Master of Science (Life Sciences)

Full-time

Minimum

1 year

Maximum

3 years

Part-time

Minimum

2 years

Maximum

4 years

MLS900 Science Communication (4 AUs)
It is important for Science to be communicated effectively across all levels, given its large impact on society and vice versa. All science professionals, whether they are in education, research or industry, will need to engage different audiences in science communication at various points in their work. It is therefore essential for them to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to evaluate scientific information and communicate it using audience-appropriate styles and platforms. Given its high relevance and wide applicability in the science-rich workplaces for graduates from the MSc (Life Sciences) programme, Science Communication is proposed as a core course for all students in the programme.

MLS901 Critical Inquiry (Applied Plant Sciences) (2 AUs)
This is a compulsory course offered to participants who are enrolled in the Critical Inquiry (CI) route.

Participants in this course will acquire experimental skills/techniques specific to the Applied Plant Sciences specialisation of the Life Sciences Programme. This lab-based course exposes students to principal research approaches and methodologies currently adopted in the life sciences. Tools and techniques will be taught in context of their applications to research and industry. Topics include molecular techniques such as mutagenesis, DNA isolation and quantification, restriction enzyme digests, PCR (polymerase chain reaction), and molecular cloning; determination of proteins; analysis of plant minerals and total reduced nitrogen. Emphasis is on hands-on laboratory experience and linking this to real situations in which tools and techniques can be used to answer specific scientific questions.

MLS902 Advanced Plant Physiology (4 AUs)
The purpose of this advanced plant physiology course is to ensure that students obtain substantive understanding of the physiological processes controlling plant behaviour and productivity both at the biochemical as well as molecular levels. Particular emphasis will be on current research into plant nutrition and water relations; plant metabolism including photosynthesis, respiration, carbohydrate metabolism with an emphasis on regulation and the interaction among metabolic pathways. Group discussion of selected recent publications with reference to the use of plant physiology in improving crop production and horticulture will also be emphasised. The purpose of this activity is to introduce students to critical use of scientific papers published within the various fields of interest.

MLS903 Seminars on Special Topics in the Applied Plant Sciences (4 AUs)
This course is intended to broaden exposure of higher degree students to current and relevant topics and issues in the applied plant sciences field through discussion and dialogue with both academics and industry players. It will cover broad areas such as microbial soil biology, ecophysiology, horticulture, urban greening and natural resources usage.

MLS904 Plant Molecular Genetics and Development (4 AUs)
What makes a plant a plant? How do plants do what they do? Thanks to advances in molecular genetics, engineering and computing, great strides have been made in the past quarter century in our ability to answer these basic questions. As our understanding of plant phylogeny, physiology, ecology, and development has accelerated, there is a need to organise the vast body of research in plant molecular genetics. This course will examine the molecular basis of many fundamental issues in plant biology, from inheritance to growth and development and much more. Emphasis will be placed on learning via primary literature wherever possible.

MLS905 Seminars and Practice on Functional Genomics (4 AUs)
What makes a plant a plant? How do plants do what they do? Thanks to advances in molecular genetics, engineering and computing, great strides have been made in the past quarter century in our ability to answer these basic questions. As our understanding of plant phylogeny, physiology, ecology, and development has accelerated, there is a need to organise the vast body of research in plant molecular genetics. This course will examine the molecular basis of many fundamental issues in plant biology, from inheritance to growth and development and much more. Emphasis will be placed on learning via primary literature wherever possible.

MLS921 Critical Inquiry (Chemistry) (2 AUs)
This is a compulsory experimental course offered to MLS (Chemistry) participants to enable them to solve real life problems.

This course will enable participants to enhance their higher order thinking skills like critical thinking and problem solving; and apply chemistry knowledge through the use of the scientific inquiry approach to solve related chemical problems. Experimental techniques and relevant instrumentation related to different areas of chemistry will be introduced. This course will be taught by a team of chemists with different backgrounds and participants will benefit from the diverse range of topics and ideas presented.

