Diploma in Chemical Engineering (DCHE - S70)
WHAT YOU'LL STUDY
CDIO-Enabled Curriculum
Diploma in Chemical Engineering (DCHE) in Singapore Polytechnic (SP) is the FIRST chemical engineering diploma course in the World to adopt Conceive-Design-Implement-Operate (CDIO) educational framework,
which is based on commonly shared premise that our students should be able to conceive, design, implement and operate complex value-added systems in modern team-based engineering environment to create systems and products. Some of our CDIO collaborators
are Massachusetts Institute of Technology, United States, Tsinghua University, China, Queensland University of Technology, Australia and The University of Liverpool, United Kingdom.
By adopting the CDIO educational framework, we transform traditionally boring and dry engineering education to an exciting and purposeful one that balances theoretical knowledge with realistic applications of chemical engineering principles. Our students
are thus able to:
- Conceive: Identify and define real world problems with critical thinking
- Design: Approach any problem effectively and propose its possible solutions with creative thinking
- Implement: Apply and evaluate possible solutions with systems thinking
- Operate: Optimise and improve final selected solution to ensure its functionality, practicality and sustainability

In addition, our students are imbued with skills in teamwork, communication, ethics, responsibility as well as life-long learning.
A list of modules that are offered to all our students in their three-year education with us is tabulated below.
First Year
Thinking Critically about the UN SDGs (TCU)
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This module aims to equip students with skills in critical and analytical thinking through the exploration of contemporary local and global issues, through the lens of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Using information literacy skills, students will select a local issue connected to the SDGs, and look for relevant information on the issue. They will use a critical thinking framework to evaluate a diverse range of sources for their validity and reliability, and consider different perspectives in an issue before presenting their assigned stand, substantiated by reasons and evidence.
This module also aims to enhance students’ knowledge and appreciation of local and global issues related to the 2030 global agenda, represented by the SDGs. Students will learn about the core principles of the SDGs and find out how the goals apply to their own lives, as well as to Singapore.
Digital Communication for Impact (DCI)
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This module aims to equip students with key skills to leverage digital communication to engage, inspire and impact stakeholders digitally. They will build an understanding of various digital communication platforms/tools and their benefits and limitations. They will also learn what it means to be a responsible Digital Citizen. Upon the completion of this module, students should demonstrate the competency to design and apply key principles when crafting impactful digital communication about United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) or a relevant context.
Collaboration in the Digital Age (CDA)
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This module aims to equip students with the skills to collaborate effectively in a team, particularly in a digital environment. This is crucial in light of the global shift to working online precipitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Students will learn about team dynamics at various stages of team development. They will use Microsoft Teams to collaborate online. They will also evaluate their own teamwork skills and that of their teammates using the CATME framework.
Data Fluency (DF)
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This module aims to equip students with baseline skills in using data to gain insights into the UN SDGs. These skills are related to the data-handling processes such as formulating data-based questions, pre-processing data and analysing data using numerical and graphical summaries. Upon the completion of this module, students should demonstrate the competency in using data to examine one aspect of a UN SDG and/or generate some insights to support one theoretical solution to a UN SDG.
AI and Its Impact (AII)
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This module aims to equip students with a very broad overview of Artificial Intelligence, and its societal and ethical impacts in modern society. Students will build a simple AI model with online tools and discuss how to promote good ethics in AI. Upon the completion of this module, students should demonstrate the competency of using AI to address their chosen UN SDG.
Chemistry I
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Upon completion of this module, students will develop an in-depth understanding of the electronic structure of atoms and its basis for the study of chemical bonding. Students will learn to apply the VSEPR model to visualise three dimensional structure of molecules and determine the possible types of interactions to explain the physical and chemical properties of matter. They will also learn the structure and bonding of matter and be able to predict trends in the properties of matter and its reaction. This will enable students to apply the fundamental ideas of conservations of matter and energy in stoichiometry and thermochemistry. The module also aims to equip students with the analytical and observation skills and techniques critical for working in a chemical laboratory by exposing them to a range of experimental techniques in the areas of titration, thermochemistry and qualitative inorganic analysis.
