MSc IN BIOCHEMICAL
ENGINEERING
(ENGINEERING STREAM)
This
course is specifically designed to allow first degree biological scientists and
biotechnologists to achieve recognised status in biochemical engineering. The
course is fully accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (Section
9.2) such that after a suitable period of relevant training the successful
graduates may become Chartered Engineers (CEng) and Members of the institution
(MIChemE). It comprises a conversion element in addition to biochemical
engineering and pilot plant studies and an advanced design project.
Course
Structure
The flow chart on page 5 shows the structure of this degree programme and the individual topics studied. The numbers in parenthesis indicate the credit hours associated with each element of the course. 120 credits are required in order to be considered for the award of the MSc degree. For assessment purposes the Advanced Bioprooess Design and Bioprocess Implementation elements are combined in a 40 credit dissertation. The programme is divided into four distinct but integrated parts:
Conversion
Elements: Biochemical Engineering Fundamentals and Bioprocess Challenges (G19,
G20, G21, 30 credits)
The
material here is designed to provide science graduates with the fundamentals of
process engineering relevant to the handling of biological materials. Students
learn, for example, the principles of how to calculate nutrient requirements
for industrial scale microbial conversion processes and how to predict and
control the environment in which cells have to survive and grow. We also build
upon the students' knowledge of the structures of biological polymers and show
how this can be used to predict the stress damage which may occur when delicate
biological materials are processed at scale.
Advanced
Biochemical Engineering (G22, G23, G24, 30 credits)
These
core elements of the course cover the detailed design of biological conversion
processes, i.e. fermentation and biotransformation, and the subsequent
recovery, purification and formulation of therapeutic products. Lecture and
case study material is supported by a series of experiments on individual unit
operations which are complemented by a week-long course in the department's
pilot-plant. Here students make use of all the Centre's facilities to learn how
to plan and execute whole sequences of complex operations. The material in this
element of the course is designed to provide students with the ability to take
the results of new life sciences, such as gene therapy, tissue engineering,
metabolic pathway engineering, and translate them into real process outcomes.
Dissertation:
Advanced Bioprocess Design and Bioprocess Implementation (G15, 40 credits)
The
design module involves the application of the skills and information gained in
the above elements to a group design project. For graduate scientists who wish
to proceed towards chartered engineer (CEng) status this is a vital part of the
course. The project involves the complete design of a bioprocess, together with
economic and safety analyses, and the establishment of process validation
methodologies. The choice of target products is closely linked to the research
activities of the Advanced Centre and, in recent years, have included the
manufacture of plasmid DNA, a hepatitis B vaccine, novel polyketide antibiotics
and chiral pharmaceuticals.
Management
of Bioprocess Ventures (G25, G26, 20 credits)
This
element of the MSc programme reflects the growing need for qualified
biochemical engineers to be equally aware of the issues involved in the
establishment and management of small, high-tech companies. The material
covered here is based around a number of real industrial case studies and
culminates in the production and presentation of a business plan for the
translation of a life science discovery in to a real outcome.
Course
Appraisal
The
conversion and biochemical engineering elements of the programme are assessed
by written examinations in May/June. The bioprocess management and pilot plant
studies are assessed by a combination of case study reports, oral and poster
presentations throughout the year. The bioprocess design projects are assessed
by written theses and oral examinations in September. There is also a final
viva voce exam shortly before the MSc Examination Board meeting which is held
in mid-September to provide the final course assessment.
Final
examination results will be available following the MSc Examination Board in
mid-September. Students in debt to the College or Department or who have not
returned all books from the library will have their results withheld until the
debt is cleared.
Coursework
An
engineering course must include a proper preparation for a professional career,
and this in turn means that a student's ability in various skills must be
examined in depth. Nowadays, the sheer volume of subject material that a
biochemical engineering student must cover means that a single set of
examinations, at the end of the course, is not practicable. The method of
continuous assessment through coursework used in the Department will allow you
to accumulate credit towards your degree as you proceed through your course.
Most
courses have an aspect of continuous assessment through coursework (e.g.
problem sheets, case studies, essays etc) associated with the lectures. This
coursework will contribute towards the final marks in a course. Some courses,
for example design and research projects, may comprise coursework only. The
precise nature of the coursework that you will have to complete and an
indication of its weighting will be given by the lecturer(s) for each course.
