Introduction
Singapore is one of the world’s leading energy and chemical hubs which has an extensive chemicals value chain spanning from manufacturing to innovation and research. Singapore is well positioned as a global energy and chemicals hub whereby extensive development of Jurong Island has attracted investments in excess of SGD$50 billion and now houses many of the world’s leading energy and chemical companies.
Due to the strong presence of energy and chemical companies in Singapore, the demand for laboratory and process technicians remain high. To better support the demand of laboratory and process technicians, this Part-time Diploma in Applied Science (Industrial Chemistry and Life Sciences) (DACS) enables the increase of pool of trained talents in this industry by equipping them with the required skillsets.
DACS graduates may also be awarded two joint certifications to recognise trainings in Good Laboratory Practices and Management (Singapore Accreditation Council – Enterprise Singapore) and technical competencies in Lab Management, Chemistry and Instrumental Analysis (Royal Society of Chemistry, UK).
Course Objective
The Part-time Diploma in Applied Science (Industrial Chemistry and Life Sciences) (DACS) aims to prepare working adults with the necessary knowledge and skills for future career advancement and to meet the future demands for technicians in the Energy and Chemicals Sector. It is a broad-based applied science education with emphasis on chemistry, chemical processes, life science modules and laboratory skills. This course provides training to work as a competent laboratory analyst and essential skills to execute tasks related to process technicians.
Suitable for
People who intend or are working in industries (that include pharmaceutical, petroleum, petrochemicals, specialised chemicals, processing, oil and energy, analytical laboratories, environmental and water technology, material science, life science, research and development and others) that support technical areas such as quality control, quality assurance, testing services, medical diagnostic testing, application and product development in the Energy and Chemicals Sector. This course also includes trainings in laboratory management and safety. Furthermore, the infusion of chemical process skills provides flexibility for students for career advancement in technical roles supporting both laboratory and process.
Minimum Entry Requirements
Applicants with any of the following qualifications are invited to apply for the Part-Time diploma:
a) The following GCE 'O' Level grades and with at least 1 year of relevant working experience:
English Language Grade 1 – 7
Mathematics (Elementary or Additional) Grade 1 – 6
Science (Pure or Combined) Grade 1 –
6
OR
b) Nitec in Chemical Process Technology, Life Sciences or related science or technology discipline with GPA >= 3.5.
OR
c) Nitec in Chemical Process Technology, Life Sciences or related science or technology discipline with GPA
>= 3.0 and at least 1 year of relevant working experience.
OR
d) Nitec in Technology in Chemical Process Technology, Life Sciences or related science or technology discipline with GPA >= 3.5 and at least 1 year of relevant
working experience.
OR
e) Higher Nitec in Chemical Technology, Biotechnology or related science or technology discipline with GPA >= 2.0.
OR
f) Higher Nitec in Chemical Technology, Biotechnology
or related science or technology discipline with GPA >= 1.5 and at least 1 year of relevant working experience.
OR
g) Higher Nitec in Technology in Chemical Technology, Biotechnology or related science or technology discipline
with GPA >= 2.0 and at least 1 year of relevant working experience.
OR
h) Relevant WSQ Advanced Certificate (or higher) with at at least 1 year of relevant working experience and Level 6 for both WSQ Workplace Literacy SOA
& Workplace Numeracy SOA
OR
i) Applicant with one of the qualifications listed above and at least 2 years of relevant working experience.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Applicants who do not meet the entry requirements may be considered for admission to the course based on supporting evidence of competency readiness. Suitable applicants who are shortlisted may have to go through an interview and/or entrance test. The Polytechnic reserves the right to shortlist and admit applicants.
Course Outline
The course is a 2.5 years part-time programme. It consists of 5 Modular Certificates (MC) conducted over 5 semesters, 1 MC per semester. The first MC to start with is MC1. The classes are conducted in the evening.
Each MC comprises of a few modules and the details are as follows:
MC 1 - Certificate in Core Chemistry I, Chemical Processes & Safety
Module 1 - Chemistry I
Module 2 - Introduction to Chemical Processes
Module 3 - Chemical Safety and Biosafety
MC 2 Certificate in Core Chemistry II, Instrumentation & Microbiology
Module 1 - Chemistry II
Module 2 - Instrumental Analysis
Module 3 - Microbiology
MC 3 Certificate in Laboratory Management, Environment & Statistics
Module 1 - Environmental Sustainability
Module 2 - Good Laboratory Practice and Management
Module 3 - Applied Statistics and Quality Assurance
MC 4 Certificate in Applied Chemistry & Data Analytics
Module 1 - Chemistry III
Module 2 - Data Analytics & Visualisation
Module 3 - Biochemistry
MC 5 Certificate in Life Science*
Module 1 – Molecular Genetics
Module 2 - General Anatomy & Physiology
Module 3 - Forensic Science
MC 6 Certificate in Industry Science*
Module 1 - Chemical Process Plant Equipment
Module 2 - Petrochemicals and its Applications
Module 3 - Chemical Process Automation and Robotics
* Subjected to the minimum class size requirement, either MC 5 or MC 6 will be offered.
The synopsis of the modules can be found here.
Award / Certification / Accreditation
Upon completion of five Certificates within a five-year validity period, the participant will be conferred a Diploma qualification from Singapore Polytechnic.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Which universities can I apply to after I complete my CET Diploma? You can apply to part-time undergraduate programmes which are relevant
to your diploma course at NUS and UniSIM.
Please click here for more information on NUS, Bachelor of Technology
(BTech) Programme.
2. Will I need to take any bridging programme?
The revised part-time diploma is intended to be more accessible to the workforce, and is made shorter in duration compared to the full-time diploma because broad-based interdisciplinary modules, final
year projects and internships, as well as academic modules such as Mathematics and Sciences, are omitted. As such, most part-time undergraduate programmes would require you to go through a bridging programme to prepare you adequately before admission.
3. If I need to take the bridging programme, how much will it cost and how long will it take?
While the bridging programmes are currently being worked out by the polytechnics and universities, the duration will depend on the type and nature of the
part-time degree course that you apply for, and are expected to be between six months to a year. The fees will not be more expensive than undergraduate modules of comparable duration.