Chemistry II
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Upon completion of this module, students will develop a basic understanding that changes in matter involved the study of its feasibility due to kinetics and thermodynamics consideration and extent of change. The qualitative and quantitative aspects of chemical kinetics are introduced to students and this will form the basis for the study of chemical equilibrium, including chemical equilibria in aqueous media involving acids and bases. Topics in organic chemistry will introduce students to basic concepts on how simple molecules can be constructed and applied to organic reaction transformations and functional group interconversion. This provides students the opportunity to apply their knowledge on structure and bonding to understand the structure and reactivity of organic molecules. The module also aims to equip students with the analytical and observation skills critical for working in a chemical laboratory by exposing them to a range of experimental skills and techniques in the areas of reaction kinetics, simple organic synthesis and purification and qualitative organic analysis.
Introduction to Chemical Engineering
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Provides students with basic understanding of chemical engineering principles
and measurements. Students will also be provided a basic understanding of
the chemical engineering profession via tasks that mimic real-world work that
are typical of chemical engineers and chemical engineering technologists.
Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics
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Provides students with basic understanding of thermodynamic principles such
as ideal gas laws and Henry’s law on reactive and non-reactive processes.
Heat Transfer and Equipment
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Provides students with basic understanding of heat transfer mechanisms such
as conduction and convection, as well as their applications in industrial heat
transfer equipment such as shell-and-tube heat exchanger and climbing film
evaporator. Students will also be introduced to heat transfer phenomena such
as evaporation and boiling and concepts of sustainable development via heat
integration will also be covered. Students will also learn process simulation
design software to perform heat exchanger design and sizing.
Fluid Flow and Equipment
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Provides students with basic understanding of fluid flow behaviours, operating principles of rotating equipment and their applications in the chemical process industries.
Laboratory and Process Skills 1
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Students learn basic skills required in the laboratory and process operations,
including interpreting PFDs and P&IDs and perform line tracing.
Laboratory and Process Skills 2
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Students learn to operate pumps, commission heat exchangers, start-up and
shut down unit operations.
Basic Mathematics
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Equips students with basic mathematical knowledge and skills in algebra, trigonometry and calculus to enable them to understand and solve engineering problems encountered in their course of studies. It also serves as a foundation for further mathematics in the subsequent modules. Students also learn how to use mathematical software.
Engineering Mathematics
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Equips students with the necessary mathematical knowledge and skills to solve problems encountered in their course of study. It also serves as a foundation for more advanced mathematics in the second year. Topics include trigonometry, determinants, matrices, complex numbers and calculus.
Education and Career Guidance
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This module aims to help students discover their strengths, values and interests. It also supports students in making informed educational and career choices to achieve their career aspirations.
Second Year
Sustainable Innovation Project (SIP)
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This module, tapping on what students have learnt in the Common Core Curriculum, aims to equip students with a Design Thinking mindset to create an innovative solution to tackle local societal issues mapped to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). Students collaborate in multi-disciplinary groups to apply design thinking method and tools backed by research and qualitative data, to create sustainable and innovative prototype solutions for real-life issues faced by a local user in need. In the process, they develop a better understanding of themselves, and empathy for a local user in need.
Students will also be able to apply their teamwork skills in the course of their sustainable innovation project, and communication skills in the presentation of the project
Effective Writing for the Workplace (EWW)
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This module aims to equip students with effective written communication skills necessary for the workplace. At the end of the module, students should be able to demonstrate effective writing skills. They should be able to apply the principles of PAC (Purpose, Audience & Context) and 5 Cs of Communication (Complete, Clear, Concise, Courteous and Correct) to plan and craft effective business messages. In addition, students should be able to use effective visuals, employ appropriate language and follow standard format and conventions in their writing.
Persuasive Communication with Data Storytelling (PCDS)
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This module aims to equip students with the baseline skills to craft compelling narratives using effective data storytelling techniques. Students will generate data visualisations, and apply narrative elements and persuasive delivery techniques to influence others or shape their perspectives. Upon completion of this module, students should demonstrate the competency in using persuasive communication to convince stakeholders intellectually and affectively to call them into action in tackling the UN SDGs.
Problem Solving with Creative & Computational Thinking (PSCCT)
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This module aims to equip students with baseline creative and computational thinking skills for problem solving. Students will learn about the value of focused & diffuse thinking, problem identification and analysis, creative thinking, and the four pillars of computational thinking in the problem-solving process. Students will apply these techniques to tackle wicked problems related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).
