BIOPRENG 7062 - Downstream Bioprocessing

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2024

This course is to introduce the principles of bioprocess engineering focusing on downstream bioprocessing. It aims to provide the latest bioprocess technology from an engineering point of view, using worked examples related to biological systems. This course introduces the commonly used technologies for biological products. The covered topics include centrifugation, filtration, precipitation, membrane separation, adsorption chromatography, size exclusion chromatography, liquid-liquid separation. The basic principles and mechanism of separation are covered in each of the topics, wherein the engineering concept and integrated process design are emphasized.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code BIOPRENG 7062
    Course Downstream Bioprocessing
    Coordinating Unit Bioprocess Engineering
    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, lab components, in-class quiz
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Lukas Gerstweiler

    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes

    1 Gain in depth understanding of different unit operations in downstream processing
    2 Understand principles of process development and scale-up of chromatography
    3 Calculations and design different unit operations in downstream processing
    4 Recieve practical training on preparative chromatographic separation
    5 Understand emerging trends and future directions in downstream processing


    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 - 5

    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.

    3, 4

    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.

    3, 5

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

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

    3 - 5

    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.

    1 - 5
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    The students will need to have access to a computer and basic office suftware such as word and excel or other comparable products.
    Online Learning
    All required ressources for learning can be found in MyUni
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Lectures will be pre-recorded and accessible through MyUni. Students are expected to watch the lectures before attending tutorials/Workshops. 

    In approximatley half of the Tutorials/Workshops the students will practice problem solving and calculations for different unit operations.
    The other half of the Tutorials/Workshops downstream processing knowledge will be further deepened by case-studies such as monoclonal antibody or mRNA purification. 

    The students will conduct a 2 day (full day) laboratory training on chromatographic purification.
    Workload

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

    This course has an assumed workload of around 150 hours for the semester. 
    Face-to-face activities account for 2 hours per week. Additionally pre-recorded lectures, excersises and practice should require 4-6 hours per week.

    The practical laboratory training and preparation will require approximatley 50 hours 

    Activity In-class hours Out-class hours Expected total student workload
    Lectures 0 24 24
    Tutorial 24 24 48
    Practice 0 24 24
    Laboratory practical 16 34 50
    Total 24 122 146
    Learning Activities Summary
    Week Topic Summary
    1 Introduction Introduction in downstream processing
    2 Classes of Biopharmaceuticals Introduction in different classes of biopharmaceuticals and impurities
    3 Cell disruption/centrifugation Introduction in principles of cell disruption and centrofugation
    4 Precipitation Introduction in precipitation
    5 Membrane Processes Membrane processes and filtration
    6 Chromatography 1 Principles of chromatography
    7 Chromatography 2 Scale up and further theory
    8 Formulation and Stabilisation Introduction in Formulation
    9 Analytics Analytics in downstream processing
    10 Scale-up and process design Introduction in principles of scale up 
    11 Emerging Trends Emerging trrends in downstream processing
    12 Recap and exam preparation
  • 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 Task Type Due Weighting Learning Outcome
    Mid semester quiz Quiz

    Sermester break

    20% 1-4
    End of semester quiz Quiz End of week 12 50 % 1-4
    Lab practical Individual report  End of week 12 30 % 1-4
    Assessment Detail
    Mid semester quiz:

    Before the mid semester break a small quiz will be conducted. The quiz will be a combination of multiple choice and short answer questions on the course content of the prior weeks. The quiz will be taken online.

    End of semester quiz:

    At the end of the semester a final exam will be conducted. The exam will comprimise of a comination of multiple choice, short and long answer questions as well as basic calculation, covering the content of the entire course. The exam will be taken in class as a closed book nexam of 120 minutes.

    Laboratory practical
    A final report of the laboratory practical has to be submitted by the end of the semester. The report has to be written in style of an academic publication and shall include the generated and analysed data, as well as a discussion, intrododuction and conclusion.
    Submission
    The mid semester quiz (online) will be undertaken after the last lecture before the mid semester break.

    The final exam will be undertaken after the last lecture.

    The report will be submitted in myUni by the end of the semester. 

    Feedback on assignments will be returned approximatley 2 weeks after submission and students will have the chance to double check the assessment. 
    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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    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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