Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science

About the Course

Discover the fascinating world of pharmaceutical science!

Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science is for you if you want to:

Fight against the pandemic and other diseases to improve lives through safe and effective medication.
Discover how medications work and how our body responds to them.
Build a solid foundation in pharmaceutical science and related areas such as clinical trials management and managing medical dispensaries through the broad-based curriculum.
Acquire imperative training with know-hows in the wider aspects of the industry, which enables you to become an impactful healthcare provider.

Benefits

Experience the only full-time diploma in Singapore that offers a comprehensive training in both pharmacy practice and clinical trials.
Undergo a curriculum meticulously designed to align with the Pharmacy Technician Entry-to-Practice Competency Standards set by the Ministry of Health (MOH).
Unlock opportunities to engage in well-structured internships within pertinent healthcare institutions on Pharmacy Practice, and upon successful completion of the internship program, receive the Letter of Competency Attainment (LCA).
Embark on a journey of professional growth to participate in programmes such as the National Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC) Internship Programme where you can gain real-world experiences as a CRC coordinating clinical trials in our public hospitals. This programme is in partnership with the Singapore Clinical Research Institute (SCRI) and will offer valuable insights into the CRC profession through structured training and mentorship opportunities.
Find career opportunities at the frontline of major pharmacies as well as in the clinical research industry in Singapore.
Further studies at reputable local or overseas universities, and at NYP via MOH-approved Pharmacy Technician upskilling CET programmes such as Advanced Diploma In Pharmaceutical Sciences.

NYP Professional Competency Model (NYP-PCM) - its unique features

Industry Relevance

Co-partnered by industry leaders like Singapore General Hospital, National University Hospital, Watsons, Mount Alvernia Hospital.

Professional Accreditation

You may gain additional industry certifications while you complete your diploma, putting you ahead of the pack.

Agile Response

The curriculum reacts dynamically and quickly to industry changes. You'll be equipped with the latest skills & knowledge.

Integrated Learning

Concurrently learn multiple disciplines.

Read More about NYP-PCM

Course Structure

The NYP Professional Competency Model for the Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science consists of:

26 Competency Units (CmUs) - Within each interdisciplinary Competency Unit, skills and knowledge from different disciplines are integrated and taught holistically. This enables the students to fulfil specific work-tasks upon completion. Completing the Competency Units will also equip our students with five Course Competencies.
Four Competency Canvases where skills and knowledge learnt are assessed for competency, together with a Work-Integration-Unit (WIU) which is a workplace contextualised project. You have to complete all four to graduate.
One Final Year Project (FYP).

One Internship Programme (ITP).

11 General Studies Modules (GSMs) – these modules give you exposure to other areas of interest and allow you to go beyond your chosen area of specialisation.

Students enrolled in Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science under the Professional Competency Model will have to complete 26 Competency Units (CmUs). Within each interdisciplinary CmU, skills and knowledge from different disciplines are integrated and taught holistically, enabling students to fulfil specific work tasks upon completion.

Completing the CmUs will also equip our students with the five Course Competencies (CCs) below.

Optimal Use of Drugs
Dispensing of Medications
Patient Care
Clinical Trials Operations
Pharmaceutical Compounding

Students will also need to complete Work-Integration-Unit (WIU) which can be in the form of an internship and/or project that mirror work situations where students can demonstrate their skills and competencies.

CmUs /WIUs in Year 1

Applied Calculus in Scientific Processes [60 hours]

Scientific processes related to reaction rates, cell growth, radioactive decay, process optimisation and drug absorption are regularly monitored to ensure the efficiency of these processes when being used in applied science industry. Through this competency unit, learners will acquire knowledge and skills in differentiation and integration required for monitoring of various scenarios related to these scientific processes. In addition, learners will be introduced to the concept of exponential and logarithm functions to scaffold their learning for performing differentiation and integration of exponential and logarithmic expressions.

Biochemical Analysis [60 hours]

Biochemical analysis skills are essential in applied science laboratories so that one can perform the experiments accurately and safely. Learners will be equipped with concepts in biology and the processes that occur within a living system. In addition, learners will acquire skills in handling biological equipment and performing experiments according to standard protocols and biosafety standards.

Chemical Laboratory Skills [60 hours]

Chemical laboratory skills are vital in applied science to obtain accurate and precise results while performing experiments safely. Through this competency unit, learners will acquire chemical laboratory skills and apply concepts of inorganic and physical chemistry to understand chemical reactions and analytical techniques. They will also be able to select suitable equipment for laboratory usage, plan and conduct experiments, tabulate experimental data and perform calculations to conclude the experiment.

