FlexiMasters in Materials Science and Engineering

 Inorganic Materials (3 AU)

This course introduces learners to the fundamentals of atomic reactivity, stability, and properties. Learners will develop the skills to analyse inorganic compounds, predict material properties, and design new materials with specific properties. The course equips learners to understand and manage material development processes, including the creation of catalysts and innovative products. With practical and theoretical insights, learners will be prepared to apply their knowledge in material property tuning and process optimisation. Suitable for learners from various scientific backgrounds, this course supports career pathways in materials science, chemical development, and industrial innovation.

At the end of the course, learners will be able to:

• Compare and correlate electromagnetic emissions with atomic structure, which is critical in industries such as material characterisation, and environmental monitoring.
• Explain how polarisation, electron affinity and valency determine the relative contribution to bonding characteristics. Learners will be able to design and optimise functional materials, such like energy storage, electronics, and nanomaterials.
• Describe the characteristics and reactivity of common non-metals and metals, which is relevant to areas like catalysis, corrosion resistance, and material recycling.
• List and analyse non-metal and metal technologies in the engineering industry such as thermoelectric, superhard and chalcogenide materials.

Organic Materials (3 AU)

This course introduces learners to organic materials, including structural, electronic, and optical materials used across various industries. Learners will explore different types of functional organic materials, their applications, and key techniques for material characterisation. The course covers how material properties are influenced by synthesis and processing methods. Learners will gain valuable insights into the structure–property–function relationship of organic materials, enhancing their ability to evaluate and suggest new materials or production methods. Ideal for those looking to understand current industry practices and innovate with advanced materials in sectors such as electronics, photonics, and materials science.

At the end of the course, learners will be able to:

• Describe organic materials and their role in modern technological applications.
• Explain the functional requirements of organic materials for various applications.
• Critically analyze and predict future directions in organic materials.

Properties of Materials (2 AU)

This course introduces learners to the fundamental physical and functional properties of materials and their relevance to modern technologies such as energy conversion, sensing, communications, and artificial intelligence. Learners will explore how material properties influence new material design, device applications, and system integration. The course covers key concepts in mechanical, thermal, optical, magnetic, and electronic properties, along with hands-on exposure to material testing and characterisation techniques. Ideal for learners aiming to innovate in areas like sustainable energy, optical communications, and advanced manufacturing, this course equips learners with essential skills to drive materials and device innovation.

At the end of the course, learners will be able to:

• Describe and apply various physical and functional properties to different material classes and types.
• Explain the concepts of various materials used for different applications.
• Distinguish and apply various materials modification strategies to change specific properties.
• Recommend materials and testing/characterization methods for varying applications.

Processing of Organic Materials (3 AU)

This course introduces learners to the processing and processability of polymers, focusing on how polymer properties impact product performance. Learners will explore the role of additives such as fillers and stabilisers, and how these influence the characteristics of polymer materials. The course equips learners with the knowledge to link material properties to manufacturing methods, enabling them to design, select, and customise polymers for various applications. Learners will gain practical skills applicable in materials selection, process design and optimisation, product development, and procurement—making it ideal for those interested in modern materials and polymer manufacturing technologies.

At the end of the course, learners will be able to:

• Describe intrinsic properties and how they are determined by polymer composition. 
• Explain Van Krevelen’s Additive Molar Function model and apply it to a range of properties.
• Design and assess product properties in terms of its mechanical properties and physical performance.
• Describe how processing parameters and conditions generate specific structures and morphologies, which in turn determine properties.
• Explain the fundamental aspects of polymer properties, viz., phase transitions, viscoelasticity, and stress-strain behaviour, which are manifested in product properties.
• Describe the basic industrial polymer processing technologies, including those of composite materials.
• Describe emerging materials and technologies including nanocomposites, biomimetics, 3D printing and electrospinning.

Physical Analysis of Materials (2 AU)

This course introduces learners to Thermal and Surface Analysis techniques used to evaluate material properties. Learners will explore how thermal analysis helps assess material behaviour under temperature changes and understand key surface characterisation methods such as X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Auger Spectroscopy. The course covers procedures, data interpretation, and practical industry applications. Learners will develop the skills to choose the right techniques for different materials, conduct failure analysis, and support material investigations. These competencies also enable learners to contribute to research and development (R&D) planning and advise on equipment needs in their organisations.

At the end of the course, learners will be able to:

• Read and interpret Thermal and Surface experimental data. 
• Select and evaluate physical characterization techniques, namely thermal analysis, for the investigation of material performance.
• Design experiments to investigate and access materials performance from thermal and surface properties.
• Design and plan laboratory facilities for thermal and surface analysis.
• Conduct and supervise failure analysis and materials investigation in their organisation.
• Advise workplace management and evaluate R&D facilities planning.

Biomaterials (2 AU)

This course introduces learners to biomaterials and their vital role in healthcare and biomedical applications. Learners will explore the interdisciplinary nature of biomaterials, key concepts, the evolution of materials in medicine, and important ethical considerations. The course also covers material interactions within the body and highlights key uses of metals and ceramics in medical devices and treatments. With the growing demand for biomedical expertise, learners will gain valuable knowledge and skills relevant to careers in the healthcare and medical technology sectors.

At the end of the course, learners will be able to:

• Define key terms and concepts in biomaterials science.
• Illustrate ethical issues relevant to the development and use of medical devices.
• Summarize guidelines to minimize risk of harm and protect the rights of animal and human test subjects.
• Describe the main processes that give rise to the host response to implants and biomaterials.
• Explain possible complications arising from an undesired host response.
• Apply ISO 10993 test matrix to evaluate the biocompatibility of a biomaterial.
• Explain the basic structure and properties of metallic and ceramic materials.
• Describe properties of specific metallic and ceramic biomaterials and their application areas in the body.
• Describe the main ways metallic and ceramic materials degrade in the body, considering both intentional and unintentional degradation.

