DIPLOMA IN LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMME (DLTC)

Introduction

Formal Educational Programmes of the Institute of Chemistry, Ceylon commenced in 1973 with the Laboratory Technicians’ Certificate Course in Chemistry (LTCC). This course was organized to meet a pressing need to provide middle level technical expertise in support of programmes involving “Chemical Analysis and Research”. This is still the only such course available in any field of basic science in Sri Lanka.

The Laboratory Technicians’ Certificate Course was upgraded to a Diploma Programme in 1998; the course was renamed as “Diploma in Laboratory Technology in Chemistry” (DLTC). The syllabus was suitably revised. The DLTC programme commences in October/November each year. The programme runs for seven terms and lasts approximately 2 years with students acquiring knowledge and analytical skills in Basic Chemistry, Clinical Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Industrial Chemistry, Biological Chemistry, Electronics, Statistics and Laboratory Practice.

The LTCC/DLTC Programmes were conducted at the premises of Aquinas College, Colombo until November 2006. (1st to 32nd batch)

The 33rd batch however commenced its programme at Adamantane House in Rajagiriya in November 2005 with all the administration also conducted by the College of Chemical Sciences. The 34th batch was admitted in November 2006 to the same venue.

The Diploma programme is designed to provide school leavers specially after GCE (A/L) to follow a technical job oriented course. It would also serve to improve the knowledge and skills of those already employed as technicians in laboratories. The first DLTC programme which commenced in August 1998 was completed in February 2000. Those who have completed this course successfully are entitled to follow the Graduateship Programme in Chemistry conducted by College of Chemical Sciences, Institute of Chemistry even without A/L qualifications.

RECOGNITION OF THE COURSE

The Diploma in Laboratory Technology in Chemistry qualification carries much weight as a certificate issued by an incorporated professional body. Further, recognition is given to the Diploma in Laboratory Technology in Chemistry Certificate by some public sector and private sector organizations who pay the fees of their employees and also give increments and other credit for those employees who successfully complete the course.

The Institute of Chemistry, Ceylon gives credit for the Diploma in Laboratory Technology in Chemistry Certificate by incorporating into their regulations the following benefits.

1. These include admission to the Graduateship Programme in Chemistry to all those persons possessing a pass at the DLTC Programme in lieu of the normal requirement of three GCE (A/L) Passes.

2. Furthermore, those students placed first, second and third at the overall DLTC Examination are entitled to a scholarship to follow the Graduateship Programme in Chemistry. The Scholarship incorporates a 50% discount of the tuition fees of the first two years (Level 1 & 2) of the Graduateship Programme in Chemistry.

3. Those having a DLTC pass and has been a technician member of the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon for not less than 8 years are eligible to obtain Licentiate Membership (L.I.Chem.C.) of the Institute which is normally open to those having a B.Sc. (3 years) degree including Chemistry as a subject.

4. Those having a pass at the Graduateship Part I Examination and an Honours/Merit pass at the DLTC Examination are also entitled to Licentiate Membership of the Institute.

5. Those who obtain a pass in the DLTC programme are required to become TECHNICIAN members of the Institute for life. They are entitled to use the designation Tech.I.Chem.C. after their names.

DIPLOMA IN LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY IN CHEMISTRY (DLTC) CO-ORDINATING COMMITTE

Co-Ordinator:
Mr. J.M. Ranasinghe Banda - C.Chem., F.I.Chem.C.

Members:
Mr. K R Dayananda - C.Chem., M.I.Chem.C.
Mr. E.G. Somapala - C.Chem., FI.Chem.C.
Mr. K Sivarajah - C.Chem., F.I.Chem.C.

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Minumum Eligibility Requirements

The following categories of personnel are eligible to follow the Diploma in Laboratory Technology in Chemistry: -
(i) Those having six passes at GCE (Ordinary Level) with at least Credit passes in Science, Mathematics and Credit/ Proficiency in English.
(ii) Those having GCE (Ordinary Level) Credit pass/Proficiency in English and GCE (Advanced Level) pass in Chemistry.
(iii) Laboratory Assistants/ Technicians in an Institution recognised by the Institute.
(iv) Laboratory Sub-Assistants with 10 years experience and at least an Ordinary Pass in English at the GCE (Ordinary Level) Examination.

