Module: Environmental Biotechnology

Module Specifications..

Current Academic Year 2023 - 2024

Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Environmental Biotechnology
Module Code	BE332
School	School of Biotechnology
Module Co-ordinator	Semester 1: Yandi Lan Semester 2: Yandi Lan Autumn: Yandi Lan
Module Teachers	Paul Cahill Denise Harold Linda Holland
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

None
Array

Description

To introduce the students to waste streams, treatment and innovative environmental biotechnologies.

Learning Outcomes

1. Describe the biological methods for wastewater treatment
2. Give examples of the microorganisms role in pollution control
3. Discuss the environmental feasibility of agrofuels
4. Compare methods for bioremediation of contaminated soil and groundwater
5. Analyse pros and cons of microbial fuel cells for bioenergy production
6. Discuss topical issues in environmental science through individual and group work involving oral and written presentations

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	24	No Description
Independent Study	101	No Description
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

Biological treatment of waste streams:
Air and gaseous waste streams; Water and wastewater; Composting; Landfill

Bioremediation
Fundamental mechanisms of bioremediation; bioimmobilization of metals in groundwater and soils; bioremediation in the field

Agrofuels
bioethanol, fuel from lignocellulosic biomass, environmental feasibility of agrofuels; the biorefinery concept

Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs)
Mechanisms of extracellular electron transfer; Bioelectricity production; application to wastewater treatment;

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
In Class Test	n/a	50%	Sem 2 End
Group assignment	n/a	50%	Sem 2 End

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

R.M. Atlas, R. Bartha: 1998, Microbial ecology : fundamentals and applications, 4th, Benjamin/Cummings, Menlo Park, Calif., 0805306552
W.P. Cunningham, M. A. Cunningham, B. W. Saigo: 2005, Environmental science : a global concern, 8th, McGraw-Hill Higher Education, New York, 0072439564
B.E. Logan: 2008, Microbial fuel cells, Wiley-Interscience, Hoboken, N.J, 0470239484
M.T. Madigan, J. M. Martinko, T.D. Brock: 2006, Brock Biology of microorganisms, 11th, Pearson Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ, 0131968939
L. Olsson: 2007, Biofuels, Springer, Berlin, 9783540736509
B.E. Rittmann and P.L. McCarty: 2001, Environmental Biotechnology - Principles and application, McGraw-Hill International, Boston, 0071181849

Other Resources

None

Programme or List of Programmes

AFU	Age Friendly University Programme
EST	BSc in Environmental Science & Tech
SHSA	Study Abroad (Science & Health)
SHSAO	Study Abroad (Science & Health)

Date of Last Revision

06-SEP-10

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