Data & Statistical Methods [60 hours]

Statistical methods are important for processing and analysing data obtained from various studies in applied science. In this competency unit, learners will acquire the skill of quantitative reasoning for use in the decision-making through collecting, organizing, analysing, interpreting and presenting data.

Instruments & Measurements [45 hours]

The ability to operate instruments and obtain measurements are fundamental to applied science. This competency unit equips learners with concepts of physical quantities that are commonly used for process monitoring such as pressure, flow rate, temperature and heat. Learners will then develop the competencies to perform calculations and measurements of these quantities.

Applied Science Project (WIU) [30 hours]

Applied Science skills are important in providing solutions for the real-world problems. This Work Integration Unit provides a platform for the learners to develop innovative scientific solutions to the problems identified, while developing innovative & enterprising (I&E) attributes for their career and life.

Biochemistry in Practice [60 hours]

Biochemistry is the study of chemical processes within living organisms. It can be applied to the usage and dispensing of specialty chemicals and pharmaceuticals that affect such biological processes. Through this competency unit, learners will be able to recognize the classes of biomolecules, gain the knowledge of enzymes kinetics and metabolic pathways and perform assays that measure biomolecules and reaction rates. This will enhance the learner performance in this industry that practices the prescription of chemicals and the performing of clinical tests using the knowledge and skills here.

Applied Clinical Microbiology [60 hours]

This competency unit aims to provide learners with the knowledge and skills about infectious diseases caused by microorganisms and the fundamentals of microbiology. Learners will also be trained in core microbiology techniques to aid their comprehension of the concepts.

Structure & Function of The Human Body [60 hours]

Knowledge of the structures within the human body and how they function will allow learners to understand how drugs work to treat diseases. In this competency unit, learners will be able to identify the structures and describe how various organ systems function together and contribute to homeostasis as an integrated whole. Learners will be able to explain the abnormal physiological changes that occur in diseases.

Reactions of Organic Compounds [60 hours]

Organic reactions are used to synthesize carbon-containing molecules essential in the development of pharmaceuticals which is important when studying how medication works inside human body. Through this competency unit, learners will be able to construct organic compounds through functional group transformations.

Good Dispensing Practice [30 hours]

Good dispensing practice is essential for optimizing the use of medications to ensure better patient outcomes. Through this competency unit, learners will acquire the knowledge and skills needed when dispensing medications to patients. They will also be able to understand relevant statutory regulations of medical and health-related products commonly handled in the pharmacy.

Drug Discovery & Development Process [45 hours]

Drug discovery & development is essential to understand the process of bringing a new pharmaceutical drug to the market once a potential chemical compound has been identified. Learners will gain an insight to the step-by-step approach of the drug discovery which includes clinical testing and phases of clinical trials before a potential medicine makes its way to pharmaceutical manufacturing. Learners will be able to elaborate the final stage of drug development, market launch of new medicine and post marketing surveillance.

CmUs /WIUs in Year 2

Drug Delivery Systems [75 hours]

The understanding of drug delivery systems is crucial to the formulation and compounding of high-quality pharmaceutical dosage forms. Through this competency unit, learners will acquire the knowledge and skills in the manufacturing and product quality evaluation based on the principles of drug delivery systems and dosage form design. Learners will also attain mastery in performing calculations used in the formulation and compounding of dosage forms.

Non-invasive Patient Care Skills [45 hours]

Patient care skills are carried out by the clinical research professionals to monitor patients’ safety while adhering to clinical study protocols during research. Through this competency unit, learners will gain the essential non-invasive patient care skills to monitor the patients’ health status through various simulated practical sessions. At the end of this competency unit, learners will be competent in handling all possible situations when performing patient care activities.

Disease Processes & Immunology [60 hours]

The field of disease processes and immunology has contributed to important medical advancements such as protection against infectious diseases, the use of antibodies in therapy and the development of small molecule drugs. Through this competency unit, learners will be able to describe the organisation, co-ordination and function of the various components that constitute the immune system and apply this knowledge in the areas of vaccines and immunotherapy. They will gain an understanding of the pathophysiology and the gross pathological development of medical conditions and be able to identify suitable treatment strategies.

