Biochemical Engineering

Overview

module co-ordinator
Dr Efrosyni Themistou
e.themistou@qub.ac.uk
LG.440 David Keir Building

Detailed Syllabus – Lectures (28 hours):

Introduction to Biochemical Engineering (2 hours):
 Overview on Biomedical and Biotechnology Industries.
 Cells/microorganisms.

Enzyme Kinetics (4 hours):
 Enzymes Introduction: Biological catalysts and systems, comparison of chemical processes and bioprocesses.
 Kinetics of enzyme catalysed reactions - mechanistic models: Michaelis-Menten kinetics for reversible reactions, two-substrate reactions and enzyme inhibition.
 Factors affecting enzyme activity.

Cell Kinetics, Bioreactor Design and Sterilisation (8 hours):
 Kinetics of cell growth, substrate utilisation and product formation - Monod kinetics.
 Batch and continuous stirred tank bioreactors.
 Environmental effects on cell growth kinetics.
 Microorganism growth - biology, profile, processing and products.
 Sterilisation: kinetics of thermal deactivation, design of heat sterilization cycles.

Industrial Microbiology (9 hours):
 Fermentation Systems (Beverage and Food).
 Environmental Biotechnology.
 Aerobic and anaerobic digestion.

Biomaterials (5 hours):
 Introduction to Biomaterials and their applications.
 Biomaterials processing, structure and properties.
 Classes of Biomaterials (Polymers, Metals and Ceramics).

Detailed Syllabus – Tutorials/Seminars (5 hours):
The students are provided with tutorials - worked examples related to the above lecture material. Seminars will focus on methodologies for creative problem solving and reading.

 Enzyme Kinetics (2h)
 Cell Kinetics (1h)
 Biomaterials (1h)
 Seminar (revision) (1h)

Detailed Syllabus – Coursework/Class Tests (2 staff hours):
Class Tests (2h)

Learning Objectives

On completion of this module students should be able to:
 Acquire a knowledge of biomaterials and biomedical engineering, system and device design, their applications in healthcare and related ethical issues (coursework and exam).
 Develop an understanding of the interface between life science, biology, advanced mathematics, biological and biomedical systems in the context of engineering (exam).
 Demonstrate a knowledge of industrial microbiology (exam).
 Formulate and solve interdisciplinary problems in engineering and biology using growth models, cell and enzyme kinetics (exam).
 Apply their knowledge in chemical engineering to design systems for living organisms, such as batch and continuous bioreactors (exam).

Engineering Council (AHEP4) learning outcomes:
A1.2 Level B Points 3,4,5 and Level F Point 1
A2.2 Level B Point 5
A2.4 Level B Point 1
A2.5 Level B Point 1 and Level F Point 1
A2.6 Level B Point 1
A2.7 Level B Points 1,3,5 and Level F Point 1
A3.2 Level B Points 2,4,9,10,11 and Level F Points 1,2,3,4
A5.2 Level B Points 1,2 and Level F Points 2,4,5,8
A6.2 Points 2,3

Skills

Learners are expected to demonstrate the following on completion of the module:
 An understanding of biomaterials, biomedical engineering and industry, enzyme and cell kinetics; microorganisms, bioreactor and bioprocess design; industrial microbiology.
 Gained transferrable skills:
 Independent learning through background reading of scientific literature, time management and problem-solving (exams, tutorials, and seminars).

Assessment

Assessment:
Examination (2h) 80%
Continual Assessment 20%*
*literature review

Course Requirements:
 Coursework submission 100%
 Examination Mark Veto at 40 %
 Continuous Assessment Mark Veto at 40 %
 Module Pass Mark Veto at 40 %

 To gain modular credit a student must pass both the examination and the continual assessment element of the course with minimum marks as shown above.