Overview
Bachelor of Environmental Studies (Honours) Cross-Disciplinary Degree Programme
Overview
The new 4-year Bachelor of Environmental Studies Cross-Disciplinary Programme (XDP) builds on the expertise and strengths of the Bachelor of Environmental Studies (BES) programme which was launched in 2011.
The programme adopts an interdisciplinary and broad-based approach to effectively address national, regional and global environmental challenges. These include over-exploitation, pollution, climate change, land and water use, habitat degradation, and the building of liveable high-density cities. It seeks to develop environmental leaders and advocates who are scientifically informed and capable of formulating solutions for a sustainable future.
The XDP is offered from Academic Year 2021/2022. Students in the College of Humanities and Sciences (CHS) can also opt to read a Second Major in Life Sciences or Geography.
The XDP is offered jointly by the Faculty of Science (FoS) and Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) with participation from the College of Design and Engineering, Faculty of Law, NUS Business School and the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health.
Admissions
Bachelor of Environmental Studies (Honours) Cross-Disciplinary Degree Programme
Admissions
- Nil
- Students who do not have a pass in H2 Biology (or equivalent) are to read the bridging course in Biology, LSM1301, upon successful admission to the programme.
Mid-Stream Admission
Mid-stream admission is open to CHS enrolled undergraduate students who are keen to pursue the Environmental Studies (BES) cross-disciplinary programme. Students must have a good overall GPA (Grade Point Average) as well as passion and involvement in environment-related causes to be considered for admission. The Environmental Studies programme committee may conduct interviews to assess applicants for suitability for the programme.
Interested CHS students should submit their application here (refer to the section Current Undergraduate in NUS/Yale-NUS/NTU/SMU/SUTD/SUSS/SIT (all citizenships)) via the NUS Office of Admissions (OAM) when the application window for course transfer opens in February and October each year, for transfer to BES in Semester 1 and 2 respectively.
Curriculum
Bachelor of Environmental Studies (Honours) Cross-Disciplinary Degree Programme
Curriculum
The XDP incorporates new curricula arising from CHS while maintaining its fundamental structure of geography, biology and interdisciplinary courses across the Humanities and Social Sciences offered by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, and Science and Mathematics offered by the Faculty of Science.
Students will acquire knowledge in multiple disciplines such as geography, biology, economics, law and public health. This enables them to view environmental impacts through different lenses and to apply the integrated knowledge to address complex and multifaceted environmental issues.
Global education and experiential learning are also key to many courses. Apart from in-classroom training, the programme exposes students to a variety of learning opportunities such as internships, student activities, field trips and research projects.
The introduction of communications courses through the CHS curriculum, combined with existing courses and overseas field trips, equip students to better understand the global environment, and to be able to identify, analyse and solve the complex environmental challenges of today.
Graduation
Bachelor of Environmental Studies (Honours) Cross-Disciplinary Degree Programme
Graduation
The Bachelor of Environmental Studies (Honours) degree will be awarded to candidates who complete 160 Units (table below) over 4 years and fulfil graduation requirements in the XDP. Those who do not meet the requirements of an Honours degree will be awarded a BES degree.
| BES XDP | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|
| Level 2000 Electives | 8 units | |
| Level 3000 Electives | 16 units | |
| Level 4000 Electives | 8 units | |
| Common Core Courses (Choose 2) | 8 units | Both courses should be from different levels (One course from level 2000 and one from level 3000) |
| Common Core Courses (take all or as indicated) | 16 units | Level 2000, Level 3000 and Level 4000 courses |
| Integrated Courses | 4 units | Level 1000 Essential |
| 16 units | Level 2000 Essential | |
| 12 units | Level 3000 Essential | |
| 4 units | Level 4000 Essential | |
| GE + CHS Courses | 44 units | |
| Unrestricted Electives | 24 units | |
| Total | 160 units |
Under the cross-disciplinary programme structure, all BES students can choose between fulfilling the Honours requirements of Geography or Biology.
Career Prospects
Bachelor of Environmental Studies (Honours) Cross-Disciplinary Degree Programme
Career Prospects
Environmental studies graduates work in applied fields and interdisciplinary settings that focus on the impacts of human activities. This may include biodiversity conservation, pollution control measures, preservation of natural resources or sustainability solutions.
There are environmental science careers in both the public or private sectors. Environmental studies graduates are qualified to become educators, biologists, ecologists, environmental researchers, geographers, geologists, policy analysts, sustainability officers and communications professionals. They may also work as environmental consultants conducting environmental impact assessments.