MLS922 Chemistry of Biological Systems (4 AUs)
The role of metals in biological systems is an area of great interest to chemists and biologists alike. Life in its present form would not be possible without the involvement of the metallic elements. This course deals with the key ways in which metals participate in biochemical processes, focusing on biomolecules that incorporate metal atoms in their molecular structures. The ways in which the chemical properties of selected metals define the biological function of the systems they are found in will be discussed. This course integrates chemical principles into lectures on the structure and functions of biological molecules as well as gives an introduction to the standard tools and techniques employed in Chemical Biology research. Topics covered will include the roles of proteins in metal management, oxygen carrier proteins, electron-transfer proteins and metalloenzymes as well as relevant topics recent literature. Quantitative analysis of biological samples based on classical techniques and modern instrumental methods will also be discussed.

MLS923 Separation and Analytical Chemistry (4 AUs)
The discovery of new functional compounds often starts from the key step in the separation, purification, and qualitative/quantitative detection of the active component(s).

The main goals of this course is to familiarise students with:

(i) state-of-the-art separation methodologies,

(ii) development and applications of (bio) sensing/analytical instrumentations.

The course topics include concept and trends in modern chemical analysis; various chromatographic and spectrometric methods; case study on separation of biomolecules and environmental samples; and fundamentals of (bio) sensing transducing techniques for the development of biosensors.

MLS924 Materials Chemistry (4 AUs)
Materials chemistry involves studying the relationship between structures and properties of materials. The following important major materials will be discussed in-depth in this course: metals, ceramics, glass, polymers and composites. The structure, physicochemical property, application relationship of these materials will be discussed and highlighted in the context of material properties and structural elements. Cross-disciplinary aspects of materials chemistry will be emphasized throughout this course by linking other scientific disciplines such as nanotechnology, colloidal science, biomedicine and engineering. This course will be taught by a team of chemists with different backgrounds and students will benefit from the diverse range of topics and ideas presented.

MLS925 Asymmetric Synthesis (4 AUs)
Asymmetric catalysts not only accelerate chemical reactions but can also exert remarkable control of the absolute and relative stereochemistry through the three-dimensional interaction of the asymmetric catalysts with the reacting substrates. Thus, products with high optical purities could be obtained efficiently, an important factor in medicinal chemistry. This is an advanced course which covers the design, discovery, and study of catalytic systems that catalyze fundamentally interesting and important organic transformation reactions. The application of physical-organic chemistry tools to gain insight into the transition structure geometries and molecular recognition events that control the origin of stereoselectivity will also be discussed. The topics are taught with special emphasis on the current emerging tools in organic synthetic methodology.

MLS926 Bioactive Natural Products and their Derivatives (4 AUs)
The purpose of the course on Bioactive Natural Products and their Derivatives is to provide participants with fundamental knowledge of natural product chemistry and the role natural products play in drug discovery and development. Topics such as the distribution and biosynthesis of natural products and their ecological function within biological systems, as well as knowledge of drugs, drug extracts and bioactive natural products from plants and microbes that are used for production of medicine and herbal remedies, will be covered. In addition, innovative analytical techniques used in natural products research will be emphasized.

MLS927 Current Topics in Environmental Chemistry (4 AUs)
This course is aimed to expose participants to a range of current crucial topics in the field of environmental chemistry. Chemistry principles applied to the study of atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere will be discussed. The importance of the anthrosphere, i.e. part of the environment made and operated by humans will be introduced. In addition, the environmental, health, and economic effects of pollution in a chemical context will be examined through discussion on local and global case studies. Ways of alleviating pollution issues via public education and pollution regulations will be explored.

MLS928 Green Chemistry (4 AUs)
Green chemistry, also called sustainable chemistry, encourages the design of products and processes that minimize the use and generation of hazardous substances. The introduction of this course is to expose participants to the principles of green chemistry and their extensive application potentials in various chemistry and related fields, e.g. Physics, Molecular Biology, and Environmental Science. The course covers topics like waste minimization, atom efficiency, solvent selection, (bio)catalysis, renewable resources and energy efficient processes.

MLS929 Medicinal Chemistry (4 AUs)
Medicinal chemistry is a chemistry-based course and it involves the application of chemical research to the development of new pharmaceuticals. A wide range of topics will be included in the discussion of medicinal chemistry. These topics include drug targets, drug optimization, structure activity relationship studies, synthetic organic chemistry, pharmacology, as well as drug discovery and development. Novel chemical and biological techniques will be highlighted in this course and are introduced in the context of the drug development process. Interdisciplinary aspects of medicinal chemistry will be emphasized by linking other scientific disciplines, such as biochemistry and molecular biology. This course will be taught by a team of chemists with different backgrounds and participants will benefit from the diverse range of topics and ideas presented.

