The SkillsFuture Work-Study Programme for the Biomedical Science sector is a 12-month work-study certificate programme leading to the part-time Diploma in Applied Science (Aquaculture).
This is targeted primarily at fresh ITE graduates who want to deepen their skills and knowledge in the Aquaculture industry and operations. With Singapore’s drive towards AgriBusiness, there is a huge demand for graduates with skillsets in these areas.
Upon completing the 2 skills-based Modular Certificates (MC) under this programme, participants should be able to:
a) apply basic scientific knowledge on fish biology and feed requirements for better fish care and feeding management
b) understand the various aquatic culture systems and practices and apply the knowledge for farm operation and management
c) comply with farm regulations and standards adopted by the aquaculture industries
d) perform water quality analyses for water quality management
e) apply basic knowledge in fish diseases and disease prevention for disease identification and biosecurity measures for effective fish health management
f) apply basic knowledge on live and dry feeds for feed and feeding management at their farms.
Participants can expect to have attractive salaries upon completion of programme because their skillsets will be in high demand. Moreover, there are well-defined career progression pathways for this area. Hence, there will be many opportunities to further upgrading and skills-deepening in their careers.
Academic Progression
Participants have the option to take up the remaining 3 skills-based Modular Certificates (MCs) to obtain the part-time Diploma in Applied Science (Aquaculture).
Please see Course Structure for more information.
Eligibility Criteria
Singaporeans or Singapore Permanent Residents who are within three years of either graduation from the ITE or the Operationally Ready Date for National Servicemen from the following full-time programmes are eligible to apply.
| Feeder Programmes |
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GPA Requirement |
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Eligibility Criteria for Sign-on Incentive
Only for Singapore Citizens who are fresh ITE or Polytechnic graduates hired by Participating Companies and officially commenced the Work-Study Certificate programme within 3 years of graduation or ORD.
Singaporeans or Singapore Permanent Residents who are fresh ITE graduates from Chemical-related full-time course of study. Graduates from other Higher NITEC courses in the areas of IT and engineering are also eligible to apply.
Please see Eligibility Criteria for more information.
Participants are required to complete a total of 2 skills-based Modular Certificates (MCs). Each MC can be completed in 1 semester, i.e. 6 months. A certificate will be issued once the requirements for each MC are met. Participants must complete the course within 12 months.
| No | Subject | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aquaculture and Aquatic Eco-System
This subject covers the basic concepts and principles of biodiversity and ecosystems in marine and freshwater environment including ecological concepts pertinent to aquaculture systems. Key differences between a natural aquatic system and an artificial system as exemplified in aquaculture systems and how aquaculture system can be adapted to simulate the natural ecosystem for long term sustainability will be highlighted |
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| 2 | Fish Anatomy and Biology
This subject covers basic fish anatomy and physiology of some common aquatic species in relation to feeding, growth, health and reproduction. In particular, the different life stages of aquatic species and their specific nutritional and physiological requirements will be highlighted |
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| 3 | Fish Care and Husbandry
This subject covers concepts of fish care in relation to handling, stocking density and environmental conditions as well as application of basic techniques for stress reduction in fish. |
| No | Subject | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Water Quality Management
The subject covers concepts and principles of water quality management and the effects of environment and water quality on fish care and health. Topics included will cover techniques for water quality monitoring and means of filtering and treating water in recirculating aquaculture systems. |
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| 2 | Culture Systems and Practices
Farm practices for land-based farm – ponds and recirculating aquaculture systems, cage farming, for food fish species. Intensive farming management to ensure high Farm productivity – high growth and survival rate, and efficient feed conversion, for hatchery, nursery, harvesting and post-harvest stages will be highlighted. Farm practices that cater for the special needs on maintenance of good body condition - colour and shape of ornamental fish species, including optimum water quality and health of the species. |
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| 3 | Farm Management and Regulations
This section covers the specific needs when designing and operating ornamental fish and foodfish farms from environmental and regulatory perspectives, biosecurity measures to reduce . disease occurrence and to ensure optimum farm productivity. Topics such as biosecurity to ensure high farm productivity, and GMP standards to qualify for international import/export health and food safety rules, will be highlighted and discussed. Various schemes related to the standards of international import/export health rules and regulations for ornamental fish will also be covered. |
Upon completing the programme, participants have the option to complete the remaining 3 MCs to obtain the part-time Diploma in Applied Science (Aquaculture):
