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The aim of this course is to introduce engineers to biology in a general way by providing a framework for understanding life at the cellular and molecular levels, and to introduce you to microorganisms and their central role in chemical and process engineering. The course is especially designed for Engineers. An understanding of basic chemistry is assumed, but if at any stage you feel that you do not understand the basics of biology and chemistry, then seek help from the course lecturers as soon as possible.
Theme 1: Understanding cell biology and biochemical systems. Structure and function of biomolecules. (Grant Pearce, lectures 1-12)Theme 2: Microbiology and its industrial application (Matthew Stott, Lectures 13-24)The middle twelve lectures will be presented in two sections. The first set of lectures will cover microbiology basics such as microbial classification, microbial control, microbial cultivation, metabolisms employed by microbes and molecular methods in microbiology. The later set of lectures will focus on using microorganisms in industrial and applied settings including topics such wastewater treatment, the microbiology of food, the use of molecular techniques in microbiology, wastewater microbiology, milk and food microbiology and mining biotechnology. Experimental design using biology is also discussed.Theme 3: Exploring the interface of Chemical Engineering and Biological systems (Carlo Carere , Lectures 25-36)In the final twelve lectures, the intersection of chemical engineering principles with biological systems will be explored. Lecture topics will include bioprocess engineering, food processing, aspects of bioreactor design, mass and energy balances in biological systems, biocatalysis and modelling biokinetics, and the rise of synthetic biology. Case studies will be used to highlight the multidisciplinary nature of industrial biotechnology.
As a student in this course, I will:• Appreciate that a cell is a basic unit of life and that the structure and function of the cell impacts on all other levels of life including organisms, ecosystems, industrial bioprocesses (assessment item: Test, final exam).• Understand the importance and capabilities of microorganisms in industrial processes (assessment items: Bioprocess assessment and final exam).• Understand that if I (as an engineer) want to manipulate biological processes, then it is crucial that an understanding of the molecular composition, metabolism and/or organismal limitations/capabilities of the process is understood (assessment items: Test, computer lab assessment, field trip assessment and final exam).• Understand how chemical engineering principles apply to biological systems and how this interface is critical to a variety of industry bioprocesses (assessment items: Bioprocess assessment, computer lab assessment and final exam).• Analyse and interpret experimental data, as well as accessing and utilising literature on the molecular structure and biochemical interactions between the molecules of life, and between microorganisms and the environment (assessment items: Bioprocess assessment, computer lab assessment, fieldtrip assessment and exam).Transferable Skills RegisterAs a student in this course, I will develop the following skills:1. Providing required information in a written form of acceptable standard. This is necessary in most science- and engineering-related courses and jobs. We will have previous ENCH281 mid-term tests and end-of-term exam questions available on Learn, and will provide feedbacks on any submitted answers to these questions.
Subject to approval of the Dean of Engineering and Forestry.
BIOL111 (BCHM111)
Students must attend one activity from each section.
Carlo Carere
Grant Pearce and Matthew Stott
Brock; Biology of Microorganisms ; 15; Pearson, 2022.
Campbell and Reece; Biology ; 9; Pearson, 2011.
There are no required textbooks. However, Campbell and Reece (2008) Biology (8th edition or higher) and Brock - Biology of Microorganisms (v15) are both widely used and several copies of each are available on three-hour restricted loan at the central library and a few copies will be available during laboratories. Resources used or referred to in lectures will be available online on the course link in Learn.
A minimum grade of 40% in the exam is required to pass this course.
Lectures: Three times a week. Students should note that the average student is responsible for approximately 3 hours of additional study for each hour of lecture at the 200 Level.Laboratories & Field Trips: There is one computer laboratory (3 hours) and one field trip (4 hours) scheduled in the second half of the semester.
Domestic fee $1,190.00
International fee $6,488.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see Chemical and Process Engineering .