2015 Unit Guide

CHE4171

Biochemical Engineering
Quantitative and analytical skills required for biochemical and bioprocess engineering will be
covered. The relationships between chemical engineering principles and approaches and biology
will be explored. Knowledge about the operational considerations for suspended cultures,
immobilized cultures, bioreactors, scaling, process selection, and operation of bioprocess unit
operations will be discussed and worked on through calculations.
Mode of Delivery
Workload
requirements
Unit Relationships

On campus
2 hours lectures, 3 hours of practice sessions/tutor mediated group
work/laboratory work and 7 hours of private study per week
Refer to handbook

Prerequisites
Co-requisites

CHE2165 (or BCH2011 or BMS1011 or BIO1011 or PSC2011 or PSC2041)

and CHM1011 (or CHM1022 or CHM2735 or PSC1021 or PSC1022)
Refer to handbook

Prohibitions

Refer to handbook

Chief Examiner(s)
Unit Coordinator(s):
Campus:
Phone:
Email:
Office hours:

Professor Karen Hapgood

Professor Tey Beng Ti (Unit Coordinator), Dr Edward Ooi Chien Wei (Co-Lecturer)
Sunway
03-55146240 (Prof Tey Beng Ti), 03-55146201 (Dr Edward Ooi Chien Wei),
tey.beng.ti@monash.edu, ooi.chien.wei@monash.edu,
9 am 5 pm

Campus Coordinator
Campus:
Phone:
Email:
Office Hours:
Tutor(s)
Campus:
Phone:
Email:
Consultation hours:

Prof Tey Beng Ti (Sunway)/ Dr Lizhong He (Clayton)

Sunway / Clayton
0355146240 / +61-3-99053437
tey.beng.ti@monash.edu
9 am 5 pm
Miss Catherine Chang
Sunway
chang.ching.han@monash.edu
10:00 am-12:00 noon Thursday

SEMESTER 2, 2015
http://monash.edu/pubs/handbooks/units/CHE4171.html

www.monash.edu
www.monash.edu

Your Feedback to Us
Monash is committed to excellence in education and regularly seeks feedback from students, employers and
staff. One of the key formal ways students have to provide feedback is through the Student Evaluation of
Teaching and Units (SETU) survey. The Universitys student evaluation policy requires that every unit is
evaluated each year. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the surveys. The feedback is anonymous
and provides the Faculty with evidence of aspects that students are satisfied and areas for improvement.
For more information on Monashs educational strategy, see:
www.monash.edu.au/about/monash-directions/directions.html
and on student evaluations, see:
www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/quality/student-evaluation-policy.html
Previous Student Evaluations of this Unit
In response to the last SETU of this unit, the following changes have been made:

A group presentation has replaced literature review as the assignment.

Student feedback has highlighted the following strength(s) in this unit:
Great lecturers, great tutor, good subject. The tutorials are very useful, since marks are taken for attendance
and work done, the students are 'forced' to attend and do the tutorial, which is actually very good for
ourselves.
Lecture Notes were well presented, clear and concise. Tutorials also helped in the overall learning process
where the important concepts learnt in the lectures were practiced through sample questions. Submission of
tutorials, this was really good,it made us really do the tutorials, which would otherwise been have not done
and we end up printing the solution guide which may not contribute to be effective learning.
Lecture notes/teaching syllabus/material are up-to-date with the latest biological technology with many case
studies which widen our knowledge.
If you wish to view how previous students rated this unit, please go to
https://emuapps.monash.edu.au/unitevaluations/index.jsp
ACADEMIC OVERVIEW
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:
LOs published in Unit Handbook
1. apply principles of fluid flow, mixing, heat
transfer and mass transfer to analyse
bioreactors
2. assess the performance of bioreactors and
trouble-shoot operational problems
3. solve engineering problems related to the design
and operation of bioreactors and bioprocesses;
4. apply principles of biochemical engineering to
analyse and assess special topics such as
synthetic biology, animal and plant cell culture,
and tissue engineering
5. solve technical and practical issues in
commercial bioprocessing.

Revised LOs for OBE analysis (Only applicable to

Sunway Campus)
1. apply principles of fluid flow, mixing, heat transfer
and mass transfer to analyse bioreactors (PO1)
2. assess the performance of bioreactors and troubleshoot operational problems; (PO2)
3 solve engineering problems related to the design
and operation of bioreactors and bioprocesses;
(PO2)
4. apply principles of biochemical engineering to solve
the technical, and practical issues in commercial
bioprocessing. (PO6)

Copyright Monash University 2015. All rights reserved. Except as provided in the Copyright Act 1968, this work may not be
reproduced in any form without the written permission of the host Faculty and School/Department.

