Biological and Bioprocess Engineering

Core modules:

Biopharmaceutical Engineering

This module will equip students with a comprehensive understanding of the processes and technologies that contribute to the production and design of complex biopharmaceutical products. An emphasis will be placed on the core design principles and tools that underpin engineering of cells, DNA elements, culture media, proteins and mRNA constructs. Using latest case studies, students' understanding of core principles will be reinforced by designing industry relevant engineering processes for a range of biopharmaceutical products (e.g. recombinant proteins, vaccines, gene and cell therapeutics).

 



 

15 credits

Bioresources and Bioprocessing (PGT)

This module provides an overview of bioresources and their applications in the bioeconomy. The different types of bioresources, their characteristics and how that affects their applications will be discussed. Technologies, including chemical and biochemical methods, that are used for processing bioresources will be explored. Production of bioenergy from bioresources will be discussed.

15 credits

Advanced Bioprocess Design Project

This module will cover the design of whole biomanufacturing processes for the manufacture of biotherapeutic proteins. This will include a taught component, where process design principles and practice will be learnt; plus assistance during the design process, where you will produce a process design and accompanying report. The course will also cover part of modern quality by design, specifically the attainment of product critical quality attributes through the control of process parameters and its ramifications on process design will be discussed.

15 credits

Advanced Biochemical Engineering

This module will extend the use of classical chemical engineering principles of mass balance, energy balance and mass transfer to unit operations used in the manufacture of biopharmaceuticals. This will include fermentation, cell culture reactors, homogenisation, centrifugation, filtration and chromatography. Unit operation specific models will also be applied to predict these operations effectiveness.

15 credits

Applied Biological and Bioprocess Engineering

This is a practical module where students learn applied technical skills relevant to biological engineering in a biomanufacturing context.

15 credits

Research Project

The application of scientific and engineering principles to a solution for practical problems of engineering systems and processes is developed throughout the course and demonstrated in particular by the research project. Each student registered for the Masters degree in 'Biological and Bioprocess Engineering' and 'Biochemical Engineering with Industrial Management' is required to complete a research-based portfolio. The research project is worth 60 credits. This is the most important individual module in the course, assessing the student's ability to conduct research on an individual level, also including group aspects when applicable. The topic for study is selected in consultation with appropriate members of the teaching staff, from a list of projects offered alongside the research interests of academic supervisors in the department. You will choose a research project that best fits your interests and conduct unique and original research in that area. Projects vary from industrially-based problem solving to laboratory- or computational-based research and development of new processes or ideas. The research portfolio is a major part of the degree and you will be allocated an academic supervisor who provides advice and guidance throughout the period of study. Opportunities exist for research studies to be carried out in collaboration with other university research centres as well as industrial organisations. Furthermore, you will have the chance to conduct your research project as part of a team of other students on your course, where each student will focus on different aspects of the project. You will present your project as a portfolio consisting of a Technical Review (submitted individually or as a team if working on a team project) and a Dissertation (submitted individually in every case). The dissertation will include a lay summary to communicate to a variety of audiences. You will also be required to present your research work as a poster presentation during the academic year.

60 credits

Optional modules - examples include:

Stem Cell Biology

This lecture course will provide a thorough grounding in the biology of stem cells and regenerative medicine, with special reference to the molecular and genetic control of cell fate specification and differentiation. Students will also be enouraged to consider the clinical use of stem cells and their derivatives as well as the ethical issues that these raise. As this is a rapidly developing field, strong emphasis will be placed on understanding the current controversies in the literature.

15 credits

Tissue Engineering Approaches to Failure in Living Systems

This lecture course continues the systems based introduction to human physiology and anatomy which were introduced in level 2 and explores through lectures the tissue engineering approaches that are being developed to cope with disease, failure and old age in body systems. The emphasis is placed primarily on generic technologies of relevance to tissue engineering recognising that this is an enormous and growing field. Thus the first four weeks focus on generic issues relevant to tissue engineering of any tissues and then for the remainder of the course exemplar tissues are selected to illustrate current tissue engineering approaches and identify the challenges that remain ahead. The lectures are supported by linked tutorials which focus on:(a) assessing the students understanding of their current knowledge so that they achieve immediate and informal feedback, and(b) giving the students the experience of working in small groups to apply what they have learnt in the preceding lectures to current problems. Thus a key feature of this module is to stimulating the students in critical thinking, essentially by giving them a toolkit to equip them to look critically at any tissue engineering challenge and come up with pertinent questions and experimental approaches.

15 credits

Synthetic Biology

Synthetic Biology is: a) the design and construction of new biological parts, devices and systems; b) he re-design of existing, natural biological systems for useful purposes. The module seeks to introduce you to the field of synthetic biology, the context (technical and ethical, legal and social issues) and the industrial promise. The module demonstrates the concepts of the engineering design paradigm applied to the exploitation of biology. In particular, issues related to standardisation and modularity of biological parts, devices and systems are introduced and examined in light of examples. Concepts related to 'creation of life' and 'deconstruction of life' are covered.

15 credits

Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing

The module aims to provide an understanding of the key unit operations used in manufacturing biopharmaceutical products including vaccines, therapeutic proteins, and cell/gene therapies. The module will cover fermentation, extraction technologies and purification operations. The module will describe the design and application of each unit of operations, and introduce key associated topics including process engineering, analytical technologies, automation, quality by design, and regulatory issues. The module will have a particular focus on the latest industrial trends, and current and future challenges in biopharmaceutical manufacturing will be studied in-depth.

15 credits