Foundation Certificate in Biomedical Sciences

Objectives

The Foundation Certificate in Biomedical Sciences (FCBS) programme is designed to foster opportunities for entry into the biomedical science industry and as an avenue for students to embark on further professional development and is particularly suited for:

• Students who wish to pursue higher training (diploma or degree) in pharmaceutical management or Biomedical Sciences, as well as a host of other disciplines
• Professionals who lack previous exposure to the sciences, but are involved in the life sciences industry or are preparing for entry to that industry
• Individuals who wish to pursue an alternative career path and those who have a keen interest in the discipline will also find that the FCBS a rewarding step into the diverse field of biological sciences and skills. Members of the cosmetics, food, legal, teaching, banking and environmental professions who will also find the FCBS of considerable benefit to their knowledge base

Assessment Methods

The university will determine the assessment methods and these can include assignment, case studies, presentation, class participation and examinations.

Graduation and Degree/Certificate/Diploma

Students who successfully complete the programme will be awarded the Foundation Certificate in Biomedical Sciences, awarded by MDIS, an Associate Institute of the University of Bradford, U.K.

The University of Bradford received its Royal Charter in 1966 but its origins date back to the 1860's. Bradford is Britain's longest-established university-based business school. It has a very long experience of providing excellent business education and a very-known and respected name across the world. Annual Statistics show that its graduate employment record is one of the best in the UK. The university was ranked number 1 for graduate employment in the North of England by the Times Good University Guide 2005. Since 1992, MDIS and the University of Bradford have enjoyed close collaboration and successfully introduced quality academic programmes to many students and adult learners in the region. As one of the University's strategic partners with such close collaborative ties, MDIS was approved by the University to be an Associate Institute of the University of Bradford.

Bradford School of Management

Bradford University School of Management is one of Europe's leading full-service business schools offering courses at undergraduate, graduate, doctorate and executive levels.

The School of Management is also one of UK's top business schools. Since 2001, the Bradford full-time MBA has consistently appeared among the world's top ranking MBA programmes by the renowned Financial Times survey. Latest ranking in Year 2007 shows the full-time MBA was ranked 10th in United Kingdom, 18th in Europe and 70th in the world. The Business Studies undergraduate programmes at the School of Management was ranked 7th in UK by the Guardian University Guide 2005.
 
The School of Management is also one of the few business schools in the UK to be awarded the prestigious EQUIS European quality accreditation for excellence in management education from the European Foundation for Management Education (EFMD).

 

The Association of MBAs (AMBA) accredits all of Bradford MBA programmes (including full-time, executive part-time and distance-learning MBAs) and is recognised as one of the main guardians of MBA quality. The Financial Times rating and the accreditation of Bradford programmes by EQUIS and AMBA assures you of Bradford's high international reputation for management education. Participants who embark on our programme can be confident of the high value that future employers will put on a qualification from the Bradford University School of Management.

Bradford School of Informatics

The School of Informatics comprises three departments: Computing (the largest department in the School), Electronic Imaging and Media Communications (EIMC), and Cybernetics. Its motto is 'Creative Innovation in a Digital World'.

The mission of the School is to provide an international research and learning environment and continue to advance the multi-disciplinary programme of research and education in computer science, digital media and its creative uses, cybernetics, and the Internet. Research in the department is flourishing and covers the areas of Computer Performance Modeling, Telecommunications and Mobile Computing, Intelligent Information Systems and Databases and Computer Music.

The undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes in Computing began in 1968 and are amongst the longest running courses of their kind in the U.K.

The undergraduate degree course in Computing with Management, run in partnership with the School of Management, has been in existence for about 10 years. It is one of a portfolio of nine degree courses including Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computing and Information Systems, Internet Computing, Multimedia Computing and Computer Performance Engineering.

The accelerating convergence of information technology, telecommunications and media, and the emerging importance of mobility, is increasing the relevance and impact of informatics in all walks of life. The Computing with Management course aims to provide tomorrow's managers with the awareness and skills they need in order to be able to harness these new developments to the requirements of their businesses.

