MEng Chemical Engineering with Industrial Experience / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
Engineering Biotechnology

Course unit fact file
Unit code CHEN10162
Credit rating 10
Unit level Level 1
Teaching period(s) Semester 2
Available as a free choice unit? Yes

Overview

•           Biotechnology in our lives and the role of chemical engineers (Introduction)

•           Fundamental Microbiology and Biochemistry

•           Basic Biochemical Reactions (Rate Expressions)

•           Enzymes and Enzyme Kinetics

•           Batch Cultures of microorganisms

•           Sterilisation and Biosafety

•           Bioreactor Configurations

•           Downstream Processing

 

 

Aims

The unit aims to:

Provide students with an introduction to the fundamentals of biotechnology and bioprocess engineering emphasising the chemical engineering aspects.

 

Learning outcomes

ILO 1 .Define biotechnology and its different applications to identify the roles of the chemical engineer in this area

ILO 2. Integrate the fundamentals of chemical engineering with those of biology with an appreciation of the constraints this imposes on engineering design

ILO 3. Describe the main components of a bioprocess

ILO 4. Interpret experimental data relating to biotechnological processes such as growth curves

ILO 5. Formulate simple mathematical models of a bio-reaction system

ILO 6. Apply basic concepts of enzyme and microbial kinetics to the design of bioreactors and bioprocesses

ILO 7. Describe the main methods of sterilisation and issues of biosafety.

ILO 8. Describe downstream processes and their suitability for different bioproducts.

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures provide fundamental aspects supporting the critical learning of the module and will be delivered as pre-recorded asynchronous short videos via our virtual learning environment.

Synchronous sessions will support the lecture material with Q&A and problem-solving sessions where you can apply the new concepts. Surgery hours are also available for drop-in support.

Students are expected to expand the concepts presented in the session and online by additional reading (suggested in the Online Reading List) in order to consolidate their learning process and further stimulate their interest to the module.

Study budget:

  • Core Learning Material (e.g. recorded lectures, problem solving sessions): 24 hours
  • Self-Guided Work (e.g. continuous assessment, extra problems, reading)     : 44 hours
  • Exam Style Assessment Revision and Preparation: 32 hours

Assessment methods

Assessment Types

Total Weighting

Continuous assessment

30%

Exam style assessments

70%

Please note that the exam style assessments weighting may be split over midterm and end of semester exams. 

Feedback methods

Feedback on problems and examples, feedback on coursework and exams, and model answers will also be provided through the virtual learning environment. A discussion board provides an opportunity to discuss topics related to the material presented in the module.

Recommended reading

Reading lists are accessible through the Blackboard system linked to the library catalogue.

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Assessment written exam 32
Lectures 24
Independent study hours
Independent study 44

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Hosameldin Anwar Mohamed Abdel Aleem Unit coordinator
Abdullatif Alfutimie Unit coordinator

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