Certificate in Biomedical Science

Overview

This Biomedical Sciences program does not focus on the Health Sector that requires registration with the Health Professions Councils but is designed for other industry sectors such as Mining Laboratories, Food Processing/Manufacturing Laboratories, Fishing Laboratories, Beverages Laboratories, Biological Scientific Laboratories, Chemistry Scientific Laboratories, etc. The courses are taught, assessed and verified by local and international industry experts. They are career specific and are aimed to ensure that our students graduate with the cutting-edge vibrant, entrepreneurial skills and solid competencies to satisfy the increasing demanded of the local, regional, international and multinational employers and for self-employment. The qualification level has broader coverage of knowledge and practical skills required for the vocational sector. The qualification has the potential to prepare learners for progression to an appropriate Level 5 programme in the same or related vocational area and for progression to employment in the appropriate vocational sector. Graduates who wish to work in the Health Sector can seek for articulation with other Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) that are registered with the Health Professions Councils. Other learners may want to use this qualification to extend the specialism they studied in other NIT programmes.

Who is this qualification for?

The Certificate in Biomedical Sciences (Level 4) is an ideal qualification if you’re just starting or want to start a career that involves operations to achieve any given organizational goals and objectives through effective performance. It is aimed at Apprentice level people who are new to the workplace and who need to develop their workplace skills and achieve a recognized qualification. It is also designed as an introductory operations course for those who aspire to work in operations.

It is also appropriate for the induction of new starters and for up-skilling those individuals who are employed within a role that is predominately operations. It allows the student who already has occupational competence within their sector, but is aspiring to enter a role that involves Biomedical Sciences to gain the right level of occupational knowledge in Biomedical Sciences principles. It could be delivered as a standalone qualification or to complement a larger sector or industry specific qualification and learning programme. If you are interested in any of the following, then this could be the course for you:

• Food Laboratory Trainee
• Beverages Laboratory Trainee
• Mining Laboratory Trainee
• Fishing Laboratory Trainee
• School Laboratory Trainee
• Biomaterials Trainee
• Biomedical Informatics Trainee
• Biomedical Laboratory Trainee
• Biomedical Trainee
• Immunology Trainee

What makes this course special?

The National Institute of Technology (NIT) is one of the world’s most successful and best-preferred applied (hands-on) learning brand. The National Institute of Technology qualifications place greater emphasis on self-employment and employer engagement and work readiness. National Institute of Technology (NIT) is one of the world’s most successful and best-preferred applied (hands-on) learning brand. The National Institute of Technology qualifications place greater emphasis on self-employment and employer engagement and work readiness. The NIT-Namibia provides 70% practical and 30% theory teaching and learning methodologies coupled with various practical learning focused activities which fully engage our students.

The NIT programs in Biomedical Sciences are work-related qualifications for students taking their first steps into employment, or for those already in employment and seeking career development opportunities.

Why you must study at NIT?

At National Institute of Technology (NIT), we know how important it is for career ambitious people to get the right education in order to start and further develop their careers.

With today’s industry and employers demanding so much more than just a qualification to contain the effects of global competition and to attain competitive edge, here are the main six (6) reasons why you must choose to study at NIT:

Work Readiness

NIT courses will give you real hands on experience in pursuing your education. It is what is called learning by doing it or action learning. Based on a 70% practical (action learning, action research, projects, reflective thinking, critical thinking, etc.) and 30% theory teaching and learning and assessments methodologies, all the NIT students become work ready (prepared) during their first year of study and graduate with strong work ethics, analytical, problem solving, communication and entrepreneurial skills which are the major factors that employers are looking for in their new recruits.

Employability

NIT’s higher vocational, technical and professional courses prepare students for employment and self-employment. The NIT courses develop a student’s employability skills as they offer the experience of real-life practical tasks and work placements. NIT’s qualifications are generally well-regarded by employers as the courses enable students to develop useful hands-on skills in respective fields of study and in critical areas such as problem solving, time management, entrepreneurial, communication, work behavior, visionary and focus minded, team work, and project planning, execution to evaluation. The knowledge and skills you get from NIT programs will make you be sought after by employers locally and globally. NIT helps students to gain strong knowledge and skills that are essential to start and successfully run their own businesses and/or to be appreciated competent and productive employees that every employer would like to hire.

