Diploma in Biomedical Engineering (N60)

BME will provide you with a solid grounding in both engineering and the life sciences. You will acquire a strong foundation in areas such as programming, electrical, electronic and mechanical engineering, cell and molecular biology, as well as human physiology.

You will also learn about MedTech engineering, and be equipped with knowledge of relevant quality assurance standards and industry best practices. Our partnerships with industry will ensure that you stay on top of industry developments and the latest strategies, such as Lean Six Sigma, to improve efficiency.

As medical devices become more connected, there is an increased need to ensure these devices are safe from cyber threats. BME will equip you with the skills to embed cybersecurity requirements in the development of MedTech solutions.

You will also be exposed to emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), which are increasingly adopted for clinical applications.

To deepen your skills and gain industry experience, you can choose a six-month internship or take on a Final-year Project sponsored by top multinational companies, leading MedTech organisations, innovative local start-ups, and established healthcare institutions such as Equip Medical, Meiban Medical, and the National University Health System.

For more extensive industry exposure, consider the one-year Industry Immersion Pathway. Whether you choose a year-long internship or a project, you will have the opportunity to deepen your industry knowledge, build stronger professional networks, and gain valuable experience to kickstart your career.

Get a head start on your university studies with the University Pathway Programmes at NUS and SUTD! Both pathways let you earn credits toward your future degree at either of these prestigious universities while studying at NP.

Mechanical Engineering Fundamentals
This module introduces students to the study of external forces in two dimensions and their effect on particles and rigid bodies that are at rest and at simple linear motion. Students learn the knowledge and skills to analyze the forces acting on the bodies by drawing free-body diagrams and applying the conditions of equilibrium. This module also aims to equip students with the skills to analyze problems of rigid bodies in two dimensions linear motion. Topics include forces and resultants, moments and couples, equilibrium, plane friction, kinematics and kinetics of linear motion.

Electrical Engineering Fundamentals 
This module provides a foundation in electricity covering basic concepts of electrical circuits and the methods used to analyse them. The module emphasises the understanding of the basic electrical circuit laws (Ohm’s Law, Kirchhoff’s Voltage and Current Laws) and network theorems, and their application to electrical network analysis. Topics covered include fundamentals of electricity, network theorems, capacitance, electromagnetic induction and inductance, AC waveform and transformer fundamentals.

Engineering Mathematics 1 
This module is designed to provide students with the fundamental skills in mathematics required to solve basic engineering problems. Topics are introduced in an order that is intended to keep abreast of the application requirements in engineering modules. The emphasis in each topic is on simple applications and problem solving. Topics include algebra, trigonometry, logarithms, plane analytic geometry, matrices and complex numbers. Throughout the module, there is appropriate use of a Computer Algebra System.

Programming 
This practice-oriented module equips students with basic knowledge and skills in computer programming using a suitable high-level language. The main topics include basic computer programming concepts and fundamental programming constructs such as sequences, selection and repetition.

Career & Engineering Professional Preparation 
This module aims to give students a head-start in their professional careers as they transit into a polytechnic engineering education. The module will equip students with knowledge and skills that can help them chart, navigate and advance in their individual education and career pathways. Students will be guided in adopting a design thinking approach towards making their education and career plans. They will be exposed to career-centric self-assessment tools and online resources. As part of our efforts to help students benefit from the ubiquity of a professional online presence, students will also establish their online professional brand by showcasing their marketable knowledge, skills and competencies. 
 
To kickstart our students personal and professional development, the module will also impart various knowledge and skills, such as, cultural intelligence, financial literacy, digital literacy, industry networking and safety. The topic on safety will be taught according to the Competency Unit “Develop a Risk Management Implementation Plan” from the Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) National Competency Standard. To augment this qualification, students will participate in industry engagements and service projects to glean the importance of safety in the engineering profession and societal context.

Innovation Made Possible^
This module aims to help students discover and hone their innate ability to think creatively and come up with innovations to tackle problems close to their hearts. Underpinned by the Design Thinking framework, students will be sensitised to the process of user-centric problem solving. They will be introduced to concepts such as empathy, problem-definition, ideation, prototyping and testing through a practical approach featuring engaging out-of-classroom activities, just-in-time master-classes and a hands-on, “learning by doing” delivery format. Ultimately, the module will help students recognise that innovation is attainable and fun and develop creative confidence to explore new ideas in their studies and beyond.