It is essential that you give full attention to coursework throughout the MSc
programme. Coursework must be submitted in accordance with the course
lecturer's instructions if it is to be accepted. Late coursework is not
normally accepted, but may be accepted at the discretion of the course lecturer
if there is a valid reason, e.g. certified illness (Section 3.2).
Students
must be deemed "complete" in all parts of each course to qualify for
the MSc degree. If a student fails to submit sufficient work in any aspect of
the course, then the student is deemed "not complete" and gains no
marks or credit for the course whatsoever. Thus for example, if a student takes
an examination but fails to submit sufficient coursework or submits sufficient
coursework but does not complete the examination, the student will be deemed
"not complete" and will fail that course (see also Section 6.3.1).
The
Departmental guideline for lecture courses is that a minimum of 50% of the
coursework set should be attempted and submitted before a student's coursework
is deemed "complete". In laboratory and computing courses this
minimum becomes 75%. It is, however, up to the lecturer(s) in each course to
determine exactly what is sufficient for completion and, therefore, what is
deemed sufficient may vary from course to course.
Students
should also note that different departments and faculties may have different
rules and guidelines of what constitutes completion. Some require that answers
be submitted to all coursework set. Therefore, students taking courses in other
departments should make themselves aware of what is required.
Students
are strongly advised to attempt and submit answers to all coursework set.
Submitting an incomplete or incorrect answer and getting appropriate feedback
is better than submitting none. If you are in any doubt as to what is required
- ASK.
All work submitted as part of the requirements for
any examination (including coursework) of the
P/a
giarised, copied or syndicated coursework will not be accepted. The College and
University have strict penalties for those found guilty of plagiarism, for
example, exclusion from all further examinations of the University and/or the
College.
Degree Course
Assessment Guides
The following tables
show how each of the degree programmes are assessed.
The weightings within each element may be subject to
changes so you should check with the Course Tutor
The following tables
show how each of the degree programmes are assessed. The weightings within each
element may be subject to changes so you should check with the Course Tutor.
MSc in Biochemical
Engineering (Engineering Stream)
Element Course Course Title Elements of Assessment Total
Number Code
Weighting
Exam (%) Coursework (Credits)
Etc (%)
I G22 Advanced Bioreactor 80 20 10
Engineering
2 G23 Integrated Downstream 75 25 10
Processing
3 G24 Integrated Biochemical 70 30 10
Engineering
Design
4 G25 Bioprocess Management— 0 100 10
Discovery
to Manufacture
5 G26 Bioprocess Entrepreneurial 0 100 10
— Business
Plan
6 G19 Bioprocess Synthesis and 80 20 10
Process Mapping
7 G20 Bioprocess Engineering 65 35 10
Design
& Regulatory
Constraints
8 G21 Mass, Heat & Momentum 70 30 10
Transfer
and Bioprocess
Material
Properties
9 G15 Dissertation on Bioprocess 0 100 40
Design
~-Lrr\P
For the award of the
MSc degree candidates are required to attain:
(a) a minimum of 50% in each element, and
(b) a minimum overall average mark of 50%.
The MSc Examination
Board can, at its discretion, accept marks between 40-50% in a maximum of three
elements excluding the dissertation (element 9).
MSc Distinction
For the award of a
distinction candidates are required to attain:
(a) a minimum of 50% in elements 1 to 8,
(b) a minimum mark of 60% in element 9, and
(c) a minimum overall average mark of 70%.
The MSc Examination
Board can, at its discretion, accept marks between 40-50% in a maximum of three
elements excluding the dissertation (element 9).
Course
Title: Bioprocess engineering
design and regulatory constraints
Programme: MSc
Aims: To give student a basic background level of
knowledge and procedures to enable them to tackle the third-year design
project, including equipment process and mechanical design, instrumentation,
critical path analysis, safety and CAD techniques.
Contact
time: 40 one-hour lectures and 5
hours of CAD tutorials.
Assessment: Written examination paper plus coursework.
Synopsis: The role of the process design in the
development of a complete plant design. The reiterative nature of design.
Equipment design. Types of heat exchanger and their applications. Detailed
design and specification of shell and tube exchangers: counter-current flow and
cocurrent flow, tube layout, limitation of size, criteria for selection of tube
side fluid and number of shell passes, baffle spacing and criteria for baffle
chord positioning: pressure drop. Network design for minimum energy
consumption.