Monash Graduate Attributes

Monash has defined a set of Monash Graduate Attributes, which encompass more generic aspects of
knowledge, skills and attitudes.
Monash prepares its graduates to be:
1. responsible and effective global citizens who:
a. engage in an internationalised world
b. exhibit cross-cultural competence
c. demonstrate ethical values
2. critical and creative scholars who:
a. produce innovative solutions to problems
b. apply research skills to a range of challenges
c. communicate perceptively and effectively
Program Education Objectives
The School of Engineering expects its graduates to produce graduates, who have
1. successful careers in Chemical Engineering discipline
2. competencies to become professional engineers
3. the ability to work and communicate in globalized engineering teams
4. the capacity for life-long learning
Program Outcomes
The School of Engineering has developed a set of generic Program Outcomes (POs) for all of its graduates
based on the Malaysian Engineering Accreditation Councils manual.
Program Outcomes
The Chemical Engineering discipline has developed a set of Program Outcomes (POs) for all of its graduates
based on the Malaysian Engineering Accreditation Councils manual.
Program Outcomes

Activities used in this unit to develop program

outcomes
Knowledge is covered in the theoretical lecture
material, prescribed texts and recommended reading.
Applications of knowledge are covered in lectures and
tutorials. (LO1)
The description and evaluation of the performance of
bioreactors and trouble-shoot the operational
problems of bioreactor (LO2);

PO1 Engineering knowledge:

Apply knowledge of basic science and engineering
fundamentals and achieve specialization in Chemical
Engineering discipline;
PO2 Problem solving and analysis:
Identify, formulate, analyze and solve complex
engineering problems;

Learn how to solve engineering problems related to

the design and operation of bioreactors and
bioprocesses (LO3);
N/A

PO3 Design/Development of solutions:

Design solutions to complex engineering problems;
PO4 Research-based investigation of systems:
Analyze complex engineering problems and systems
using research-based knowledge and methods;
PO5 Modern tool usage:
Create, select and apply appropriate techniques,
resources and modern engineering and IT tools to
complex engineering activities with an understanding of
their limitations;

N/A

N/A

Copyright Monash University 2015. All rights reserved. Except as provided in the Copyright Act 1968, this work may not be
reproduced in any form without the written permission of the host Faculty and School/Department.

PO6 Engineers and society:

Assess social, public health and safety, cultural and
legal consequences of complex engineering solutions
and relate them to the responsibilities of a professional
engineer;

The technical, and practical in commercial

bioprocessing are covered in the selected special
topics in topics in biochemical engineering, such as
plant cell culture, animal cell cultures, and systems
biology. (PO6)

PO7 Environment and sustainability:

Demonstrate knowledge of and need for sustainable
development and understand the environmental
impacts of engineering solutions;
PO8 Professional ethics:
Apply ethical principles and commit to professional
ethics and responsibilities and norms of engineering
practice;
PO9 Communication:
Communicate effectively both in oral and written forms;
PO10 Individual and team work:
Function effectively as an individual and in multidisciplinary and multi-cultural teams;
PO11 Lifelong learning:
Recognise the need for independent and lifelong
learning, and possess the capacity to do so;
PO12 Project management and finance:
Manage an engineering project systematically;

N/A

N/A

N/A
N/A

N/A

N/A

Relationship between Unit Learning Outcomes and Program Outcomes

PO1
LO1

PO2

PO3

PO4

PO5

PO6

PO7

PO8

PO9

PO10

PO11

PO12

LO2

LO3

LO4

Key

No emphasis

Emphasized in the unit

UNIT SCHEDULE
Week

Activities
Lecture: Wed - 08:00-09:00 am @9303
Thu -10:00-11:00 am @LT6008
Tutorial: Thu -14:00-16:00 @ 9305

Assessment

1
27/7-31/7

L1: Introduction to the Unit (TBT)

L2: Metabolic Stoichiometry (TBT)
T1: Metabolic Stoichiometry

Tutorial

2
3/8-7/8

L3: Kinetics and mass balance (TBT)

L4: Fermentor basics (TBT)

Tutorial

Copyright Monash University 2015. All rights reserved. Except as provided in the Copyright Act 1968, this work may not be
reproduced in any form without the written permission of the host Faculty and School/Department.

T2: Kinetics and mass balance

3
10/8-14/8

L5: Fluid and mixing in bioreactor (TBT)

L6: Shear effects (TBT)
T3: Shear Problems

Tutorial

4
17/8-21/8

L7: Heat Transfer in Bioreactors (EO)

L8: Mass Transfer in Bioreactors (EO)
T4: Heat and Mass Transfer in Bioreactors

Tutorial

5
24/8-28/8

Test one - Wednesday 26 August 2015

L18: Guest lecture (Thu-10:00-11:00 am) Bioplastics from
fermentation by Assoc. Prof. John Lan Chi-Wei, Yuan Ze
University, Taiwan
L9: Operating Considerations for Bioreactors (I) (TBT)

Test One
Wednesday 26 August 2015
8:00-9:30 am

(Thu-14:00-15:00 @ 9305)
6
31/8-4/9

L10: Operating Considerations for Bioreactors (II) (TBT)

L11: Time constants and regime analysis (I) (TBT)
T5: Bioreactors and Time constants

Tutorial

7
7/9-11/9

L12: Time constants and regime analysis (II) (TBT)

