Module: Bioprocess Research & Design

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

All Module information is indicative, and this portal is an interim interface pending the full upgrade of Coursebuilder and subsequent integration to the new DCU Student Information System (DCU Key).

As such, this is a point in time view of data which will be refreshed periodically. Some fields/data may not yet be available pending the completion of the full Coursebuilder upgrade and integration project. We will post status updates as they become available. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Bioprocess Research & Design
Module Code	BE214 (ITS) / BTE1002 (Banner)
Faculty	Science & Health	School	Biotechnology
Module Co-ordinator	Damien King
Module Teachers	Brian Freeland, David Collins, Denise Harold, Paul Cahill, Yandi Lan
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

None

Description

In this module the student will undertake an in-depth investigation into oxygen transfer in a bioreactor. Each student will be supplied with a detailed dataset on dissolved oxygen data, as well as cell counts, for a bench scale culture of the yeast Kluyveromyces. The challenge will be to quantify oxygen uptake rates and mass transfer rates while relating these phenomena to cell counts. Students will be expected to be able to draw on what they have learned in BE215 and apply it to the current challenge. On completion of the data analysis the student will write a coherent report detailing their overall approach and in a logical sequence.

Learning Outcomes

1. The students will undertake group based projects based on industry relevant problem statements to analyse and assess the credibility of ideas, arguments and information.
2. The students will be given mathematical models and experimental data from bioprocess engineering workflows to examine and analyse in order to ask appropriate questions in relation to the topic of interest.
3. The students will undertake group based projects based on industry relevant problem statements to gather relevant information relating to their assigned topic.
4. Mathematical models to describe and experimental data generated from bioprocess engineering laboratory experiments will be provided to the students and utilising skills developed in these modules they will develop the ability to draw informed and logical conclusions from the information provided to them.
5. Mathematical models to describe and experimental data generated from bioprocess engineering laboratory experiments will be provided to the students and their project and lab reports will enable them to present ideas, arguments and information in a clear, coherent and concise manner using figures and text.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Online activity	4	Week 1 Introduction to module and study of background materials.
Online activity	4	Weeks 2 and 3. Preliminary analysis of experimental data and production of graphs for first assignment.
Online activity	4	Weeks 4 and 5: completion of analysis on the relation between cell counts and oxygen uptake rate.
Online activity	4	Weeks 6 and 7 Write Berkeley Madonna code to model complete oxygen transfer process
Online activity	4	Weeks 8 and 9; Fit Berkeley Madonna code to the experimental data and tabulate OUR and kla data
Online activity	8	Weeks 10 and 11. Produce written report.
Online activity	97	independent leanring and study
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Assignment	Produce high quality graphs of experimental data (week 2)	10%	n/a
Assignment	Submit an analysis of oxygen uptake rates based on the dissolved oxygen data (week 3)	20%	n/a
Assignment	Submit an analysis of the relation between oxygen uptake rates and cell counts and represent that relationship graphically (Week 5)	10%	n/a
Assignment	Write Berkeley Madonna code to simulate the oxygen uptake/transfer experiment, incorporating an IF statement where appropriate (week 7)	15%	n/a
Assignment	Fit the Berkeley Madonna code to the experimental data and work out the oxygen uptake rate and the kLa for each run. Tabulate the results. (week 9)	15%	n/a
Assignment	Produce a written report containing an Abstract, an introduction, illustrative raw data and key results presented in a logical sequence. (week 11)	30%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Other Resources

None