Diploma in Biomedical Science (N59)

With BMS, you will build a firm foundation in bioscience and chemistry, and develop your research and problem-solving skills that are highly valued by the industry. You will also acquire knowledge in analytical chemistry, molecular biology, cell culture & bioprocess engineering and immunological techniques. 

To give you a head start in conducting translation research, you will deepen your skills in genomics and proteomics, as well as translational medicine and clinical trials. You can even choose elective modules in biomanufacturing and food science & technology to broaden your career opportunities.

In your final year, you may have the opportunity to go on an exclusive one-year Integrated Clinical Training programmme at Singapore General Hospital, where you will work alongside doctors and researchers to conduct research and solve real-world problems in a hospital setting.

Or you may choose the Applied Biomedical Science track, where you will get to work on an Industry Capstone project and undertake a six-month internship with renowned local or overseas industry players. Our partners include research institutes (A*STAR’s Genome Institute of Singapore, Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology and Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology), biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical companies (Lonza, Procter and Gamble, and Thermo Fisher Scientific), and healthcare institutes (SingHealth and National Cancer Centre Singapore).

Mathematics (3 Credit Units)

This module provides students with a fundamental analytical knowledge of mathematics essential for the study of life sciences. The module is designed to equip students with the necessary mathematical techniques to solve biological and chemical problems, as well as to carry out analytical studies in their future work. Topics include exponential and logarithmic functions, integration, differentiation and differential equations.

Cell Biology & Genetics (4 Credit Units)

This module exposes students to key themes and experimental techniques in eukaryotic cell biology and genetics. It covers cell structure and function of cellular organelles, regulations of cell cycle and cell division, study of genes, genetic variation and heredity. Fundamentals of molecular biology such as the structure of DNA, DNA replication, transcription and protein synthesis will also be outlined.

Biosafety & Risk Management (2 Credit Units)

This module is designed based on the curriculum of the WSQ “Follow Good Biosafety Practices” course. This module aims to equip students with essential knowledge and skills for safe handling of chemicals and biological agents as well as fundamentals of decontamination and waste management. Topics such as follow biosafety and biosecurity principles and practices, risk assessment and mitigation, national and international biosafety guidelines and legislation, and emergency response programme will also be covered.

Inorganic & Physical Chemistry (5 Credit Units)

This module covers the structure of matter, chemical bonding, orbital hybridisation, thermochemistry, chemical equilibria, kinetics, electrochemistry and redox reactions, transition metal chemistry, chemistry of solutions, including acids, bases and buffers.

Career & Professional Preparation I (1 Credit Units)

This module is part of the Education and Career Guidance framework to provide students with the tools and resources necessary for their career and/ or further education. In this first module, students will undergo personal discovery and exploration of industry and career prospects. Students will learn how to plan and set achievable goals in preparation for their future. Students will also learn the importance of passion and professionalism, along with basic teamwork and interpersonal skills.

Innovation Made Possible^ (3 Credit Units)

English Language Express* (Credit Units - NA)

English Language Express aims to give you a better grounding in the English Language and to strengthen the written and oral communications skills that you will need in your academic and professional careers. You will be engaged in writing, reading, listening and speaking activities that will develop your ability to speak and write grammatically, coherently and clearly. You will also hone your reading and listening comprehension skills.

Biostatistics (3 Credit Units)

This module is designed to provide students with basic statistical skills to analyse and interpret simple biological, pre- clinical and clinical data. The basic statistical skills covered are descriptive statistics, data distribution, set sample size, measurement of central tendency, scatter diagram, cluster analysis, and simple linear correlation and regression analysis for linear data. Students will learn about the presentation of data in graphical forms using Microsoft Excel, including selection and preparation of different types of graphs, how to write titles and legends, and interpretation of results and draw conclusions.

Microbiology (4 Credit Units)

This module introduces a basic understanding of microorganisms and techniques in microbiology. Topics include cell structure and function, classification, viruses and fungi, nutrition, growth and regulation, environmental factors affecting growth, microscopy, staining, size measurement, cell enumeration, media preparation, isolation and cultivation of pure cultures.

