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Diploma in Applied Science (Pharmaceutical Sciences)

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About the Course

The Diploma in Applied Science (Pharmaceutical Sciences) provides opportunities for participants to deepen their skills and knowledge needed for a career in the healthcare and biopharmaceutical manufacturing industries.  

Participants have the flexibility to customize their learning according to their interests and needs.

Upon completion of the programme, graduates will be able to:  

  • Support the development, manufacturing, marketing and dispensing of pharmaceuticals and health products 
  • Be better positioned for wage increments and career advancement 

Target Audience

Working adults who are looking to upgrade skills in pharmaceutical sciences.  

What is so unique about the course?

Republic Polytechnic is the only polytechnic offering part-time Diploma in Pharmaceutical Sciences. You will gain authentic learning experiences through lessons conducted in industry joint facilities such as the pharmaceutical laboratory, teaching dispensary and teaching retail pharmacy. 

Upon completion of this programme, you will gain essential knowledge to prepare you for a meaningful career in the pharmaceutical, biological and healthcare industry.

How often do I need to attend the course?

Lessons are conducted via Home-Based Learning (HBL), eLearning and onsite for face to face, practical or project lessons. 

The course will commence in April and October. 

 

I am deeply appreciative to all my lecturers and programme coordinators for their patience, guidance. They have played significant roles in giving moral support, imparting their skills, and knowledge. This course has widened my exposure and perspective on pharmaceutical drugs and diagnosis. I am now well-equipped with essential skillset and expertise required in the industry.
Ms Samantha Wong
Diploma in Applied Science (Pharmaceutical Sciences), 2020 Graduate

 

Participants will be awarded the Modular Certificate (MC) upon successful completion of each certificate programme. The Diploma in Applied Science (Pharmaceutical Sciences) will be issued upon meeting 50% of attendance requirement and passing all coursework and assessment.

Certification (180 hours)Modules 
Development and Commercialization of Health Products 
  1. Anatomy and Physiology 
  2. Basis of Drug Action
  3. Dosage Form Design
  4. Pharmaceutical Legislation
  5. Pharmaceutical Sales and Marketing Project 
Supply and Distribution of Health Products
  1. Current Good Manufacturing  and Laboratory Practices
  2. Good Distribution Practices
  3. Health Products Logistics 
  4. Health Products Supply and Distribution Project 

Therapeutic and Complementary Health Products

  1. Complementary and Alternative Medicine
  2. Dietary Supplements
  3. Pharmacotherapeutics

Dispensary Services
  1. Good Dispensing Practice
  2. Non-sterile Compounding
  3. Pharmacotherapeutics II
 Pharmaceutical Technology
  1. Analytical Instrumentation
  2. Aseptic Handling Techniques
  3. Pharmaceutical Formulation and Processes

Module Synopses 


1. Certificate in Development and Commercialization of Health Products 

Anatomy and Physiology

This module poses triggers that stimulate students to appreciate the order by which the human body is organised and helps them understand the holistic aspects of the human biological systems. It also gives students a fundamental understanding of how the various systems in the human body function together to maintain a balance. Topics covered in the module include important levels of organisation for structure and function such as cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, and the whole human body / organism; anatomical directions such as body sections, body regions and body cavities; systems that are involved in the distribution of food and oxygen namely the digestive, circulatory and respiratory systems; and the urinary systems to maintain and regulate body fluids.

Basis of Drug Action

This module covers the basic principles of drug action, which include drug-receptor interactions and dose-response relationships (pharmacodynamics); delivery, absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of drugs (pharmacokinetics). Biologic drug actions, genetic factors, genetic polymorphisms and inter-individual variations that may influence the effects of drugs (pharmacogenomics) will also be discussed. This is a concept driven course that provides an understanding of the mechanisms by which chemical and biologic drugs act in the body.

Dosage Form Design

This module aims to introduce the various types of pharmaceutical dosage forms, the different routes of drug administration and drug delivery systems. The advantages and limitations of various modes of drug delivery will be discussed. Students will be able to relate to the physiological, physical and chemical factors that influence the choice of medication administration route and dosage form design.

