Module: Industrial Bioprocessing

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Industrial Bioprocessing
Module Code	BTE1014 (ITS: BE401)
Faculty	Biotechnology	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

In this module, the student will be introduced to Industrial Bioprocessing and in particular to the associated areas of microbiology and brewing.

Learning Outcomes

1. Understand the important role microorganisms play in Industrial Microbiology
2. Understand the methodologies for detecting and identifying microorganisms
3. Understand the role of microbiology in the brewing process
4. Understand the major steps in the production of various beer types from ingredient selection to fermentation to bottling/kegging.
5. Understand the role of instrumentation and automation in modern brewing processes.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	No Description
Independent Study	101	No Description
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	10152	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Jenny Lawler	Module Teacher	Linda Holland

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Loop Quiz	Two MCQ exams based on module content	20%	n/a
Formal Examination	Closed book exam based on module content	80%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

Microbes in industry
The role of microbes in Industrial Bioprocessing, production strains and improvement strategies, choosing the correct microbial host system for recombinant protein technology, how to find a novel production microbe

Antimicrobial resistance and drug discovery
History of AMR, case study to demonstrate how a drug is manufactured, new methods to discover novel drugs

Brewing Microbiology
Role of microorganisms in brewing

Production of beer
Ingredients selection, mashing, lautering, boiling, fermentation, conditioning, filtering and bottling/kegging.

Craft beers and mass-produced beers
The role of automation

Production of whiskey wash
Blended and single malt whiskeys

Principles of distillation:
The Rayleigh equation, large scale production of alcohol. The craft of whiskey production.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

0: Reading material will be recommended during lectures,

Articles:

0: Further articles will be recommended during the course,

Other Resources

None