Relevant

NIT courses are designed and developed with the help of the employers, industrial experts, professional bodies, higher education experts and lecturers. This keeps the NIT curriculum to be industry driven and relevant for today and the future’s job market and self-employment. NIT’s qualifications provide students with industry-specific knowledge, skills and competencies which make graduates’ work outputs to be relevant to their employers’ missions, visions and goals.

Practical Teaching and Assessments

The NIT’s teaching and learning is based on the seven (7) major principles teaching and learning through which theory knowledge is practically applied into various practical teaching and learning methods including action learning, projects supported by verifiable tangible evidences (outcomes), critical reflective thinking, case scenarios, job placements, industrial site visits, public lectures led by industrial experts, etc.

The assessment for NIT courses is largely based on regular coursework and work experience, which makes them an ideal option for those who crumble under the pressure of exams.

All the NIT programs are assessed through objective and rigor-based assignments and projects for which origination is examined through the Turnitin IT Application to ensure that each students submits his/her own true work. The outcome of these assignments must be in an implementable practical and quality standard.

Career and Education Progression

Employers value NIT’s qualifications as the courses are industry-centered and directed. In other words, unlike academic programs, the NIT courses give students the industry-specific knowledge and skills which makes them readily employable. This, combined with the problem solving, time management, entrepreneurial, communication, work behavior, visionary and focus minded, team work, and project planning skills they gained throughout their learning process give the NIT graduates a strong competitive edge to progress in senior job positions and to further pursue their postgraduate professional degrees such as Masters to Professional Doctorate Degree programs at various reputable higher education institutions/universities.

The NIT Certificate in Biomedical Sciences (Level 4) is also designed to reflect the increasing need for progression onto the high quality professional and technical education at levels 5 to 8 and beyond. These qualifications provide students with a clear career pathway so that they can be empowered to effectively and successfully progress and attain their career goals within the fastest period possible.

Reputation and Prestige.

• The industry relevance, practicality, career specific and quality of the NIT qualification will make you to standout and visibly be seen and noticed in a cloud of many academically qualified graduates.
• As more employers expect their new employees to have relevant practical skills and competencies than costly academic knowledge, NIT makes your CV and profile standout.
• NIT is known for stringent quality standards which govern the provision of its higher vocational, technical and professional courses. NIT is also known for its practical, relevance and Industry driven courses.
• The above values, compounded with the work ethics, entrepreneurial and problem-solving skills you will learn and practice while studying at NIT will grant you the respect, reputation and prestige within the industry sector you will work.

Qualification Purpose and Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, graduates will be able to:

• Use knowledge and skills gained to communicate and apply the scientific principles that form the foundations of the biomedical sciences field.
• Demonstrate resourcefulness in researching and evaluating relevant and scientifically sound information from a variety of databases and academic sources.
• Identify appropriate career paths and continuing education goals based on prior education and work experience; self-assessment of academic, technical, and professional skills and knowledge of the biomedical industry.
• Illustrate needed communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Progress to Diploma in Biomedical Sciences (Level 5)

How will I learn?

The NIT tutors/lecturers are equipped with various traditional teaching methods which are all used to create and develop vibrant, skilled, competent, and work-prepared entrepreneurial Technicians, Technologists, and Professionals.

The teaching and learning practices involve 70% practical and 30% theory methodologies by applying a wide range of action learning techniques stipulated in the course specification.

What does the course involve?

You will study a combination of theory, applied theory, and practical subjects across a broad range of units. To succeed, your effective time management and focus are both very critical. You will cover twelve (12) units. For each unit, you will do a main test, assignment, and an examination in addition to an integrated project. These assessments do not include the informal tests, homework, and assignments that your lecturers will require you to do in each learning outcome. To pass this applied qualification, it is critical that constantly monitor, formalize yourself with and operate alongside developments taking place within the Health and Social Service sector by regularly visiting Health Operations organization, reading news and articles related to the sector, etc.