MLS930 Physical Methods in Structural Elucidation (4 AUs)
Structural elucidation is an essential aspect in many areas of Chemistry. This course seeks to provide students with a good understanding of the principles behind the commonly-used physical structural elucidation techniques in academia, regulatory bodies and industry. It also highlights the strengths and limitations of each technique. Examples of applications of these techniques will also be discussed, to help students appreciate the practical considerations and issues encountered in their use. In particular, this course will equip students for research projects that involve structural elucidation.

MLS931 Metallomics (4 AUs)
Metallomics within the cell and in the living organism is an emerging and growing field of research that involves integration of a broad range of research disciplines such as analytical, bioinorganic, environmental and medicinal chemistry. It is basically a study of the metallome (metal, metalloid or trace element) of an entire system and how the metallome interacts with the organisms genome, proteome or metabolome. In this course, the molecular mechanisms of metals in metal-containing biomolecules in biological system, the roles of metals in disease development, metal-based drugs and the characterization of metallomes in biological systems using various analytical techniques will be covered.

MLS941 Critical Inquiry (Clean Energy Physics) (2 AUs)
This is a compulsory course offered to participants of Clean Energy Physics who are enrolled in the complete coursework route.

Participants in this course will acquire experimental skills/techniques which are specific to Clean Energy Physics Specialisation. This course will enable participants to enhance their higher order thinking skills like critical thinking, problem solving, and application of knowledge through the use of the science Inquiry approach to solve clean energy related problems.

MLS942 Global Energy Systems (4 AUs)
This is an introductory course that is designed for students to understand the global energy sources available for mankind. It provides both theoretical and practical understanding of how energy and climate policies are distribute and connected across a multitude of cases drawn from global to local arenas. This is the first course in this Master programme and is intended for those engaged with or planning a career in professional contexts relating to energy management, education, RD and marketing.

MLS943 Photovoltaic Physics and Solar Cells (4 AUs)
Today the traditional energy sources based on fossil fuels are depleting at an ever fast rate and will be exhausted in the next centuries. Photovoltaic solar energy becomes one of the most feasible alternative energy sources that will provides energy demand for mankind in the future. This course deals with the issues of an alternative sustainable energy source that relies on the direct conversion of sunlight into electrical energy in solar cells based on the photovoltaic effect.

MLS944 Nuclear Physics and Fission Energy (4 AUs)
Nuclear Energy presently contributes about 15% of the Worlds supply of electricity with minimal production of CO2 and other greenhouse gases. This course provides in-depth coverage of the physics related to nuclear energy (basic nuclear physics, fission reactions, neutron physics, reactor physics, radiation interactions)
 together with a general overview of some important aspects of nuclear energy systems, including: reactor technologies, the nuclear fuel cycle, uranium and thorium resources, nuclear safety, and the human health effects of radiation. The contribution that nuclear energy can make to the security and sustainability of energy supplies is highlighted.

MLS945 Plasma Physics and Fusion Energy (4 AUs)
Nuclear Fusion has been identified as one of the clean and long term energy sources. Fusion is the process that powers our Sun and other stars and releases huge amount of energy when two light nuclei fuse together. Thermonuclear fusion is a way to achieve nuclear fusion by using extremely high temperatures. At high temperatures, the matter goes into the fourth state i.e. Plasma. Controlled thermonuclear fusion has two prime requirements: first - heat the fusion fuel plasmas to extremely high temperatures for high fusion reaction rates and second - confine this hot dense plasma for sufficiently long durations so that enough reactions can take place for useful energy output. Significant progress has been made in the field of fusion science and technologies. Two projects, the National Ignition Facility (NIF) and ITER (a massive 20 Billion international project) are hoping to achieve breakeven, that is, producing as much energy as was required to ignite the reaction. This course will highlight the comparative advantages of Fusion Energy source over other energy resources, fundamental of Fusion and Plasmas physics, Physics and technology of few of key fusion devices such as mirror machines, tokamaks, laser inertial fusion and dense plasma focus.

