Last updated on 20 Feb 2021 .
The following are undergraduate programmes offered by SCIS:
- BSc (Information Systems)
- Information Systems (IS) major
- Smart-City Management and Technology (SMT) major
- BSc (Computer Science) : IT Solution Development major
- with 2nd major option in IT Solution Management
- BSc (Computing & Law)
REFER TO: SMU School of Computing and Information Systems > Undergraduate Programmes
A major is an entire programme including a set of core courses and other specialisation-related and elective requirements.
All our majors have different sets of core, pre-requisite courses and electives.
SMU SCIS students may also elect for a second major with or without track to augment their knowledge from the many second major options offered by the SMU Schools.
For the full listing of 2nd majors offered also by other SMU Schools,
A track is a selection of a specialisation within a major.
Please check specific majors for details, not all majors have tracks,
REFER TO: SMU School of Computing and Information Systems > Undergraduate Programmes
Global traction and understanding underpins success in careers in today’s globally connected environment. To have global exposure from the vantage of a university education is invaluable for international networking and global vision; it also open doors to bigger opportunities.
When students approach their global exposure opportunities with an enthusiastic and open mind, the benefits are immense. Academically, gaining a first-hand, real-world perspective of issues learnt in the classroom serves to deepen students’ learning and knowledge application. More importantly, the journey builds independence, empathy, open-mindedness, not to mention soft-skills like communication and teamwork. These attributes not only build character and personal development, but also give students an edge when they are seeking employment and advancement in the competitive workplace.
We believe that our consistently strong Graduate Employment Survey results can be attributed to SMU’s holistic approach towards education (which includes making 80-hours of community service and 10-week of internship graduation requirements), and particularly to the international exposure that the majority of SMU graduates receive. To make sure no student misses out on this precious global experience, the University is committed to giving global exposure participation an extra push by enhancing support and by providing more (and new) opportunities for students.
REFER TO: SCIS Undergraduate Programmes > Academic Experience > Global Exposure
RELATED: SMU Office of Undergraduate Admissions & Financial Assistance > FAQs > Global Exposure
SCIS has obtained large R&D grants from government and industry that fund research centres and labs in SMU, led by world-class faculty. These research centres and labs provide many opportunities for our students to participate in research projects that create impact and value for business and society.
As part of the curriculum, you may choose to do the elective, “IS470/IS471 : Guided Research in Information Systems”, via the ‘Research Experience for Undergraduates’, where you are introduced to academic research.
You will experience first hand the challenges and exhilaration of research, discovery and innovation, and enriches your academic experience by working at/near the frontiers of research in IS technology or management.
Any programme will be tough if you do not have the passion and the perseverance for it.
The BSc (Information Systems): Information Systems, BSc (Information Systems) : Smart-City Management & Technology, BSc (Computer Science) & BSc (Computing & Law) programmes provide multiple path options for you and you will be able to choose the path that is best aligned with your strengths, passion and career goals.
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. Finally, we prepare our students for the emerging jobs of the future in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and cyber-physical systems.
Both Computer Science and Information Systems deal with leveraging on computing technologies to create value through innovative solutioning.
Computer Science delves into the technical and mathematical fundamentals of computation. It educates professionals who are proficient at rigorous development of computing products and services that are efficient in their use of resources and scalable in their deployment to a large user base.
On the other hand, Information Systems focuses more on the application of information technology to achieve business objectives and to digitally transform the organization. It educates professionals who are adept at putting together computing toolboxes in a creative and customized manner to improve business processes in various industries.
Fast-track your learning and career with our integrated postgraduate programmes that allow you to pursue an SCIS Bachelor’s and an integrated Master’s degree within a shorter period of time.
For more details,
REFER TO:
- Integrated Postgraduate Programmes
- SMU-Carnegie Mellon Masters Fast Track
- SMU-University College London Integrated Programme
- SMU-Master of IT in Business (MITB) Fast Track
- SMU-Master of Science in Computing (MScomputing) Fast Track
RELATED: Scholarships Available to SCIS Undergraduates for qualified applicants with excellent academic qualifications
For students inclined towards research, please REFER TO: SCIS’s Undergraduate Research (UResearch) in Computing Programme
Our BSc (Information Systems) programmes are designed to prepare graduates who are equipped with the technology know-how and the business acumen to digitally transform an organisation.
Our IS major graduates can apply emerging technologies like Intelligent Systems and Business Analytics; management and business skills like digital transformation strategy, design thinking and user interface design. Our students go through a broad-based education via our SMU core curriculum. They are constantly working in teams, have the integrative intelligence and empathy for cultural and societal concerns.
Our graduates are confident speakers, as such, they will be change agents necessary for the new economy. At the same time, we understand that technology changes rapidly. We expect our students to explore and research to construct new knowledge. This is what we termed as “learning to learn”.