Mechanical
design: derivation of the design pressure and temperature, choice of safety
device: vessel design, BS 5500.
Process
equipment costs and sources of data, cost indices: plant capital cost
evaluation, typical distribution of plant capital costs and operating costs.
Investment appraisal: ROl and DCF/NPV: project selection in competitive
situations.
Instrumentation:
symbols, subdivision of the process streams and choice of the inferential
system, use of direct control systems: local and control board mounting of
instruments: typical applications of flow, pressure, level and temperature
control.
Critical
path analysis: nomenclature and conventions, activities and events, arrow
diagrams: network analysis and identification of the critical path. The Gantt chart.
The
concept of loss prevention and lost time accidents: loss causation model. Doing
a job safely, attitudes of mind. Management of safety: Factory Acts; Health and
Safety at Work Act: production, storage and transport. Sources of ignition.
Project review procedure: risk assessment, research and development, design,
construction and operation. Identification of hazards. Inherently safe design.
Hazan and hazard analysis.
Scope
of computer-aided process engineering and computer-aided design in process
engineering applications. Process flowsheeting, topology analysis, sequential
and simultaneous solution methods. Process flowsheet simulation, heat recovery
network, capital cost and project appraisal software.
Textbooks: "Process Heat Transfer' by D Q Kern,
published by McGraw-Hill.
"Chemical
Engineering" (Vol 6) by J M Coulson, J F Richardson and R K Sinnott,
published by Pergamon.
Mass, heat and momentum transfer and bioprocess material
properties
Course
code: G21
Aims: This course is intended to provide graduates in
life sciences with the basic knowledge of key transport processes related to
biological materials with special consideration of how delicate materials such
as mammalian cells and biopolymers such as plasmid DNA are handled.
Contact
time: 20 one-hour lectures plus 20
one-hour problem solving sessions/case studies are combined to deliver the
course contents
Assessment: A three-hour written examination paper 70%
4-6 pieces of course work 30%
Synopsis: Introduction- Key unit operations in
biochemical engineering involving transport processes. Units and Dimensions.
Momentum transfer - types of flow and rehology, as applied to processing of
biological materials such as plasmid DNA, and other bioploymers. Bernoulli's
and continuity equations. Pressure drops through pipes networks. Dimensional
analysis for biochemical engineers. Pumps and flow meters. Heat transfer by
conduction, convection and radiation. Thermal conductivity and simple energy
balances, natural and laminar and turbulent forced convection heat transfer,
definition of heat transfer coefficient and use of dimensionless correlations.
Mass transfer by diffusion, Fick's equation and correlations for mass transfer,
Whitman two film theory. Fluid-particle interaction- Forces on single and
multiparticles in fluids. Terminal settling velocity. Laminar and turbulent
flow and use of flow charts. Centrifugal forces on particles. Calculations of
pressure drop for flow through packed and fluidised beds, voidages and
Richardson-Zaki's equation.
Relation
to other
courses: This course is designed to introduce
students, for the first time, to relationships between material properties and
processing in a (bio)process environment. The students will carry the knowledge
gained in the course through to other bioprocess engineering courses including
design project.
Previous
knowledge: Basic pre-university
education including knowledge of simple mathematical techniques and physics are
required.
Textbooks: Chemical Engineering, Vol 1, Coulson, J.M.,
Richardson, J.F. and Sinnott, R.K.
Lecturer(s): Dr Parviz Ayazi Shamlou - Biochemical
Engineering
Course
title: Advanced Bioreactor Engineering
Course
code: G22
Aims: This course provides students with a detailed
understanding of bioreactor design, scale-up and operation. It considers both
multi-step (i.e. fermentation) and single-step (i.e. biotransformation)
conversion processes for the synthesis of complex materials such as therapeutic
proteins, antibodies, plasmid DNA, antibiotics and chiral chemicals.
Particular
themes of the course will include the interaction of biological materials with
the engineering environment within a bioreactor, the theoretical basis of
process scale-up and scale-down, and the impact of rDNA techniques on
bioreactor design and operation. Particular attention will be paid to the
instrumentation and control of bioreactors and issues underlying biosafety with
respect to contained operation.
Contact
time: 33 hours lectures and 10
hours case studies
Coursework: Two case study reports
Assessment: 3 hour written examination (80%)
coursework (20%).