Pharmaceutical Legislation

This module places an emphasis on the application of legislation in the pharmaceutical industry and allows students to appreciate the importance of medicines regulation. It provides an overview on the regulatory requirements for the distribution, sales and use of medicines in Singapore. Learning outcomes include understanding the application of the Medicines Act, the Poisons Act, the Misuse of Drugs Act, the Health Products Act and the Sale of Drugs Act.

Pharmaceutical Sales and Marketing project

Students on the Work-Study Programme (WSP) track will be involved in on-the-job training at their place of employment. A project on understanding the industry practices for the sales and marketing of the company product/services will be designed in consultation with the employer. Non-WSP track students will be assigned in-house projects in place of the OJT component.
 

2. Certificate in Supply and Distribution of Health Products  

Current Good Manufacturing and Laboratory Practices

This module aims to provide students with an appreciation of good manufacturing practices (GMP) as a set of guidelines for the regulation of pharmaceuticals, as well as their role in related industries. It also provides students a holistic view of current issues in the laboratory setting with a special emphasis on biomedical practices and research ethics. It encompasses the approaches taken in the development of manufacturing systems, quality assurance, quality control, validation and regulatory audits. Students will also learn about facility design and layout, including aspects of basic resource management, total quality management, good laboratory practices, good documentation practices (ISO standards), laboratory certifications (e.g. BSL, ASL etc.) and Intellectual Property Rights.

Good Distribution Practices

This module introduces students to the regulatory guidance for good distribution practices of health products. Students will learn about the roles and responsibilities of different stakeholders within the distribution chain as outlined in key guidelines, including the necessary standards to be upheld as health products transit from manufacturer premises eventually to the end user. The module takes a closer look at the principles and objectives behind Good Distribution Practice guidelines of health products, thereby allowing students to gain a deeper appreciation of the importance of upkeeping high standards within the industry and the impact is has on the quality of health products utilized by consumers today. 

Health Products Logistics

This module aims to equip students with the basic understanding of operating and managing the pharmaceutical supply chain and also the current issues and challenges that are faced by this industry. The area of coverage includes but not limited to, quality assurance, validation and logistics handling.  Students will be able to gain an in-depth understanding on the application of regulatory guidelines and industrial best practices in safe storage, handling, transportation, disposal and cold chain management of pharmaceutical products without compromising product quality.

Health Products Supply and Distribution Project

Students on the Work-Study Programme (WSP) track will be involved in on-the-job training at their place of employment. A project on understanding the industry practices for the supply and distribution of a health product will be designed in consultation with the employer. Non-WSP track students will be assigned in-house projects in place of the OJT component.
 

3. Certificate in Therapeutic and Complementary Health Products 

Complementary and Alternative Medicine

This module introduces basic understanding of various complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practices, its integration, development, and roles in general health and disease management. Students will be exposed to appreciate the various theoretical concepts and possible risks associated with CAM practices. The four major domains of CAM practices namely (i) whole medical systems, (ii) mind-body medicine, (iii) biologically based practices and (iv) manipulative and body-based practices will be discussed. The module also discusses the future directions (including regulatory aspects) for CAM practices in Singapore; and CAM modernization concepts e.g. herb to dosage forms.

Dietary Supplements

This module covers foundational topics that are important for understanding the need and requirements of dietary supplements among different groups in the population. The differences between dietary supplements and nutrition, diet, nutraceutical and functional food are explored. The four main themes of the module are (i) requirements of dietary supplements, (ii) components and functions, (iii) deficiencies and overconsumption, and (iv) regulation, health claims and commercial aspects.

Pharmacotherapeutics

This module will cover basic pharmacotherapy of common ailments and conditions (e.g. cough and cold, nausea and vomiting, constipation and diarrhea, etc.) encountered in primary healthcare settings. Students will acquire skills and knowledge on current concepts regarding appropriate over-the-counter (OTC) drug treatment, drug information search and interpretation, and information provision on therapeutics and general health products. Students will develop patient assessment and related skills in the provision of patient care and education, and learn to apply pharmacotherapy knowledge in practical settings.
 

