University Scholars Programme:

Course-Based Module

 

Purpose of Course-Based Advanced Module (CBM) The CBMs are aimed at stimulating the scholars’ appetite for further knowledge and inspiring them toward higher learning. A scholar will be required to take two CBMs.   Each CBM will carry 4 modular credits. They require the student to be involved for a total of 10 hours per week in attending lectures, discussion groups (previously known as tutorials), preparation or reading time, and any projects.   CBMs are primarily aimed at discipline-specific broadening. Commencing July 2002, CBMs are grouped into two domains of study, namely, Group A: Humanities and Social Sciences and Group B: Sciences and Technologies. CBMs offered by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) and School of Business(BIZ) are bundled into Group A.   CBMs offered by the Faculty of Science(FOS), the Faculty of Engineering (FOE) and the School of Computing (SOC) are bundled into Group B. CBMs offered by the School of Design and Environment (SDE) can reside in either Group A or Group B, depending on the nature of the module.   FASS scholars should read CBMs in their discipline-related basket, namely the Group A basket. FASS scholars who wish to read a CBM in the Group B basket must seek prior permission from the faculty. If the faculty feels that the CBM does serve the objective of helping the scholar achieve broadening related to his specialization, the CBM can then count towards his/her curriculum requirement.   The CBMs will not demand other courses as prerequisites. A FASS scholar is free to choose two CBMs that he/she wishes to read in his/her discipline-related basket, as long as at least one of them is of level 3000 or higher. The CBMs read will simultaneously count towards the scholar’s faculty requirements (as unrestricted electives outside student’s major). CBMs are not intended to replace modules in the major (this applies to students in the 2001 and later cohorts).

Riding-on regular modules   An existing level-3000 or level-4000 FASS regular module can be enhanced, by an additional 20% research workload, into a CBM. This is subject to the approval of the module chair/lecturer/tutor. Scholars attend the same classes and take the same examinations as other students of the module. However, the USP student is expected to do more research work for his/her CBM. The proportion of CA and Exam should be the same for the USP student taking a Riding-on CBM and the rest of the students taking the regular FASS module.

Procedure for CBM Registration USP students are expected to place bids for the CBMs, and their discussion groups (DGs) (if applicable), using the CORS bidding system.

Procedures for Ride-on CBM Registration   USP students are expected to place bids for the regular FASS module, and its DGs (if applicable), using the CORS bidding system. The regular FASS module cannot be offered by the candidate's major department. After securing the module, students have to approach the module chair/lecturer/tutor of the module, with the ride-on CBM application form, to work out the additional 20% research workload. The completed application form and the write-up detailing the additional 20% research workload must be submitted personally to the Dean’s Office, FASS at AS7, Level 5, before the stipulated deadline.