Diploma in Biomedical Sciences

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Biomedical Science?

Biomedical Sciences cover a wide range of subjects from molecules to microbes to medicine, from body systems to diagnostic sciences, and from human genome to health issues. The mastery of the Biomedical Sciences is associated with a passion for science, and the desire to contribute towards understanding fundamental processes through a relentless process of questioning.

What will I learn in the Diploma of Biomedical Sciences (DBMS)?

The course will equip you with:

• A firm grounding in the concepts and fundamentals of the biomedical sciences.
• A practical knowledge of the foundational technologies for working with DNA, cells and medical technologies.
• A thorough grasp of the science behind the techniques.
• A rigorous introduction to major technological advances and to emerging fields in the post-genomics era.
• An appreciation of the biomedical industry, its best practices and societal considerations.
• Knowledge and skills involved in allied health sciences
• Entrepreneurial knowledge of how biomedical companies operate.

For details of the DBMS course structure, please click here.

What are the specialization tracks in the Diploma of Biomedical Sciences?

There are 4 specialization tracks for DBMS, namely, (1) Biomedical Sciences, (2) Medical Technology, (3) Clinical Research and Clinical Trials Management and (4) Medical Imaging.

What career does the DBMS prepare me for?

The DBMS offers you a wide range of career opportunities. A DBMS graduate will be able to find employment as a laboratory or junior medical technologist, in the areas of scientific and biomedical research, diagnostic imaging and therapeutic development, as well as in hospitals and private clinical laboratories. You will also be able to work as a biomedical sales and marketing executive in companies that deal with laboratory equipment and consumable supplies.

What university degree programmes will I qualify for after the diploma?

Locally, National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological Institute (NTU) offer undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes which focus on the biomedical sciences. You may pursue further education in these local universities after the diploma, if you meet the entry criteria for university admission. There are also many overseas universities that offer degree programmes in the biomedical sciences.

In addition, students who meet the GPA requirements can enrol in the IPBMS (International Programme Biomedical Science) programme. This comprises the advanced diploma in Biomedical Science (ADBMS), which has 4 modules (A311 Bioinformatics, A204 Anatomy & Physiology II, A205 Biomedical Sciences, A234 Neurobiology), in addition to the diploma in Biomedical Science which has 30 modules.
Students who complete the IPBMS programme, and satisfy GPA requirements, may enter 3rd Year of the biomedical science degree program at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. The IPBMS allows students to obtain a degree within 1 year, after graduating with a DBMS from RP.


For details of the ADBMS course structure, please click here.

Who will be teaching this programme?

Our staff comprises people from the academia and industry with international experience and perspectives. Some of us have participated very actively in the development of biomedical science in Singapore and are still involved with its growth.

Do I qualify for the diploma?

Please click here for the admission requirements.

How many places are being offered in Academic Year 2008?

About 225 places will be available for the Academic Year 2008 intake.

How does the course at RP compare to those found in other polytechnics?

The course structure of our programme is very similar to the diploma programmes offered by other polytechnics. The main difference is that our programme will be delivered using the Problem Based Learning (PBL) approach and is managed and developed by a team of medical doctors, technologists and researchers. The diploma programme offers a wider range of specialization options compared to the other polytechnics.

What is the cut-off point for this programme?

I am interested in DBMS, but I am quite weak in my Sciences. Is it advisable for me to enroll in this course?

It is advantageous but not a requirement to have a strong science background in order to enrol in DBMS. The core basic sciences concepts will be revisited in the first year of the programme. If you have a strong interest in this course, coupled with a good learning attitude, we are confident you will excel!