4. Certificate in Dispensary Services 

Good Dispensing Practice

This module trains students to integrate drug knowledge, dispensing and clinical skills, and apply their knowledge through prescription assessment, making interventions and product recommendations, and specialised counselling for certain disease conditions. Through hands-on sessions in the laboratory, they will learn how to appreciate the possible consequences of medication errors and the methods of preventing them as well as how Good Dispensing Practice can be built into the workflow and processes within the pharmacy. 

Non-sterile Compounding

This module aims to provide hands-on sessions for students to integrate the scientific principles of pharmaceutics and a practical knowledge applied to the preparation and compounding of medicines for dispensing. Students are required to perform extemporaneous compounding of various solid, liquid and semi-solid dosage forms. Students will also gain foundations and practice in pharmaceutical calculations and learn to interpret commonly used abbreviations and formulas not used in conventional mathematics modules.

Pharmacotherapeutics II

This module focusses on pharmacotherapy of common chronic diseases (e.g. asthma, diabetes, hypertension and psychiatric disorders etc.). The rationale use of therapeutic interventions and treatment plans to manage chronic disease progression will be explored. The module will also cover skills related to patient education so as to strengthen the chronic health management and continuity of care to improve patient outcomes.
 

5. Certificate in Pharmaceutical Technology 

Analytical Instrumentation

This module introduces students to different analytical techniques with a focus on the basic working principles of the instruments, applications and limitations of the techniques, as well as data analysis. In the module, students are exposed to physical and chemical tests used for drug characterisation. Extraction and analytical techniques using chromatography, rheological studies, moisture analysis, thermal analysis and spectrometry are also introduced.

Aseptic Handling Techniques

This module equips students with scientific and hands-on skills required in aseptic compounding and quality testing of sterile products. The application of concepts of aseptic dispensing techniques and specialty compounding will be carried out in a clean room, and students will learn how to prepare total parenteral nutrition, intravenous (IV) admixtures, ophthalmic products and cytotoxic preparations. Students will be introduced to fundamentals in microbiology such as media preparation, microbiological testing and analysis; as well as the different types of quality control tests pertaining to IV/ophthalmic products. 

Pharmaceutical Formulation and Processing

This module covers basic principles involved in formulation and processing of oral pharmaceutical products. Students are introduced to the roles and functions of excipients and the application of physicochemical principles to the preparation of dosage forms will be covered. Students will also learn concepts of raw materials and drug standards, and the importance of administration of safe, effective, stable and reliable drug delivery systems. Common downstream processes used for batch manufacturing of powders and tablets such as milling, extraction, shear granulation, fluid bed drying, spray-drying, tabletting and coating will also be discussed.
 
Please click on the "Register" button to view the updated course schedule and fees on the Skills Training & Enhancement Portal (STEP).

Applicants should possess one of the following combinations of qualification and work experience:

QualificationRequirement(s)

‘O’ Levels

• At least 3 ‘O’ Level passes in the following subjects:

- English Language (EL1 or EL2) Grade 1 – 7

- Any Science subject Grade 1 – 6

- Any 1 relevant subject subject Grade 1 – 6

• and at least 1 year relevant work experience

Higher Nitec

• GPA ≥ 2.0

OR

• GPA ≥ 1.5 AND at least 1 year relevant work experience

Nitec

• GPA ≥ 3.5

OR

• GPA ≥ 3.0 AND at least 1 year relevant work experience

Higher Nitec in Technology/Services

• GPA ≥ 2.0 AND at least 1 year relevant work experience

Nitec in Technology/Services

• GPA ≥ 3.5 AND at least 1 year relevant work experience

WSQ

• Relevant WSQ Advanced Certificate (or higher) AND at least 1 year relevant work experience AND Level 6 WSQ Workplace Literacy SOA and Workplace Numeracy SOA

Do not possess any of the above qualifications

• Applicants who do not meet the entry requirements may be considered for admission to the course based on evidence of at least 2 years of relevant working experience

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 will have to go through an interview and/or entrance test. The Polytechnic reserves the right to shortlist and admit applicants.

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Last updated on 10 Jan 2025

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