Frequently Asked Questions

The BSc (Computer Science): IT Solution Development major (ITSD major) equips students with technical skills to build computing products and solutions to thrive in the marketplaces and society. This requires an understanding of the interplay between computing theory and practice and the essential links between them, as well as fundamental business innovation and IT solution development and management skills.

Computer Science students must take 1 to 2 tracks in emerging areas, which enhances the flexibility to create their learning journey.

Track Options:

• Artificial Intelligence

• Cybersecurity

• Cyber-Physical Systems

Our BSc (Computer Science) programme is designed from the ground-up to prepare graduates ready for the digital future. Our focus is on solution development, students learn not only computing concepts, but more importantly also how to design solutions for real-world problems in an innovative and holistic manner.

Moreover, as being an effective computing professional involves understanding the business contexts in which the computing solutions will operate, we also build into our programme a series of courses on solution management.

SMU’s unrivalled interactive pedagogy also provides a conducive environment to nurture students to communicate strategically and present ideas convincingly, traits highly valued by employers. In senior years, under the experiential learning framework students take what is known as SMU-X courses wherein students work in diverse teams to solve a business case or problem given by our industry partners. These experiences prepare our students for the emerging jobs of the future.

In addition to the first major, BSc (Computer Science): ITSD Major can also do a 2nd major in IT Solution Management.

This programme will prepare students for a wide variety of job roles.

Here are some examples:

IT Solution Development major: Artificial Intelligence Developer, Chatbot Engineer, Cryptography Developer, Cybersecurity Operations Engineer, Data and AI Solution Architect, Fraud Analyst, Full Stack Developer, Product Manager; Software Engineer, Security Penetration Tester.

You need to complete at least 36 courses to graduate. Of which

6 are from the SMU Core Curriculum that inculcates skills that all professionals should have, such as global and cultural awareness, and communication abilities.

17 relate to the Computer Science major core, providing rigorous fundamental training in various aspects of computing.

7 concern Computer Science major electives, allowing students to develop a specialization in tracks and electives of their interest that would differentiate them in the marketplace

6 would be Free Electives, engendering a holistic education by letting students take courses from any school in SMU.

For details on SMU’s Core Curriculum, please visit,
https://cis.smu.edu.sg/core-curriculum/overview

For the full BSc (Computer Science) Curriculum stack, please visit,
/bsc-computer-science/curriculum

It is not mandatory for you to do a second major with BSc (Computer Science): IT Solution Development Major as your first major. Unique to this programme however, students have the option to graduate with a 2nd major in IT Solution Management with completion of 36 course units - the minimum units required to graduate.

We encourage all BSc (Computer Science) students to do a second major as it will help you to be better prepared for your long-term career goals.

Second major options offered within SCIS:

• IT Solution Management

• Technology for Business Solutions with specialization in one of the following:

  • Business Analytics

  • Financial Technology

  • Product Development

  • Smart-City Management & Technology

For the full listing of 2nd majors offered also by other SMU Schools, please visit ,
/undergraduate/academic-experience/double-degrees-second-majors

All undergraduate SCIS programmes deal with leveraging on computing technologies to create value to businesses through innovative solutioning. All programmes have some overlapping learning outcomes such as acquiring programming skills, understanding how data is stored etc. The focus of each programme is different catering to the immediate job roles that the graduates are prepared for.

Information Systems emphasises the competencies to identify emerging technologies and market trends, exploit opportunities to digitally transform an organisation, and develop applications that harmonise with the overall IT infrastructure.

Computer Science emphasises computing theories and technical skills in translating them to usable computing technologies and solutions, as well as management skills needed to navigate complex software development & system deployment concerns.

Software Engineering emphasises the use of rigorous methods to construct reliable, trustworthy, secure and usable software systems, through a work-study program that integrates classroom learning with on-the-job training via a substantive apprenticeship.

Computing & Law emphasises legal skills to be able to comply with pertinent legal and regulatory requirements, and technical skills to protect technological innovation and manage the technology and business risks posed by innovation.

The first major refers to a student’s core field of study (i.e. his/her degree). At SMU, the first major requires one to complete 36 course units which includes SMU core courses, Major core courses, and electives.

In the Information Systems and Computer Science major, you pick one or two tracks to go deeper in one or two areas of specialization.

The second major exposes you to a wider breadth of knowledge and is designed to provide greater depth of study in an additional discipline. It requires you to take a set of 8 courses that gives you additional knowledge in the chosen field. Some of these courses can be double counted. Therefore, you will end up taking an additional 3 to 6 courses on top of your 36 courses required for your degree. A second major at SMU is like a minor offered in other universities.

If you do a double degree, you will be exposed to more breadth and depth as you must fulfil the degree requirements of each programme. This would require you to take a greater number of courses compared to doing a second major.

Both double degree and second major allow you to expand your horizon and acquire skill sets in possibly two academic fields of study.

Double degree students can declare a maximum of two majors (1st and 2nd majors) for the primary degree and one major (1st major) for the secondary degree. You do not need to declare your major(s) until your second year of study in SMU.

A track is an area of specialization within a degree that allows a student to acquire relevant technical/business skills based on their career aspirations.