^Critical Core modules account for 13 credit units of the diploma curriculum. They include modules in communication, innovation and world issues, as well as an interdisciplinary project. By bringing students from diverse diplomas together, the interdisciplinary project fosters collaboration to explore and propose solutions for real-world problems. NP aims to develop students to be agile and self-directed learners, ready for the future workplace.

Computing Device Fundamentals
The module introduces the basic concepts of digital electronics and their applications in embedded systems. Students will learn the use of C programming language in an embedded system environment and this is supplemented by a microcontroller kitset. Students are expected to work in groups and undertake project work involving the use of a microcontroller and discrete components. 

Fundamentals of Medical Technology
The module lays the foundation in analogue electronics and their applications in medical equipment and instrumentation. The coverage of this module includes the operating characteristics, working principles and applications of discrete components such as operational amplifiers configured as various amplifiers and filters for specific purposes. The module will also focus on circuitry building and troubleshooting to enhance and strengthen the student’s skills and knowledge in the applications of discrete components in medical equipment.

Human Physiology
The module provides the fundamental understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the human body, which is an essential foundation for the students to bridge science and engineering. The module will cover the various organ systems in a human body such as the cardiovascular and respiratory system.

Confident Communication: Find Your Voice (VOICE)^
This module is designed to empower students to become thoughtful and confident communicators, while discovering their personal voice in self-expression. It equips students with the skills to communicate with impact in a variety of settings, by tailoring their message to suit audience, purpose and context. Students will learn how to utilise storytelling structures and techniques, persuasive strategies and effective visuals to connect meaningfully with their audience. The module also features a personalised growth plan that enables students to customise their learning experience according to their individual needs and aspirations. Peer learning and coaching circles provide students the platform to practise their critical reasoning and presentation skills in a safe environment. Ultimately, the module encourages students to reflect on their communication habits and develop practical strategies to enhance their effectiveness as communicators.

Engineering Mathematics 2
This module is designed to provide students with the fundamental skills in mathematics required to solve basic engineering problems. Topics are introduced in an order that is intended to keep abreast of the application requirements in engineering modules. The emphasis in each topic is on simple applications and problem solving. Throughout the module, there is appropriate use of a Computer Algebra System. Topics include trigonometry, differentiation and simple integration with applications.

Health & Wellness^
This module provides you with an opportunity to be active, keep fit and stay healthy through basic sports skill acquisition. It also aims to enhance your social and psychological well-being through a variety of sports electives while taking you through the process of character development, choice and decision making.

^Critical Core modules account for 13 credit units of the diploma curriculum. They include modules in communication, innovation and world issues, as well as an interdisciplinary project. By bringing students from diverse diplomas together, the interdisciplinary project fosters collaboration to explore and propose solutions for real-world problems. NP aims to develop students to be agile and self-directed learners, ready for the future workplace.

Analogue Circuit Design & Analysis
This is a hands-on module that equips students with the necessary practical skills in electronic circuit breadboarding, prototyping, identifying components, use of equipment for measurement, soldering and project board construction. Basic troubleshooting techniques and computer aided design (CAD) tools will also be introduced to aid in the design of a printed circuit board (PCB). Students will learn the application of these skillsets in the design of medical devices.

Cell and Molecular Biology
The module introduces the cell and molecular biology concepts. It equips students with an understanding of eukaryotic cell biology, including fundamental chemicals necessary for life, structure and function of cells and organelles, cellular transport mechanisms, cell divisions, deoxyribonucleic acid replication, protein synthesis, genetics, principles of inheritance, cell-to-cell interactions and cell development.
 
Clinical Engineering
This module is intended to provide learners with an understanding of the roles, functions and regulatory requirements of a biomedical engineering department in a hospital environment. Students will perform calibration, specify the appropriate electrical safety tests to be conducted and verify functional performance of medical equipment. They are also expected to apply their engineering skills to test functions of medical equipment.

