Course Overview
Discover the power of medicines in enhancing our lives, from relieving minor ailments to the treatment of chronic medical conditions. With Singapore emerging as a global manufacturing hub for pharmaceutical giants, exciting career opportunities await you in the healthcare industry.
Master the complexity of medicines, its effects in the body, its interactions and be an expert in patient counselling to unlock exciting career paths as a pharmacy technician in pharmacies. Hone your skills in pharmaceutical manufacturing, analysis and current good manufacturing practices and explore career opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry.
In Year 3, choose one specialization from Pharmacy Practice, Pharmaceuticals & Biologics Manufacturing, or Technical Sales & Marketing. Engage in hands-on training tailored to your specialization and apply what you have learnt in a six-month internship programme.
Gear up to meet the Ministry of Health (MOH) Pharmacy Technician Entry-to-Practice competency standards through our curriculum. Our strong network of industry connections offers you the opportunity to embark on real world learning experience through local and overseas internship. Our comprehensive training ensures you gain sought-after, transferable skills for careers in various allied health professions, extending beyond the pharmaceutical science industry.
Entry Requirements
To be eligible for consideration for admission, applicants must obtain 26 points or better for the net ELR2B2 aggregate score (i.e. English Language, 2 relevant subjects and best 2 other subjects, including CCA Bonus Points) and meet the minimum entry requirements of this course. CCA cannot be used to meet the minimum entry requirements.
English Language (EL1)*
Mathematics (E or A)
Any one of the following subjects
- Biology
- Biotechnology
- Chemistry
- Food & Nutrition / Nutrition & Food Science
- Physics
- Science (Chemistry , Biology)
- Science (Physics, Biology)
- Science (Physics, Chemistry)
* Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM)/ Unified Examination Chinese (UEC) holders must have a minimum of grade 6 for the relevant English Language subject (e.g. Bahasa Inggeris).
- Year 1
- Year 2
- Year 3
- TPFun
Get to understand how the human body works and how diseases occur. With your chemistry foundation, learn the essentials in drug development and analysis, and principles of drug action. Learn about Current Good Manufacturing Practice & Process Improvement, an essential skill set for the pharmaceutical industry.
Your learning journey will progress through on-the-job training where you get to apply your skill sets in a professional environment and learn from industry practitioners. You will deepen your knowledge and skills in pharmacy practice or pharmaceutical and biologics manufacturing. There is also opportunity for you to learn about technical sales and marketing in the applied science industries.
Diploma Elective Cluster Subjects
| Subject Code | Subject | Credit Units | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EBI3009 | Healthcare Analytics
This subject covers the statistical techniques for biomedical data analysis and the decision-making process using machine-learning algorithms. The topics covered include techniques for data analysis and machine learning for decision-making. You will gain hands-on Python programming experience by applying the statistical techniques on biomedical datasets to facilitate effective data-driven decisions through machine learning algorithms. |
4 | ||
| EMD2005 | Patient Monitoring Technology
This subject provides an understanding of the fundamental principles and applications of the biomedical instrumentation systems commonly used in the healthcare sector. Patient monitoring tools will be used to reinforce the learning of physiological signal analysis techniques. |
4 | ||
| AMT3012 | Translational Biotechnology
This subject covers the conceptual frameworks and process flows involved in translating biological discoveries into clinical and commercial applications. It covers the principles of translational research, including the progression from basic science to bioproduct development and therapeutic innovation, on how scientific insights are applied to address real-world healthcare challenges and advance the biotechnology industry. |
1 |
| Subject Code | Subject | Credit Units | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| APH3024 | Pharmacotherapy and Advanced Pharmacy Practice
This subject integrates the knowledge of human anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology with pharmacotherapy and good pharmacy practice in the therapeutics areas for neurology and psychiatry. It also covers legislations, guidelines and codes of conduct affecting the pharmaceutical industries and healthcare services. It also focuses on the business aspects of the operations of hospital and retail pharmacies such as the procurement, inventory control and distribution of pharmaceutical products. The topics on point-of-care testings, lifestyle modifications for health and disease management will also be covered in this subject. |
9 |
| Subject Code | Subject | Credit Units | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| APH3023 | Pharmaceuticals & Biologics Process Technology
This subject covers the upstream and downstream processes involved in the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and biologics in compliance with the current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) principles and guidelines. The subject also covers the safety practices, hazard management and current trends in the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and biologics. |
9 |
| Subject Code | Subject | Credit Units | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASM3001 | Marketing of Science Products and Services
The subject covers marketing concepts, code of ethics, guidelines and regulations governing the sales and sustainable marketing of products and services that can be applied in various sectors of the applied science industry such as life science, chemical, pharmaceutical, food, and pet industries. |
5 | ||
| BSE2001 | Business Development
This subject is designed to equip students with the essential skills and knowledge to identify and seize business opportunities, build and maintain strategic partnerships, and foster sustainable growth. The subject covers key aspects such as opportunity identification, relationship management, communication skills, negotiation skills, and cultural competence. Through a combination of theoretical insights and practical applications, students will learn to navigate the complexities of business development in a dynamic and globalised market. |
4 |
| Subject Code | Subject | Credit Units | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AWB3001 | Guided Work-based Learning
This is a competency-based subject that aims to develop students’ industry-specific knowledge, skills and attitudes through a structured on-the-job training programme. Students will work with company supervisors to develop and execute a learning plan based on their job role(s), and monitor and reflect on their learning progress. Students’ acquisition of the essential knowledge and technical and generic skills will be evaluated through various assessment methods which may include competency tests, completion of relevant certification courses/training programs. |