Our SMT major is a unique interdisciplinary programme that trains professionals in blending technology, social, economic, business and environmental concerns to develop smart city solutions.
According to the Graduate Employment Survey 2020*, Information Systems graduates
- earned the highest salary with a mean monthly salary of $4,683, as compared to the 2019 cohort’s $4,549
- 6 in 10 SCIS graduates received job offers before they graduated
- 93.1% overall employment rate as of February 2021
Our graduates have many career paths ahead of them.The foundation you’ll acquire through either the BSc (Information Systems), BSc (Computer Science) or BSc (Computing & Law) programmes will allow you to grasp different opportunities as you grow in your career.
Some of our BSc (Information Systems) graduates have also gone on to further their studies. You’ll have the flexibility to work in many different roles in any sector of the economy.
For more extensive examples of #JobStories,
REFER TO:
JC students’ background may give them advantage in core courses like Introductory Statistics/Calculus, Programme in Writing and Reasoning, while poly students may have an initial advantage in IS-related courses if they have a prior background in studying IT. However, the computing courses covered here assume no initial computing knowledge. The courses also have greater depth than what is taught in the polytechnics.
There is no need to worry about your background or lack thereof; you will be able to get up to speed as long as you are passionate and willing to put in the effort. We have enrichment classes for students during term breaks to help those students without IT background, or who may need refresher courses.
No, we provide all the background needed. This is a first-degree programme, hence we do not expect students to have any IT or programming background. We do, however, expect you to be passionate and willing to put in the effort into your learning.
Our SCIS Instructors conduct short, intensive courses every year during the term breaks, which are useful for current students who would like to widen the scope of their abilities. The courses aim to expand the knowledge base of students, equip students with marketable and industry-relevant job skills and prepare students for professional certifications.
Most students find that the additional practical knowledge and the skills they gain through these courses are extremely helpful, for their internships as well as for the implementation phase of the Project Experience Course.
REFER TO: SMU SCIS Undergraduate Programmes > Beyond Curricula > Enrichment Programme
Not to worry, our Professors and Instructors are available to help you.
We also have Teaching Assistants in each class to help clarify your doubts.
If you have a passion for computing and are willing to work hard for it, the school will provide you with the help/coaching you need.
Yes. Many SCIS courses will have a project component in which you will be required to think of a solution to a business problem - and then to develop a prototype of the solution to the problem. Nevertheless, do not worry even if you do not have much experience in programming yet: the foundation courses will equip you with the critical thinking and technology skills you will need to create these prototypes.
You will have a chance to improve your English when you take the Programme in Writing & Reasoning Course and Management Communication. Proficiency in English is critical during the course of your study and more so after graduation, as it is the global language of business. It’s worth putting in the extra effort to excel in it. After all, an idea is only as successful as your ability to communicate it to others.
SMU students can choose to graduate with a double degree by combining their discipline with either Accountancy, Business Management, Economics, Social Sciences disciplines.
SCIS students cannot enroll in any of the degree programmes offered by SCIS as their second degree!
Upon successful completion, students will receive two degree certificates.
For the latest details on Double Degrees,
Prospective students with outstanding academic results may apply for direct entry to the double degree programme.
Current students currently enrolled in a single degree programme and who display exceptional results in their first or second year can also opt for the double degree programme.
The grade/score and cutoffs vary from year to year and from programme to programme.
Thus, the Indicative Grade Profiles serves as a guideline only.
SMU recognises the value of a diverse student body and we take into account the broad range of contributions that applicants can bring to the student community in our selection of our students.
SMU will consider applicants who have good achievements and attributes that SMU values, and whom SMU assesses to have the ability to successfully complete an undergraduate degree. These attributes supplement and complement the core qualities (beyond academic abilities) that SMU looks for in all students admitted to the university: critical thinking abilities, communication skills, and attitude (e.g. motivation, perseverance, determination, curiosity).
SMU will look for evidence of good achievements/attributes. Examples include but are not limited to the following:
- Excellence and/or leadership in sports and/or arts;
- Impactful leadership and/or participation in community service and volunteer programmes;
- Significant awards and achievements in area/s relevant to the course applied for;
- Noteworthy involvement in work (internship) relevant to the course applied for;
- Noteworthy involvement in entrepreneurial activity;
- Ability to overcome significant difficulties and life challenges
For the latest information on aptitude based admissions and more, please
REFER TO: SMU Office of Undergraduate Admissions & Financial Assistance > FAQs > Admissions and Applications
For information related to exemptions, please
REFER TO: SMU Office of Undergraduate Admissions & Financial Assistance > FAQs > Exemptions
For other SMU admissions specific questions like Tuition Fees, Admission Requirements and Application Procedures and etc., REFER TO: SMU Office of Undergraduate Admissions & Financial Assistance > FAQs
Yes, please REFER TO: Scholarships Available to SCIS Undergraduates here.