What is this course about?

The Diploma in Precision Engineering (Machinery & Systems) is a joint initiative by the School of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering, SPRING Singapore and the Workforce Development Agency (WDA). It has been specially developed for ITE graduates under the Precision Engineering Specialist Scholarship programme.

The diploma aims to provide students with the fundamentals in mechanical engineering, and a full spectrum of machine-building knowledge. This training will equip students with a range of practical skill-sets needed to build an automatic system. The course will take students through the entire machine-building process, comprising mechanical design, electrical design, control programming, modules and system assembly and troubleshooting, installation and commissioning.

Upon successful completion of the first phase, students can proceed to the second phase, which is the three-year EDPE (M&S) course. During this second phase, students are required to attend classes (three or four evenings per week) during the Singapore Polytechnic term time and part of vacation time.

Suitable for

The course is targeted at participants with at least a NITEC qualification from the disciplines in Science and Technology segment, examples: Precision Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, and Mechatronics Engineering.

Entry Requirements

This five-year program comprises two phases. In the first phase, students will be taking five competency-based modules over two years including preparing a portfolio on their engineering experiences in their company.

Competency-based modules 

*Manage Quality System (60-hr)
*Assembly of Mechanical Machines (60-hr)
*Design Mechanism Unit of Machine (60-hr)
*Computer Aided Design (60-hr)
*Computer Aided Machining (60-hr)

Applicants must also be working in local Technology or Engineering Companies.

Higher NITEC holders who do not have a minimum GPA of 2.0 (C average) must possess at least GCE 'N' or 'O' Level qualification. You may be granted entrance tests in English, Mathematics and Science if you do not possess GCE 'N' or 'O' Level. From 2003, ITE graduates can include their CCA points in their GPA to gain admission.

All NITEC/NTC 2 holders must also possess at least GCE 'N' or 'O' Level qualification. You may be granted Entrance Tests in English, Mathematics and Science if you do not possess GCE 'N' or 'O'Level. From 2003, ITE graduates can include their CCA points in their GPA to gain admission.

Applicants must also have completed the 5 Competency Units and have 2 years of relevant work experience.

Funding Incentives

Participants who are sponsored by employer can apply for funding under the National Precision Engineering Specialist Programme.

Please visit www.speta.org/specialist for more details. 

Students are given subsidy for the normal course duration only.  Extra semesters taken due to transfer, re-admission or repeat would be charged full fees.
 

Course Outline

Third Year

Fourth Year

Final Year

Module Synopsis

Electrical Technology
This module provides students with an understanding of basic electrical principles. Students can use this knowledge in their practical work, and relate the use of electricity to electrical equipment and machines and the proper use of the instruments for measurements.

Fundamental Mathematics
Through this module, students are equipped with essential mathematical knowledge and skills in algebraic, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions. Students also learn about the Binomial theorem and determination of laws. The training provided in this module serves as a foundation for further work in mathematics in subsequent modules.

Electronics
This module provides students with an understanding of the fundamentals of digital electronic devices and analogue devices, circuits and applications. Topics covered include logic gates, flip-flops, counters, shift registers, decoders, encoders, multiplexers, demultiplexers, functional diagrams of microprocessors, diodes and transistors.

Applied Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology
This module aims to familiarise students with RFID technology and its interaction with the surrounding environment of wireless devices. Students will also get to learn about system-level RFID architecture, its middleware, system-level design considerations, power distribution, power/data cabling, and other related topics.

Mechanics I
This module provides students with an introduction to the basic concepts of engineering mechanics; namely the units and dimensions, equilibrium conditions, friction, kinematics and Newton's laws of motion.

Engineering Mathematics I
This module equips students with the necessary mathematical knowledge and skills to handle problems encountered in their course of study. Among the topics dealt with are complex numbers, differentiation and integration of algebraic, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions, followed by applications of derivatives and definite integrals.

Engineering Materials I
This module provides students with an introduction to the basic properties and applications of common engineering materials such as steels, cast irons, aluminium, copper, plastics and elastomers. Also students will be taught the knowledge of processes such as the heat treatment process and casting processes.

Software Development for Automated Machines
This is a highly "hands-on" programming module where each student is given a chance to code a complete C++ program on the assigned mechatronics system. Hardware implementation and software development of a PC control program will also be taught.

Engineering Materials II
This module is a continuation of Engineering Materials I. Topics covered include failure of metals, corrosion, non-destructive testing, electronic materials, ceramic and composite materials, surface technology and moulding technology. Materials selection using materials selector software will also be taught.

Engineering Design
This module provides students with the basic knowledge of engineering components and power transmission elements and their use. They are also taught how to use the ISO and BS standards and commercial catalogues for their selection and design. In addition, machining symbols, linear & geometrical tolerance and engineering systems design are also taught.

