MABY5320 Bioprocess Technology Course description

This course will provide an advanced understanding as to how chemical and biochemical information can be converted into mathematical descriptors of bioprocesses. It will convey an overview and a deeper understanding of chemicals and reactions pertinent to biological water treatment processes. A comprehensive knowledge base will be provided on engineered reactor process systems. The main focus will be on conceptualizing biochemical and physical-chemical processes, reaction kinetics, as well as on bioreactor operation and design principles.

Students will use models and train to use software - e.g., Matlab, Python - to run simulation models.

No formal requirements over and above the admission requirements.

On successful completion of this course the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence.

Knowledge:

The student will

• have knowledge of chemical conversion;
• have advanced comprehension of principles in biokinetic processes and stoichiometric relations in chemical conversion to infer mathematical description of biosystems;
• know how to write up mathematical formulations describing bioprocesses to predict reactor systems performance using mathematical models;
• have knowledge of design and operational principles in water resource bioprocessing with stakeholder involvement;
• have good understanding of statistics and principles of bioprocess design under uncertainties.

Skills:

the student

• has hands-on expertise in mathematical description of complex bioprocesses;
• can apply mathematical manipulations to infer stoichiometric process matrix representation of reactor unit for chemical transport and conversion;
• can analyse systems of equations to formulate mathematically reactor design and operation principles;
• has hands-on experience to synthesise computer codes to simulate bioreactor system processes;
• can implement engineering statistics to evaluate process design with uncertainties.

General competence: 

the student

• has insight into biochemical and bioenergetic fundamentals principles;
• is able to solve basic design and optimization problems using spread sheet and simple computer simulations for urban water quality engineering problems;
• is able to use statistics to inform communication strategies to exchange information with stakeholders in smart water projects.

The teaching will consist of a combination of:

• Lectures & discussions
• Independent studies including video recordings and online exercises
• Coursework assignments
• Short laboratory exercises
• Practical use of tools and software is taught to enable students to collect information, for calculations and assessments, and to present solutions in written reports and presentations.

Live in-person and online lectures will be recorded, and the material will be made available to students on CANVAS.

None.

1. Two individual projects counting 70% of the grade - each report to be prepared in power-point slide-show format with a length presentable in 10 minutes; it should include an extended appendix for data and code.
2. An individual presentation of the two projects (2 x 10 mins) followed by individual Q&A (10 mins), counting for 30% of the grade.

Part 1 can be appealed, part 2 can't be appealed.

In the event of failed or valid absence of exam, the postponed exam will be given as either an oral or written examination.

All aids permitted.

A grade scale with grades from A to F (with A being the highest grade and E being the lowest pass grade) and F for fail is used in connection with the final assessment.

1) Two internal examiners

2) Two internal examiners

External examiners are used regularly.

Benedek Plosz