BES - NUS College of Humanities and Sciences

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
ENV-Recognised Elective	4 Units	Courses offered by other departments outside of Geography and Biological Sciences
Common Core Courses (take all or as indicated)	16 units	Level 2000 and Level 3000 Essential Compulsory 8 Units of Level 4000
Integrated Courses	4 units	Level 1000 Essential
	16 units	Level 2000 Essential
	8 Units	Level 3000 Essential
	4 units	Level 4000 Essential
	4 units	Essential Field Course
GE + CHS Courses	40 Units
Unrestricted Electives	32 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

Why is NUS offering a Bachelor of Environmental Studies (BES) degree?

Is the BES a Major?

What kind of new pedagogies will I be expecting in this new programme?

Admissions

Are polytechnic diploma holders eligible to apply to BES?

I am a polytechnic diploma holder. Do I get any course exemptions?

I am a current NUS student and wish to transfer my course of study to BES. Can I do so?

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

Who will be teaching me in this programme?

Will I be able to join other special programmes such as the University Scholars Programme (USP) if I enrol in the BES?

Will I be able to stay in University Town (UTown) if I enrol in BES?

Can I pursue a Double Degree Programme (DDP) if I enrol in the BES?

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.

Can I pursue a Second Major if I enrol in the BES?

Can I pursue a Minor if I enrol in the BES?

Will I be able to go for Student Exchange Programmes (SEP)?

Contact

Bachelor of Environmental Studies (Honours) Cross-Disciplinary Degree Programme

Contact

envhelp@nus.edu.sg
envstudies.nus.edu.sg