Why is the Diploma in & Biological Engineering the best course for me in 2026?

Learn the broad overview of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its societal and ethical impact on modern society. Analyse real-world applications using authentic AI use cases and resources from AI Singapore. Apply AI tools to address practical problems whilst considering ethical implications and societal impact.

This module equips students with basic mathematical skills and knowledge in Algebra and Trigonometry to enable them to understand and solve engineering problems encountered in the course of studies. It also serves as a foundation for subsequent mathematics modules.

This module is the first of a series of four progressive skills‑based modules delivered over four semesters in the DCBE programme. It equips students with essential laboratory and process operation skills aligned with the Energy & Chemicals and Biopharmaceutical Skills Frameworks. Through hands‑on laboratory and pilot‑plant activities involving both chemical and biochemical processes, students learn to integrate biological and chemical engineering principles. Emphasis of this module is placed on safe work practices, interpreting PFDs and P&IDs, and performing line tracing, providing a strong foundation for subsequent skills modules, capstone projects, and internships.

This is the second of a series of four skills-based modules to be implemented over 4 semesters in the DCBE programme. In this module, students will be trained to execute and maintain safe operations of chemical and biological pilot plants. This will involve performing routine process unit operations, integrating both chemical engineering principles and cellular biology techniques.

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.

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.

Find out what goes into a healthy and productive team where ideas, insights, and responsibilities are shared meaningfully. Sharpen your interpersonal and communication skills to collaborate effectively in a digital environment.

Develop data fluency skills such as formulating questions, processing and analysing data to articulate numerical and graphical summaries. Build a simple data dashboard to generate insights and support a solution for a chosen SDG.

Leverage digital communication to engage, inspire and impact stakeholders diligently. Learn about responsible Digital Citizenship and how you can create engaging and impactful messages through various digital platforms and tools.

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.

This module equips students with the necessary mathematical knowledge and skills to solve problems encountered in their course of study. Among the topics covered are Determinants and Matrices, Complex Numbers and Calculus.

This module provides students with basic knowledge of fluid flow behaviour in the process industries. It covers fluid flow analysis using Bernoulli equation and energy losses in pipes and fittings. Students will also be introduced to various rotary equipment commonly used in the process industries.

This module provides students with the fundamentals of heat transfer by conduction and convection and their application in industrial heat transfer equipment, including shell-and-tube heat exchanger and plate heat exchanger.

This module provides students with a basic understanding of the profession of a chemical engineer and they will learn fundamentals of both chemical and biological engineering principles. It covers the fundamentals of chemical engineering, including engineering measurements, types of chemical and biological processes (unit operations), equipment, and plant utilities used in the industry. Students will learn the concepts of material balance, enabling them to perform material balance on common unit operations and processes without chemical reactions. Additionally, students will learn to represent processes using block flow diagrams and process flow diagrams.

This module provides students with essential knowledge of biochemistry and cell biology, tailored for engineering applications. Through the exploration of biomolecular structures, metabolic pathways, and cellular processes, students will gain an understanding of biochemical and cellular mechanisms that support innovation in bio-based product development and bioprocessing.

This module aims to provide students with a basic understanding of thermodynamics concepts focusing on the transformation of energy in relation to chemical and biological processes, which enables students to apply both First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics to open and closed systems. It will also cover concepts such as gas behavior using Ideal Gas Laws, compressibility factor and Van der Waals equation.

Develop critical and analytical thinking skills, along with the ability to present your point of view with credible and relevant evidence. Enhance your knowledge and appreciation of local and global issues covered in the 17 SDGs, with a focus on the former.

This module will equip students with knowledge of upstream and downstream processing of biopharmaceuticals, as well as primary and secondary manufacturing processes for pharmaceuticals following current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) requirements in this industry.

This module provides an overview of how chemical and biological processes are monitored and controlled. Students will draw upon underpinning knowledge in chemical and biological engineering to solve problems by connecting process characteristics to process operation, measurement, control and optimisation. Students will learn to operate medium complexity chemical engineering pilot plants and pilot scale bioreactors. While the skills acquired in the earlier two practicum modules will be reinforced, this module emphasises on the skills that are essential to a process technician and biotechnologist on an everyday basis such as process sampling, basic testing, start-up, monitoring and shutdown of the process units and utilities at plant site.

This module is the final of a series of four progressive skills‑based modules in the DCBE programme. Students operate pilot‑plant‑scale chemical engineering unit operations and downstream bioprocessing systems, with emphasis on process fine‑tuning, troubleshooting, and scale‑up. The module also introduces Industry 4.0 concepts from a chemical engineering perspective, providing opportunities for students to apply digital and data‑driven techniques in a practical setting.

