Minor in Bioprocess Engineering
If you are interested in biochemistry, microbiology or molecular biology, and engineering, then our minor in Bioprocess Engineering could be for you. Our programme enables you to study for a top-quality degree in Chemical and Process Engineering while specialising in subjects with a major biological emphasis. You gain a fully accredited engineering degree with a biological theme!
What is Bioprocess Engineering?
How do they achieve the head on a pint of beer? How is quality chocolate manufactured? How are monoclonal antibodies effective in anti-cancer and anaemia drugs? Why do cheese varieties have such distinct qualities? Bioprocess Engineering is a broad field that is integral to the development of all these products.
Bioprocess Engineering is about using biology for sustainable and more effective processes and for the design of better products such as medicines and vaccines, beverages, vitamins, dairy products, detergents, foods and clean water. This minor will help you to create an interesting and diverse career path in rapidly evolving industries.
Students study this minor alongside the Chemical and Process Engineering specialisation and must also meet the requirements for that specialisation.
In order to obtain the minor in Bioprocessing, the elective papers and major projects within the chemical engineering degree should be focused on bioprocess engineering. This means the following courses must be taken:
2nd year: ENCH281
3rd year: ENGR407
4th year: ENCH482
In addition, either ENCH494 or ENCH495 must be taken with an approved bioprocess engineering focus.
- Find out about the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Chemical and Process Engineering
Students completing our Minor in Bioprocess Engineering complete major design and research projects with a bioprocessing theme. These projects are guided by the research interests of our postgraduates and staff, who are working at the cutting edge of bioprocessing technology.
Here are some examples of recent design projects our students have completed as part of the Minor in Bioprocess Engineering. They include the design of bioprocessing facilities for:
- Penicillin production
- Blood separation and processing
- Production of chiral pharmacuetical molecules
- Vitamin production
- A brewery
- Biological waste-water treatment plant
- Enzymatic conversion of natural oils
- Insulin production.
For further information contact:
Peter Gostomski
Acting Executive Dean - Engineering
Students completing our Minor in Bioprocess Engineering complete major design and research projects with an bioprocessing theme. These projects are guided by the research interests of our postgraduates and staff, who are working at the cutting edge of the bioprocessing sector. Here are some examples of recent research topics our students have explored as part of the Minor in Bioprocess Engineering.
Current areas of research include:
- Biofiltration
- Microbial Cellulose Production
- Enzyme and Cell Preservatives
- Membrane Separation
- Whole Broth Extraction
- Polymer Modification of Proteins
- Recombinant Production of Self-Assembling Peptides.
See our Research webpage for more information about research in Chemical and Process Engineering.
For more information contact:
Peter Gostomski
Acting Executive Dean - Engineering
There is a rapidly increasing demand for engineering graduates with an appreciation and knowledge of the biological sciences. The manufacture of many pharmaceutical products, healthcare products, medicines, vaccines, and new materials rely on the application of biology to industrial processes.
Growth areas of employment and development include:
- bio-polymers - new plastics which are biodegradable and which are manufactured from natural renewable resources
- enzymes - natural catalysts, operating at room temperature, which are used in industrial processing of oils and fats, in new organic reactions, and for environmental processes.
- anti-cancer drugs - new enzyme inhibitors and cytotoxic compounds developed from natural sources through new bio-organic chemistry and clever process engineering
- enhanced biological waste treatment processes for dirty water, odour removal, and gas cleaning
- production of sustainable fuels such as bioethanol or biodiesel.
Find out more about what you can do with a degree in Chemical and Process Engineering.
For more information
see the Course Information webpages for