ENG – IBT

Frequently Asked Questions on Diploma in Intelligent Building Technology

General Information

Course Structure

Career Outcomes

Where will the graduates be employed?
What are the career opportunities for Diploma in IBT graduates?
What is the starting salary for graduates of this Diploma and what is the typical period for a graduate to find employment?
Will there be opportunities for further studies in Universities after I graduate?

What is the diploma about?

This course equips students with the knowledge and competencies of building services and related professions engaged in complex multi-disciplinary building and facility projects that involve the provision of effective and efficient solutions to an ever-evolving urban built environment.

This course will allow students to tap into this growing trend, by training them to manage Intelligent Building Systems, including eco-centric designs, advanced systems, intelligent gadgets, automation and infocomm applications.

What is “Intelligent Building Technology “ (IBT)?

New buildings, today, including the upcoming Integrated Resorts and the Business & Financial Centre at Marina Bay with facilities for business, entertainment and recreation, all come with the latest intelligent features. Existing buildings are also continuously being upgraded and equipped with intelligent technologies to meet the growing demands of business and people, as well as the need to conserve water and energy. Therefore, an intelligent building is one that is that is highly responsive to user needs and has the ability to adapt to new technology in order to meet its performance mandates. It also aims to maximise the efficiency of occupants and allow effective management of resource with minimum life costs.

What are the admission requirements?

GCE Ordinary Level Candidates

Admission is based on academic merit as well as open competition among all eligible applicants. The Minimum Entry Requirements are

English Language (EL1)		(Grades 1-7)
Mathematics (E or A Maths)		(Grades 1-6)
At least one of the following science subject**		(Grades 1-6)

**Additional Combined Science, Additional Science, Biology, Chemistry, Combined Science, Engineering Science, Integrated Science, Physical Science, Physics, Science (Chemistry, Biology), Science (Physics, Biology), Science (Physics, Chemistry), Science (Physics, Chemistry and Biology), Design & Technology.

Any two other subjects, excluding CCA

For ITE Certificate Holders and International Students, please refer http://www.tp.edu.sg/home/admissions.htm to obtain more information regarding admission requirements.

Who should apply for the Diploma?

Prospective students for the Diploma in IBT programme should have a passion to contribute, and manage world class industry leading facilities in a multi-disciplinary framework. The programme is also intended for anyone who has the interest and desire to embrace the challenges of managing large physical assets such as airports, hospitals, educational institutions, science parks, and seaports.

Will students without a technical background be at a disadvantage?

The Diploma in IBT programme covers and integrates a wide range of subjects including some which are drawn from the arts (such as economics, finance and business management), and others which are based on science and technology. Subjects such as Business Continuity Management contain a large portion which does not require any technical pre-requisite. For this reason, each of the modules is taught in such a way as to provide students a sound grounding in its concepts and principles. Students from the Arts, Commerce and Science streams will also do well in the programme.

What is the annual intake for this Diploma?

The annual intake is about 120 students. Competition is stiff as graduates are one of the highest paid.

How do I apply?

Students submit their application during the Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE) following the release of the GCE ‘O’ Level results. For other categories of application, you may apply through other respective admissions exercise such as Joint Polytechnic Special Admission Exercise (JPSAE), Joint Polytechnic Admission Exercise (JPAE), Direct Admission Exercise (DAE – Local Qualifications) or (DAE – International Qualifications).

You can submit your application online at: http://www.moe.gov.sg/esp/schadm/jae

For more information regarding the different application modes, please be directed to http://www.tp.edu.sg/home/admissions/adm_exercise.htm

What is the structure of the academic year?

An academic year consists of 2 semesters, each 14 weeks long. You may click here (http://www.tp.edu.sg/home/courses/calendar.htm) to view the current Academic Calendar.

How long is the course?

The Diploma in Intelligent Building Technology is a 3-year full-time programme. Under a credit-based Flexible Academic System for Temasek Polytechnic (FAST), students are able to regulate their pace of study according to their academic abilities. The maximum period of candidature is 5 years.

What are the core subject areas for the Diploma in IBT?

You will learn:

Project Management

This subject aims to provide an overview of the principles and concepts in Project Management. It also aims to equip students with skills in using project management tools. This subject emphasizes on the knowledge and practices which are widely applied in project management. It covers topics on the project management framework, project management processes and project management knowledge areas. The subject encompasses both theory and practical skills on using project management tools.

Energy Audit

This subject covers the concept of energy auditing as benchmarking tool for evaluation the energy performance of a building. The importance of building energy performance indicators, energy audit procedures, data acquisition for energy audit processes and energy-related standards, codes and regulations governing building services will also be covered.

Fire and Life Safety Management

This subject introduces the roles and responsibilities of a Fire Safety Manager (FSM) for both commercial buildings and industrial premises. The students will be exposed to the procedure adopted in running a Fire Command Centre, the use of detection, protection and control systems, fire investigation and formulation of fire emergency plan.

Intelligent Workplaces and Dwelling

This subject focuses on lifestyle solutions such as technologically enhanced living spaces complete with sensors, security features, remote access, automatic controls, internet-enabled devices and wireless communication.

Total Building Performance

The subject takes into consideration all the key factors that affect the performance and efficiency of intelligent buildings. It introduces the performance mandates to indoor environmental quality. Management of indoor environmental quality through design considerations, intelligent systems, standards and practices and benchmarking are introduced. Students will use computer-based application software to model, simulate and predict total building performance for design optimisation.