| No | Subject | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nutrition and Nutrient Requirements
This subject covers the basic concepts and principles of nutrition, nutrient classes and fish nutrient requirements at different stages of its life cycle. Students will learn cultivation techniques for selected live feeds. |
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| 2 | Feed Formulation and Preparation
The subject covers theory on feed types, its nutritional content and physical characteristics that will affect the durability and sinking rate for application in aquaculture. Students will apply basic calculation commonly used in formulation of feed. |
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| 3 | Feeding Management in Aquaculture
This subject covers concepts and principles of feed management practices and feeding strategies in relation to feeding frequency, feed conversion rate and feeding rate for cost-effective feed utilization that would have an impact on fish growth. |
| No | Subject | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fish Health Management
This subject covers water quality management, nutrition, sanitation and husbandry practices as part of fish health management. |
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| 2 | Fish Diseases and Diagnosis
This subject introduces students to the various types of fish diseases, mode of disease transmission, identifying and recognizing diseased fish, and methods for diagnosing fish diseases. |
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| 3 | Fish Disease Prevention and Control
This subject introduces students to the quarantine measures, relevant biosecurity processes or procedures, risk assessment and quality assurance as part of fish disease prevention and control. Vaccination and prophylaxis will also be covered in the subject. |
| No | Subject | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fish Reproduction
This subject covers knowledge on fish reproductive biology and the factors affecting reproductive performance as well as the application of reproductive strategies for ornamental fish and foodfish. |
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| 2 | Broodstock Management and Breeding
This subject will focus on the various induced spawning techniques for commonly cultured food fish species. It will also cover the various natural and artificial spawning techniques reflecting the diversity, and the unique reproductive strategies employed by different species (e.g. livebearers, nesters and egg layers). Induced breeding techniques to enable control on the timing of the availability of fry and the quantity of fry will be highlighted and discussed. |
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| 3 | Broodstock Development and Selection
The subject covers basic fish genetics and its general application in aquaculture for broodstock development and selection. Factors affecting gonadal development and maturation as well as quality traits desired in aquaculture will be covered. |
Modes of Assessment
The assessment will be based on a combination of coursework components such as written and practical tests, case studies, assignments and projects.
At the entry level, the job positions are Junior Aquaculture Technician (Trainee)¹. Upon completing the course under the programme, a trainee can move on as a Junior Aquaculture Technician and finally as an Aquaculture Technician after completion of the diploma. They can also look forward to upgrading their knowledge and skills through further CET and executive programmes offered by local Institutes of Higher Learning.
¹Job titles may vary across companies
| Intake Info | Application Period | Course Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
April 2020 and/or October 2020 |
12 Months |
On-going |
APPLY |
Please submit the following documents during your submission. Kindly name the files according to the guidelines below.
1. Resume (filename: Resume-YourName.pdf)
2. Colour-scanned, front & back of NRIC (filename: NRIC-YourName.pdf)
3. Highest Qualification Certificate (filename: Certificates-YourName.pdf)
4. Academic Transcripts (filename: Transcripts-YourName.pdf)
5. NS Completion Certificate, if applicable (filename: NS Certificate-YourName.pdf)
Please note that relevant documents will be forwarded to all participating companies for their selection.
Selection of applicants is at the discretion of the participating companies and participating companies will contact their shortlisted applicants for interview. Applicants have the right to reject the interview if they do not wish to be employed by the company who contacted them.
Only applicants who are successfully hired and placed on the Work-Study Certificate programme by the participating companies will be invited to submit an online application for the courses.
| Category | MC in Aquaculture Fundamentals W GST | MC in Aquatic Systems, Practices and Management W GST |
|---|---|---|
| SME-employed Signapore Citizen aged below 40 | S$417.06 | S$417.06 |
| Singapore Citizens aged below 40 | S$597.06 | S$597.06 |
| Singapore Permanent Residents | S$1579.32 | S$1617.84 |
| Others & Repeat Students | S$3967.56 | S$4025.34 |
MOE subsidy will not be applicable for students who repeat a module or semester.
Fees payable is based on per MC.
The course fees will be reviewed by MOE on an annual basis and adjusted accordingly.
8.30 am to 6.00 pm (Mon to Thu)
8.30 am to 5.30 pm (Fri)
Closed on Sat, Sun & Public Holidays
Temasek SkillsFuture Academy
Temasek Polytechnic
East Wing Block 1A, Level 3, Unit 81
21 Tampines Ave 1
Singapore 529757
Temasek Polytechnic reserves the right to alter the course, modify the scale of fee, amend any other information or cancel course with low enrolment.
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