Diploma in Biomedical Science (R14)

School of Applied Sciences, Full time courses 2019, Diploma in Biomedical Science-R14

What You Will Learn

Turn your fascination with the human body's responses to illness into a career in the biomedical science and healthcare profession.

To understand the nature of diseases and how to combat them, you must first comprehend how diseases develop in the human body. The Diploma in Biomedical Science (DBMS) will equip you with the essentials of human anatomy, the molecular and physiological basis of different diseases, and their corresponding treatments.

With access to state-of-the art facilities and powerful diagnostic technology, your investigative and technical skills will be honed for scientific research and laboratory diagnostics. You will also receive extensive hands-on training through the two specialisation tracks — Biomedical Research and Medical Laboratory Technology.

Through DBMS, you can look forward to a rewarding career in the biomedical science and healthcare industry.



Clarissa is a driven student who strove for excellence in what she does. Apart from her academic achievements, she displayed her planning and leadership capabilities in various school committees between 2015 and 2017.

Clarissa was also a recipient of the Service Learner Leadership Excellence Award and Service Learner Award (Silver) in 2014. In addition, Clarissa volunteered as an HDB Heartland Ambassador and was part of the SG50 Heart Map Launch @ Heartland. Being part of such a large-scale event, Clarissa got to interact and work with people from all walks of life.

In 2015, Clarissa was one of the representatives from RP to participate in the annual STEP-NUS Sunburst Brain Camp. During the camp, she worked cohesively with the other team members on neuroscience projects and had the opportunity to interact with local and foreign experts in the neuroscience field. Clarissa also represented RP at the Polytechnic Forum 2015 and Youth Model ASEAN Conference 2015.

Being a recipient of the A*STAR Science Award, Clarissa completed her 20-week internship and Final Year Project at the human genetics laboratory at the Genome Institute of Singapore. Through this experience, she learnt to work independently and deepen her interest in scientific research.

Clarissa is currently pursuing a degree in Biological Sciences at Nanyang Technological University.

Clarissa Bernice Quah
Diploma in Biomedical Sciences, 2017 Graduate, Lee Kuan Yew Award for Mathematics and Science recipient, A*STAR Science Award (Polytechnic) in 2015 and 2016

The course structure consists of general, discipline and specialisation modules. There is also an industry orientation component.

General Modules

Discipline Modules

Specialisation Modules

Elective Module

Industry Orientation Programme

Freely Chosen Module

Select either one of the following:

GCE O-level

Aggregate Type Range of Net ELR2B2 for 2023 JAE Minimum Entry Requirements/Grade
ELR2B2-C 7 to 12

English Language: D7
Mathematics (Elementary/Additional): C6
Any one of 9 subjects (subset of 2nd group of R subjects, see below): C6

List of Subjects: 9
- Biology
- Biotechnology
- Chemistry
- Food & Nutrition / Nutrition & Food Science
- Physics
- Science (Chemistry, Biology)
- Science (Physics, Biology)
- Science (Physics, Chemistry) 

Nitec/Higher Nitec

Minimum net GPA Relevant Qualifications
Nitec ≥ 3.5
  • NT39 Chemical Process Technology/ Chemical Process Technology (Biologics)/ Chemical Process Technology (Petrochemicals)/ Chemical Process Technology (Pharmaceuticals)/ Chemical Process Technology (Process Instrumentation)
  • NT45 Nursing
  • NT58 Applied Food Science
  • NT64 Medical Manufacturing Technology
Higher Nitec ≥ 2.0
  • IT58 Biotechnology/Biochemical Technology
  • IT59 Chemical Technology
  • IT62 Paramedics & Emergency Care

GCE A-Level

Minimum Entry Requirements

Note:

For more details on admission using Singapore Cambridge GCE A-levels qualifications, please refer to our webpage at www.rp.edu.sg.

Note:

Admission to RP is based on academic merit and subjected to available vacancies of our diploma programmes. Meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee that applicants will be offered a placement in the diploma programme. These requirements are set in place to ensure fairness to all applicants.

Career Opportunities

You can pursue a fulfilling career in healthcare institutions, research laboratories and companies that develop and distribute biomedical products. Look forward to roles such as:

  • Biomedical Research Assistant
  • Laboratory Technologist
  • Medical and Laboratory Product Specialist
  • Medical Technologist
  • Quality Control / Quality Assurance Officer

Further Studies

RP graduates are well-placed to embark on meaningful careers, immediately after graduation. They could even improve their employability by taking part-time courses or SkillsFuture Work-Study Programmes (WSPs).

What’s more, every RP diploma is recognised and has a pathway leading to a relevant degree with top local and overseas universities. RP graduates may complete their degrees in just over two or three years in a four-year programme.

Skills Deepening

Upon graduation, DBMS students can choose to deepen their skills and knowledge in a chosen field before embarking on their career. They could either sign up for part-time courses or pursue WSPs. Please visit our Lifelong Learning page to find out more.

Undergraduate Studies

DBMS graduates are ideally placed to pursue a degree in various biomedical and applied science fields including bioengineering, biological science, chemistry, dentistry, medicine, medical laboratory technology, medical science, and psychology. A large proportion of our graduates went on to undertake their degrees at the National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Management University, Singapore Institute of Technology, and Singapore University of Social Sciences.

Top universities overseas also welcome our graduates with advanced standing of up to two years. They include: 

  • Deakin University (Australia)
  • Murdoch University (Australia)
  • University of Dundee (UK)
  • University of Liverpool (UK)
  • University of Otago (NZ)

Last updated on 19 May 2023

Important Dates

Joint Admissions Exercise
(JAE)

Application for Intake AY2023:
12 to 17 January 2023

Polytechnic Foundation Programme Admissions Exercise (PFPAE)

Application for Intake AY2023:
12 to 17 January 2023

Direct Admissions Exercise
(DAE)

Application for Intake AY2023:

  • O-levels & IP: 12 to 17 January 2023 and 21 to 28 February 2023
  • ITE: 20 March to 6 April 2023
  • IB & Working Adults: 12 to 17 January 2023 

Early Admissions Exercise
(EAE)

  • O-levels: 22 to 28 June 2023
  • ITE: 8 to 14 June 2023
  • Working Adults: 5 June to 2 July 2023