1
MS4652 Failure AnalysisMPE/UE/BDE3Semester 2
​MS4663 Engineering Solutions by Design ThinkingMPE/UE/BDE 3Semester 1
MS4702 Special Topics in Industrial Materials Engineering 1 MPE/UE/BDE1Not offered at NTU; to be fulfilled by matching with equivalent courses at the partner university during the exchange
MS4712 Special Topics in Industrial Materials Engineering 2MPE/UE/BDE2
MS4722 Special Topics in Industrial Materials Engineering 3MPE/UE/BDE3


Specialisation Area 3: Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

Specialisation Area 3:  Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

Starting from AY2024-25, MS4014 Nanomaterials: Fundamentals & Applications has been revised to 2 AU. Students who take the 2 AU version of MS4014 must complete 4 elective courses (MPE/UE/BDE) to meet the specialisation requirement of a minimum of 15 AU.

CoursesTypeAUOffered in Semester
​MS3014 Analysis of Materials​Core 3Semester 1 & 2
​MS4014 Nanomaterials: Fundamentals & applications ​Core 2Semester 2
​MS4613 Wearable Sensors in Healthcare Major PE 3Semester 1
​MS4640 Advanced Analysis of Materials ​MPE/UE/BDE 3Semester 1
​MS4650 Functional Nanostructured Materials ​MPE/UE/BDE3Semester 2
​MS4651 Thin Film Technology ​MPE/UE/BDE 3Semester 1
MS4703 Special Topics in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology 1​MPE/UE/BDE1Not offered at NTU; to be fulfilled by matching with equivalent courses at the partner university during the exchange
MS4713 Special Topics in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology 2 ​MPE/UE/BDE2
MS4723 Special Topics in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology 3 ​MPE/UE/BDE3

Specialisation Area 4: Innovation and Intellectual Property

Specialisation Area 4:  Innovation and Intellectual Property

As ET0001 is only 1 AU, pre-ICC students who take ET0001 (instead of ML0004) must take 4 elective courses (MPE/UE/BDE) to fulfil the specialisation requirement of a minimum of 15 AU.

CoursesTypeAUOffered in Semester
​MS3015: Industrial Design ​Core 4Semester 1 & 2

 

ET0001 Enterprise and Innovation (pre-ICC students) /

ML0004 Career & Entrepreneurial Development for The Future World* (ICC students)

GER-Core / CC

1/ 

Semester 1 & 2
​MS4660 Fundamentals of Intellectual Property in Materials Science and Engineering ​MPE/UE/BDE 3Semester 1
​MS4661 Application of Patents & Registered Design in Engineering Related Industry ​MPE/UE/BDE 3Semester 2
​MS4662 Appreciating IP in Research & Development ​MPE/UE/BDE 3Semester 2
​MS4663 Engineering Solutions by Design Thinking​MPE/UE/BDE  3Semester 1
MS4704 Special Topics in Innovation and Intellectual Property 1MPE/UE/BDE  1Not offered at NTU; to be fulfilled by matching with equivalent courses at the partner university during the exchange
MS4714 Special Topics in Innovation and Intellectual Property 2MPE/UE/BDE  2
MS4724 Special Topics in Innovation and Intellectual Property 3MPE/UE/BDE  3

 

Specialisation Area 5: Materials and Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Specialisation Area 5: Materials and Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Key Points to Note:

  1. Specialisation Area 5 Completion Requirements:
    • Students must complete a minimum of 15 AU under this specialisation.
    • In addition, students must complete a Final Year Project (FYP) focused on Materials and AI.
  2. Reclassification of CCDS Courses:
    • Reclassification of CCDS courses from UE/BDE to MPE will be done only in Year 4 and ONLY for students who have been allocated FYP projects in Machine Learning/AI-related areas (with MSE or an external organisation).
    • Reclassification survey will be sent after year 4 add/ drop period 

  3. CCDS Course Offering Semesters:
    • The listed offering semesters for CCDS courses are for reference only.
    • Please refer to the class schedule or consult the CCDS registration team for the most up-to-date information on course availability.

CoursesTypeAUOffered in Semester
MS1008 Introduction to Computational ThinkingCore3Semester 1 & 2
MS0003 Introduction to Data Science and Artificial IntelligenceCore3Semester 2
SC2002 Object Oriented Design & Programming (or equivalent)MPE/UE/BDE3Semester 1 & 2
SC3061 Human Computer Interaction (or equivalent)MPE/UE/BDE3Semester 1
SC1007 Data Structures & Algorithms (or equivalent)MPE/UE/BDE3Semester 1 & 2
MS4671 Introduction to Materials SimulationMPE/UE/BDE3Semester 2
MS4705 Special Topics in Materials and Artificial Intelligence (AI) 1MPE/UE/BDE1Not offered at NTU; to be fulfilled by matching with equivalent courses at the partner university during the exchange
MS4715 Special Topics in Materials and Artificial Intelligence (AI) 2MPE/UE/BDE2
MS4725 Special Topics in Materials and Artificial Intelligence (AI) 3MPE/UE/BDE3

 

Specialisation Area 6: Materials and Sustainability

Specialisation Area 6: Materials and Sustainability

Key Points to Note:

  1. Reclassification of CEE Courses:
    • Reclassification of CEE courses from UE/BDE to MPE will be done only in Year 4 and ONLY for students who have passed or registered to other elective courses in the sustainability specialization basket, i.e students who intend to satisfy the specialization by the end of Y4 S2.
  2. CEE Course Offering Semesters:
    • The listed offering semesters for CEE courses are for reference only.
    • Please refer to the class schedule or consult the CEE registration team for the most up-to-date information on course availability.