Anti-infectives & Medication Therapy in ENT & Musculoskeletal Disorders [75 hours]

The knowledge of pharmacology and therapeutics is essential to the management of diseases. In this competency unit, learners will be equipped with the knowledge of general principles of drug action, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, adverse drug reactions and drug interactions. With the knowledge gained, they will be proficient in providing therapeutic interventions of certain disease states such as ENT and musculoskeletal disorders with different classes of drugs. Learners will develop the confidence in performing patient assessment and counselling for both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic management of diseases through participation in a series of dispensing practical sessions. Learners will also gain knowledge in managing anti-infectives and immunological disorders.

Pharmacy Practice in Personal Care [30 hours]

Pharmacy Practice contributes to health improvement and helps patients make the best use of their medications. Learners will acquire knowledge and skills of personal care management which will be useful when they need to perform basic counselling to patients. Through this competency unit, learners will be able to recommend appropriate over-the-counter pharmacy products for personal care.

Drug Development Project (WIU) [30 hours]

Drug discovery and development covers a process starting from the first discovery of a new medication to the successful approval for marketing. Through this work-integration-unit, learners will integrate their competencies in the areas of structure and function of the human body, drug discovery and development process, drug delivery systems, disease processes and immunology when executing the project.

Medication Therapy in Endocrine, Respiratory & Gastrointestinal Disorders [75 hours]

The knowledge of pharmacology and therapeutics is essential to the management of diseases. In this competency unit, learners will be equipped with the knowledge of the different classes of drugs to attain proficiency in providing therapeutic interventions to disease states such as endocrine, respiratory, and gastrointestinal disorders.There will also be dispensing practical sessions to develop learners’ confidence in performing patient assessment and counselling for both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic management of diseases. Learners will also gain knowledge in managing ocular disorders and obstetrics and gynaecological disorders.

Pharmaceutical Chemistry & Analysis [60 hours]

Pharmaceutical products are used as medications for curing many types of diseases. The safety and efficacy of pharmaceutical products are highly dependent on the physicochemical properties of active pharmaceutical ingredients. This competency unit will equip learners with the knowledge of physicochemical properties and interactions of pharmaceutical ingredients. They will also acquire the skills for analysis and identification of active pharmaceutical ingredients.

Pharmacy Practice in Common Ailments [45 hours]

Pharmacy Practice contributes to health improvement and helps patients to make the best use of their medications. Learners will be equipped with knowledge of common ailments and develop skills for managing common ailments which will be useful when they need to perform basic counselling to patients. Through this competency unit, they will also be able to recommend appropriate over-the-counter pharmacy products for common ailments.

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Technology [30 hours]

Pharmaceutical manufacturing is a vital aspect in the field of pharmaceutical science as it covers the process of formulation and synthesis of pharmaceutical products. Through this competency unit, learners will be exposed to the essential concepts in good manufacturing practices and quality management which govern the manufacturing process of the pharmaceutical products. Learners will be able to work independently and collaboratively, through hands-on sessions and case studies, to gain confidence in grasping the concepts and guidelines.

Good Clinical Practice [45 hours]

Good Clinical Practice (GCP) is the guiding principles for conducting clinical trials. Compliance with GCP provides public assurance that the rights, safety, and well-being of research subjects are protected, and clinical trials data are credible. Learners will familiarize with the international GCP guidelines as established by global regulatory authorities. Learners will be proficient with established international GCP guidelines by regulatory authorities for employing best practices and approaches at various stages of clinical trials. They will also gain insights to the roles and responsibilities of study investigators, ethics committee and sponsors.

Research Ethics [45 hours]

Clinical research ethics is the code of conduct that guides the values and behaviours of a clinical research professional to achieve ethical research practice. Learners will acquire the knowledge of legal and moral principles relating to clinical research. Learners will develop the skills to interpret and apply the principles of biomedical ethics and legal obligations in an appropriate manner to protect the rights and welfare of human research participants. Learners will also have a good grasp of the types of regulatory guidelines in clinical research.

CmUs /WIUs in Year 3

Invasive Patient Care Skills [30 hours]

Patient care skills are carried out by clinical research professionals to monitor patients’ safety while adhering to clinical study protocol during research. Through this competency unit, learners will gain critical invasive patient care skills which are required for carrying out protocol-specific activities through simulated practical sessions. At the end of the competency unit, they will be proficient in providing patient care by handling various situations.

Medication Therapy in Cardiovascular & Neurologic Disorders [75 hours]

The knowledge of pharmacology and therapeutics is essential to the management of diseases. In this competency unit, learners will gain the knowledge of the different classes of drugs to attain proficiency in providing therapeutic interventions to disease states such as cardiovascular and neurologic disorders. Learners will also develop the confidence in performing patient assessment and counselling for both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic management of diseases through participation in a series of dispensing practical sessions. Learners will also gain knowledge in managing haematopoietic disorders, renal disorders, and chemotherapy.

