Undergraduates

Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme in Science (UROPS)

The Faculty introduced USRP (Undergraduate Science Research Programme) in AY1994/95. It was later renamed as UROPS in 1998. The aim of this programme is to provide you with an unique opportunity to work with our Faculty staff and experience the challenges and benefits that come from pursuing an independent research project. It is also one of the most important means for undergraduate students to foster mentoring relationships with faculty and research staff while working in a specific area of study.

This programme allows you to engage actively in research, discussions, intellectual communications and other creative activities. By complementing the conventional classroom learning, UROPS places students at the frontiers of scientific research. Through the typical phases of doing research, you are able to enhance your knowledge in the latest development of science and technology; acquire special communication and presentation skills; experience creative thinking; interact and forge closer ties with the established scientists and members of their groups. We believe that the experience you can gain upon completion of the project will assist you in the preparation for future careers and postgraduate training.

Course Level and Course Credits

1. UROPS can be read at either Level-2000 or Level-3000.
  • Level-2000: Students must have completed at least one semester of study at point of application, and attained a GPA of 3.00 or higher.
  • Level-3000: Students must have completed at least three semesters of study at point of application and attained a GPA of 3.00 or higher.
2. Students can also choose to undertake a 4 Units or 8 Units UROPS.
Project Duration: One Semester (4 Units)

Students undertaking a one-semester long project will register online for a 4 Units UROPS project (i.e. XX2288 or XX3288). Students will be evaluated at the end of the semester and receive a grade for the course.

Project Duration: Two semesters (8 Units)
Students undertaking a two-semester long project will register online for one 8 Units UROPS project – XX2288 or XX3288 will be pre-allocated at the beginning of the first semester that they embark on the project. An IP (in progress) grade will be awarded for that course at the end of the first semester since project evaluation only takes place at the end of two semesters.

The Dean’s Office will pre-allocate XX2288/XX3288 and XX2289/XX3289 at the beginning of the second semester. Upon evaluation at the end of the second semester, students will receive a final grade on both courses XXx288 and XXx289.

Note: A two-semesters long project must be conducted across two consecutive regular semesters, i.e. a two-semesters long project may not be conducted across one regular semester and special term. 

Important Notes

  • A student may undertake only ONE UROPS project per academic semester. Additionally, the same course code cannot be repeated across the entire candidature period.
    • e.g. A student who has completed a Level-3000 UROPS from the Department of Chemistry (i.e. CM3288) is not allowed to take the same level of UROPS from the same department again.
  • Students must ensure that they register for the correct UROPS course code according to their majors. For e.g., students in Pharmaceutical Science (Hons) should register for PHS-coded UROPS to fulfil their requirements, while Pharmacy (Hons) students should register for PR-coded UROPS. 
  • Students must have read the pre-requisites for their respective UROPS courses before registering. 

    Departments will decide on the format of evaluation/examination. For more information, please contact them directly.

    UROPS Registration and Timeline

    Please refer to this link for more information

    Reading UROPS courses in fulfillment of Major/ Specialisation Requirements and Pre-Requisite list

    Please refer to this link for more information

    Financial Assistance for Overseas Research Study Trips or Activities

    Students who intend to undertake overseas research study trip / activities relating to their UROPS projects may apply for the financial support offered by the Faculty. More information is available here.