Giving you that something xtra

• Singapore’s most established and recognised biomedical science programme, providing a strong foundation in core and applied biomedical science disciplines
  
  
• Interesting electives – Molecular Biology of Diseases, Pharmaceutical Science & Clinical Trials, and Forensic Science
  
  
• Final-year projects and internships with renowned local or foreign research institutions and companies

About the Diploma

Cancer, diabetes, epilepsy, influenza, AIDS – these are diseases that we are all familiar with. The field of biomedical science covers the understanding of the causes of diseases, how diagnosis can be carried out, and the discovery of cures. It is the basic science that underpins medicine. 

If you want to play a part in combating diseases, then the Diploma in Biomedical Science (BMS) is the course for you. You will build a foundation required for a career in medical research. Learn how and why diseases affect the human body, how our immune system fights to prevent disease causing agents from harming us and how we sometimes succumb in our battle against them. BMS offers modules in medical microbiology, medical biochemistry, physiology, developmental biology, cell and molecular biology, genomics and proteomics.

The Leading BMS Course in Singapore

BMS has been designed in consultation with experts in the field. It provides a thorough background to the subject as well as opportunities to work with leading scientists and doctors who are conducting research in the various aspects of the human body, in the areas of health and disease. You will enjoy exposure to the world of translational medicine, where biomedical research is directly applied to patients i.e. from the “bench to bedside” concept.

In your final year, you will apply your learning to the real world when you go on a four-month internship programme. This can take place locally or at overseas locations. You will also undertake an intensive research project which serves to hone your skills as a competent researcher. In addition, you can pursue electives in forensic science, the molecular biology of diseases, pharmaceutical science and clinical trials.

Many BMS students have had their research published in prestigious journals. A majority of our graduates have proceeded on to further studies and many have also pursued Ph.D. programmes.

You Have a Choice!

At the end of your first year, you can choose to continue with BMS or opt for the Diploma in Biomedical Laboratory Technology (BLT) which you will have to pass an interview conducted by the National University Hospital.

Career Prospects

The local biomedical science industry is expanding. There are now seven A*STAR research institutes and many other research laboratories run by hospitals, universities and local and multinational companies. Singapore is moving from basic research to translational medicine and the demand for BMS graduates continues to grow.

You will enjoy excellent career prospects as research assistants, laboratory biologists, laboratory analysts or product specialists, before progressing to senior positions in research, biomedical science, healthcare, pharmaceutical and clinical labs.

Each year, about 30 to 40 percent of BMS graduates enrol in degree programmes at National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University and Singapore Management University. You can pursue a wide range of degrees ranging from biological science, medicine, chemistry, bioengineering, and medicine to education, arts, architecture, dentistry, business, psychology and social science.

You can obtain up to two years of exemptions from three- or four-year degree courses offered by premier overseas universities such as Cornell University, Imperial College, University of Leicester, University of Manchester, University of Queensland, University of Melbourne, University of Edinburgh, Dundee University and McGill University.

BMS graduates have won many prestigious awards and scholarships. For example, Sylvia Chiang was awarded the NUS Global Merit Scholarship to study life science at NUS in 2007. In 2008, Darren Chua gained direct entry to study medicine at NUS’ medical school. Grace Ang was awarded the 2009 Nanyang Scholarship to study Biological Sciences at NTU. U Kin Pong graduated from Newcastle University in the UK with a First Class Honours Degree (2009) and he was awarded a Wellcome Trust scholarship to pursue his PhD at Imperial College.

Ngee Ann Polytechnic
Toll free: 1800-4607333 (admission to full-time courses)
Tel: 6466 6555
Fax: 6468 3207
Email: JoinNP@np.edu.sg