This module provides an overview of how chemical and biological processes are monitored and controlled. Students will draw upon underpinning knowledge in chemical and biological engineering to solve problems by connecting process characteristics to process operation, measurement, control and optimisation. Challenges pertaining to biological process control such as non-linearity, sterility, precision, inferential measurement and wider range of process variables will be highlighted. Students will gain an appreciation of less commonly used control strategies being applied to chemical and biological engineering systems.

This module aims to provide students with principles for application in chemical and biological reaction kinetics and basic chemical reactor and bioreactor designs. Students will be able to differentiate various types of industrial chemical reactors and bioreactors, apply relevant equations and calculations in the design of batch reactor, Continuous Stirred-Tank Reactor (CSTR) and Plug Flow Tubular Reactor (PFTR). In addition, basic concepts of heat effects and mixing on reactor design and operations, catalysis and basic catalytic reactor design will be introduced.

This module provides students with an introduction to the principles of mass transfer and their application in chemical and biological separation processes such as distillation, liquid-liquid extraction and chromatography. Students will learn the foundational knowledge required to understand and analyse separation techniques critical to product recovery and purification in industrial processes.

Acquire the skills needed to write in clear and concise English to effectively communicate an intended message to your target audience. Apply these skills when writing for specific contexts, such as scenarios related to the SDGs.

Please refer to Elective Modules Framework for more information.

Please refer to Elective Modules Framework for more information.

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.

Develop data visualisation skills and apply narrative elements and persuasive delivery techniques to communicate data effectively. Learn to craft compelling narratives, based on hard facts and data, to call stakeholders into taking action to tackle the SDGs.

Appreciate the use of both creative and computational thinking skills to solve a SDG-related problem. Apply focused and diffuse thinking , brainstorming techniques, and the four pillars of computational thinking to a chosen SDG.

This module equips students with essential knowledge and skills to address global environmental challenges through sustainable practices in the chemical and biological engineering fields. Students will explore the fundamentals of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, including Scopes 1, 2 and 3. Additionally, they will gain insights into carbon accounting, enabling them to compute and manage carbon emissions effectively using environmental sustainability assessment tools.

Work in multi-disciplinary groups to apply design thinking methods, backed by research and qualitative data, to tackle local sustainable issues mapped to the SDGs. Tap into knowledge and skills learnt in CCC modules to create innovative prototypes for real-life issues faced by local communities.

This module aims to develop students' proficiency in chemical product and process design, emphasising needs-based and science-based methodologies that support sustainable development. Students will engage in the design process from conceive, evaluation to development. Essential topics such as pipeline sizing and pump selection are covered, with practical applications in designing standalone chemical engineering unit operations. Digital Fabrication techniques are integrated throughout the process, including its workflows, equipment setup, operations, and limitations.

The Capstone Project is a module in which students pursue independent research on a question or problem of their choice. It is a multifaceted assignment that serves as an integrative experience for students at the end of the diploma program.

Please refer to Elective Modules Framework for more information.

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 and bioprocessing companies and institutions. Applied research and development project encourages interns to be creative and innovative in the context of deepening core chemical and biological engineering skill sets and broadening transferable skills. Such skills are necessary in order to be adaptable and vigilant in today’s world.

Get a head start in your career with the necessary skill sets, knowledge and tools to create your very own personal brand. Learn effective strategies to set yourself apart from the competition, and put it to good use and create awareness about the SDGs.

This module provides students with the basic concepts on process plant safety and engineering ethics that span the chemical plant lifecycle from process development to plant operation, including management of change. It focuses on plant safety strategies such as inherently safer design, passive and active safety systems as well as procedural systems. Concepts on hazards, risk, reliability, failure rates, protective systems based on Layers of Protective Analysis (LOPA) including alarms, safety instrumented system, pressure relief system as well as safe system of work are covered. In addition, students will learn Hazard identification and risk assessment techniques, including Hazard and Operability (HAZOP) studies, Bow-Tie Method and Fault-Tree Analysis (FTA).

Building on the foundational principles covered in Sustainable Product and Process Design 1, this module delves deeper into chemical process and product design. Students will enhance their digital fabrication skills and work in teams to refine ideas, design experiments, and develop specifications. They will apply knowledge from core chemical engineering principles, such as heat and mass transfer, along with concepts and skills in product and process design, to create a complex standalone chemical engineering unit operation, incorporating sustainability principles such as energy optimisation, efficiency and waste minimisation.