Module: Bioprocessing for Circular Economy

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Bioprocessing for Circular Economy
Module Code	BTE1048 (ITS: BE404)
Faculty	Science & Health	School	Biotechnology
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	7.5

Description

Using a Challenge-Based-Learning framework the module will provide students with a range of practical learning opportunities demonstrating how bioprocessing can be a key enabler of circularity across different industrial sectors.

Learning Outcomes

1. 1E6C8D85-F858-0001-AB73-78ABDA331EED
2. The students will engage in professional conversations with industry partners enabling them to articulate how individual and societal values, norms and goals can support or hinder transformative sustainability
4. 6,11,9
5. 1
6. 1E6C8D86-1CE5-0001-2D8F-111065D0B8E0
7. Apply a hackathon-based team-working approach to create unique solutions to specific circular economy challenges faced by industrial partners.
9. 7,8,10
10. 2
11. 1E6C8D86-31DD-0001-33EC-F310A4903870
12. Research for the e-portfolio will allow the students to analyse sustainability through a holistic approach that considers society, environment and the economy
14. 7,6,8,11,9,10
15. 3
16. 1E6C8D86-418B-0001-ECA8-28101B6030D0
17. The elevator pitch will enable students to make innovative recommendations for achieving a more sustainable world now and into the future.
19. 7,6,8,11,9,10
20. 4
21. 1E6C8D86-6646-0001-4E18-123011F1E810
22. Exploring the challenges defined by the hackathon the students will demonstrate creative thinking making unconventional connections for sustainability driven solutions that propose systemic changes.
25. 5
26. 1E6C8D86-6D48-0001-D4C6-7790E3F318E9
27. The e-portfolio will ensure that students use systems thinking when examining issues relating to sustainability
29. 7,6,11,9
30. 6
31. 1E6C932E-1F66-0001-A61D-1430113E1C0D
32. The students will partake in a hackathon during which they will identify relevant collaborators in order to promote transformative sustainability
34. 22,7,6,8,21,11
35. 7
36. 1E6C932E-42F4-0001-8A9A-18C614571D19
37. The students will use Loop Reflect to consider the potential emotional implications of learning about sustainability
39. 20,12,23,19,21,9
40. 8

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Two hours a week
Portfolio Preparation	18	One hour and half a week
Independent Study	133.5	No Description
Online activity	12	One hour a week
Total Workload: 187.5

Section Breakdown
CRN	11839	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	100%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC2	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Federico Cerrone	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Oral Examination	The students will engage in professional conversations demonstrating knowledge of circular practices (technical and social) to reshape the economic approach for different productive sectors.	15%	n/a
Group project	The students will apply a hackathon-based team-working approach to create unique solutions to specific circular economy challenges faced by industrial partners	15%	n/a
Professional Portfolio	The students will develop an e-portfolio to present their solution and demonstrate a systemic and holistic knowledge of circular economies	30%	n/a
Group presentation	The multidisciplinary students will develop tailored solutions through a marketing/awareness elevator pitch, (which is co-assessed by the industrial partners) incorporating social, business, behavioural and technical considerations of the circularity for specific sectors	20%	n/a
Reflective journal	The students will use Loop Reflect to consider the potential emotional implications of learning about sustainability	20%	n/a

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

Indicative Reading List

Books:
None

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None