https://courseoutline.auckland.ac.nz/dco/course/CHEMMAT/760/1243

CHEMMAT 760 : Advanced Microbial Technology in Bioprocess Engineering

Engineering

2024 Semester One (1243) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Microbiological, biochemical, and molecular approaches crucial for analysing, developing, and optimising engineering bioprocesses. Fundamentals of microbial growth and the effect of environmental factors, molecular tools for quantifying bacterial cells and activities, bioinformatics, and in vitro enzymatic reactions. Applications of microbiology in engineering processes for chemical production, food engineering, bioenergy, and waste treatment.

Course Overview

The purpose of CHEMMAT 760 is to explore a range of real-life bioprocesses that deploy various microbial technologies in commercial production and human health protection. The course has two major components.

• The lecture focuses on discussing applications of microorganisms for the solutions to our socioeconomic challenges related to chemicals, food, energy, public health, and the environment.
• The laboratory activities aim to provide students with hands-on experience with classic and emerging technologies in analyzing, developing, and optimizing microorganisms and their activities in different bioprocesses.

The course is organized into three major modules. The first module introduces the microbiological and biochemical basis required for understanding bioprocesses. The second module focuses on the commercial production of chemicals, food, and energy using bioprocesses. The third module discusses the biological methods used in health and environmental protection.

The course consists of weekly lectures and laboratory activities. The students are expected to attend the course to participate in these activities and in-class discussions and presentations. Textbook chapters are recommended to provide additional reading materials and practice problems to better retain knowledge learned in this course.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 2: Sustainability
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism
Graduate Profile: Master of Engineering Studies

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental microbiological knowledge related to biochemistry, metabolism, genetics and information flow, and physiology of microorganisms. (Capability 3.1, 4.1, 6.1 and 8.1)
  2. Develop major experimental skills that enable further exploration in different subdisciplines related biotechnologies and bioprocesses. (Capability 3.2, 4.1, 5.1, 7.1 and 8.2)
  3. Evaluate traditional and emerging microbiological technologies that are used in various bioprocess applications. (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 4.2, 6.1 and 8.2)
  4. Critically analyse the applications of various microbial technologies in cultural and economic content. (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 3.2, 4.1 and 4.2)
  5. Apply microbiology and biotechnology principles to design bioprocesses for current challenges in chemical production, energy, food, or the environment in New Zealand and worldwide. (Capability 2.1, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 7.1 and 8.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Quizzes 20% Individual Coursework
Reports 45% Individual Coursework
Final project 35% Individual Coursework
3 types 100%
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5
Quizzes
Reports
Final project

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 150 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 36 hours of lectures, and 114 hours of reading and thinking about the content and work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

  • Attendance is required at scheduled activities, including labs and project presentations, to complete components of the course.
  • Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities, including labs/group discussions, will not be available as recordings.
  • The course will not include live online events, including group discussions/tutorials.
  • The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning 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.

Health & Safety

The course will use MLDS labs. Please dress appropriately for working in the labs. Before the course starts, please complete the lab induction and safety training.

Students must ensure they are familiar with their Health and Safety responsibilities, as described in the university's Health and Safety policy.

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.

The positive comments highlight three areas, including the course's practical approach to learning, the quality of instruction, and a supportive learning environment.
• The course successfully integrated interactive lab activities and hands-on experiments in each session, which deepened students' understanding of the concepts. Students found the activities educational and enjoyable, making the learning process more engaging.
• Students commented on the lecturers' and guest speakers' exceptional enthusiasm and expertise, which made the course interesting.
• Students also liked the cookie break and the integration of lab and lecture components. They found these aspects, along with the passion of the teaching staff, contributed to a positive and effective educational experience.
The suggestions for improvements focus on the course's workload, duration, and complex biochemical topics.
• Students commented on a need for better assignment allocation, particularly for the final project and the last two lab reports. Students found the timeline for these components tight, impacting their ability to manage their workload effectively.
• The length of the lectures and the difficulty in maintaining attention for extended periods were also noted by students.
• Students found certain topics, like biogeochemical cycles, challenging due to their complexity and the necessity of understanding chemistry and biology.
Changes will be made in 2024 based on feedback from students in 2023:
• The length of the lectures is changed in the timetable to two 2-hour sessions instead of a 3-hour class. This change will reduce students' fatigue associated with long course hours.
• The assignments will be redistributed to avoid a high workload in the last two weeks of the semester.
• To address the challenges of learning certain topics, the teaching team will provide a brief refresher on necessary concepts before introducing the topics to help students grasp new and complex materials more effectively.

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 for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, 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 course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, 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 students may be asked to submit 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. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.