The Information Systems programme offers 4 tracks:

• Business Analytics

• Financial Technology

• Product Development

• Smart-City Management and Technology

The Computer Science programme offers 3 tracks:

• Artificial Intelligence

• Cybersecurity

• Cyber-Physical Systems

Yes, it is possible. However, you will need to fulfil these transfer criteria by the end of year 2:

• A Cumulative GPA of at least 3.40 (out of a total of 4)

• Meet the grade requirement(s) for certain foundational courses of the programme that you wish to transfer to.

Yes, SCIS has an Undergraduate Research (UResearch) Programme that allows students to experience the challenges and exhilaration of research, discovery, and innovation. The programme will enrich students’ academic experience by enabling them to work at the frontiers of research in technology besides preparing them for graduate studies.

For more details refer to /undergraduate/academic-experience/uresearch

SMU has an Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (IIE) that offers a myriad of programmes to kickstart your journey. The centre combines the academic rigour of SMU, with invaluable guidance from our experienced industry titans.

For example, the Global Innovation Immersion (GII) programme is a 3-month overseas internship with High-Growth Innovative companies. Through this programme, you will get to develop future-ready skills to future-proof your career

For more details refer to https://iie.smu.edu.sg/GII.

Yes. If you have good academic records, you can pursue masters programme along with your undergraduate studies and complete both degrees within 4.5 years.

You can pick from a list of integrated post-graduate programme offered by SCIS:

• SMU Master of Science in Computing (MSC) Fast Track

• SMU Master of IT in Business Fast Track

• SMU-Carnegie Mellon Masters Fast Track

• SMU-University College London Integrated Programme

You would be able to work in diverse job roles in a range of industries. Some of the job positions of our recent graduates includes Applications Programmer, Business Support Engineer, Cybersecurity Specialist, Data Analyst, Data Scientist, Information Technology Project Manager, Product Manager, Software Engineer, Technology Analyst, and User Experience Designer.

The companies that have employed our graduates include ByteDance, Citi, Dell Technologies, Goldman Sachs, GovTech, Google, Meta.

You can also choose to pursue post-graduate studies at a local or foreign university. Our alumni have completed graduate studies from reputable universities like Carnegie Mellon and Cornell Universities.

SCIS offers the following four undergraduate programmes:

• BSc (Information Systems)

• BSc (Computer Science)

• BSc (Software Engineering)

• BSc (Computing & Law) ¹

¹interdisciplinary programme jointly offered by SCIS and YPHSL

If you have outstanding academic results (A level, Poly GPA or equivalent), you can apply to do a double degree at the point of application to undergraduate programme.

If you are not offered direct entry into the double degree programme, you can still apply for the double degree programme at the end of your first or second year if you have performed well (good cumulative GPA), and fulfilled the stipulated courses, subject to the availability of double degree places.

Yes. You will be taught programming from scratch. A computing education requires logical thinking and problem-solving skills rather than prior programming experience.

Many of the courses enjoy a high teaching team (faculty, instructor, and teaching assistants) to student ratio (3 to 4 teaching members for a class of 40 to 50 students). With ample support from the teaching team your seniors without any background have excelled in our programmes.

There is also a strong peer coaching and learning culture within the student community in our school. /news/2021/sep/06/strengthening-students-programming-skills-through-peer-support-and-personalised

Coders Assembly is a peer assisted learning initiative by the SCIS Society, Ellipsis.

Our Special Interest Group .Hacks, also conducts Code Clinics and workshops on a regular basis.

You can refer to the Indicative Grade Profile here, https://admissions.smu.edu.sg/admissions-requirements/indicative-grade-profile. The grade requirement will vary from year to year.

At SMU, we are committed to a holistic and aptitude-based admissions approach, where we look for students who have not only been successful academically but who possess qualities that we value. In addition to academic grades, we will look for evidence of these qualities such as aptitude, positive attitude, impactful involvement in community service and volunteer programmes, intellectual curiosity, critical thinking and communication skills as demonstrated through leadership in co-curricular activities.

Significant awards and achievements in areas relevant to the course applied for, noteworthy involvement in work/internships relevant to the course applied for will be considered.

During the application, do include the necessary information for us to make a holistic evaluation of you.

If you are a polytechnic student, this will depend on your diploma and grades for relevant courses. The usual number of exemptions ranges between 3 to 8.

If you are a JC student, you are likely to be eligible for 2 to 4 exemptions depending on your subject combination and grade obtained.

if you wish to find out the estimated number of exemptions that you will get, you can use the exemption calculator: https://admissions.smu.edu.sg/exemptions-calculator

36% of our freshman receive a scholarship or financial award each year.

SMU offers various flagship scholarships:

• SMU Global Impact Scholarship

• Lee Kong Chian Scholars’ Programme

• SMU Merit Scholarship

There are also other scholarships that are available for computing applicants:

• SMU SCIS Aspirations Scholarship

• SMU SCIS Achievements Scholarship

• SMU School of Computing and Information Systems (SCIS) Scholarship

• SMU Steven Miller Scholarship

• NG Kai Wa Scholarship

For the full list of SCIS scholarships, please visit /undergraduate/admissions-aid