What teaching mode is adopted for this Diploma?

Lecture, Tutorial, Labs

On each of the modules of the Diploma in IBT programme, a formal lecture (normally two hours in a week) is followed by a tutorial session (normally two hours in alternative weeks) and laboratory session (usually two hours in alternative weeks). A tutorial session involves small groups of students, and may be in the form of presentations by students, a general discussion, a debate, or a seminar.

Problem Based Learning

There are also subjects that employ the Problem Based Learning (PBL) teaching/learning method. Problem-based learning (PBL) is a total approach to education which consists of carefully selected and designed problems that demand from the learner acquisition of critical knowledge, problem solving proficiency, self-directed learning strategies, and team participation skills. The process replicates the commonly used systemic approach to resolving problems or meeting challenges that are encountered in life and career.

Project

In the final year, students participate in project work. Project work is used to encourage the development of students’ innovation and technical capabilities as well as their skills in teamwork. Most of the projects have been carefully crafted to allow students to demonstrate their applied knowledge in Intelligent Building. Some projects may require students to visit sites or collect data from the various industries.

Students of the Diploma are exposed to practice in the industry to enable them to apply knowledge gained from academic studies to real-life work situations. This is achieved through the means now outlined:

Student Internship Program – Local and Overseas

Students of the Diploma undergo 5 months of approved practical training at the end of 4 semester of study. Students are attached to firms that manage projects and facilities, doing real work in Singapore and overseas firms. This helps them to be familiar with practices and procedures in industry, and enhances their employability. The period of industrial attachment also assists students in securing contacts for their future careers. Some students have found internship opportunities, or been placed with, overseas organisations in China, Malaysia, Vietnam and Cambodia.

Site Visits

The Diploma arranges for students in all years of study to visit the sites of major intelligent buildings and their infrastructure, as well as the offices of some top companies and relevant government agencies. These visits are intended to provide students with the opportunity to relate what they have learnt in the classroom to real-life situations. Some of these visits include Changi Airport, Civil Defence Academy, and National Library etc.

Student Overseas Study Trip

Going abroad to learn is a new challenge which the school encourages as many students as possible to experience. The experience of learning in an overseas environment and the opportunity to meet people from different cultures widens the students’ horizons and equips them with practical global knowledge. Given the Singapore government's encouragement to firms in all sectors to internationalise their operations, such evidence of a global perspective will be an advantage in their future career.

The Diploma organises overseas educational trips to give students the opportunity to learn and interact in a different environment outside the classroom, and to obtain the exposure which will be valuable to them should they decide to pursue their careers outside Singapore.

What are the types of internship offered for this Diploma?

Industrial internship is a requirement for graduation. In the third year, students will perform interesting internships at airports, hotels and in the near-future the Integrated Resorts for 5 to 6 months. Concurrently they will complete their Major Project on real-life industrial projects. Students will have ample opportunities to work on joint projects with relevant agencies and institutions such as Land Transport Authority (LTA), Singapore Civil Defence Force, SingHealth Services and Alexandra Hospital, as well as major companies like Reuters, Honeywell and CNA Engineers.

Where will the graduates be employed?

You can find graduates of the Diploma in IBT almost in every sector. Some of the statutory boards and government departments that have employed graduates from the diploma programme include the:

Defence Science & Technology Agency
Ministry of Education
Land Transport Authority
Singapore Civil Defence Force
Singapore Police Force
Town Council

Many graduates have found work in private-sector organisations such as building consultancy firms, facilities management companies and property development companies, like:

UNITED PREMAS
Trane Singapore
Siemens Pte Ltd
CPG Facilities Management Pte Ltd
Johnson Control Ptd Ltd
SIA Engineering Company
Suntec City Management Pte Ltd

What are the career opportunities for Diploma in IBT graduates?

Along with the IBT diploma, graduates can also earn a “Fire Safety Manager” certification, awarded by the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). They can look forward to rewarding and enriching careers in Building Automation, Facility Management and Building Design Industries. Some of the positions available in these industries include,

Facility Management Executives;
Property Officers;
Building Specialists and Designers;
Fire Safety Mangers; and
Automation/ Project/Sales Engineers.

What is the starting salary scale for graduates of this Diploma and what is the typical period for a graduate to find employment?

Based on the graduates’ job surveys conducted in 2005, 2006 and 2007, most graduates command median starting salaries of $1,700 with many obtaining $2,000 or more as initial career remuneration. The survey further relates that more than 50% of graduates successful secure their first job in less than 1 month while the longest period some graduates have taken is between 4 months.

Will there be opportunities for further studies in Universities after I graduate?

Many graduates of this diploma have gained admission to overseas universities. Most overseas universities provide at least 1 to 2 years exemption for relevant degree programmes based on your academic performance. Additionally, graduates can proceed to obtain a Maser of Science (MSc) in Intelligent Building or Facility Management from University of Reading (UK) in just one year or a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) from Northumbria University (UK) in just 11 months plus the opportunity to obtain scholarships worth £1,500 for selected students.

Your chances of qualifying for a place in the local University are good with a GPA of at least 3.5 / 4 or at least a 3 with CCA. The relevant degree programmes at NUS include Bachelor of Science (Project and Facilities Management), Bachelor of Science (Building) and Bachelor of Science (Real Estate).

For further information and enquires, please contact via:
Tel: 6780-5144
Email: enghotline@tp.edu.sg
Website: www-eng.tp.edu.sg