MLS946 Physical Methods for the Analysis of Energy Materials (4 AUs)
The amount of information that can be derived from an examination of any material depends ultimately on how fine a probe is used. The wavelength of X-rays in the region of 0.1 nm would be an excellent probe. Modern scanning techniques are able to probe down to the nanometer scale lengths as well. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron Spectroscopy are useful for the studies of molecular structure. The electron microscope is also widely used for high resolution work in studying cellular ultrastructure. Transmission and scanning electron microscopies (TEM and SEM) are normally used to investigate the 3-dimensional pattern of advance nanostructured materials. To identify the various elements especially, the energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectroscopy is an excellent tool. This course will survey a wide range of modern and traditional characterization techniques with emphasis on techniques which are useful in current research laboratories. Participants will have the opportunity to learn to operate selected characterization instruments in this course.

MLS947 Energy Storage Systems (4 AUs)
Energy storage systems allow the supply and demand of energy to be balanced. This is particularly important with current renewable energy resources such as solar energy where the energy produced during the day can be stored or use at night. Participants in this course will learn various types of energy storage systems and its related technologies. Some examples of energy storage systems are reservoirs and dams for storing gravitational potential energy to run hydroelectric power generators, chemical storage systems, batteries, thermal energy storage. Details of energy storage systems vary in their intended use, for example the energy storage system for a vehicle will have quite different requirements from an energy storage system for a home or grid energy storage system. In addition to the physics of novel energy storage systems, this course will also allow students to discuss the safety, cleanness and economic viability modern energy storage systems.

MLS948 Molecular Spectroscopy (4 AUs)
The course on Molecular Spectroscopy will provide the students with the theoretical knowledge and the experimental tools in understanding the properties of many different materials especially those used in clean energy technologies e.g. the materials used in solar cells and biofuels. In this course, the students will learn and use the techniques applied in molecular spectroscopy, and they are microwave, infrared, and Raman spectroscopies.

MLS949 Selected Research Topics in Clean Energy Physics (4 AUs)
With population growth, industrial development and technology advancement, the global demand for energy has increased drastically. However, 90 per cent of the primary energy use, nowadays, is from non-renewable sources which include the fossil fuels and nuclear energy. Over-reliance on these non-renewable sources poses grave threats to the sustainable human development such as energy crisis (where the peak of oil production will be reached before year 2020) and environmental debt (including global warming, greenhouse gas emission, nuclear disaster, etc.). As a result, current energy development is moving toward the development of clean energy as sustainable provision of energy to meets the future needs. In this course, students are expect to perform literature review on the latest advances in clean energy research, development and technologies.

MLS950 Applied Quantum Mechanics (4 AUs)
Quantum mechanics is widely recognized as the basic law that governs all of nature, including all materials and devices. It has always been essential to the understanding of material properties, and as devices become smaller it is also essential for studying their behavior. This is an introductory course on quantum theory designed for students to understand the rudiments of the physics governing the atoms and molecules. There is an increasing need for professionals in clean energy to delve deeper and deeper into the laws of microscopic regime.

MLS951 Lasers and Photonics (4 AUs)
This is an elective course that is designed for students to understand the science and technology of generating detecting and manipulating light/ photons. It provides both theoretical and practical understanding light. This course is intended to support the students by providing the advanced concepts of lasers and light to allow a better understanding of equipment and techniques which they encounter in their science, technology and engineering related Masters or PhD studies.

MLS952 Nanotechnology (4 AUs)
This is an elective course that is designed for students to understand the physics, technology and applications of nanoscaled materials and devices. These include quantum confinements in 0, 1, 2 and 3 D systems, assembly and characterization of nanostructures, nanofabrication and application of various functional devices.

MLS961 Critical Inquiry (Environmental Science) (2 AUs)
This is a compulsory course offered to participants who are enrolled in the Critical Inquiry (CI) route. Participants in this course will acquire experimental skills/techniques specific to the Applied Plant Science specialization of the Life Science Programme. This lab-based course exposes students to principal research approaches and methodologies currently adopted in the life sciences. Tools and techniques will be taught in context of their applications to research and industry. Topics include molecular techniques such as mutagenesis, DNA isolation and quantification, restriction enzyme digests, PCR (polymerase chain reaction), and molecular cloning; determination of proteins; analysis of plant minerals and total reduced nitrogen. Emphasis is on hands-on laboratory experience and linking this to real situations in which tools and techniques can be used to answer specific scientific questions.