Organic Chemistry (4 Credit Units)

In this module, students are introduced to the main classes of organic compounds e.g. alcohols, aromatic and carbonyl compounds. The properties and chemical reactivity of these compounds will be discussed especially in their application to the chemistry of life sciences. In addition, some basic organic reaction mechanisms e.g. nucleophilic substitutions (SN2 and SN1 mechanisms) will be covered.

Career & Professional Preparation II (1 Credit Units)

This module is part of the Education and Career Guidance framework to provide students with the tools and resources necessary for their career and/ or further education. In this first module, students will undergo personal discovery and exploration of industry and career prospects. Students will learn how to plan and set achievable goals in preparation for their future. Students will also learn the importance of passion and professionalism, along with basic teamwork and interpersonal skills.

Anatomy & Physiology (3 Credit Units)

This module equips students with an understanding of the basic principles of homeostatic mechanisms and the cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, gastrointestinal, neuromuscular, endocrine and reproductive physiological systems that exist in the human body. It also covers basic skeletal system and anatomy.

Communication Essentials^ (3 Credit Units)

Health & Wellness^ (1 Credit Unit)

Applied Microbiology (5 Credit Units)

This is an advanced module in microbiology for second year students and is a continuation of the basic microbiology module. This module focuses on the importance of microorganisms as contaminating agents in the production of foods and pharmaceuticals. It focuses on the techniques and methodologies involved in the analyses and prevention of microbiological contamination. This module also provides a foundation in medical, food, environmental and industrial microbiology as well as skills and knowledge in Good Manufacturing Practices, food hygiene auditing and in the preparation of a HACCP plan.

Biochemistry (4 Credit Units)

This module introduces fundamental biochemical concepts and practices. The subject integrates biological and chemical concepts as they relate to biochemistry and biochemical disorders. The module prepares students to work in biochemical industries and research institutions, and covers three major areas of protein chemistry, enzymology and metabolism.

Career & Professional Preparation 2 (2 Credit Units)

This module is part of the Education and Career Guidance framework to provide students with the tools and resources necessary for their further career and/or education. In this module, students will explore basic job search strategies, practise writing effective resumes and cover letters, and learn interview skills. Students will also learn professional and intercultural communication skills to prepare them for a dynamic and diverse workplace.

Molecular Biology & Bioinformatics (5 Credit Units)

This module covers advanced topics in molecular biology. Topics include regulation of gene expression, gene mutation and DNA repair mechanisms. In the area of recombinant DNA technology and molecular techniques, students will learn about nucleic acid isolation, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), DNA cloning, identification of recombinant clones, DNA sequencing and microarrays. Students will also be introduced to computational approaches and bioinformatics tools that can be used for the analysis of nucleic acid and protein sequences, and for designing PCR primers.

Electives (Choose any 1) (4 Credit Units)

Biomanufacturing Practices

This module focuses on principles and practices in the manufacturing of biological agents such as vaccines, biologic drugs and antibodies by mammalian and microbial catalysts. Topics include an overview of kinetic and stoichiometric analysis of bioreactors, biomanufacturing process operations, bioreactor design principles, single use systems, agitation and mixing, heat transfer and temperature culture, process scale-up.

Food Science & Technology

This module covers key topics in modern food science, focusing on key issues which affect the import, production, testing and regulation of processed foods in Singapore. This module introduces students to local and international food standards, and they will learn to interpret data and information presented in the scientific and non-scientific literature. Laboratory classes will focus on the analyses of processed foods.

Analytical Chemistry (4 Credit Units)

This module covers various instruments which are used in analytical chemistry/biochemistry with the emphasis on their practical use. Students will study the workings of the UV-Vis, HPLC (including IEX, gel filtration, affinity chromatography), capillary and gel electrophoresis. This module also covers the interpretation of mass spectrometry as applied to small molecules and proteins; proton and 13C-NMR and infrared spectroscopy in the structural elucidation of organic molecules.

