CHEM ENG 7060 - Principles of Biopharmaceutical Engineering

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2023

The objective of the course will be to introduce fundamental and technological principles applied in biopharmaceutical manufacturing. It covers the topics of recombinant DNA technology and its application in therapeutic protein production; protein engineering of understanding of protein folding and recognition for protein design principles; mass and energy balance in biological systems; fermentation kinetics and stoichiometry for growth and product formation; principles of bioprocess scale-up and technology transfer. In the end of the course, students will be able to 1) Understand the method by which living cells are engineered to produce complex therapeutic proteins; 2) Explore the way in which reactors are designed to support the growth of living cells that produce a target therapeutic; 3) Learn how protein therapeutics are purified and how previous manufacturing steps inform how this is performed.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code CHEM ENG 7060
    Course Principles of Biopharmaceutical Engineering
    Coordinating Unit School of Chemical Eng and Advanced Materials(Ina)
    Term Semester 2
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 6 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Assessment Exams, assessments, in-class quiz
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Luis Toronjo-Urquiza

    Course coordinator: Luis Toronjo-Urquiza

    E-mail: luis.toronjo-urquiza@adelaide.edu.au / a1227947@adelaide.edu.au

    Office: Annex Building, Room A207

    Consulting times: Monday 10:00-12:00 pm / Thursday 2:00-4:00 pm

    UofA profile: https://researchers.adelaide.edu.au/profile/luis.toronjo-urquiza
    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1. Explain the principles behind key fundamentals in operations involved in biopharmaceutical processes.

    2. Apply mathematical models to the fundamental operations used in biopharmaceutical engineering.

    3. Assess and troubleshoot industry-like scenarios.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1-3

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    2-3

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    2-3

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    1-3

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    1-3

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    2-3
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    N/A
    Recommended Resources
    This list of recommended books can help support the learning of the content taught in the course.


    "Biochemical Engineering Fundamentals" J. Bailey & D. Ollis, 2nd Edition, McGraw Hill.

    "Bioprocess Engineering principles" Pauline M. Doran, 2nd Edition.
    Online Learning
    A range of online resources will be provided via MyUni.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The activities for this course are structured by week and include the following activities:

    - Online Theory Lectures

    To be viewed before the Workshop session

    - Practice Workshops

    Solve problems together in class and go through solutions.

    - Tutorials

    The student can book 1 on 1 appointments with the coordinator during consulting times.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Activity Contact hours Workload hours Expected workload hours
    Online lectures 0 30 30
    Workshops 24 36 60
    Tutorials 24 12 36
    Study 0 24 24
    TOTAL 48 102 150
    Learning Activities Summary
    BLOCK I

      1. Mass balance steady and unsteady states

      2. Energy balance steady and unsteady states

      3. Enthalpy

      4. Heat

    BLOCK II

      5. Principles of kinetics, temperature and order kinetics

      6. Ideal reactor kinetics

      7. Residence time distribution

      8. Cell growth and cell death kinetics

      9. Reactor engineering
    Specific Course Requirements
    N/A
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Weighting (%) Individual/Group Formative/Summative Learning outcomes
    In class Quizz 30 Individual Formative and Summative 1-3
    Problems assignments 20 Individual Formative and Summative 1-3
    Final Examination 50 Individual Summative 1-3
    TOTAL 100


    This assessment breakdown complies with the University's Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy.
    Assessment Related Requirements
    N/A
    Assessment Detail
    In this course, the following assessments will be completed:

    Problems assignments (individual) (20%)

    - A battery of problems is given to the students each Block
    - Each block submission accounts for 10% o the final grade
    - The submissions are in MiUni
    - The problems of the assignment will be similar to the ones presented in workshops



    In-class Quizzes (individual) (30%)

    - At the end of each block an online quiz will take place during the workshop session.
    - Each quiz will account for 15% of the final grade



    Final Exam (individual) (50%) - undertaken during the exam period

    - Final exam is mathematical and problem-solving based
    - The problems will be similar to the ones used during workshops and assignments
    Submission
    All quizzes, tutorials and assignments will be submitted via MyUni.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
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