These courses are part of:

• Graduate Certificate in Materials Science and Engineering (9 AU)
• FlexiMasters in Materials Science and Engineering (15 AU)
• Master of Science in Materials Science and Engineering (30 AU)

Learners will receive their Statement of Accomplishment (for a grade of D and above) or Certificate of Participation for each course—dependent upon their assessment performance.

Singapore Citizen (SC) and Permanent Resident (PR)

(Up to 70% funding)

S$5,045.00*

S$3,363.00^#

Singapore Citizen aged ≥ 40 years old SkillsFuture Mid-career Enhanced Subsidy (MCES)

(Up to 90% funding)

Dr. Xiaolei Feng
Instructor for: Inorganic Materials

Dr. Xiaolei Feng is trained as a condensed matter physicist, having graduated with a bachelor’s degree and PhD from the department of Physics of Jilin University, China. She undertook a 2nd PhD at the department of Earth sciences at University of Cambridge to broaden her understanding of the physics of materials to encompass naturally-occurring materials’ behaviour in the environment. She worked as a postdoctoral research fellow at the research institute “High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research (HPSTAR)” in Shanghai and Beijing, China. She also worked as associate professor at the Institute for Disaster Management and Reconstruction, Sichuan University, China before she joined the School of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE), NTU in 2022.

Dr. Feng has a general interest in understanding the structure and property relationship of solid materials, and how these relate to the underlying mechanism by computational simulations. She uses quantum mechanical (so-called “ab initio”) methods to determine the electronic structure of solids, having applied these methods to a very wide range of materials, ranging from super-hard solids to high-temperature superconductors. An underlying link between almost all of the studies that she has carried out is that they explore the role of pressure in modifying and controlling materials’ solid-state structure and properties.

Assoc Prof Andrew Grimsdale joined the School of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE), NTU in November 2006. He received his Bachelors, Master and PhD degrees in Chemistry from the University of Auckland, New Zealand in 1983, 1984, and 1990 respectively. His research interests include the synthesis of conjugated molecules and polymers for electronic applications, and supramolecular assembly of organic materials. He has done significant research work in his research areas and published over 160 top quality international journal papers which have received over 15,000 citations (h-index >50). He has often been a referee and reviewer for a number of premier journals, including Journal of the American Chemical Society, Macromolecules, Chemistry of Materials, Journal of Organic Chemistry, Journal of Physical Chemistry, Organic Letters, Angewandte Chemie, Advanced Materials, and Advanced Functional Materials. He is on the editorial panel for Scientific Reports, and has acted as an external referee for PhD theses from foreign universities, of grant proposals for bodies such as the CERG grants committee, Hong Kong and the European Research Council, and as a judge of student projects for the Singapore Science and Engineering Fair. Assoc Prof Grimsdale is a member of the Royal Australian Chemistry Institute.

Dr. Alfred Tok is a Passionate Academic & Chartered Materials Engineer (UK) with 24 years of experience in teaching and research at the School of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE), NTU. He is also Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Mining & Metallurgy (UK). He has teaching experience in diverse courses like engineering ethics, advanced engineering mathematics, inorganic materials, manufacturing and failure analysis, etc. He has won 3 prestigious teaching awards at NTU and is recognized as World Top 2% Scientist by Stanford University in the last 2 years. Prior to NTU, he was a Mechanical Engineer at ST Aerospace Engineering.

Prof Hu Xiao obtained PhD degrees from the Materials Science Centre, University of Manchester in the United Kingdom in 1990 respectively. He worked as an SERC (UK) postdoctoral associate at Manchester University from December 1990, before joining the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in April 1992 as a founding faculty member of the Materials Science & Engineering program. He served as Director of Graduate Programs in the School and as its inaugural Head of Division of Materials Technology. He is now a full professor in the School of Materials Science and Engineering, NTU. He is an established materials scientist and served as the past president of the Pacific Polymer Federation (PPF) (2018 and 2019), and is serving president of the Federation of Asian Polymer Societies (FAPS) (2025 and 2026).

Dr. Oh Joo Tien is an Associate Professor in the School of Materials Science and Engineering, NTU. His research expertise is in metallurgy and characterization of materials. Prior to joining NTU, Dr. Oh has worked in industries as a metallurgist for about 8 years. His industrial experience has helped him to develop the course, Physical Analysis of Materials. Dr. Oh is a graduate in Materials Engineering and a Chartered Engineer registered with the Engineering Council, UK.

Dr. Luciana Lisa Lao graduated from the School of Materials Engineering, Nanyang Technological University (NTU) with B. Eng (First Class Honours) in 2003. Upon graduation, she continued with a PhD study in NTU and investigated in-vitro drug release kinetics from several biodegradable polymers and their blends. In 2008, she joined the Université de Strasbourg, France as a postdoctoral fellow and worked on constitutional dynamic chemistry. In 2010, she returned to NTU, Singapore for a short postdoctoral stint. In 2011, she decided to follow her strong passion for teaching in an institute of higher education and joined Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore as a lecturer. Finally, in 2016, she re-joined the School of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE), NTU as a faculty member on a teaching track. She served as the Assistant Chair (Academic) in MSE, NTU from 2019 to 2022. In 2022, she was appointed the Director for Pedagogy and Learning at MSE, NTU.