Synopsis: Part A: Fermentation (multi-step
conversions)
Stoichiometry
of biocatalytic processes: mass balancing, electron
balancingand
degrees of reduction.
Bioreactor
process operation: growth kinetics, batch, fed-batch and continuous operation.
Productivity optimisation and cost minimisation.
Biochemical
reactor design: impeller and sparger systems. Stirred tank and airlift reactors.
Bioreactor
sterilisation: cell death kinetics, batch and continuous systems, filter
sterilisation of gasses and liquids.
Oxygen
transfer: mass transfer relationships, design for oxygen transfer, bubble size,
gas hold-up.
Mixing
and power consumption: power number and impeller design, mixing time and
reactor heterogeneity, effect of aeration and broth rheology.
Effect
of shear: influence of shear on hydrodynamics and microorganisms and
Kolmogoroff concept of turbulence.
Issues
in process scale-up: effect of heterogeneity and bases of scale-up.
Fermentation
process scale down: benefits of process scale down and strategies for scale
down experimentation.
Industrial
lectures: Microbial physiology, Industrial mixing, Animal cell culture,
Fermentation monitoring and control and lnoculum preparation.
Part
B: Biotransformation (single-step conversions)
Fundamentals
of biological catalysis: biocatalyst production, biocatalyst form and
implications of rDNA technology.
Biocatalyst
kinetics and properties: enzyme immobilisation, kinetics of free and
immobilised enzymes, biocatalyst characterisation.
Biocatalytic
reactors: reactor design equations, reactor selection and operation.
Improving
bioreactor productivity: implications of two-liquid-phase biocatalysis and
in-situ product removal.
Product
recovery end process integration: downstream processirl9 strategy. choice of
unit operations and options for integration.
Industrial
!ectures: Industrial applications of biocatalysis, Chemical versus biochemical
catalysis, Cenettc techniques for biocatalyst improvement.
Product
recovery and process integration: downstream processing strategy, choice of
unit operations and options for integration.
Industrial
lectures: Industrial applications of biocatalysis, Chemical versus biochemical
catalysis, Genetic techniques for biocatalyst improvement.
Relation
to other
courses: Courses on Microbial Metabolism and
Molecular Biology provide background information on the structure and function
of biological catalysts. Course on Biotransport Processes provides fundamental
basis for issues such as bioreactor aeration.
Previous
knowledge: Mathematics (and preferably physics) to A-level standard.
Textbooks: "Bioprocess Engineering Principles"
P. A. Doran, Academic Press, London (1996)
"Bioreaction Engineering Principles" J.
Villadsen & J. Nielsen, Plenum, NY (1994)
"Bioprocess
Monitoring and Control" M-N Pons, Hanser Press (1992)
'Applied
Biocatalysis" Ed. J.M.S. Cabral et aI, Harwood Academic (1994)
Lecturers: Dr G J Lye (Course Co-ordinator), Dr E
Keshavarz-Moore, Dr F Baganz, Dr S
Levy,
Dr J M Woodley and Dr P Dalby.
Course
title: Integrated Downstream Processing
Course
code: G23
Value: 10 Credits
Aims: To provide training in the engineering
principles underlying the design and control of processes for the recovery,
purification and secondary processing of biological materials.
Contact
time: 35 hours lecture
15
hours of case studies
Assessment: Written examination paper
Assessed
case study material
Synopsis: The recovery, purification and formulation
of biological products from complex sources such as fermentation or cell broths
represents the major challenge to the provision of safe and effective materials
e.g. for therapeutic use. The course emphasis is on the integrated design and
control of whole bioprocess sequences.
Particle
recovery and purification processes are examined as early stages in the
recovery and purification of biological materials. Operations include
centrifugation, filtration, membrane separation, precipitation and
crystallisation. Complementary extraction operations include liquid/liquid
extraction and cell disruption. High resolution purification and finishing
operations take the natural to final form for use - operations studied include
chromatography, ion exchange, spray drying and freeze drying. The course
contains a linked series of lectures and case studies to explore the
integration of upstream steps with final product formulation.
The
course is concluded with a summary of how complete recovery and purification
sequences may best be put together. The use of operating windows for the
integrated design of processes will be explored. This provides the ideal
precursor for pilot studies and design project work.
Case
studies in the design of selected operations will form the basis of team
exercises to help with the understanding and application of the lecture notes.
