CHEMMAT 757 : Engineering Biotechnology

Engineering

2021 Semester Two (1215) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Principles of biochemical engineering. Exploitation of bioreaction and bioprocess systems. Enzyme and microbial reaction kinetics, bioreactor design and downstream processing. Examples of biochemical process and food industry applications.

Course Overview

The aim of the course is to develop an extensive theoretical and conceptual knowledge in the areas of engineering, biotechnology, industrial microbiology and biocatalysis. Students will learn how to quantitatively analyse microbial fermentation and enzyme processes, including the reaction kinetics and reactor calculations. The student should be familiar with the following fundamental engineering matters needed for aerobic bioprocesses calculations: the behaviour, viscosity and mixing of fluids in the fermenter; the oxygen transfer and requirements in the fermentation medium. Downstream processing and separation unit operations will also be covered.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: ENGSCI 111 or equivalent Restriction: CHEMMAT 361, 464, FOODSCI 704

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Understand and describe the fundamental principles of upstream processing in bioprocess technology. (Capability 1.1, 3.2 and 6.2)
  2. Understand the microbial and enzyme reactions in upstream bioprocessing and be able to calculate reaction rates and apply reaction kinetics to biological systems. (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1 and 4.1)
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of bioreactor design and the effects of operational conditions on bioreactor performance. (Capability 1.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 6.1 and 6.2)
  4. Evaluate and select technologies used in downstream processing to recover and purify biological products. (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 5.2 and 6.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Final Exam 50% Individual Examination
Tests 20% Individual Test
Virtual Laboratory 15% Individual Coursework
Assignments 15% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Final Exam
Tests
Virtual Laboratory
Assignments

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 4 hours of lectures, and 6 hours of reading and thinking about the content per week.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including lectures, labs and tutorials to complete and receive credit for components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including tutorials willbe available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events including group discussions/tutorials.
Attendance on campus is required for the test/exam.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Health & Safety

Students are expected to adhere to the guidelines outlined in the Health and Safety section of the Engineering Undergraduate Handbook.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 20/07/2021 11:05 a.m.