ENN538 Industrial Fermentation
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | ENN538 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | (Completion of 336cp in EV04) or Admission to (EN54 or EV54 or EN66 or EN74 or EN77) |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $1,164 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,044 |
| International unit fee | $5,652 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2025, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | ENN538 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | (Completion of 336cp in EV04) or Admission to (EN54 or EV54 or EN66 or EN74 or EN77) |
| Coordinators: | Ali Jahanian | ali.jahanian@qut.edu.au Morteza Hassanpour | m.hassanpour@qut.edu.au Zhanying Zhang | jan.zhang@qut.edu.au |
Overview
The transition to a low-carbon economy needs the production of food, beverage, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, polymers and many other products using more sustainable approaches. Fermentation technologies that employ microorganisms to convert renewable carbon sources into bioproducts play a significant role in low-carbon economy and circular bioeconomy. This unit introduces different types of fermentation, the relationship between chemical reactors and bioreactors, design principles of fermenters, key parameters in bioprocess control and optimisation, and key factors in bioprocess scale-up. Several existing and emerging industrial fermentation processes will be introduced as examples to explain how the biological and engineering knowledge is integrated for manufacturing bioproducts.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Apply chemical engineering principles to industrial fermentation for fermenter selection and evaluation of fermenter performance.
- Solve operational problems in industrial fermentation using multidisciplinary knowledge across chemical engineering, biochemistry and microbiology
- Explain the principles in optimisation and scale-up of fermentation processes using multidisciplinary knowledge.
- Design fermentation processes using multidisciplinary knowledge.
- Evaluate the emerging trends in the field of industrial fermentation and the social, economic and environmental impacts of industrial biotechnology in low-carbon economy.
Content
- Overview of industrial fermentation: autotropic and heterotrophic, submerged and solid-state, aerobic and anerobic, various carbon sources as feedstocks, etc.
- Relationship between chemical reactors to bioreactors and design principles of fermenters
- Principles of fermentation process control and optimisation
- Cell morphology
- Batch, fed-batch and continuous operations
- Principles of bioprocess scale-up
- Applications – food and beverage
- Applications – pharmaceutical
- Applications – biofuels, biochemicals and biopolymers
- Emerging areas – animal-free food production
- Emerging areas – biorefineries of agricultural biomass and CO2
- Site visit
Learning Approaches
In this unit you can expect to experience the following timetabled activities:
- Formal interactive lectures (2 hours per week) from experienced professional engineers and scientist cover the main concepts with real world applications and examples to give you insight into industrial fermentation knowledge, skills and attributes.
- Tutorials (2 hours per week) in a flexible learning space will provide hands-on experience and insight into the principles of industrial fermentation to support the topics covering in the lectures.
- Hands on Practicals (2 practicals, 3 hours each) in laboratory space guided by experienced demonstrators to perform laboratory exercises in a group to analyse or understand the concepts covered in the lectures and be able to interpret the data to critically reflect the results obtained.
To complement the timetabled activities and complete your learning in this unit, you will be provided online resources and activities the unit's Canvas website:
- Informative recap videos as extra problem-solving resources to enhance your problem-solving approach, skills and knowledge.
- Basic materials such as notes, handouts, and Echo360 recordings.
You are expected to:
- Engage with timetabled activities on campus and ask questions. You should follow the weekly guide and announcements from Canvas on the online materials that should be completed prior to attending timetabled activities on campus.
- Engage with the online materials for developing your understanding of fundamental concepts. These will be available on the unit Canvas site. You will receive regular email announcements regarding release of these resources.
- Manage your time to engage with online resources outside of timetabled activities.
- Engage with your peers during the interactive workshops and the teamwork assessment tasks.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
You will receive informal verbal feedback on your progress in this unit during workshops and discussions throughout the semester. Written feedback will be provided with each summative assessment throughout the semester.
Assessment
Overview
Assessment in this unit has been designed to give you the opportunity to show your learning against the unit learning outcomes.
Rubrics with criteria and standards will be used to evaluate the unit learning outcomes of your work.
