Bioprocesses

The aim of this course is to deepen in different aspects of biochemical reactions and reactors as well as basic operations characteristic in the field of Biochemical Engineering.

The contents to be developed in the course are those contemplated in the descriptors of the course
1.- Analysis of bioprocesses based on case studies.
2.- Enzymatic and fermentative processes. Fermentation profiles.
3.- Design and operation of bioreactors,
4.- Separation and purification of products.

Basic bibliography
- Bailey, J.E., and Ollis, D.F. Biochemical Engineering Fundamentals. 2nd ed. McGraw Hill, New York (1986).
- Gòdia Casablancas, F., and López Santín, J. Ingeniería Bioquimica. Ed. Síntesis. Madrid (1998).
- Díaz M. Ingeniería de bioprocesos. Ed. Paraninfo (2012)
Complementary bibliography.
-Reference scientific journals will be available for students to carry out the study of their bioprocess.

Knowledge
(CN02) Acquire advanced knowledge and demonstrate, in a scientific and technological or highly specialized research context, a detailed and well-founded understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects and methodology of work in one or more fields of study in Chemical Engineering.
(CN03) Have knowledge of the relevant biological fundamentals in bioprocesses in the context of Chemical Engineering.

Competence
(CP01) Apply knowledge of mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology and other natural sciences, obtained through study, experience, and practice, with critical reasoning to establish economically viable solutions to technical problems.
(CP03) Design products, processes, systems and services of the chemical industry, as well as the optimization of others already developed, taking as a technological basis the various areas of chemical engineering, including processes and transport phenomena, separation operations and engineering of chemical, nuclear, electrochemical and biochemical reactions.

Ability
(HD01) Have ability to solve problems that are unfamiliar, incompletely defined, and have competing specifications, considering possible solution methods, including the most innovative, selecting the most appropriate, and be able to correct the implementation, evaluating different design solutions.
(HD04) Search, process, analyze and synthesize, critically, information from various sources for the establishment of the corresponding conclusions.
(HD11) Master the management of time and critical situations.

Different methodologies will be used: Master class and Case studies. Competencies: CN02, CN03, CP01, CP03. In coordination with other courses, the study of a biotechnological process will be deepened through a technical visit
Other methodologies based on Project-based learning, Collaborative learning and Experimental laboratory practices will develop the competencies: HD01, HD04, HD11
In the "Case study" section, the study of several bioprocesses will be proposed. Teams of two students will be formed, who will choose a process and proceed to its analysis by studying in detail the reaction profiles and based on this the characteristics of the bioreactor, as well as the separation and/or purification operations. Examples of processes to be evaluated are yeast production, primary and secondary metabolites production, recombinant insulin and vaccines.
In the group tutorial, the modelling of a fermentation process will be evaluated with monitoring of the main metabolites based on experimental results. Competences: HD01, HD04
The Virtual Campus will be used for the management of course documentation: presentations and communications.

The table details the evaluation system contemplated.
Distribution of the score Competences
Exam 40% CN02, CN03, CP01, CP03,
Works 50% HD01, HD04, HD11
Tutorials 10% CP01, CP03
The evaluations of work and tutorials are maintained for the second exam call, although additional work can be done to improve the grade. No qualifications are maintained for subsequent courses. In cases of fraudulent performance of exercises or tests, the provisions of the Regulations on the evaluation of students' academic performance and the review of grades will apply.

The subject has a workload of 3.0 ECTS, corresponding 1 ECTS credit to 25 hours of total work, which are distributed as indicated in the following table.
Distribution of the training activity in ECTS credits
Activity Attendance hours
Theoretical teaching
Seminars 18
Interactive lab teaching 8
Group tutorials 1
Exam and revision 2


Student work hours
Seminars 18
Interactive lab teaching/AI 16
Group 4 tutorials
Exam and revision 12
Total 46

The subject will be taught in Spanish
The admission and permanence of students enrolled in the internship laboratory requires that they know and comply with the rules included in the "Protocol for basic training in safety for experimental spaces" of the Higher Technical School of Engineering, available in the ETSE website, which can be accessed as follows:
1. https://www.usc.gal/gl/centro/escola-tecnica-superior-enxenaria
2. Access the intranet with personal credentials
3. Joining > Safety and Health > Training Commissions
4. Select in "Basic training protocol in safety matters for experienced spaces"