Assessment Methods

The NIT programs are assessed using a combination of:

• Informal Assessments
• Formal Assessments

Informal assessments are conducted by lecturers on each covered component of the unit outcome to weigh knowledge created into his/her students so that necessary teaching practices adjustments can be made as appropriate.

Formal Assessments are further classified into two parts:

1. Formal Continuous Assessments which comprise of:
   • Major Test
   • An Integrated Action Project
2. Formal Final Assessments which comprise of:
   • Major Examination
   • Unit Assignments

What are the Career Progression Opportunities?

Upon successful completion of all the units or 80% of the units of the Certificate in Education and Training (Level 4), students can progress to the Diploma in Education and Training (Level 5). No students will, however, be allowed to graduate with Certificate in Education and Training (Level 4) without first completing the outstanding units at that level. No direct progression will be allowed from Certificate in Education and Training (Level 4) to Diploma in Education and Training Management (Level 6).

What are Articulation Opportunities?

The credit transfers from other programs offered by other institutions or other NIT programs will be dealt with according to NIT rules and regulations on Recognition of Prior Learning. Provided that an applicant has qualification accredited by NQA and verifiable through the NQF, the NIT rules provide for course by course credits as well as credit transfer by volume under certain conditions. Maximum credits that can be granted from none technical (hands-on) programs are 15% of the credits for a qualification. Maximum credits that can be granted from the technical (hands-on) programs of similar standards with those of NIT are 50% of the credits for a qualification.

Graduates who wish to work in the Health Sector can seek for articulation with other Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) that are registered with the Health Professions Councils. Other learners may want to use this qualification to extend the specialism they studied in other NIT programmes.

What career opportunities can this lead to?

The Certificate in Biomedical Sciences (Level 4) is suitable for people working or planning to work in firstly entry job roles such as:

• Food Laboratory Trainee
• Beverages Laboratory Trainee
• Mining Laboratory Trainee
• Fishing Laboratory Trainee
• School Laboratory Trainee
• Biomaterials Trainee
• Biomedical Informatics Trainee
• Biomedical Laboratory Trainee
• Biomedical Trainee
• Immunology Trainee

What are the Fees?

Our fees include:

• Application/Registration Fees
• Tuition Fees
• Other Fees include Laboratory Fees, Study Manuals, industrial site tours, action research, etc. (where and if applicable).

For more information about our fees, please contact any of our Call Centre at any of our Campuses or the Marketing and Public Relationships Department.

Funding Opportunities

There are many funding options for the NIT’s accredited programs. Most of our students have over the past years been funded by their employers while others finance their studies on their own. Students can also apply for study loans with Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund. NIT also provides scholarships and bursaries to students who meet requirements as stipulated in our annual prospectus.

Withdrawal/Cancellation

Any cancellations/withdraw or refunds are executed as per the NIT policies. For more details, refer to the Students Registration Agreement and the Withdraw Policy.

The Certificate in Biomedical Sciences is a Level 4 qualification made up of twelve (12) units. It is structured to be studied for one year through Distance Learning, Online, Virtual Campus, Part-Time, Full-Time, Or Blended Learning.

Total Unit/Modules

The following is a compressive list of course modules you will cover in this program:

• 3BSC101       Anatomy and Human Physiology
• 3BSC102       Principles of Applied Human Biology
• 3BSC103       Human Biology and Health Issues
• 3BSC104       Physiology of Human Body Systems
• 3BSC105       Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
• 3BSC106       Neurophysiology and Homeostatic Control of the Human Body
• 3BSC107       Epidemiology of Communicable Diseases
• 3BSC108       Cell Biology
• 3STU101       Applied Business Communication and Technology
• 3STU102       Principles of Entrepreneurship
• 3STU103       Applied Fundamentals of Statistical Methods
• 3STU104       Legal and Ethical Context of Practice

Work placement/experience requirements

Although there are no specific mandatory elements of work placement/experience required for the Certificate in Biomedical Sciences (Level 4), students are expected to apply theories learned through various methods and carry out the practical learning activities as provided in the qualification specification.