The assessment consists of ongoing formative and summative assessments that are based on independent and group work. The assessment items allow you to demonstrate your technical knowledge in the topic, observation of real world and communication skills as well as laboratory practical skills.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Laboratory report
You will engage in laboratory experiment in group and submit a written report of your observation. You will demonstrate your ability to critically analyse your laboratory data using the knowledge you have acquired from the lectures and your reading of scientific literature. The report will be individual as a single final document.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Industrial Fermentation Review and Presentation
Your study group will select a topic and conduct a literature review to identify significant opportunities and challenges in the area of industrial fermentation and propose solutions that will either address the existing challenge or have the potential to improve an existing process/product. Your group will present the findings in a 20 min presentation.
Assessment: Final exam
Final examination is mainly problem-solving questions and conceptual questions with both familiar and unfamiliar questions.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Requirements to Study
Requirements
Completion of Laboratory and Workshop HSE Induction – Faculty of Engineering
Resources
Resource Materials
Reference book(s)
Your study group will select a topic and conduct a literature review to identify significant opportunities and challenges in the area of industrial fermentation and propose solutions that will either address the existing challenge or have the potential to improve an existing process/product. Your group will present the findings in a 15 min presentation.
Risk Assessment Statement
You will undertake lectures and tutorials in the classrooms and lecture theatres. As such, there are no extraordinary workplace health and safety issues associated with these components of the unit.
Any practical sessions in the laboratory must be done under the supervision of the lecturer and may be supported by technical staff. In any laboratory practicals you are expected to (add the requirements of safe and responsible behaviour and any special gear to wear appropriate protective items e.g. closed shoes or steel capped shoes.)
Before the commencement of any practical sessions, you will undergo a health and safety induction and complete required online training program. If you do not complete the required safety induction you will be denied access to laboratories.
Note: You will be required to undertake practical sessions in the laboratory, and you may be required to visit an industrial site under the supervision of QUT lecturers. If you do not have a general safety induction certificate or sticker you will be denied access to laboratories and/or visit to industrial site. In any laboratory practicals you will be advised further regarding the requirements for safe and responsible behaviour and will be required to wear appropriate protective items (e.g. closed shoes or gumboot shoes).
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.EN54 Master of Advanced Manufacturing
- Demonstrate and apply advanced and specialist theory-based discipline knowledge and concepts as they relate to contemporary practice in Advanced Manufacturing
Relates to: Laboratory report, Final exam - Employ advanced specialist technical skills, analysis approaches, design, and data to the solution of problems in Advanced Manufacturing, critically evaluating solutions against practice-informed performance and whole-of-life requirements
Relates to: Laboratory report, Industrial Fermentation Review and Presentation, Final exam - Implement professional communication and collaborative skills while engaging with stakeholders, exchanging ideas, and presenting complex information to specialist and non-specialist audiences
Relates to: Laboratory report, Industrial Fermentation Review and Presentation - Demonstrate ethical and socially responsible practice, recognising the importance of personal accountability, and reflective practice
Relates to: Laboratory report - Enact a holistic approach to sustainability in Advanced Manufacturing that embodies the principals of efficient, green, circular, and clean
Relates to: Industrial Fermentation Review and Presentation - Demonstrate an ability to research and apply established theories and plan and execute a substantial research-based project, cultivating an attitude of engineering innovation and creativity
Relates to: Industrial Fermentation Review and Presentation
EN56 Master of Engineering Technology
- Demonstrate and apply advanced and specialist discipline knowledge, concepts and practices as they relate to contemporary practice in Engineering Technology
Relates to: Laboratory report, Industrial Fermentation Review and Presentation, Final exam - Analyse and evaluate Engineering Technology problems using technical approaches informed by contemporary practice and leading edge research to achieve innovative, critically informed solutions
Relates to: Laboratory report, Industrial Fermentation Review and Presentation, Final exam - Effectively communicate Engineering Technology problems, related complex data and information, and solutions in contemporary professional formats for diverse purposes and audiences
Relates to: Laboratory report, Industrial Fermentation Review and Presentation - Demonstrate ethically and socially responsible practice, recognising the importance of personal accountability and reflective practice when working in individual and collaborative modes
Relates to: Industrial Fermentation Review and Presentation