Applied Biostatistics (3 Credit Units)

This module covers advanced statistical skills to analyse and interpret a wide range of biological, pre-clinical and clinical data, and preparation of data for scientific presentation. The statistical skills covered are biological experiment design, hypothesis testing, quantitative data analysis by parametric and non-parametric methods, qualitative data analysis by Chi-square and Fisher tests, and simple correlation & regression analysis for non-linear data. Students will perform statistical analysis using statistical software such as SPSS and Excel. The scientific presentation section covers how to organise data, prepare and incorporate statistical results on graphs and interpretation of results.

Cell Culture & Bioprocess Engineering (5 Credit Units)

This module equips students with strong aseptic techniques and application of cell culture in bioprocess engineering. Topics include regulatory affairs, biologics, cell lines, media, maintenance of cell cultures, and understanding of bioprocessing. Students will also acquire practical and theoretical knowledge of developing fermentation processes and manufacturing biological products. This module covers the application of bioprocess technology principles to scale-up production, economics, and regulatory considerations of bio-products derived from recombinant organisms and animal cell culture.

Immunological Techniques (4 Credit Units)

This module introduces the fundamentals of immunology and provides an understanding of how the immune system functions as an integrated defense system against disease. Topics include an overview of the innate and adaptive immunity, humoral and cell mediated immunity, immunisation and vaccination. The module also covers the applications and advancements of immunological techniques in clinical, healthcare and diagnostic laboratories.

World Issues: A Singapore Perspective^ (2 Credit Units)

Electives (Choose any 1) (4 Credit Units)

Biopharmaceutical Analysis

This module is designed to equip students with knowledge and molecular techniques that are used to analyse raw materials and biological products. Topics include an overview on biologics production using microbial and mammalian systems, detection of adventitious agents in biological products using quantitative PCR (qPCR), endotoxin and pyrogen testing, bioburden test, and detection of residual host cell proteins using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (HCP- ELISA). An overview on pharmaceutical law and regulatory landscape will also be covered.

Food Processing & Safety

This module covers principles and techniques used in food industry which include mass and energy balance and their application in food unit operations, size reduction, thermal processing, non-thermal processing and equipment. Under food safety, proper handling, preparation and storage of food will be explored. Nature of contaminants, safety evaluation of food ingredients and food safety regulations (FDA, AVA) will also be covered.

Capstone Project (8 Credit Units)

Students will complete a final year research project under the guidance of an academic staff or industry mentor. The Capstone Project can cover any of the key areas in life science research including Molecular Biosciences, Industrial Biotechnology, Food Technology, Aquatic Science & Technology, Environmental Technology and Urban Horticulture and Greenscape. Students will be able to integrate and apply the knowledge and skills learned from the course. They will be involved in report writing as well as presenting the outcomes of the project in poster and oral presentations. The Capstone Project will further strengthen their writing and communication skills as well as analytical and problem solving skills, thus preparing them for the industry or further studies.

Genomics & Proteomics (5 Credit Units)

This module provides an insight into the fields of genomics and proteomics. Students will study the functions of genes and their interaction within a genome, the human genome project, next-generation sequencing, genetically modified organisms and gene therapy, protein expression with emphasis on the structure and functions of proteins and methods of purification and analyses of proteins and applications of proteomics.

Translational Medicine & Clinical Trials (3 Credit Units)

This module builds on the previous modules taken in the first and second year of the Biomedical Science course. Upon completion of this module, students will be able to appreciate the difference between basic and clinical research and apply the knowledge learnt in conducting translation research. This module also covers bioethics, clinical trials and regulatory compliance, clinical informatics and big data analysis as well as emerging technologies in biomedical science.

Project ID: Connecting the Dots^ (4 Credit Units)

6-Month Internship (Local/Overseas) (20 Credit Units)

The six-month internship will provide students with exposure to real work environment, give them opportunities to relate and apply the knowledge acquired to work situations and enable them to make a better transition into the workplace. Clear learning outcomes, close mentorship, meaningful and real work activities allow for structured learning throughout the duration of the internship. Students will be attached to companies and institutes in various industries such as pharmaceuticals, biologics manufacturing, laboratory testing, food, healthcare and bioinformatics sectors. Students will also have opportunity to go for overseas internships.