Completion of Study Enrolment Form

Download and complete the Student’s Enrolment Agreement (SEA) form or obtain one from our Call Centre at any of our Campuses, print and complete it and submit it with proof of payment for the stipulated registration fees together to any of our Campuses before the stipulated application deadlines to avoid paying late application/registration fees. To be considered for approval, the completed enrolment agreement form must be accompanied by certified copies of documents as stipulated on the Student’s Enrolment Agreement (SEA) form.

Applicant must ensure that:

• The enrolment agreement form is properly and fully completed and that each page is initialed and signed;
• He/she provides all the required documentation such as certified copies of qualifications, Identity Card/Passport photos, Supporting letters from employers,
• He/she deposit registration fees into the respective Campus’ Bank Account provided on the enrolment agreement form and submits the original copy of the deposit as proof before being issued with an official receipt.
• He/she is issued with an official Institutional Receipt, stamped with Official Company Stamp, and Signed by the Head of Call Centre for every payment made to the NIT.
• Please note that NIT does not receive cash payments,
• He/she obtains a written acknowledge letter confirming that his/her completed enrolment agreement form has been received.
• He/she obtains the status of his/her application for studies within 30 working days.
• If admitted, an Admission letter issued by the Admissions section in the Office of the Registrar is obtained through the respective campus together with the timetable, program specifications, syllabuses, student’s details of student’s portal, student’s handbook, and rules and regulations, student card, and any other information.

When can I apply?

NIT has a whole year circle of accepting new applications from students from all over the world. However, please take note that applications for the First Semester which starts in January/February each year are only considered up to March of each year. This period includes late registration. Unsuccessful applications for First Semester and applications that are received late are considered for the Second Semester which starts in July each year.

The following are two (2) annual teaching and learning intakes for students to register to study on this program at NIT:

• January/February – June
• June/July – November

Applications must be made in-time to avoid late registration fees and to be disappointed if spaces are allocated to earlier applicants.

What must I have to qualify?

Applicants must meet any of the following entry requirements:

Twenty-five (25) points in grade 12 (now grade 11) in five (5) subjects with a D or better symbol in English (of which English shall be part of the five (5) subjects you must have completed) and have an E, or better symbols in Physical Science and Mathematics or,

Accredited equivalent qualification at NQF level 3 with total credit value as required by the NIT policy/regulation

Mature age entry provided that applicant:

• Is 23 years old or over at the time of making the application,
• Has at least five (5) years’ work experience in a related field and
• Has at least passed grade 10 which must include E in English and provides an acceptable reference from a reputable respective employing organization.
• Must pass an Aptitude Test with a minimum of 60%

OR

• Is 23 years old or over at the time of making the application,
• Has at least three (3) years’ work experience in a related field and
• Has at least passed grade 12 which must include E in English and provides an acceptable reference from a reputable respective employing organization.
• Must pass an Aptitude Test with a minimum of 60%

PLEASE NOTE THAT:

1. Applicants with Twenty (20) and above points in grade 12 (now grade 11) in six (6) subjects with an E or better symbol in English (of which English shall be part of the 6 subjects) may be accepted provided that they have passed an Aptitude Test with a minimum of 60%.
2. Applicants for Engineering programs must, also, have an E,or better symbols in Physical Science and Mathematics.
3. Applicants for Education and Training and Health and Social Care Management must refer to specific entry requirements stipulated on the attached document.
4. International applicants must have a minimum of five (5) General Certificate of Education (GCSEs) at an ordinary level or their equivalent including passes in Maths and English.

Resources for Prospecting Students

• Qualifications Brochure
• Prospectus
• Online Application
• Application Form

Resources for Registered Students

• Students Handbook
• Institutional Calendar
• Learning and Assessments Policies
• Qualifications Specifications
• Assessments Schedules
• Recorded Lessons’ Presentations
• Virtual Classrooms
• Virtual Library
• Virtual Laboratories
• Study Manuals and Books