The Schools of Management and Informatics are involved in the course design and review of the quality and standard of the MDIS certificate, diploma and advanced diploma courses that the University of Bradford endorses. As a result they, are accepted as qualifying courses for entry into the Bradford University undergraduate courses in Management and Computing with Management delivered by MDIS.

Bradford School of Pharmacy

Bradford School of Pharmacy, the largest Pharmacy School in the UK, provides courses at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels that are renowned for their innovative approach to the delivery of teaching and learning material. In a recent subject review of teaching quality, it achieved an 'Excellent' rating. Its Mpharm course is recognised professionally by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. The courses are tailored to the needs of employers and, as a result, it has an excellent employment record in all branches of pharmacy and healthcare provision. The School's research theme of 'molecules to man' covers all aspects of drug design, manufacture, testing and clinical trial and is of international quality. This has led to the development of several companies valued at many millions of pounds sterling.

The Pharmaceutical Management course is a unique multidisciplinary course combining health sciences with management. It provides an exciting opportunity for students to combine the study of biological or chemical science with management techniques for a career in the health-related industry. This mix of skills means that graduates will have a unique contribution to make in health management and to management teams in the pharmaceutical, biotechnological and food industries and in the management of healthcare provision. Excellent graduate employment has been gained in both the global pharmaceutical industry and in the National Health Service.

STAGE 1

 

Biology

In this module students will learn some of the general concepts of biology essential to developing a foundation for further study in the subsequent Physiology and Molecular Cell Biology modules, as well as at higher levels subjects (in the degrees).

• The main levels within a taxonomic hierarchy and the general features of the kingdoms and selected phyla and classes
• The flow of energy and nutrients through various specified ecosystems and the principles of tropic interaction and population dynamics
• The fundamental life processes common to all living things
• The prokaryotic level of organisation and the typical structure of a prokaryotic cell
• The eukaryotic cell, organelles and inclusions
• The fluid mosaic model of membrane structure and the significance of various membrane components
• The various methods available for exchange between cells and their environment
• The structure and significance of viruses
• The impact of human action on the environment (using pollution as a specific example)
• The use of biological tools and techniques (such as microscopy, spectrophotometry, etc)

Chemistry I

This module is designed for students who have little prior knowledge of chemistry Selected topics in basic chemistry required for an understanding of the biochemical basis of the life sciences are covered:

• Atomic structure and chemical bonds
• Solutions, units and concentrations
• The concept of the mole as an expression of the amount of a substance and molarity as an expression of its concentration
• Balancing chemical equations
• Hydrogen ion concentration Acid/Base titration and the use of indicators
• Redox systems The definition of oxidation and reduction
• Simple electrochemical cells Half-reactions
• reactions
• The Electrochemical Series
• Organic chemistry
• The chemistry of carbon compounds
• Hydrocarbons and their structure Properties and nomenclature
• Structural and geometric isomers Molecular shapes
• Identification of the major organic functional groups

Math I

This module aims to develop a general knowledge of Maths at a level appropriate for an appreciation of the importance of numerical and scientific data in the Life Sciences.

• Handling numbers
• Logarithmic, exponential and trigonometric functions
• Graphs
• Solving equations

Physics I

This module aims to develop a general knowledge of Physics to a level appropriate for further studies in the Life Sciences.

• Units
• Structure of matter
• Basic forces
• Electricity
• Waves
• Light

Anatomy

The aim of this module is to introduce the discipline of anatomy and provide knowledge and an understanding of the structural organisation of the human body. This will facilitate further understanding of the functional organisation of the body, as covered in the subsequent module on physiology. The module focuses upon:

• Histology - major types of tissues - epithelial, connective, nervous and muscular tissues
• Blood, lymph and lymphoid organs
• Gross anatomy of the different organs - heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, stomach, sense organs etc
• Gross anatomy of organ systems in the body - the respiratory, urinary, digestive, cardiovascular, nervous, muscular and reproductive systems

Genetics

This is an introductory module dealing with genetics at the molecular, cellular and individual levels; and with the organisation, transmission, expression, and evolution of the genetic material. The module covers:

• Cell division
• Mendelian Genetics, heredity, inheritance and the transmission of genetic material
• The chromosomal basis of Mendelian Genetics
• Linkage and Crossing over
• Sex determination
• Chromosome mapping
• Variation in chromosome number and structure
• Errors of cell division
• Chromosomal abnormalities
• Mutation and Migration
• Natural selection
• DNA structure and the Double Helix
• Genetic mutations and disease
• Nature of the genome