Cybersecurity Essentials
The module is designed for learners who are interested in pursuing more advanced studies the field of cybersecurity. The preparatory materials provide with an overview of the cybersecurity field where it explores the characteristics of and tactics used by cyber criminals. It then delves into the technologies, products and procedures cybersecurity professional use to combat cybercrime which it will help to explore ways to be safe online, learn the different types of malware and attacks, measures used by organisations to mitigate the attacks or threats.

Engineering & Sustainability
This module aims to develop in our students the knowledge, skills and disposition towards sustainability by introducing them to the dominant environmental and climate change issues caused by technological developments. Students will learn about sustainability design in the context of engineering design considerations, such as, resource efficiency, environmentally friendly materials, innovative sustainable products, lean and green operations, remanufacturing and responsible sourcing.  In collaboration with community and industry partners, Service-Learning projects provide opportunities for the students to apply and hone their green skills while developing a deeper understanding of environmental sustainability issues and their social impacts both locally and globally. The module also encourages students to appreciate and explore green job opportunities in engineering. Career and Professional Preparation 2 is incorporated to equip students with the skills necessary to seek and secure such work opportunities. They will also be equipped to communicate their personal brand more effectively. As students sharpen their communication skills, they will also learn how to market themselves effectively.

Engineering Skills Practice
The module will introduce to students the prototyping techniques on the assembly and practical skills to implement electronic circuitry in a medical device. Students will learn the process for planning, construction and testing of a product development. The module provides hands-on practice for breadboarding, circuit assembly, test & measurement, fault finding, and application of the circuitry in an embedded system environment.

Biomechanics & Biomaterials
The module equips students to apply mechanical engineering principles to perform simple force analysis of the musculoskeletal system. It also provides an appreciation of the kinematics and kinetics of human motion. Rehabilitation engineering, including causation, orthopaedic and prosthetic interventions will be discussed. Students will also be introduced to the concepts of biological materials, biomaterials, implants and tissue engineering.

Medical Technology Instrumentation
This module introduces students to a curated range of medical technology instrumentation and/or equipment. It prepares students to understand, setup, fault finding and perform functional testing on these devices. Students will also be exposed to basic manufacturing instruments used in the medical technology industry through simulation platform.

Network & Informatics
The module introduces the know-how to integrate a network with different medical equipment and devices to store, retrieve and analyse healthcare data in a healthcare establishment. It covers networking concept and data analytic processing concept. Students will acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to perform basic network configuration, network connectivity testing and applying basic machine learning in biomedical data analytic.  

World Issues: A Singapore Perspective^
This module takes a global approach to significant current and historical events. The aim is to enhance students' understanding of such events and issues in the context of Singapore, as well as challenge students to think critically about choices and decision- making vis-à-vis the nation state.

^Critical Core modules account for 13 credit units of the diploma curriculum. They include modules in communication, innovation and world issues, as well as an interdisciplinary project. By bringing students from diverse diplomas together, the interdisciplinary project fosters collaboration to explore and propose solutions for real-world problems. NP aims to develop students to be agile and self-directed learners, ready for the future workplace.

Capstone Project
This module inculcates in learners the importance of project design from theory into practice through working in groups on a real-world problem statement in the medical technology or healthcare industry. Learners will apply the appropriate approach in the development, construction and testing of their proposed solution. The open-ended project involves structured learning and hands-on practical which includes hardware design technique, use of relevant computer aided design (CAD) software, troubleshooting and enhancement.

Medical Data Analytics
The elective module deepens learners’ prior learning in the principles and applications of data analytics in the medical technology and healthcare field. Learners will be equipped with how to extract, clean, analyse and interpret medical data to improve patient outcomes, optimise healthcare operations or support evidence-based decision-making. Learners will also acquire an understanding the different types of medical data, how to create effective visuals to communicate and ethical issues related to medical data.

Internet of Medical Things
The elective module equips learners with a fundamental exposure to an embedded Internet of Things (IoT) system. They will learn the system architecture of a typical embedded IoT system with a good understanding of functionalities of its building blocks through practical exercises and its application in the medical technology or healthcare industry. Learners are expected to implement a simple embedded IoT system prototype with off-the-shelf equipment, platforms or services.

