Module Details

Module Code: BIOT6015
Title: Bioprocess Eng Principles
Long Title: Bioprocess Engineering Principles
NFQ Level: Fundamental
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2024/25 ( September 2024 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 4218 - Biotechnology
Module Delivered in: 1 programme(s)
Module Description: This module will provide an insight into the role of the Chemical & Bio-pharmaceutical Engineer in the manufacture of biotechnological products from cell line to final product. This module will introduce cellular vectors and their constituent parts and quantitative aspects of bio-process engineering such as bio-stoichiometry, material and energy balances on biological systems, modelling and sterilization of batch and continuous microbial bioreactors.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Describe the structure and functionality of eucaryotic and procaryotic cell types and their organelles and macro-molecules.
LO2 Discuss production, safety, moral and ethical topics associated with the manufacture of high value/low volume and low value/high volume biotechnological products.
LO3 Calculate bio-stoichiometric coefficients and heats of reactions for biological system mass and energy balances.
LO4 Model microbial growth, substrate consumption, product formation and thermal deactivation in batch and continuous bioreactor systems.
LO5 Perform relevant practical based experiments, interpret results and complete laboratory reports.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
None
 
Indicative Content
Bio-molecules and Cells
Structure and function of carbohydrates, proteins and fats and nucleic acids. The structure of typical eucaryotic and prokaryotic cells and their organelles.
The colours of biotechnology
Social, moral and ethical considerations. GM foods. Applications of human and animal genetic research. Regulatory requirements. Euro-barometers. Genetic engineering safety. Bio-hazards. Wastewater characterisation and treatment, anaerobic digestion and bio-remediation (green). Production of compounds from marine microbes and bio-fuels from algae (blue). Manufacture of bio-pharmaceutical products and production methods (red). First and second generation bio-fuel production, bio-refineries, antibiotic and beer production (white).
Bioproduct production processes
Key differentiators of high value/low volume and low value/high volume processes. Case studies: Beer production & Interferon production.
Bioreactor Design
Key features and functions of bioreactors. Bioreactor feeding regimes and productivity. Heat of reaction for bio-processes. Stoichiometry of cell growth and product formation. Material and energy balances on batch and continuous systems.
Bioreactor modelling
Modelling and kinetics of micro-organism growth and thermal deactivation in batch and continuous systems.
Laboratory Programme
Laboratory skills, water chemistry, bioprocess instrumentation, enzyme activity, microbial growth, substrate concentration measurement, cell concentration measurement, product concentration measurement, brewing (mashing/fermentation/bottling).
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Presentation % of Total Mark 35
Timing Week 9 Learning Outcomes 2,3
Assessment Description
Group presentation on the production of either a high value/low volume or low value/high volume biotechnological product. Students will be expected to provide evidentiary material but not a formal report.
Assessment Type Short Answer Questions % of Total Mark 25
Timing Week 13 Learning Outcomes 1,4
Assessment Description
Bioreactor system modelling, cell structures and functions
Assessment Type Practical/Skills Evaluation % of Total Mark 40
Timing Every Week Learning Outcomes 5
Assessment Description
Completion of water analysis, laboratory skills and brewing studies worksheets
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Classroom Instruction Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Practicals Every Week 2.00 2
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Student Study Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Classroom Instruction Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Practicals Every Week 2.00 2
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Student Study Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Reinhard Renneberg. (2023), Biotechnology for Beginners, Elsevier, p.474, [ISBN: 9780323855693].
  • Matthew Farber and Roger Barth. (2019), Mastering Brewing Science, 1st. Wiley-Blackwell, p.592, [ISBN: 9781119456056].
  • Gary Walsh. (2014), Proteins, John Wiley & Sons, p.447, [ISBN: 9780470669853].
  • Pauline M. Doran. (2013), Bioprocess Engineering Principles, 2nd Ed.. Academic Press, p.929, [ISBN: 978-0122208515].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Michael L. Shuler, Fikret Kargı. Bioprocess Engineering, 2nd Ed.. [ISBN: 978-0131228573].
  • Colin Ratledge, Bjorn Kristiansen (Eds.). (2006), Basic Biotechnology, 3rd Ed.. Cambridge University Press, p.679, [ISBN: 978-0521549585].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_ECPEN_8 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Chemical and Biopharmaceutical Engineering 2 Elective