MLS962 Environmental Health and Toxicology (4 AUs)
The study of the effect of pollution on natural ecosystems by examining biological responses at all organismal levels (molecular to whole organism) using biomarkers is an increasingly popular tool for managing environmental health by various governmental bodies.

MSc (LS) Environmental Science candidates who take this course will have an opportunity to run laboratory experiments using known pollutants. Field sampling will be conducted to examine possible correlations with environmental contamination, allowing candidates to experience a direct application of ecotoxicology techniques as an environmental management tool. This experimental extension allows for a more rigorous assessment of a research-based course.

MLS963 Conservation and Management (4 AUs)
In a rapidly changing world where the utilisation of resources is inextricably linked to development, the challenge of ensuring the sustainable use of natural resources has global consequences. This course will deal with issues relating to the sustainable use, protection, conservation and management of the earths natural resources through relevant case studies. Local, regional and international initiatives, which address the issue of sustainable development and natural resource management, and the role of science in environmental management will be studied.

MLS964 Global Environmental Change and Vulnerable Ecosystems (4 AUs)
Accelerated change in the environment on a global scale has been observed in the Anthropocene. The drivers of these global scale changes are attributed to human activities that relate to an unsustainable rate of development. Natural ecosystems (both terrestrial and aquatic) are impacted by environmental change, particularly when the scale and intensity of change exceeds the natural resilience and tolerance states of these ecosystems. It is important to be able to monitor and understand the impacts of environmental change to whole systems, especially vulnerable tropical ecosystems which largely support more than half of the earths human populations. This course aims to look at global environmental change and their impacts on vulnerable ecosystems from a scientific perspective, utilising state of the science technologies and newly developing knowledge. The course will be delivered as a practice-based field-orientated programme, which will have an overseas field component.

MLS965 Evolution and Phylogeny (4 AUs)
While Physics and Chemistry have many fundamental laws that most science students are well acquainted with, Biology is fascinating in that there is a unity of all life, with the incredible diversity of living things and their innumerable adaptations for survival and reproduction. What made this shared ancestry and diversification possible? We will explore the process of evolution and the patterns of relationship among living things that follow from it. In addition, we will see how an evolutionary approach can help us better understand the interaction between organisms and their environment, as well as how an understanding of evolution and phylogeny can assist in the conservation and management of habitats and endangered species. Research themes and methods that are currently being actively pursued in the field will be highlighted.

MLS966 Field Techniques in Environmental Science (4 AUs)
In the study of the environment, field research is fundamental to helping scientists understand natural processes, and responses of ecosystems to changes, e.g. environmental change, global warming, pollution. This course introduces current research approaches and methods employed by field scientists in gathering data pertaining to plant and animal physiology, biochemistry and molecular biology, adaptations and behaviours. Participants will have the opportunity to conduct field experiments under the guidance of experts using field instrumentation and laboratory analyses. Techniques include plant physiology, ecotoxicology, chemical ecology, microbiology, molecular biology and pharmacognosy. Participants will also conduct field experiments and analyses of research data.

MLS967 Forest Ecology and Management (4 AUs)
Many countries depend on forests as natural resources that contribute towards economic growth. Large areas of the worlds forests, however, are being cleared at a fast pace, which, left unchecked, may result in the loss of biodiversity as well as the degradation of the environment through soil erosion and the building up of greenhouse gases, not to mention a loss of a potentially sustainable source of income. How then do we achieve a balance to attain sustainable growth? This course will examine two overlapping yet very different issues. The first concerns the dynamics of forest ecosystems: their history, distribution, and ecology. The second issue is that of forest usage and management, timber and non-timber extraction methods, and silviculture. Policies pertaining to the international trade in timber, forest conservation, and sustainable forestry will also be examined in an attempt to better understand the forces that will determine the fate of our forest resources.

MLS968 Seminars on Special topics in Environmental Science (4 AUs)
Other relevant and important subjects relating to the study of the environment will be covered in a seminar series. Experts from relevant industries will be invited deliver seminars and workshops on several topics including environmental law, environmental management systems and audits, and the role and relevance of environmental agencies. Students will also be assessed through term papers on related topics.

