Physical Principles of Bioprocess Engineering

44B0885

Bachelor

German

5.0

only winter term

1 semester

Bioprocess engineering students start their studies with a very heterogeneous basic knowledge of mathematics and physics. As a rule, insufficient qualifications have been acquired in both areas at school, so that the first aim of the module must be to raise the students to a uniformly good and common basic level. As some modules are offered and carried out later in the education field of informatics and engineering, care must also be taken in the module to ensure that the acquisition of knowledge is geared towards the ability to study at an engineering-oriented faculty. 

The module is designed as a Y-module. The basic part is taught together with the Agricultural Engineering degree program. The special part is only for students of Biosystems Engineering. This meets the special requirements of Biosystems Engineering in terms of basic mathematical and physical knowledge. 

The general part of this course teaches the basic physical principles and quantities of nature and technology. Emphasis is placed on a holistic understanding of nature and technology. This means that it is not the details in physical models and descriptions that are of primary interest, but the understanding of the fundamental physical causes of biological relationships are the focus and are encouraged. 

In the second part of the module, the knowledge acquired in the general part is extended and transferred to special aspects of bioprocess engineering. Particular importance is attached to the analytical methods and equipment used in bioprocess engineering studies. 

I. General part

1. Units, quantities, scalars, vectors, mathem. operators

2. Particles and quantities of motion

3. Causes of motion, force and momentum

4. Natural forces, force vectors, force fields, field lines

5. Energy, work, power, conservation laws

6. Current, electric potential, photon, light

8. Relativity, magnetism, electromagnetism

9. Heat, pressure, sound, resistance, entropy, efficiency

10. Uncertainty, quantum effects, superposition, orbitals

II Special part Bioprocess engineering

1. Weight and inertia, weight scales and force measurments

2. Phase change, water, Mollier hx diagram

3. General gas law, Carnot circle process, cooling units, heat pump

4. Rotary motion, centrifuge, cyclone technology

5. Photonics, phys. fundamentals of light-electron-confocal-sted microscopy, tomography

6. Photon-electron interactions, phys. fundamentals of spectrometry, radiometry

7. EM fields, phys. fundamentals of refractometry, fluorometry

8. Triboelectrics, adsorption, particle transport, phys. fundamentals of chromatography (DC, GC, HPLC) mass spectrometry

9. Heat transport and storage, phys. fundamentals of NIRS and IR sensors

10. Energy transport and storage, phys. fundamentals of calometry

The total workload for the module is 150 hours (see also "ECTS credit points and grading").

The weekly quick tests (short math problems or multiple choice) are carried out during the lecture period. After the tests have been carried out, the test is discussed with the students and possible results are reviewed. This enables students to assess their own level of knowledge and ability. Lecturers know where further explanations are necessary.

• Portfolio exam

The portfolio examination consists of an oral examination (max. 70 points) + K10 (max. 30 points). K10 are 10-minute weekly tests with a maximum of 5 points per test. The 6 best tests are included in the final grade.

none, possibly preliminary math course

The students have a uniform, broad basic knowledge of the basic physical rules of nature and technology and the associated measuring principles and devices of bioprocess engineering.

Students have knowledge of special technical and physical terms and calculation methods in the field of bioprocess engineering and can apply these at a basic, easy level.

Skills - instrumental competence
Students in this module are able to apply and interpret units, balancing equations and conservation laws of physics in the further course of their studies.
Skills - communicative competence
After successfully completing the module, students are able to derive functional relationships in nature and technology themselves and critically scrutinize solutions to problems in the field of bioprocess engineering.
Skills - systemic competence
Students of the module are able to describe functions and principles of systems and devices in the field of bioprocess engineering. They are able to deduce the functions of unknown systems and devices from literature sources.

Graduates of the module are able to physically analyze new and unfamiliar bioprocess engineering processes and understand their basic principles. This will enable them to work on technically oriented questions and tasks in the further course of their studies and to critically scrutinize knowledge offers, e.g. from the Internet. 

Graduates of the module are motivated to work on systems, processes and procedures scientifically. They are curious about acquiring further knowledge and making innovative discoveries through scientific activity in a technical-biophysical environment.

Graduates of the module are able to communicate scientifically using the appropriate technical terms and units. In particular, they are able to open up physics-technically oriented texts of a simple category (e.g. from the Internet). They are able to understand and use (possibly with help) biophysically oriented specialist books and articles. They will begin to familiarize theirself with the nomenclature and specialist areas of bioprocess engineering.

Graduates of the module begin to build up a self-image that is characterized by a scientific approach, commitment and curiosity and enjoy discovering connections in nature and technology. After completing the module, this basic self-image is based not only on biological knowledge, but also in particular on mathematical and physical knowledge about our world. In particular, knowledge of the link between biology and technology leads to a steadily increasing level of professionalism. 

• Rath, Thomas

• Rath, Thomas