9 |
| Subject Code | Subject | Credit Units | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EMA3002 | Modelling & Analysis
The main objective of this subject is to provide students firm foundations of single variable calculus so that they can apply calculus to model, solve and analyse applied math problems. It aims to motivate students on the importance of calculus through a plethora of applications in engineering, physical and biological sciences, computer science, finance, economics, probability and statistics and other topics. On top of the basic concepts, techniques and applications of two branches of calculus - differentiation and integration, students will also learn to use simple software to implement numerical methods in calculus. |
4 | ||
| ESC3002 | Physical World
This subject provide students with the ability to understand and explain the inner mechanism of the physical world based on the principles of mechanics and thermodynamics. It aims to help students appreciate the beauty of physics and enable them to apply key concepts learnt to evaluate and address physics-based problems to make a positive impact on the world. By using concepts established through simplified mathematical models, reverse engineering case studies and experiential learning through hands-on demonstrations, connections between physics concepts and theoretical models are reinforced with practice. |
4 | ||
| ESE3015 | Computational Thinking for Design
This subject covers programming both in the architectural design and computing contexts targeted at novice programmers. It will introduce students to programming and design computing skills that are essential for their studies. Students will learn visual programming and python programming together with design concepts, and will apply these skills in related projects. |
4 | ||
| ECS3003 | Global Humanities: Literature, Philosophy & Ethics
This subject examines stories as a way to understand ourselves and our world. Some of these stories have endured for centuries and spread far beyond their locus of origin. They raise questions that resonate with our lives even today. This subject will equip you with critical reading, thinking, and writing skills by exploring different ways of reading and interpreting classic texts. You will learn to identify the connections between various texts and between thinkers in history – ranging from those in ancient China and Greece to those in contemporary Singapore. |
4 |
| Subject Code | Subject | Credit Units | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUM3001 | Equation of Life
This course aims to provide you with the general knowledge and basic training of mathematics in biology. In this course, you will go back to the early days of biological research to recognize that some great discoveries in biology were possible only through application of mathematics. Additionally, you will study a few biological phenomena that most of you are familiar with, such as Mendelian genetics, population genetics, gene mapping, bacterial mutation, and enzyme catalysis. During the online course, you will learn how to 'translate' a biological problem into 'mathematical language' called an equation. Then you solve the equation by using mathematical tools and arrive at a 'solution' which is one of the equations of life. Finally, you will apply the equation to life situation to test whether the equation has been able to unravel the mystery that you were concerned with at the beginning. |
3 | ||
| AUM3002 | Physiology
This course aims to provide an integrated understanding of how the human body works at the level of body systems, organs, cells and molecules. The content includes the concepts and skills required for understanding the common issues in health and diseases at the individual and community levels. You will gain a broad understanding of recent advances in physiology ,and will recognize the value of research at the level of the whole organism. The course will prepare you for subsequent courses and careers that require an understanding of physiology, and will develop your critical thinking and communication skills. |
3 | ||
| AUM3003 | Microbiology
This course aims to introduce the general concepts of microbiology and its impact on the environment and human health. In this course you will learn the basic cellular organisation and function of key microorganisms. Specifically you will gain an understanding of the requirements and dynamics for microbial growth, reproduction and survival, control of microorganisms in the environment or during infection, bacterial diversity, The course will help you to understand the genetic mechanisms and physiological responses that drive interactions between microorganisms and their environment. |
3 |
You will also take this set of subjects that equips you with the crucial 21st-century life skills you need to navigate the modern world as an agile, forward-thinking individual and team player.
| Subject Code | Subject | Credit Units | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GTP1304 | Beyond the Classroom: Guided Learning
This subject empowers students to take charge of their personal learning in a chosen area of inquiry. Students will broaden or deepen their knowledge and skills, fostering a proactive approach to lifelong learning. Following a scaffolded process, students will design and execute a personalised learning plan that extends beyond traditional classroom walls. The journey culminates in a curated portfolio that highlights their achievements and growth. |
3 |
Enrich your student life in TP by participating in CCAs, competitions and team bonding activities! Participate in community and service-learning projects where you apply your pharmacy practice knowledge to educate the public on topics such as the safe use of medications, disease management and antibiotic resistance.
Where do students do their internships?
- Where do students do their internships?
Students’ internship placements are based on their elective clusters. Students in the pharmacy practice elective cluster will do their internship in hospital and retail pharmacies. Students in the pharmaceuticals and biologics elective cluster will do their internship in pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies, as well as testing and research laboratories.
Can I join the course if I do not have background in biology?
- Can I join the course if I do not have background in biology?
Yes. However, the first year may be more challenging, and you may need to work harder as you are new to biology. Many students without biology background have done well in the course. Bridging courses are also provided to help students cope with the biology subjects.
What degree programmes can I pursue after this diploma?
- What degree programmes can I pursue after this diploma?
Relevant degree programmes include Pharmacy (NUS), Pharmaceutical Science (NUS), Pharmaceutical Engineering (SIT). PHS graduates have also been enrolled into Physiotherapy (SIT), Diagnostic Radiography (SIT), Life Science (NUS) and Chemistry and Biological Chemistry (NTU).
Contact
- aschotline@tp.edu.sg
- Website: https://www.tp.edu.sg/asc
-
School of Applied Science
Temasek Polytechnic
East Wing Block 1A
21 Tampines Ave 1
Singapore 529757