Develop specific competencies and skills that are necessary to dexterously operate in an increasingly complex, digitised and data-driven working environment.
Develop specific competencies and skills that are necessary to dexterously operate in an increasingly complex, digitised and data-driven working environment.
The Numeracy basket develops students' ability to apply calculus and statistics to analyse data, solve problems, and support informed decision-making across diverse fields such as business, law, economics, and science. Emphasising real-world application, students learn to use quantitative methods and logical reasoning to interpret data effectively. Through collaborative projects and presentations, they enhance communication and teamwork skills, translating complex mathematical ideas into clear, accessible messages. Ethical responsibility is embedded through focus on data integrity, privacy, and accurate reporting. Students also cultivate self-directed learning using digital tools and peer collaboration. This basket prepares students to become critical thinkers and responsible global citizens who use numeracy to create meaningful impact.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Disciplinary and Multidisciplinary Knowledge
- Students will be able to apply the principles and elements of calculus and statistics to data, and summarizing data sets into meaningful interpretations.
- Students will be able to execute suitable and appropriate quantitative procedures from a variety of angles like graphical, algebraic, statistical.
- Students will be able to write objective and logical interpretations of practical decision-making.
- Students will be able to apply conclusions extending across all domains: information systems, social sciences, accountancy, business in finance and operation optimization, economics, law, physics, etc.
Intellectual and Creative Skills
Students will be able to identify and solve general or specific problems from small scale to large, with quantitative functions, models, tests and calculations. Students will be able to connect the classroom to real-world issues, translate solutions into correct and relevant interpretations and recommend solutions.
Interpersonal Skills
Students will be able to work collaboratively in student group projects which may carry significant weight, inside and/or outside class, and sometimes under strict time-limits, with presentations to internal and external stakeholders. Students will be able to:
- Write and interpret mathematical and/or statistical language into clear, coherent messages for general consumption.
- Logically organise symbols and numbers in tandem with words, for general consumption.
- Speak at an appropriate speed and articulate clearly.
- Hold self with poise and meaningful body language with the audience during presentations
Global Citizenship
Students will be able to reflect on ethical issues related to numbers and uphold responsibility and integrity through seeking IRB approval for human-related subjects, PDPA adherence, data safe-guarding, correctness of analyses and ethical reporting of findings to all stakeholders, both internal and external.
Personal Mastery
Students will be able to demonstrate self-directedness learning, together with peer-to-peer learning for greater independence through learning via web tools (Echo, Webex, blended learning or flipped classroom).
COURSES
Statistics
Statistical Theory
The Modes of Thinking basket equips students with foundational skills in reasoning, logic, and problem-solving. Students learn to evaluate the strength of arguments and understand why certain problems are solvable while others are not. Drawing from multiple disciplines, they apply structured thinking techniques to tackle real-world issues creatively and critically. The curriculum fosters intellectual agility and sound judgment, enabling students to assess situations thoughtfully and approach challenges from multiple perspectives. This basket nurtures independent, reflective thinkers who can navigate complexity, evaluate evidence, and craft well-reasoned solutions in both academic and everyday contexts.
Learning Outcomes
Disciplinary and Multidisciplinary Knowledge
At the end of the courses, students will demonstrate an understanding of how argument, broadly understood works, what constitutes a good argument, and what makes a problem solvable or unsolvable.
Intellectual and Creative Skills
Students will be able to use a set of thinking skills and/or problem-solving techniques to answer or solve a range of real-world questions and problems.
Courses
The Managing basket prepares students to navigate complex business environments through effective leadership, decision-making, and problem-solving. Grounded in management theory and practice, students learn to apply analytical frameworks to address organisational and societal challenges. The curriculum cultivates professional conduct and the ability to build positive stakeholder relationships within diverse workplace settings. Courses also cultivate a global outlook, encouraging students to embrace cultural differences and adapt to varied national contexts. Ethical leadership is a key focus, with students learning to balance business objectives with social responsibility and sustainability. Through this basket, students develop into thoughtful, strategic leaders capable of managing both people and problems with integrity, inclusivity, and purpose.
Learning Outcomes:
Disciplinary and Multidisciplinary Knowledge
At the end of the courses, students should be able to apply the disciplinary knowledge in management, decision making and leadership across various business contexts.
Intellectual and Creative Skills
Students should be able to apply theoretical and analytical frameworks to critically identify and effectively solve problems in business and society.
Interpersonal Skills
Students should be able to demonstrate professionalism in building positive relationships with different stakeholders in an organisational setting.
Global Citizenship
- Students should be able to exercise an open-mindset to embrace national and cultural differences in organisational settings.
- Students should be able to apply Ethics and CSR principles to managerial issues in balancing business interests and social benefits.
Sample Courses
The Writing and Reasoning basket develops students’ ability to think critically and communicate effectively through written argument. Students learn to select and evaluate credible sources, synthesise differing perspectives, and organise evidence to support clear, well-reasoned positions. Emphasis is placed on crafting persuasive arguments using logical, emotional, and ethical appeals, tailored to different audiences and contexts. The curriculum also introduces students to professional business writing conventions, including appropriate tone, structure, visuals, and referencing styles. Through this basket, students become confident, reflective writers who can articulate complex ideas clearly and persuasively, using writing as a tool for analysis, advocacy, and informed decision-making.
Learning Outcomes
Intellectual and Creative Skills
At the end of the courses, students should be able to select, analyse and evaluate credible secondary sources, and synthesise similar and opposing views to interpret and organise relevant evidence.
Interpersonal Skills
At the end of the courses, students should be able to:- Formulate a clear position on an issue and craft logical arguments to support that stance.
- Write persuasively by drawing on logical, emotional and ethical appeals to the issue.
- Adapt to business writing conventions in the use of language, format and visual.
- Use an appropriate referencing style.
Course
SMU was the first local University to introduce mandatory internships of 10 weeks as part of its degree requirement for all undergraduate students. The average SMU student completes between 2 to 6 internships during their degree programme, which attests to the value such experiences offer. Through the SMU Internship Programme, more than 1 in 2 SMU students secure employment before graduation and 1 in 4 students has received job offers before graduation. Moreover, 1 in 3 graduates has reported that they are employed with the company they last interned at.
Students will obtain academic credit for internships of 10 weeks or longer. To ensure rigour in the conferring of this 1 CU, students must take the revamped Finishing Touch career-preparatory programme, submit guided reflection journals, and an internship report.
The Dato’ Kho Hui Meng Career Centre (DKHMCC) leads the SMU Internship Programme and will facilitate the process, which includes 5 Internship Readiness Modules (IRMs) to be delivered online to prepare students for their internships and to help them optimize their internship experiences. Included in the training is a Reflective Practice Unit that guides students on techniques to reflect on their cognitive learning experiences and document their learning outcomes throughout their internship.