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Fees

Students are selected by the College of Chemical Sciences after an interview of applicants. Applications are called for by advertisement

Refundable Deposit Rs 5000/-

Registration Fees
Early Bird Registration Fees ( 2yrs) Rs 6000/-
Normal Registration Fees (2 yrs) Rs 7500/-
Late Registration Fees (2 Yrs) Rs 10000/-

Tuition Fees
Tuition Fees for the 1st year Rs 15000/-
(additional 10% will be charged as late fee for the first month and thereafter 5% per month)

Tuition Fees for the 2nd year Rs 15000/-
(additional 10% will be charged as late fee for the first month and thereafter 5% per month)

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Course Content

Unit 1 – Basic General Inorganic Chemistry
Unit 2 – Basic Physical Chemistry
Unit 3 – Basic Organic Chemistry
Unit 4 – Analytical Chemistry I
Unit 5 – Analytical Chemistry II
Unit 6 – Analytical Chemistry III
Unit 7 – Laboratory Practice I
Unit 8 – Laboratory Practice II
Unit 9 – Basic Biological Chemistry I
Unit 10 – Basic Biological Chemistry II
Unit 11 – Basic Electronics
Unit 12 – Fundamental of Chemical Engineering
Unit 13 – Statistics
Unit 14 – Clinical Chemistry
Unit 15 – Food Chemistry, Food Additives & Preservations
Unit 16 – Food Processing – Plant Origin
               Food Processing – Animal Origin
Unit 17 – Food Microbiology
Unit 18 – Fiber & Polymer Science
Unit 19 – Food Analysis
Unit 20 – Construction Materials
               Industrial Health, Safety and Pollution
Unit 21 – Basic Mathematics
Unit 22 – Basic Pharmaceutical Chemistry

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Examination Criteria

The course is composed of 22 units each of 20 hours duration.

1. EXAMINATIONS
Examinations are conducted on completion of each unit based on the results of the examinations for the 22 course units. Three category of passes are awarded: viz,

1. Honours Pass
2. Merit Pass
3. Ordinary Pass

Grades are assigned for each units as follows:-
Failure : 0 - 39%
Ordinary Pass : 40 - 59 %
Credit Pass : 60 - 74%
Distinction Pass : 75 - 100%

1.1 Honours Pass
An honours pass is awarded to candidates who obtain an overall average of 75% with at least 11 Distinction Passes and passes in minimum of 17 units including Laboratory Practice I & II.

1.2 Merit Pass
A merit pass is awarded to candidates who obtain an overall average of 60% with at least 11 Credit/Distinction Passes and passes in minimum of 17 units including Laboratory Practice I & II.

1.3 Ordinary Pass
An ordinary pass is awarded to candidates who obtain an overall average of 40% and passes in at least 17 units including Laboratory Practice I & II.

2 REFERENCE AND FAILURE

2.1 A candidate who obtains passes in more than 11 unit but less than 17 units may be referred and complete the remainder of the units in no more than two subsequent sittings and obtaining at least an ordinary pass, provided further that the overall average of 40% is reached. These 17 units should include laboratory practice I & II.

2.2 Students failing to obtain a pass only due to not having obtained an overall average of 40% are also referred and are required to repeat any failed subjects in order to obtain the average of 40%.

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Lecturers

Government Analyst’s Department
Mr. E G Somapala B .Sc. (Chemistry special)
M.Sc., (Food Science & Microbiology)

Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka
Mr.K Sivarajah B.Sc. (Chemistry Special), M.Sc., (Food Science)

University of Colombo
Dr. S Jeevathayaparan B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D (Biochemistry)

Industrial Technology Institute
Mr. S Malavipathirana B.Sc., (Chemistry Special),
M. Phil (Analytical Chemistry)

Mr. C H Manoratne B.Sc, M.Phil. (Materials Science),

Mr. A D R Gunawardena B.Sc. (Agric.), M. Sc., (Food Science & Technology)

Ms. A A S Liyanage B.Sc., (Engineering)

Mr. G W U C Sarathchandra B.Sc. (Eng.)
Mrs. W R L Wijesekara E.C.E. (Chemical Engineering)

Telecommunication Regulatory Commission
Mr. G L Ganeshamoorthy B.Sc. (Eng)

Police Hospital
Mr. N M S Hettigedara F.I.Chem.C., C.Chem. MRACI, MNS, MHSM, FRSH

Institute of Chemistry Ceylon
Mr. J M Ranasinghe Banda B.Sc, DIP in Stat, M.Sc. (Eng), M.I.M. (UK), C.Eng., C.Chem., F.I.Chem.C.
Dr. U S K Weliwegamage B.Sc., Ph.D (Electroanalytical Chemistry), M.I.Chem.C
Mr. P S Liyanage Grad.Chem., B.Sc. (Hons), A.I.Chem.C.

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Scholarships & Bursaries

The Institute of Chemistry gives cash awards to students excellencing in the course with a honours pass as follows.

G C N Jayasuriya Award for the Best Performances on the DLTC:
Dr. D C N Jayasuriya donated Rs. 10,000 in 1987 for the Best Performances for the best performer. The fund now stands at Rs.67241.18. Further Institute of Chemistry Ceylon gives cash awards to the second and third in the batch.

However, these awards will not be made if the candidates do not secure at least a Merit pass.
Half tuition fee of Graduateship in Chemistry (Levels 1& 2) for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in Batch will be paid by the College of Chemical Sciences, if following Graduateship in Chemistry Programme.

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