 

STAGE 2

 

Physiology

This module aims to extend the students’ knowledge and understanding of biology by studying a range of physiological processes (such as mammalian respiration, nutrition and development) in more detail. Hence, in this module, students will study the:

• Principles of homeostasis, feedback mechanisms and the control of body processes
• Functioning of specialised mammalian tissues- blood, muscles and nerves
• Mechanisms of muscle contraction - the sarcomere, the myofibrils and the sliding filament mechanism
• Nervous system - Central, Peripheral, Autonomic
• Cardiovascular system - heart, blood, blood vessels
• Lymphatic system - lymph, lymph nodes, lymphoid organs
• Respiratory system - the lungs
• Urinary system - the nephrons
• Digestive system - the alimentary canal
• Reproductive system - male and female
• Immune system and the fight against diseases

Maths II

In this module, which develops from Maths I, concepts behind statistical tests of significance and their application to biological variation will be introduced.

• Introduction to Statistics
• Probability and probability distributions
• Estimation
• Statistical testing
• Correlation and regression
• Introduction to differential calculus
• Integral calculus

Physics II

Extending from the basic principles covered in Physics I, this module will elaborate on the concepts of force and energy, and develop an understanding of solid material pertinent to the biological sciences.

• Motion
• Forces and energy
• Power
• Dynamics: Newton’s Law of Motion
• Materials in biological and biotechnological sciences.
• Density
• Fluids, liquid and gases
• Magnetism
• Practical electricity

Chemistry II

This module is designed to both develop those chemical concepts introduced in the Chemistry I module of the FCBS course, and introduce further topics in organic and stereo-chemistry that are required for an understanding of the biochemical basis of the life sciences. The module therefore covers:

• Structural, geometric and optical isomers
• Optical activity and the molecular criteria that determine it
• Balanced equations to represent organic reactions
• Typical functional groups of organic compounds
• Structure and reactivity of primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols and amines
• Structure of biological molecules - carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, enzymes
• Nature of an acid, a base and a buffer solution
• Acidity constant (Ka), pH and pKa; calculation of these values from provided data on acid/base ratios in the Henderson-Hasselbach equation
• Titration curves for weak acids and weak bases to show buffer regions, pKa and end-points
• Nature of chemical equilibrium and the Law of Mass Action
• Le Chatelier’s Principle in equilibrium situations
• Nature of catalysis
• Factors that affect reaction rates
• Energy profiles of exothermic and endothermic processes and the nature of activation energy
• Enthalpy
• Energy of a reaction in relation to the concentration equilibrium constant, Kc
• Structure of simple organic compounds in relation to their physical properties (such as boiling point, melting point and water solubility)
• Intermolecular Van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonding

Molecular Cell Biology

This module begins with an explanation of how individual cells and their chemical components work as part of a whole living organism. It goes on to stimulate an understanding of the relationship between DNA structure and function, inheritance and human disease. The module, building from the groundwork established in the biology and genetics modules, covers:

• Structure and function of basic cell components and surface molecules microscopy, cell staining and cell counting
• Enzyme structure, properties, function, factors affecting activity in vitro and in vivo
• Energy metabolism, metabolic inter-relationships, metabolic control, DNA replication and cell cycle
• The Central Dogma: Transcription and mRNA. Translation and proteins
• Introduction to biotechnology and genetic engineering, plasmids, bacteriophages, transformation, cloning

Bioinformatics

This module aims to equip students with a basic understanding of some of the major computational tools and methods available to the life scientist - an especially valuable toolkit following the successful sequencing of the human and other genomes.

• IT and biological data
• Biological databases - sequences, structures, genomes, pathways
• Introduction to bioinformatics software
• Gene and protein sequence comparisons
• Molecular sequence alignments
• Macromolecular visualisation

Structure and Duration

 

Day Programme (for International student only)

• 12 modules
• 4 - 5 times a week
• Minimum 6 months duration

Commencement Date

Class Intake for 2012

: : Day Programme         Mar and Aug

Fees:
 

: : Application Fee       S$267.50 + $30 (ICA student pass processing fee)

: : Tuition Fees            S$7,490.00

* All fees quoted are inclusive of GST.
* Non-tuition fees are not included.

