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EX4016: BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING (2022-2023)

Last modified: 31 Jul 2023 11:19


Course Overview

This course introduces the fundamentals of microbiology and biochemistry, which are necessary for understanding and designing biotechnological processes.  The kinetics of enzymatic reactions and of microbial growth is presented. Focus is given to mass balances for enzymatic reactions and for microbial fermentations in different types of reactors: batch, continuous, fed-batch.  The mass and heat transfer theory developed as part of other courses is applied to biochemical process, with focus on substrate, oxygen and heat transfer.  The design and scale-up of biochemical processes is presented. Some typical biochemical processes are described. 

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 4
Term First Term Credit Points 10 credits (5 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Davide Dionisi

Qualification Prerequisites

  • Programme Level 4

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

-      Introduction:  what is biochemical engineering; microorganism; enzymes.

-      Kinetics of enzymatic reactions: Michealis-Menten kinetics; experimental determination of model parameters; inhibited kinetics (competitive and non-competitive inhibiiton); effect of pH and temperature; immobilised enzymes, external and  internal mass transfer limitations. 

-      Kinetics of fermentation proceesses:  Monod kinetics; stoichiometry and kinetics of substrate utilisation and product formation; nutrient requirements for microbial growth. 

-      Fermentation processes: batch, fed-batch and continuous processes. 

-      Transfer phenomena in fermentation: oxygen and heat transfer. 

-      Examples of biotechnological process: penicillin, whisky, bioethanol. 


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

Coursework (50%)

Timed online test (50%)

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
FactualRememberILO’s for this course are available in the course guide.

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