Introduction to Chemical Product Design
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Provides students with basic understanding of chemical product design. Students will also be given an opportunity to create chemical products of at least limited functionalities.
Chemical Product Design and Development
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Provides students an opportunity to refine and improve their chemical products from CP5065 Introduction to Chemical Product Design using chemical product development techniques such as TRIZ and reverse engineering.
Process Instrumentation and Control
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Provides students with basic understanding of process parameters
measurements using different measuring instruments. Students will also be
introduced to control of process parameters using different process control
strategies such as feedforward control and cascade control.
Chemical Reaction Engineering
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Provides students with basic understanding of chemical reaction kinetics and
their applications in designing chemical reactors such as CSTR and PFTR.
Students will also be introduced concepts of sustainable development via
green chemical reaction processes.
Separation Processes
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Provides students with basic understanding of mass transfer principles and their applications in separation processes such as distillation and liquid-liquid extraction.
Chemical Engineering Design Calculations and Simulation
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Students learn to perform design and sizing calculations for various unit operations, utility lines and equipment. Students will also learn process simulation.
Process Operation Skills 1
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Students learn to start-up and shut down various separation process unit
operations, maintain steady-state through monitoring and controlling process
parameters.
Process Operation Skills 2
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Students learn to start-up and shut down various reactors, maintain steadystate
through monitoring and controlling process parameters, as well as
perform process troubleshooting.
Engineering Mathematics II
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The module is designed to provide students with further knowledge in mathematics and analytical skills to solve engineering problems encountered in their studies. Among the topics covered are Calculus, Ordinary Differential Equations, Laplace Transforms and Fourier Series.
Third Year
Personal Branding and Career Agility (PBCA)
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This module aims to equip students with the requisite skill sets, knowledge and tools that will give them an early start on the process of kick-starting their career. Through the Self-Directed Learning Approach, student-centric engagement, curated resources (eg. Learning Advisement Portal, LinkedIn Learning, and more) and curriculum co-developed by industry partners, students will begin their journey into the world of work.
Upon completion of the module, students should be able to develop professional skills and build interpersonal relationships, acquire the skills to seek and secure work, develop the ability to adapt and respond effectively to changes at work, and appreciate and respect the diversity of individuals, culture and work environment.
Plant Design, Economics and Sustainable Development
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Provides students an opportunity to complete process design of a selected chemical plant using process simulation design software. Students will also need to access viability of their design projects through making critical decisions and rigorous project cost estimation, as well as applying sustainable development principles.
Pharmaceutical Engineering
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Provides students with basic understanding of major unit operations such as
crystallisation and purification in pharmaceutical manufacturing processes.
Biopharmaceutical Engineering
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Provides students with basic understanding of major unit operations in
large-scale biopharmaceutical production, as well as the respective
equipment and instruments used.
Process Plant Safety and Engineering Ethics
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Capstone Project
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Provides students an opportunity to carry out applied research projects in a specialised topic of their choice.
Internship Programme
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The primary aim of internship is to prepare students with competencies, skills and attitudes for the working world and lifelong learning. The internship involves a 22-week industrial attachment that provides students authentic work-based learning opportunities to develop key work related skills while working in chemical engineering companies and institutions. Applied research and development project encourages interns to be creative and innovative in the context of deepening core chemical engineering skill sets and broadening transferable skills. Such skills are necessary in order to be adaptable and vigilant in today’s world.
Common Core Curriculum
The Common Core Curriculum is designed to prepare students for a disruptive world that is ever-changing. Comprising critical human and emerging digital skills, the common core modules offer students an integral and inter-disciplinary learning experience
to address the wicked problems of the world (framed by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals). Through the Common Core modules, students will think critically about real-world problems, empathise with local and global communities
and be challenged to effect change.
Click here to find out more.
Electives
The SP elective framework offers students options to pursue their passion and / or meet different career needs, and is an integral part of the holistic education we seek to provide to our students. The learning experiences of this elective framework help students in their development as self-directed, versatile, life-long learners, which are essential in today’s volatile and changing societal as well as occupational landscape.
Please note: Course structure subjected to change.