Process & Optimisation
The elective module introduces the general medical technology manufacturing process, the related quality systems and performance indicators. Students will also learn techniques and/or tools for process improvement by identifying and removing the causes of defects/faults and minimising the variability in either manufacturing or business processes. 

Project ID: Connecting the Dot^
This module aims to prepare students for an increasingly globalized and interconnected world where problems are multi-faceted and require interdisciplinary research and collaboration to solve. Using a project-based learning approach, students will have the opportunity to work in a multi-disciplinary team to investigate and propose comprehensive recommendations for a pressing real-world problem affecting Singapore. They will be guided to step out of their disciplinary silos and effectively communicate and collaborate with peers from different backgrounds. Ultimately, the module seeks to develop independent learning skills and the ability to synthesize diverse strands of knowledge to solve a complex problem, while impressing on students the importance of being a responsible global citizen.

Year-Long Internship I
The year-long internship aims to enhance existing internships to enable a more structured applied learning pathway co-supervised by company supervisor and polytechnic lecturer. Learning resources would be purposefully designed to scaffold students’ learning throughout the year-long internship phase. The learning resources would cover the essential knowledge and comprise an inventory of essential on-the-job tasks designed to cover the desired applied learning outcomes as part of the year-long internship assessment. The contents of the learning resources will be jointly developed with the industry. Students are expected to submit a final report at the end of each semester and present what they have learned. Assessment would be conducted jointly by the company supervisors and the school.

Final Year Project I 
This year-long project module is designed to provide students with practical, hands-on experience while developing skills and knowledge comparable to those gained through traditional structured modules. The module focuses on a comprehensive, real-world engineering problem or innovation challenge, which students will work on from inception to completion in that semester. Throughout the project, students will engage in research, design, analysis, prototyping, testing, and reporting, mimicking the processes found in engineering disciplines. They will be required to apply theoretical knowledge from core subjects, solve complex problems. The project will encourage collaboration, critical thinking, and innovative problem-solving, simulating industry practices and preparing students for professional engineering roles.

^Critical Core modules account for 13 credit units of the diploma curriculum. They include modules in communication, innovation and world issues, as well as an interdisciplinary project. By bringing students from diverse diplomas together, the interdisciplinary project fosters collaboration to explore and propose solutions for real-world problems. NP aims to develop students to be agile and self-directed learners, ready for the future workplace.

Final Year Project
In this module, learners will work in groups to design and develop a product or system related to a real-world project with prescribed and specific deliverables. Learners are expected to apply their knowledge and skills in creative problem solving, engineering and design, teamwork and project management. Learners will fabricate a prototype, assemble the parts, test and refine the prototype and/or software developed. Proper documentation, project report and presentation will form part of the learner’s assessment. 

Six-month Internship (Local/Overseas)
The six-month internship aims to provide practice-oriented training to equip students with the appropriate knowledge, management and communication skills imbued with the right values to work in the medical technology and/or healthcare industry. Students will get the chance to understand the organisational structure, company product and go through the workflow and/or project with company employees. Both industry supervisors and NP supervisors will assess students’ performance. 

Year-Long Internship II
The year-long internship aims to enhance existing internships to enable a more structured applied learning pathway co-supervised by company supervisor and polytechnic lecturer. Learning resources would be purposefully designed to scaffold students’ learning throughout the year-long internship phase. The learning resources would cover the essential knowledge and comprise an inventory of essential on-the-job tasks designed to cover the desired applied learning outcomes as part of the year-long internship assessment. The contents of the learning resources will be jointly developed with the industry. Students are expected to submit a final report at the end of each semester and present what they have learned. Assessment would be conducted jointly by the company supervisors and the school.  

Final Year Project II
This year-long project module is designed to provide students with practical, hands-on experience while developing skills and knowledge comparable to those gained through traditional structured modules. The module focuses on a comprehensive, real-world engineering problem or innovation challenge, which students will work on from inception to completion in that semester. Throughout the project, students will engage in research, design, analysis, prototyping, testing, and reporting, mimicking the processes found in engineering disciplines. They will be required to apply theoretical knowledge from core subjects, solve complex problems. The project will encourage collaboration, critical thinking, and innovative problem-solving, simulating industry practices and preparing students for professional engineering roles.