Entry Requirements

Applicants must possess ONE or more of the following entrance requirements:

• GCE 'N' Levels
• GCE 'O' Levels
• GCE 'A' Levels from any disciplines
• NITEC, ITE COS or NTC qualifications
• Other equivalent qualifications awarded by recognised institutions can be considered on a case-by-case basis

Other equivalent qualification may be considered on a case by case basis

Additional Criteria

Students without GCE ‘O’ Level passes in science with a chemistry component and/or mathematics subjects (or their equivalent) will be required to attend additional chemistry and/or maths tutorials respectively and at a nominal fee.
Overseas students or students whose first language is not English will be required to complete the Professional Certificate in English, which is awarded by MDIS, an Associate Institute of the University of Bradford, U.K.

Those applicants without a minimum C6 pass in English ‘O’ Levels or equivalent will be required to pass an English placement test prior to admission.

Student Pass Application

International student is required to apply for student pass if he/she wishes to study full-time in Singapore. Please click here for detail information.

Structure and Duration

Evening Programme (for Local students only)

• 12 modules
• 4 evenings a week
• Minimum 11 months duration

Day Programme (for Local student only)

• 12 modules
• 4 - 5 times a week
• Minimum 6 months duration

Commencement Date

Class Intake for 2012

: : Day Programme         Mar, Aug

: : Evening Programme         Mar, Aug

Fees:

: : Application Fee        S$21.40

Day Programme

: : Tuition Fees             S$6,099.00

* All fees quoted are inclusive of GST.
* Non-tuition fees are not included.

Evening Programme

: : Tuition Fees             S$6,099.00

* All fees quoted are inclusive of GST.
* Non-tuition fees are not included.

Entry Requirements

Applicants must possess ONE or more of the following entrance requirements:

• GCE 'N' Levels
• GCE 'O' Levels
• GCE 'A' Levels from any disciplines
• NITEC, ITE COS or NTC qualifications
• Other equivalent qualifications awarded by recognised institutions can be considered on a case-by-case basis

Other equivalent qualification may be considered on a case by case basis

Additional Criteria

Students without GCE ‘O’ Level passes in science with a chemistry component and/or mathematics subjects (or their equivalent) will be required to attend additional chemistry and/or maths tutorials respectively and at a nominal fee.
Overseas students or students whose first language is not English will be required to complete the Professional Certificate in English, which is awarded by MDIS, an Associate Institute of the University of Bradford, U.K.

Those applicants without a minimum C6 pass in English ‘O’ Levels or equivalent will be required to pass an English placement test prior to admission.

Financial Assistance Scheme

Student loans from the organisations listed below are available to Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents. Please contact the organisations directly to find out how you may benefit from their services

 

1. STUDY LOANS
    

   Organisation	Contact Number	Website
   TCC Limited	Tel : 6319 3700	www.tcc.org.sg
   DBS Bank	Tel : 1800 111 1111	www.dbs.com.sg
   Maybank	Tel : 1800 629 2265	www.maybank2u.com.sg




2. CREDIT CARD INTEREST FREE 0%  INSTALMENT PLANS

   a)        For All Progammes(6 to 12 months)

   Organisation	Contact Number	Website
   Standard Chartered Bank	Tel : 1800 747 7000	www.standardchartered.com.sg
   POSB/DBS Bank	Tel : 1800 111 1111	www.dbs.com.sg
   Maybank	Tel : 1800-9682265	www.maybank.com.sg
   UOB	Tel : 1800 22 66 121	www.uob.com.sg
   OCBC	Tel : 1800 363 3333	www.ocbc.com.sg

   
   

   b)       For Degree & Masters Programmes (24 months)

   Organisation	Contact Number	Website
   POSB/DBS Bank	Tel : 1800 111 1111	www.dbs.com.sg
   UOB	Tel : 1800 22 66 121	www.uob.com.sg

 

Duration of Course | Minimum 6 months
Degree Awarded | CERTIFICATE