Advanced Diploma in Biomedical Science Geylang, Central

Course details

The programme aims to provide knowledge and experience leading to career opportunities in a wide variety of areas including biomedical, pharmaceutical, environmental monitoring, public health, agrochemical and food sectors. With the increased importance of globalisation of education and training, these programmes will incorporate, where appropriate, issues of global significance.

In an effort to best match the needs of industry in this area, the Advanced Diploma in Biomedical Science has a significant focus on skills development and employer-led, industry-required knowledge acquisition in areas such as technology and knowledge exchange, IPR, entrepreneurship, health & safety, marketing, growth strategies and innovation these to be presented and developed through business planning exercises, simulations and relevant case studies.

What will I learn?

The overall aims of the programme are to facilitate the development of a broad-based, core knowledge and understanding of Biomedical Science, coupled with specialist skills and knowledge in one or more areas of biomedical science.

In addition a key aim for the students is to possess a wide range of employability and transferable skills along with an understanding of professional ethics and the relevance of biology to contemporary practical and ethical questions.

On completion of the Advanced Diploma in Biomedical Science programme of study the student will have the following skills:

• A broad experience of practical laboratory skills used to safely and ethically collect data in subject specific areas, such as microbiology, immunology, toxicology, genetics and cell & molecular biology.
• The ability to accurately disseminate scientific information using appropriate communication methods and media.
• The analytical, numerical, statistical and IT skills to record data and then to extract and communicate informed and testable conclusions.
• The skills to resolve complex scientific problems by acquiring, interpreting and analysing appropriate knowledge, involving both the critical analysis and evaluation of texts, original papers and reports by others.
• The skills in identifying information needs, and in the systematic gathering and analysis of ideas, concepts and data from a range of scientific literature.
• The skills of design thinking translated to the biomedical sciences with a view to gaining expertise in the practical, creative resolution of problems or issues.
• A range of employability skills relevant to many professional contexts where there is a need for problem solving, decision-making and personal responsibility

The relationship between theory and practice will be constantly examined. The development of intellectual, practical, and employability skills will be embedded into all modules. A combination of examinations, critical analysis and synthesis of laboratory reports, abstracts,business planning exercises, simulations, case studies and dissertation will be amongst the assessment tools used to reinforce and enhance the learning.

Course Content

Microbiology

This module will extend the knowledge of microbiology from the introductory module by relating structure and function. Topics to be covered will include bacterial growth and death and methods for the isolation and characterisation of microorganisms.Also covered will be a comparison of methods for measuring bacterial growth and for controlling their growth which will include antibiotics, disinfectants, ultraviolet light and pasteurisation. A topic of key importance in modern biomedical science relates to the ways in which genetic information is exchangedand this will introduce the students to the concepts of conjugation, transformation and transduction.

Physiology

Building on the structural aspects of anatomy and physiology developed in the introductory module, this module will extend the study of human physiology to deal with the cardiovascular system, the respiratory system, the digestive system, the urinary system and the reproductive system. In dealing with these topics relevant learning from other modules such as biochemistry metabolism and genetics will be integrated into appropriate parts of the module. Such cross referencing will help the students to acquire a more holistic view of the biomedical science discipline

Biochemistry

The primary focus for this module will be to relate the structures of the key biological molecules to cellular function. The key aspects of the organisation and regulation of metabolic pathways will be described and will includeglycolysis, the TCA cycle, the electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation. Also covered will be the mechanisms for energy storage and biosynthesis of such molecules as glycogen, glucose, fatty acids, lipids and amino acids. The biological functions of the nucleic acids will be further developed through a study of the molecular mechanisms for replication, transcription and translation.In terms of the key functions of proteins in biological systems (in vivo and in vitro), students will be introduced to the topics of enzymology and enzyme kinetics

Genetics & Molecular Biology

This module provides an introduction to the subject of genetics and introduces a range of modern molecular biology concepts and techniques. General molecular biology, molecular biology of genetic diseases and the use of molecular biology for biomedical applications will be addressed. Students will be given a thorough introduction to the principles of sequence analysis and how these techniques have revolutionised all areas of molecular biology. Particular attention will be paid to the technique of PCR. The module content will be delivered via a series of lectures and tutorials that will allow students to gain insight into the theoretical aspects of molecular biology. A series of laboratory practical sessions will introduce the basic techniques that lie at the heart of modern molecular biology such as DNA purification, PCR, restriction digestion, control of gene expression and nucleic acid/protein analysis via agarose and SDS PAGE gels.

Clinical Laboratory Management

Clinical laboratory management is included in the curriculum because it is essential that professionals in these particular fields should be able to manage efficiently a clinical laboratory. From a recent survey of employment opportunities in Singapore it would appear that there is a shortage of skilled laboratory managers in order to provide a reliable diagnostic service. Included in the study of laboratory management are four principal topics, these being:

1. Quality control systems for laboratory tests which would also include validation of laboratory methods, design of experiments, collection of data from validation experiments, quality planning for laboratory testing processes and, finally, quality assurance practices applicable to healthcare laboratories (laboratory regulations and accreditation standards are reviewed and quality plans and procedures are developed to satisfy regulatory and accreditation requirements).
2. Financial management in which issues such as budgets, cost/benefit analysis, purchasing, accounting, reimbursements, inventory control, capital equipment acquisitions, billing and collection, cash flow analysis, the essential elements of the business plan and effective budgeting will be covered.
3. Laboratory Information Systems (LIMS) which deals with powerful laboratory information management systems that enable laboratories to manage complex workflows and processes, ensure regulatory compliance, and promote performance and enterprise-wide collaboration

Laboratory health & safety and risk assessment which are of paramount importance in the laboratory. This will help make the students more aware of the hazards and risks involved in laboratory and research work, as well as giving them an overview of the legal requirements attached to this work. The curriculum discusses issues involved in the handling of chemical and biological agents, basic safety procedures and common hazards

Biology of Diseases

The module aims to provide an introduction to human disease at various physiological levels (cell, tissue, organ and system) and provide general principles that underlie pathological processes, such as epidemiology, microbial pathogenicity, immunology and the study of a range of diseases of specific human organs. The module will also examine the role of a biomedical scientist and methods required to analyse and understand specific human diseases.

Entry Requirements

• Diploma in Bio medical Science awarded by CSM Academy International.
• GCE 'A' Level with at least 2 'A' passes or equivalent.
• English Language Requirements:
• IELTS with a minimum overall band of 5.0.
• GCE 'O'/'A' Level pass in English or equivalent.