Textbooks: "Bioseparations: Downstrean Processing
for Biotechnology" by Paul A Belter, et al, published by J Wiley &
Sons (1988) ISBN 0-471-84732-2.
Lecturers: Professor M Hoare, Prof N J Titchener-Hooker
(course organiser), Professor P Dunnill, Professor M K Turner, Dr G Lye, Dr Y
Zhou plus industrial lecturers.
Additional
lectures given by industrial representatives.
Course
title: Integrated Biochemical Engineering
Design
Course
code: G24
Value: 10 credits
Aims: This course is designed to provide a structured
approach to understanding the
ways in which a discovery in the life
sciences is taken through to a real
outcome. The students will learn about
ways of evaluating potential
commercial opportunities, selecting an
optimal route for their exploitation and
preparing a business plan. This is
followed by assessment of the ways the
discovery is taken through to the
design of the bioprocess development route in
preparation for commercialisation by
using effective models and simulations.
Contents: The life sciences industry has a number of
unique features which distinguishes it from other fast growing enterprises. The
contents of the course are designed to achieve the aims outlined above by
focusing on the factors and constraints which define the operations in life
sciences at different stages from creating a start-up company through to the
stage where bioprocess decisions need to be made for the development of the
product. The contents include:
Systematic
approach to commercialisation
Overview
of the industrial sector
Regulatory
requirements
Intellectual
properties rights and their management,
GLP,
GCP and GMP compliance
Safety
considerations and containment
Financial
and marketing requirements, opportunities and constraints
Man power requirements
Business plan considerations
Operations management
Process
development considerations including process identification and
selection
Monitoring and control
Contact
time: Lectures 28 hours
Private reading 40 hours
Workshops 10 hours
Case studies and coursework 26 hours
Exam revision 40 hours
Total 144 hours Course title: Bioprocess Management - Discovery to Manufacture
Course
code: G25
Value: 10 credits
Programme: MSc
Aims: In this course factors affecting the successful
translation of research to commercial outcome are discussed. The focus of the
course is on the development phase and internal and external forces which govern
the speed with which it is possible to put a product based on life sciences
discovery through to clinical trials.
Contents: The course covers the following main
topics:
o overview
of the development process with particular attention to factors
which are important in the
design of a process to achieve speed to market
o clinical
trials and national and international regulatory requirements
o impact
of GMP requirements
o product
and process patents requirements and management of
intellectual property rights
o manufacturing
needs and constraints
o outsourcing
as an option for manufacturing
Workload
and
assessment: Private reading 50h
Tutorials/workshops I Oh
Reports (3) 60h
Total 120h
Pre-requisites: None
Staff: Dr Eli Keshavarz-Moore (module leader),
Professor Peter Dunnill, Prof Nigel
Titchener-Hooker
and industrial speakers.
Assessment: Examination: three hours written examination 70%
Coursework
including case studies, contribution to
workshop
sessions, poster and oral presentations 30%
Lecturers: Dr E. Keshavarz-Moore (module leader), other
members of the Department of Biochemical Engineering and external speakers
Course
title: Bioprocess Entrepreneurial Business
Plan
Course
code: G26
Value: 10 credits
Programme: MSc
Aims: Based on tools and know-how gained in the
Integrated Biochemical Engineering design course, students will be able to
construct business plans for start-up companies based on a given idea in the
life sciences and in bioprocess research carried out in the Department. The
business plan is aimed at raising funds from venture capitalists.
Contents: The students will work in groups of no more
than 5, each undertaking a particular role within the start-up company.
Workshop sessions act as surgeries to the 'new companies' with the help of
expert industrial mentors. Each session will focus on a different aspect of
company set-up including feasibility study, financial appraisal, and market
research and marketing strategy, operational and manufacturing needs. The
students will be provided with a portfolio of information from which they can
draw relevant details for their business plan.
The
students are required to report on their progress at the workshop sessions and
will make a final presentation to a panel of judges, which will include experts
from the industry.
Workload
and
assessment: Private reading 40h
Participation
in mentored workshops 20h
Preparation
of written project report 60h
Preparation
of oral presentations I Oh
Total 130h
Assessment: Business plan report 80%
Oral
assessment 10%
Written
contribution to workshops 10%
Lecturer(s): Dr Eli Keshavarz-Moore (course leader) and
industrial contributors
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