Update: From 2021 onward, the Attach-and-Train (AnT) Programme for Embedded Software Developer is no longer available.
Overview
This AnT Programme for “Embedded Software Developer” is a manpower development program supported by Workforce Singapore, under their Professional Conversion Programme (PCP), which aims at re-skilling PMETs into embedded software developers. Through classroom learning, trainees will firstly learn the foundations of programming and study fundamental algorithms and data structures commonly used in the field of computer science. Subsequently, trainees will utilize this knowledge to explore the architecture of embedded microcontroller systems by studying their internal components, networking peripherals, as well as the key facilities offered by real-time operating systems. Trainees equipped with this knowledge should be able to work with embedded microcontrollers from a software engineer’s perspective. Upon completion of the classroom learning, trainees will undergo on-the-job training at the Partnering Company they are attached to. The three Partnering Companies are Continental Automotive Singapore, Government Technology Agency, and MSI Global.
Curriculum Modules
Programming Paradigms: The C Programming Language
The module provides the fundamentals of computer programming in general, as well as the introduction to the C programming language, including operators, control flow, functions, and more advanced features. The module covers basic data types, arrays, structures, and pointer use and arithmetic. Additionally, it discusses the lexical conventions, syntax notation, and semantics of the C programming language.
Fundamental Data Structures and Algorithms
This module introduces fundamental data structures, abstract data types, and classical algorithms commonly used in computer science. The knowledge about data structures and abstract data types helps students develop and express complex relationships of data elements required to successfully design and implement computer software. Learning about classical algorithms equips students not only with the information about solving well-established and studied problems in computer science; it lets them participate in analysis and assessment of those algorithms, developing a stronger understanding of algorithm design in general.
Applied Mathematics for Electronic Engineering
This module focuses on presenting a selection of topics from mathematics required to develop understanding of the field of computer science. This is fundamental to absorbing and appreciating the knowledge related to electronic engineering presented in the other modules of the program. In the later part of the module, the topics shift to refresh the student’s knowledge in a few chosen areas of mathematics that can prove useful to engineers.
Introduction to Electric Circuits and Digital Electronics
The module covers the topics necessary to develop understanding of simple electric circuits. Initially, the topics cover basic elements of the circuits, their properties and parameters, as well as the fundamental laws required to design and analyze such circuits. Then the module discusses use of transistors and logic gates and finally concentrates on combinatorial logic and sequential logic elements of digital circuits.
Introduction to Embedded Microcontroller Systems
The module covers topics needed to build the hardware and software for embedded devices. The key topics include microcontroller and microprocessor systems’ architecture, embedded systems’ standards, organization of board buses, memory interfaces, and their integration with peripherals. The module utilizes the low-level aspects of assembler programming to give students a better understanding of both the under-the-hood elements of an embedded system and the programming model, then follows with the practical applications of the C programming language.
Real-Time Operating Systems for Embedded Microcontrollers
The module introduces real-time operating systems for embedded microcontrollers, with emphasis on process and thread organization, communication, and synchronization. The students learn about available mechanisms that let software developers efficiently utilize resources available in the microcontroller. The students who complete this module should be able to create programs that utilize system calls in the operating system’s environment and competently implement tasks performing parallel processing.
Real-Time Interfacing to Embedded Microcontrollers
The module delivers the topics needed to understand the integration of embedded microcontrollers and microprocessors with the rest of the system. The students learn about the hardware capabilities of the microcontrollers that enable inter process communication and data exchange with the outside world.
Career Prospects
As an Embedded Software Developer, he or she will be involved in designing, implementing, testing or maintaining programs for embedded microcontroller systems. The ability to marry the functions of both software and hardware is especially valuable in an Internet of Things (IoT) economy. Possible career pathways include starting out as an Engineer, then progressing to a Senior Engineer, Principal Engineer/Project Manager/Technical Project Lead and Senior Principal Engineer/Senior Technical Project Lead/Senior Project Manager.
Duration
This is a full-time, nine-month program consisting of:
- Classroom learning (six months)
- On-the-job training (three months)
Prerequisites
Course Fees and Training Allowance
The full course fees are $25,000 (exclusive of 7% GST). Workforce Singapore (WSG) and the Partnering Companies will co-fund the course fees. A course fee of $10,600 is payable by trainees.
The trainee will be provided a training allowance of $28,600 for nine months by WSG and the Partnering Companies. This training allowance is non-CPF deductible and will be paid monthly to the trainee.
Trainees can pay their course fee of $10,600 either (a) through monthly installments using their training allowance or (b) as a lump sum upfront. DigiPen (Singapore) will discuss these options with the selected trainee upon signing of the Trainee Enrollment Agreement.
If the trainee chooses
(a), he/she will receive an eventual training allowance of $2,000 per month for nine months.
(b), he/she will receive a training allowance of about $3,178 per month for nine months.
Certification
DigiPen (Singapore) will issue a Specialist Diploma in Embedded Software Development to the successful graduates of this AnT Programme.
Application Details
Applications are currently closed.
Each applicant will be informed of the interview outcome within five to 10 working days.
All applicants must check their email regularly for updates and be contactable via their mobile.
Admissions Process
Only those applications which meet the prerequisites will be further shortlisted, except for exceptional cases.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited for a technical assessment (45 mins) and a job interview (60 mins).
Technical Assessment
The technical assessment consists of:
- Introduction to computer programming in C
- Pre-university physics; introduction to electricity
- Pre-university geometry and algebra
Calculator or formula sheets are not needed during the technical assessment.
The technical assessment is for the interviewers to gauge your familiarity with program-related STEM topics. There is no minimum passing score for this assessment. The purpose of the assessment is to check your level of comprehension and ability to express the execution logic in a structured fashion.
We are aware that some candidates may be familiar with, for instance, physics and electronics but not mathematics and programming, while others may be very strong in programming, but never had a chance to work with electricity, etc.
Do note that DigiPen (Singapore) and the partnering companies will take a holistic view when shortlisting a candidate for the interview based on the outcome of the technical assessment, education transcripts, and their resume.
Preparation for the Interview
Consider this a job interview. Please read up on the company that you have been shortlisted by before coming for the interview.
Be punctual for the interview. Due to the tight schedule of the interviewers, we kindly request that all applicants do not change their interview dates.
Note
Selected trainees will be required to bring their own laptops for the first six months of the classroom learning. Please visit our Computer Recommendations page for the laptop specifications.
Questions?
Please email us at ce.sg@digipen.edu.