EN66 Graduate Certificate in Bioprocess Engineering
- Demonstrate and apply advanced theory-based discipline knowledge and concepts as they relate to contemporary practice in Bioprocess Engineering
Relates to: Laboratory report, Final exam - Employ advanced technical skills, analysis approaches, design, and data to the solution of problems in Bioprocess Engineering, critically evaluating solutions against practice-informed performance and whole-of-life requirements
Relates to: Laboratory report, Industrial Fermentation Review and Presentation, Final exam - Implement advanced communication and collaborative skills while engaging with stakeholders, exchanging ideas, and presenting complex information to specialist and non-specialist audiences
Relates to: Laboratory report, Industrial Fermentation Review and Presentation - Demonstrate ethical and socially responsible practice, recognising the importance of personal accountability, and reflective practice
Relates to: Laboratory report - Enact a holistic approach to sustainability in Bioprocess Engineering that embody the principals of efficient, green, circular, and clean
Relates to: Industrial Fermentation Review and Presentation
EN74 Master of Advanced Manufacturing with Project Management
- Demonstrate and apply advanced and specialist theory-based discipline knowledge, concepts, methods and practices as they relate to contemporary practice in Advanced Manufacturing and Project Management domains
Relates to: Laboratory report, Final exam - Employ advanced specialist technical skills, analysis approaches, design, and data to the solution of problems in Advanced Manufacturing and Project Management domains, critically evaluating solutions and practice-informed performance to deliver whole of life requirements and strategic objectives
Relates to: Laboratory report, Industrial Fermentation Review and Presentation, Final exam - Implement professional communication and collaborative skills while engaging with stakeholders, exchanging ideas, and presenting complex information to specialist and non-specialist audiences in Advanced Manufacturing and Project Management domains
Relates to: Laboratory report, Industrial Fermentation Review and Presentation - Demonstrate ethical and socially responsible practice, recognising the importance of personal accountability, and reflective practice, risk-informed judgements, and leadership
Relates to: Laboratory report - Enact a holistic approach to sustainability in Advanced Manufacturing that embodies the principals of efficient, green, circular, and clean
Relates to: Industrial Fermentation Review and Presentation - Demonstrate an ability to research and apply established theories and plan and execute a substantial research-based project, cultivating an attitude of engineering innovation and creativity
Relates to: Industrial Fermentation Review and Presentation
EN77 Master of Advanced Manufacturing with Data Analytics
- Demonstrate and apply advanced and specialist theory-based discipline knowledge, concepts, methods and practices as they relate to contemporary practice in Advanced Manufacturing and Data Analytics domains
Relates to: Laboratory report, Final exam - Employ advanced specialist technical skills, analysis approaches, design, and data to the solution of problems in Advanced Manufacturing and Data Analytics domains, critically evaluating solutions and practice-informed performance to deliver whole of life requirements and strategic objectives
Relates to: Laboratory report, Industrial Fermentation Review and Presentation, Final exam - Implement professional communication and collaborative skills while engaging with stakeholders, exchanging ideas, and presenting complex information to specialist and non-specialist audiences in Advanced Manufacturing and Data Analytics domains
Relates to: Laboratory report, Industrial Fermentation Review and Presentation - Demonstrate ethical and socially responsible practice, recognising the importance of personal accountability, and reflective practice, risk-informed judgements, and leadership
Relates to: Laboratory report - Enact a holistic approach to sustainability in Advanced Manufacturing that embodies the principals of efficient, green, circular, and clean
Relates to: Industrial Fermentation Review and Presentation - Demonstrate an ability to research and apply established theories and plan and execute a substantial research-based project, cultivating an attitude of engineering innovation and creativity
Relates to: Industrial Fermentation Review and Presentation
EN79 Graduate Diploma in Engineering Studies
- Demonstrate and apply advanced discipline knowledge, concepts and practices as they relate to contemporary Engineering practice
Relates to: Laboratory report, Final exam - Analyse and evaluate Engineering problems using technical approaches informed by contemporary practice and leading edge research to achieve innovative, critically informed solutions
Relates to: Laboratory report, Industrial Fermentation Review and Presentation, Final exam - Apply innovative, systematic approaches to plan, design, deliver and manage Engineering projects in a way that assures sustainable outcomes over their whole lifecycle
Relates to: Industrial Fermentation Review and Presentation - Effectively communicate Engineering problems, related complex data and information, and solutions in contemporary professional formats for diverse purposes and audiences
Relates to: Laboratory report, Industrial Fermentation Review and Presentation - Demonstrate ethically and socially responsible practice, recognising the importance of personal accountability and reflective practice when working in individual and collaborative modes
Relates to: Laboratory report