MLS969 Sustainable Earth Resources (4 AUs)
The course introduces earths biodiversity as composed of resources that sustain life. In order for natural systems and human civilisation to exist in harmony, there is a need to develop sustainable relationships between humans and the global environment, and this is an issue that has become a matter of urgency, as economic and social goals relate to strategies of resource use and ecosystem management. The problems and policies associated with the use of resources (wilderness, forests, farmland, aquatic ecosystems) and urban industrial society are examined. Singaporean issues are central, but are set in a global context. Topics include: the concept of sustainable land-use, measuring and monitoring ecological biodiversity, developing land-use policies that take in ecosystem, social, and economic needs, and the development of a land ethic in modern societies.

MLS971 Critical Inquiry (Environmental Biology) (2 AUs)
This is a compulsory course offered to participants who are enrolled in the Critical Inquiry (CI) route.

Participants in this course will acquire experimental skills/techniques specific to the Environmental Biology specialisation of the Life Science Programme. This field and lab-based course introduces current research approaches and methods employed by scientists in gathering data pertaining to plant and animal physiology, biochemistry and molecular biology, adaptations and behaviours. Participants will have the opportunity to conduct field experiments under the guidance of experts using field instrumentation and laboratory analyses. Techniques include plant physiology, ecotoxicology, chemical ecology, microbiology, molecular biology and pharmacognosy. Participants will also conduct field experiments and analyses of research data.

MLS972 Advances in Ecology (4 AUs)
Besides introducing the various concepts in ecology, the course focuses on the complexity and interplay of ecology at the different levels of biological organisation (e.g., individual <-> populations <-> communities). In todays highly altered environments, knowledge about ecology has immense value in real-world applications to ensure a sustainable Earth for future generations. Singaporean issues are central, but are set in a global context. For example, the construction of the EcoLink@BKE in Singapore is an attempt to address habitat fragmentation, an issue also faced by many developing countries due to deforestation and habitat degradation. Topics include population growth models, competition, niche partitioning, trophic interactions, succession, and island biogeography.

MLS973 Physiological and Molecular Responses of Plants and Animals to Environmental Stress I (4 AUs)
​Environmental stress can be caused by both abiotic (physical and chemical) and biotic (effects of other organisms)
 factors. How plants and animals sense and respond to environmental stress have fascinated scientists. Due to both anthropogenic-driven and nature-driven environmental changes like changing solar radiation (both visible and UV radiation), global warming or increasing temperatures, increasing periods of freezing temperatures and droughts, ocean acidification, and increasing pollutants, determining the ability of plants and animals to sense and respond to different environmental stress becomes increasingly important.

Participants in this course will learn about the molecular and physiological mechanisms used by both plants and animals to cope with environmental stress in the different environments.

MLS974 Physiological and Molecular Responses of Plants and Animals to Environmental Stress II (4 AUs)
This course is a continuation of Physiological and Molecular Responses of Plants and Animals to Environmental Stress I. Physical factors like carbon dioxide levels, pressure changes in the deep sea, water availability can affect the survival of many organisms living in that environment. In addition to physical factors, chemical factors such as availability of mineral nutrients, changes in salt contents, heavy metals contamination, use of fertilisers and air pollution can also affect both plant and animal survival. The presence and the behaviour of other organisms in the ecosystem can affect the survival of both plats and animals too.

Participants in this course will learn about the molecular and physiological mechanisms used by plants and animals in coping with environmental stress (mineral stress, salinity stress, heavy metal contamination and air pollution in plants; ocean acidification, pressure changes, water availability and salinity stress in animals). The interactions between plants and animals in the environment will also be discussed.

MLS975 Seminars on Plant Developmental Responses in a Changing Environment (4 AUs)

​Multicellular photosynthesizing plants existed on land around 850 million years ago. The ever-changing earth environment contributes to the diverse anatomy and morphology of leaves, roots, flowers, and seeds. Plants possess amazing phenotypic plasticity of which a single genotype produces different phenotypes in different environments. Comparative and quantitative genetics, as well as molecular approaches are leading to new insights into the adaptive nature of developmental plasticity, its underlying mechanisms and its role in the ecological distribution and evolutionary diversification of plants in a changing environment. With the growing concerns in climate change and global warming, identification of stress-responsive genes and their subsequent introgression within sensitive crop species are now being widely carried out by plant scientists to supply food to an ever-increasing population.

MLS981 Critical Inquiry (Zoological Sciences) (2 AUs)
This is a compulsory course offered to participants in the Zoological Science Specialisation who are enrolled in the Critical Inquiry (CI) route.