Engineering Mathematics II
This module is a continuation of Engineering Mathematics I (MS6121), and builds upon and extends the basic skills of calculus required in solving common engineering problems. It serves as a foundation for further work in the next module - Engineering Mathematics III (MS6221). Topics include sinusoidal waveforms, trigonometric equations, differentiation of inverse trigonometric functions, application of definite integrals, conics, matrices and Newton's method.

Thermofluids I
This module provides students with an introduction to the fundamentals of thermodynamics; namely heat, work, perfect gas laws and the 1st law of thermodynamics. Use of steam tables, basics of pressure and flow rate in fluid mechanics and their units and the mass conservation law, (continuity) are also covered.

Mechanics II
This module is a continuation of Mechanics I. It introduces to students the applications of basic ideas in solid mechanics to simple engineering problems and the fundamentals of machine components.

Industrial Automation
This module provides students with a fundamental knowledge of automated control operations relevant to local manufacturing industries. Topics covered include pneumatics, relay control system, programmable logic controller, actuators and sensors.

Design and Build an Industrial Machine Electrical System
This module covers the applications of various electrical and electronics components and devices used in the control system for automation systems. Ultimately students will be equipped with relevant knowledge in designing and assembling an electrical system to control an automatic system (a CNC machine will be utilised in the module).

Industrial Engineering
This module aims to provide students with sufficient knowledge and skills in the basic techniques of Industrial Engineering. Topics covered include Work Study, Enterprise Resource Planning, scheduling techniques and ergonomics. The concepts and techniques will be introduced through lectures and practical. The practical sessions will allow students to have hands-on experience in applying the techniques learned.

Thermofluids II
This module provides students with further knowledge of thermodynamics and fluid mechanics with particular applications to air compressors, gas and vapour cycles.

Engineering Mathematics III
This module is a continuation of Engineering Mathematics II (MS6220). It provides students with further knowledge in mathematics to handle engineering problems encountered in their course of study. Among the topics covered are integration leading to inverse trigonometric and logarithmic functions, methods of integration, Simpson's Rule, partial differentiation and differential equations.

Fluid Mechanics
Topics taught in this module include fluid flow and piping systems, centrifugal and positive displacement pumps, as well as industrial hydraulics.

Mechanics III
This module provides students with a further understanding of solid mechanics. This module also supports the design stage of the final-year project.

Statistics
This module aims to provide students with a good foundation in statistics, with specific emphasis on preparing them to do quality assurance. Topics covered include data organisation and presentation, measures of location and variation, probability, discrete and continuous probability distributions, and estimation.

Engineering Thermodynamics
This module aims to provide students with a further knowledge of steam cycles and gas turbine cycles, steam nozzles and heat transfer.

Mode of Assessment

The nature of this course calls for a mix of semester examination and in-course assessment.

Advancement Opportunities

Graduates with this Diploma will enjoy the same status as other graduates with Singapore Polytechnic Diplomas.

They can easily secure a position in various statutory boards, the armed services and airlines, as well as in the servicing and manufacturing, shipbuilding, power generation, petrochemical, maintenance management, materials engineering and logistics management sectors.

This group of specially trained graduates are expected to be highly sought-after by equipment designers and manufacturers in the Precision Engineering industry.

Certification

Participants will be awarded the Diploma in Precision Engineering if they meeting the 75% attendance rate as well as passing all assessments required by the course.

 Application Procedure

Step 1

Apply electronically via internet at http://courseapplication.sp.edu.sg. You may check if your application form has been received at http://courseapplication.sp.edu.sg (Course Application Enquiry)

Step 2

Forward the copies of the relevant documents to the Admissions Office within one week after the submission of the online application. Otherwise, your application will be invalidated.

1. Please refer to the checklist (online application) for the submission of the supporting documents.

2. Copies of the supporting documents can be submitted by the following ways;

a) Attach and email your documents to SP at http://ifaq.sp.edu.sg (send an email) with the following details:

Subject : Submission of Documents
Question : Please provide your Name, NRIC and First Choice Course in your email
Topics : Admissions > Part Time Course Applicants

b) Mail to

Admissions Office
Department of Academic Services
Singapore Polytechnic
500 Dover Road, Singapore 139651
Fax: 6870 6024; 6772 1967

Step 3

You may check your application outcome 6 weeks after the closing dates of the application: http://courseapplication.sp.edu.sg (Course Application Enquiry). You will also be notified on your application outcome by post.

For enquiries regarding applications and entry requirements, please refer to our website at http://ifaq.sp.edu.sg.

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