 

CoursesTypeAUOffered in Semester
CC0006 Sustainability: Society, Economy and Environment
CC3Semester 1 & 2
MS3011 Metallic and Ceramic Materials
Core3Semester 1 & 2
MS4630 Photovoltaic Devices and Energy Storage
MPE/UE/BDE3Semester 2
MS4664 Environmental Sustainability and Materials
MPE/UE/BDE3Semester 2
MS4665 Sustainable Development in Water, Agriculture and Aquaculture@
MPE/UE/BDE2Semester 2
MS4666 Environmental Degradation of Plastics
MPE/UE/BDE1Semester 1
MS4667 Introduction to Sustainable MaterialsMPE/UE/BDE2Semester 1
EM5101 Environmental QualityUE/BDE3Semester 2
EM5104 Air Quality ManagementUE/BDE3Semester 1
EM5109 Environmental Issues and SustainabilityUE/BDE3Semester 2
MS4706 Special Topics in Materials and Sustainability 1MPE/UE/BDE1Not offered at NTU; to be fulfilled by matching with equivalent courses at the partner university during the exchange
MS4716 Special Topics in Materials and Sustainability 2MPE/UE/BDE2
MS4726 Special Topics in Materials and Sustainability 3 MPE/UE/BDE3


Specialisation Area 7: Clean Energy

Specialisation Area 7: Clean Energy 

Key Points to Note:

  1. Reclassification of CEE Courses:
    • Reclassification of CEE courses from UE/BDE to MPE will be done only in Year 4 and ONLY for students who have passed or registered to other elective courses in the sustainability specialization basket, i.e students who intend to satisfy the specialization by the end of Y4 S2.
  2. CEE Course Offering Semesters:
    • The listed offering semesters for CEE courses are for reference only.
Please refer to the class schedule or consult the CEE registration team for the most up-to-date information on course availability.

 

CoursesTypeAUOffered in Semester
CC0007 Science & Technology for Humanity
CC3Semester 1 & 2
MS2018 Electronic & Magnetic Properties of Materials
Core3Semester 2
MS4622 Composite MaterialsMPE/UE/BDE3Semester 2
MS4630 Photovoltaic Devices and Energy Storage
MPE/UE/BDE3Semester 2
MS4681 Carbon Market
MPE/UE/BDE2Semester 1
MS4682 Materials for Hydrogen Fuel
MPE/UE/BDE1Semester 1
EN3006 Energy Resources Engineering
MPE/UE/BDE3Semester 1
MS4707 Special Topics in Clean Energy 1 MPE/UE/BDE1Not offered at NTU; to be fulfilled by matching with equivalent courses at the partner university during the exchange
MS4717 Special Topics in Clean Energy 2 MPE/UE/BDE2
MS4727 Special Topics in Clean Energy 3MPE/UE/BDE3


 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

1. What happens if I want to switch specialisations after taking electives in another area?
You can register the remaining required courses under BDE or UE. MPE AUs are fixed, but BDE/UE limits can be exceeded with approval via the Course Approval e-Form (available at MSE Student intranet >> Undergraduate >> Forms).

2. What happens to the courses I took as MPE for my previous specialisation if I switch to another?

Courses already taken under MPE to satisfy previous specialisation will remain on your records and will be counted to satisfy your MPE AU Requirements. 

3. Will my completed MPE courses be reclassified if I switch specialisations?

No. Courses you have completed as MPE will continue to count toward your MPE AU requirements. They will not be reclassified as BDE. You can register for your remaining specialisation requirements as BDE or UE courses.

4. Can I use BDE or UE courses to fulfil specialisation requirements if I have insufficient MPE credits?

Yes, you may use BDE or UE courses to satisfy specialisation requirements. If you need to exceed the usual credit limits for BDE or UE, approval through the Course Approval e-Form is required (available at MSE Student intranet >> Undergraduate >> Forms).

5. Can I take extra elective courses outside my specialisation area?

Yes, you can take additional electives outside your specialisation. These will count as BDE or UE credits and contribute toward your overall AU graduation requirements.

6. Do I need to take a specific Final Year Project (FYP) to satisfy my specialisation?

Yes. For Specialisation Area 5: Materials and Artificial Intelligence (AI), you must complete an FYP focused on Materials and AI. This requirement applies only to this specialisation.

 7. Can I use the same elective courses to fulfil both my Second Major in Medical Biology and the Specialisation in Medical Materials?

No. You must select separate electives for each. A course can only be counted once—either toward your second major or your specialisation, but not both.

8. Can a course (with similar content) from another NTU Engineering school count toward my MSE specialisation?
No, only courses officially listed under MSE specialisations are eligible.

9. Can I pursue two specialisations simultaneously?

Yes, you can, provided that the courses you take for each specialisation are different and do not overlap. If a course is listed in two specialisations, it can only be counted toward one of them—not both.

10. Can courses completed during an exchange programme count toward my specialisation?
Yes, if the course is approved and matched to an NTU-MSE course, even if graded P/F.

11. I do not intend to satisfy Specialisation Area 7: Clean Energy, should I match the course that I took during an exchange with MS4707/17/27? I could not find any similar courses at NTU, so I am unable to match them.
If you do not plan to fulfil Specialisation Area 7: Clean Energy, and your exchange course cannot be matched to a specific NTU course, you should submit it as a generic MPE, BDE, or UE. This allows the course to count toward your (MPE/ BDE/ UE) AU requirements for graduation, with the original course title shown on your transcript. However, if you submit it as MS4707/4717/4727, it will appear as “Special Topics in Clean Energy 1/2/3” instead.

12. Can I take more than 6 AU of specialisation-related courses during exchange, especially for areas not offered at NTU?
There is a 6 AU cap for “shell courses.” An additional 3 AU may be allowed via matched courses, but the total should not exceed this without special approval.


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