Pharmaceutical Compounding [45 hours]

Compounding is used by pharmacies to provide patients medicinal preparations which are not commercially available. Through this competency unit, learners will gain essential skills required to prepare various non-sterile medicinal products from ingredients in the pharmacy. They will be able to work independently, through comprehensive hands-on practical sessions, to become proficient in pharmaceutical compounding.

Healthcare Ethics [30 hours]

Healthcare ethics comprises applied moral principles which provide guidance for the healthcare professionals when making decisions in their field of work. Through this competency unit, learners will acquire essential knowledge and practical guidelines in biomedical ethics. They will learn to work independently and collaboratively through case studies and apply various ethical principles to real life situations.

Pharmacy Operations Project (WIU) [60 hours]

This work-integration-unit will develop learners for the knowledge and skills of executing day-to-day pharmacy operations. Learners will demonstrate their competencies in the areas of good dispensing practice, pharmaceutical compounding and pharmacy practice. Learners will also be exposed to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the inventory systems in the industry.

Clinical Trials Operations Project (WIU) [60 hours]

Effective management of clinical trials activities is crucial for a successful clinical study. Learners will acquire the knowledge and skills of executing the day-to-day operations of managing a clinical research study. Learners will demonstrate their competencies in clinical research management, drug discovery & development process, good clinical practice and research ethics through interactive exercises and projects. Learners will also acquire the skills in applying principles of clinical research to develop a well-structured clinical study proposal, based on good clinical practice (GCP) guidelines. Learners will also be exposed to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in subject and data management in the industry.

Internship Programme (WIU) [480/ 960 hours]

Through this Internship Programme, learners will be assigned to real-life workplace environments to receive On-the-Job Training (OJT) where they can apply the knowledge and skills acquired in the course. The learners will be guided by the supervisors or mentors at the workplace to develop the relevant competencies at the same time their learning will also be facilitated by school internship mentors throughout the internship period. This will allow learners to develop competencies and experiences at the workplace. In addition, they will acquire important work values and ethics which include being responsible and positive, as well as taking initiative and exercising integrity. Through this internship programme, learners will be industry and future-ready.

Overseas Internship Programme (WIU) [960 hours]

Final Year Project (WIU) [480 hours]

Final Year Project provides an opportunity for learners to apply their technical skills and knowledge to co-create comprehensive projects with industry partners. Learners will perform literature search, independent experiment design and execution with guidance from supervisors, report findings as well as defend their findings and observation via presentations.

Four Competency Canvases – Where skills and knowledge learnt are assessed for competency, together with a Work-Integration-Unit (WIU) which is a workplace contextualised project. You are required to complete all four Competency Canvases to graduate.

The following list reflects the Competency Units and Work-Integration Units mapped under each Competency Canvas.

Collaboration with Industry Partners

Why Our Partners are On Board

Teh Ee MeiSenior Lead Clinical Research Coordinator, Clinical Trials & Research Centre, Singapore General Hospital"We are happy to see that NYP is enhancing teaching and learning by developing the Professional Competency Model (PCM). The course structure and competencies students will learn in the new curriculum are comprehensive and carefully planned in alignment with the industry needs. We are confident that the NYP-PCM will enable learners to develop core competencies that are required by the industry and broaden their career options upon graduation."

Ganeswari ApparowPharmacy Manager, MOUNT ALVERNIA HOSPITALThe Professional Competency Model (PCM) adopted by NYP will enable learners to apply the knowledge and skills they have learned in the classroom to real-world practice. It is a good move to expose learners with the enhanced pedagogy and help them build a solid foundation to contribute to pharmacy support when they graduate. We are confident of our partnership with NYP to mentor and coach our future Pharmacy workforce."

Lily WongNurse Manager/ Research Manager, Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, National University HospitalThe Professional Competency Model (PCM) is a new model transforming teaching and learning from a subject-based to a competency-based curriculum. It is a bold step to revolutionise the traditional concept of classroom teaching and learning to industry-based needs. The pharmaceutical industry is fast advancing and learners are required to learn and adapt to the changes quickly and efficiently. The new learning model will help to equip learners with industry-relevant competencies. We are confident in the course curriculum and our collaboration, which will nurture and mentor the learners to be future-ready."

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