Some graduates go on to work in academia in research institutes, universities etc., while others pursue Ph.D. degrees in a range of environment-related disciplines, including geography, biology, ecology and social sciences.
Student Profile
Bachelor of Environmental Studies (Honours) Cross-Disciplinary Degree Programme
CHUAH Fangqin
What interests you about Environmental Studies?
I have always been fascinated by the natural workings of our planet. Environmental Studies is a marriage of the arts and sciences. It allows me to understand and explore our natural world using scientific techniques. At the same time, a foundation in the social sciences builds competencies needed for developing sustainability or conservation strategies. These are tools that help in the fight to protect the natural environment.
Can you tell us about some of the qualities/skills you acquired in your time at NUS?
Through a myriad of opportunities such as the NUS Overseas College (NOC) programme and summer programmes, I developed broader perspectives, built connections and honed my skillsets. I greatly value my support network in school (peers, professors, staff etc.) as they are often generous in sharing their expertise and experiences.
FAQs
Bachelor of Environmental Studies (Honours) Cross-Disciplinary Degree Programme
FAQs
General
NUS recognises that environmental issues are global, interconnected and in desperate need of solutions. There is a compelling need for new educational models, such as the BES, to nurture graduates who can think broadly and deeply, and who come away prepared to effectively address environmental issues in a way that is grounded in science but takes the needs of society into account.
No, the BES is a 4-year direct honours degree programme. Students are awarded a Bachelor of Environmental Studies degree at the end of the programme.
The specially designed ENV courses adopt diverse pedagogical approaches. In part, these reflect the varied backgrounds of the faculty members who teach the BES programme. You can expect some traditional lectures and tutorials, as well as case studies, fireside chats, small group discussions, field studies and research projects.
Admissions
BES accepts applicants with any full-time Diploma from a local Polytechnic. Successful candidates need to read the bridging course LSM1301 - General Biology in Year 1, except for the Diplomas listed under Table 5 at this URL: https://chs.nus.edu.sg/prospective-students/#subject-prerequisites.
If you hold an accredited Polytechnic diploma and are accepted to the BES programme, then you may be granted advanced placement credits for up to a maximum of 20 Units to fulfil your Unrestricted Elective requirements.
If you matriculated between AY2011/2012 to AY2020/2021, and you have both an aptitude and passion for environmental issues, then you may transfer into the Bachelor of Environmental Studies (BES) if you meet the following minimum criteria:
- Good H1 pass or equivalent in Math
- Good H2 pass or equivalent in Biology or Chemistry
If you matriculated in AY22/23 onwards, you need to meet the following criteria:
- Good H2 pass or equivalent in Biology
If that describes you, then you can submit your applications here.
Interviews will be granted on a case-by-case basis.
Curriculum
This is a very broad-based programme. So, your instructors are very diverse. You will be taught, first and foremost by our BES faculty members, and read courses taught by educators from the Faculties of Science, Arts and Social Sciences, Law, the School of Design and Environment, NUS Business School and the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health.
Yes, of course!
Sure, you can live in UTown, but be aware that all undergraduates who live in UTown have to undertake five compulsory courses as part of the residential programme. That is on top of the BES programme requirements.
BES cannot be taken as a Second Degree. For Double Degree students, BES has to be taken as the First Degree. BES is not among the specially-designed double degree programmes (DDPs) that are offered for direct admission to the first year at NUS.
That said, you can take a DDP as long as (1) you complete your studies within 5 years and (2) the curriculum of the second degree and BES do not overlap by more than one-third. Take note that BES cannot be taken with Pharmacy or Law as a Double Degree.
If you are interested in pursuing your own double degree combination, you need a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 4.0 after completing between 60 and 80 Units (excluding Units earned from student exchange programmes or advanced placement credits). You also need written approval to embark on the DDP from the relevant faculties. You must also seek advice and get approval from the BES academic advisors before applying to read a DDP.
For more details on DDPs, please refer to this website.
BES cannot be taken as a Second Major. For Double Major students, BES must be taken as the First Major.
All BES students can declare a Second Major, but only after completing the first year of studies.
Yes, you can declare up to two Minors anytime starting in the first semester of your first year.
For more information on Minor programmes, please refer to this link.
Definitely! Just be aware that because of certain particularities inherent to the BES curriculum, you can only go for SEP in Year 2, Semester 2 and Year 3, Semester 1.
Contact
Bachelor of Environmental Studies (Honours) Cross-Disciplinary Degree Programme