Participants in this course will acquire experimental skills/techniques which are specific to the Zoological Sciences specialisation of the Master of Science (Life Sciences) Programme. This lab-based course will enable participants to enhance their psychomotor skills in molecular and biochemical techniques, higher order thinking skills like critical thinking, problem solving, and application of knowledge through the use of the Science Inquiry Approach to solve scientifically oriented questions/problems.

MLS982 Comparative Functional Anatomy (4 AUs)
The focus of this course is on vertebrate and invertebrate studies at the organismic level, emphasizing comparative, anatomical, developmental morphology, adaptive radiation, and functional characteristics of evolutionary significance. The study of this subject in contemporary zoology is vast; consequently, selected themes and taxa, their phylogeny, and systems, will form the topics of study. Laboratory work with preserved and live specimens and demonstrations emphasize comparative functional anatomy and techniques of biological systematics. Evolutionary innovation and the contemporary role of comparative anatomy as a path-breaking, pioneering discipline in solving new problems and generating novel theories crossing traditional interdisciplinary barriers of biological disciplines and engineering science are highlighted.

MLS983 Advances in Animal Ecology (4 AUs)
Besides introducing the various concepts in animal ecology, the course focuses on the complexity and interplay of animal ecology at the different levels of biological organisation (e.g., individual  populations  communities). In todays highly altered environments, knowledge about animal ecology has immense value in real-world applications to ensure a sustainable Earth for future generations. Singaporean issues are central, but are set in a global context. For example, the construction of the EcoLink@BKE in Singapore is an attempt to address habitat fragmentation, an issue also faced by many developing countries due to deforestation and habitat degradation. Topics include population growth models, competition, niche partitioning, trophic interactions, succession, and island biogeography.

MLS984 Molecular & Physiological Responses to Environmental Stress (4 AUs)
Environmental stress can be caused by both abiotic (physical and chemical) and biotic (effects of other organisms)
 factors. How animals sense and respond to environmental stress have fascinated scientists. Due to anthropogenic-driven environmental changes like depletion of the ozone layer, increasing UV radiation, global climate change, ocean acidification, and increasing pollutants, determining the ability of animals to sense and respond to different environmental stress becomes increasingly important. Participants in this course will learn about the molecular and physiological mechanisms used by different organisms in coping with stress in both the terrestrial and aquatic environments.

MLS985 Chemical Ecology (4 AUs)
This course explores the role and function of chemistry in mediating interactions among a variety of organisms, including intraspecific and interspecific interactions. The course will cover the range of compound classes involved in chemical ecology. In addition, we will discuss the diversity of species interactions and chemical compounds in terrestrial and aquatic systems, and methods (e.g. analytical and molecular techniques) used to detect these compounds. We will cover defensive and offensive chemistry mediating antagonistic interactions; the evolution of defenses; chemicals mediating mutualisms, competition, and sociality; the physiology of chemical production and recognition; and how chemical ecology affects humans. The biotechnological applications of chemical ecology will also be discussed. This course will include paper discussions of relevant recent literature.

MLS986 Sensory Zoology (4 AUs)
Sensory physiology, animal behaviour, and animal ecology have traditionally been studied in isolation; sensory zoology or ecology is the synthesis of these sub-disciplines to link animal perceptual abilities to the observed ecological interactions. The course focuses on linking the internal and external ecologies of animals, and provide relevant knowledge on this emerging field of study. Topics include physical properties of the various environments, photoreception, chemoreception, mechanoreception, electroreception, as well as applied aspects of this field in ecology and conservation.

MLS987 Contemporary Topics in Zoological Sciences (4 AUs)
This seminar course focuses on current research areas, topics and reviews of literature in zoological sciences. As graduate students are expected and encouraged to read current zoological science research literature critically and widely, each time this course is conducted, a recently published edited book in relevant zoological science themes will be selected by the instructors to be used as the course resource. Seminar resource material (i.e., the edited book)
 will be selected on a thematic or disciplinary basis, rather than on a taxon-specific basis. Each student is required to read, synthesise, critique and make a class presentation on an assigned chapter of the book. In addition, the students are expected to read the entire book so that they can engage each presenter in fruitful discussions during the seminar presentations. Through this method of individual in depth research on one topic plus the discourse with course mates on related topics, the learning is self-directed as well as collaborative in nature.