L13: Sterilization (EO)
T6: Regime analysis and sterilization

Tutorial

8
14/9-18/9

16 September 2015 (Wednesday)-Malaysia Day

L14: Synthetic biology (I) (EO)
L15: Synthetic biology (II) (EO)
T7: Briefing on group presentation

Tutorial
Short report for group
presentation
Submission: 5 pm, Friday 18
September 2015

9
21/9-25/9

Test Two 8:00-9:30 am, Wednesday, 23 September

Test Two
Wednesday, 23 September 2015
8:00-9:30 am

24 September 2015 (Thursday)- Hari Raya Haji (Eid Al-Adha)

Mid Semester break (26th Sept 4th Oct)

10
5/10-9/10

L16: Plant cell culture (EO)

L17: Animal cell culture (EO)
T8: Plant and animal cell culture and Unit revision

11
14 October 2015 (Wednesday)- Awal Muharram (New Year)
12/10-16/10 Group Presentation (Thursday) (EO/TBT)

Tutorial

Presentation
Thursday 15 October 2015
10:00-13:00

12
Unit revision and consultancy (EO/TBT)
19/10-23/10
Copyright Monash University 2015. All rights reserved. Except as provided in the Copyright Act 1968, this work may not be
reproduced in any form without the written permission of the host Faculty and School/Department.

SWOT VAC

No formal assessment is
undertaken in SWOT VAC

Examination period

LINK to Assessment Policy:

www.policy.monash.edu/policyba
nk/academic/education/assessme
nt/assessment-in-courseworkpolicy.html

Assessment Summary
Assessment Task

Value

Due Date

1. Assignment 1: Tutorials

10%

At the end of each tutorial session

2. Assignment 2: Group Presentation

that includes
a) A short report on topic of the
presentation
b) A group presentation on the topic
(a team of 4 students)

12%
a) 3% for the
short report
b) 9% for
presentation

a) The short report

5 pm Friday 18 September 2015
b) Final presentation
10:00-13:00 Thursday 15 October 2015

3. Test one

13%

8:00-9:30 Wednesday 26 August 2015

4. Test two

13%

8:00-9:30 Wednesday 23 September 2015

5. Final exam

50%

Consult exam time table

Students are required to achieve at least 45% in the total continuous assessment component (assignments,
tests, mid-semester exams, laboratory reports) and at least 45% in the final examination component and an
overall mark of 50% to achieve a pass grade in the unit. Students failing to achieve this requirement will be given
a maximum of 45% in the unit.
Relationship between Unit Learning Outcomes and Assessments
No. Learning Outcomes

Be able to apply principles of fluid flow,

mixing, heat transfer and mass transfer
to analyse bioreactors (PO1)
Be able to assess the performance of
bioreactors and trouble-shoot operational
problems; (PO2)
Be able to solve engineering problems
related to the design and operation of
bioreactors and bioprocesses; (PO2)
Be able to apply principles of biochemical
engineering to solve the technical and
practical
issues
in
commercial
bioprocessing. (PO6)

Assessment
Assignment 1: Assignment 2:
Test One Test Two Final
Tutorials
Group Presentation
Exam
C2
C2
C3

C2

C3

C2

C2

C2

C3

C3

C2

C2

C2

C3

Copyright Monash University 2015. All rights reserved. Except as provided in the Copyright Act 1968, this work may not be
reproduced in any form without the written permission of the host Faculty and School/Department.

Blooms Taxonomy:
A committee of colleges, led by Benjamin Bloom, identified three domains of educational activities:
o Cognitive: mental skills (Head)
o Affective: growth in feelings or emotional areas (Heart)
o Psychomotor: manual or physical skills (Hand)
The cognitive domain involves knowledge and the development of intellectual skills. This includes the recall or
recognition of specific facts, procedural patterns, and concepts that serve in the development of intellectual
abilities and skills.
The affective domain includes the attitudes with which someone deals with things emotionally, such as feelings,
values, appreciation, enthusiasms and motivations.
The psychomotor domain includes physical movement, coordination, and use of the motor-skill areas.
Development of these skills requires practice and is measured in terms of speed, precision, distance,
procedures, or techniques in execution.
Key for the table above: Psychomotor: P1 (Low), P2 (Medium), P3 (High), Affective: A1 (Low), A2 (Medium),
A3 (High), Cognitive: C1 (Low), C2 (Medium), C3 (High)
Teaching and Learning Method
This unit consists of lectures and tutorial classes. Learning in this unit is mainly through individual study of the
content of the unit.
Tutorial allocation
There is one 2-hours tutorial class each week, commencing in week 2. There will be an end-term review in week
10, and tutorial classes will be given in the lecturing hours as well as in the tutorial hour.
Communication, participation and feedback
Monash aims to provide a learning environment in which students receive a range of ongoing feedback
throughout their studies. In this unit it will take the form of group feedback via tutorials, individual feedback, peer
feedback, self-comparison, verbal and written feedback, discussions in class. Students/You are encouraged to
draw on a variety of feedback to enhance their/your learning.
ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS
Assessment Tasks
Task 1 Assignment 1 Tutorials (12%)
Task 2 Assignment 2 - Group Presentation (12%)
Task 3 Test One (13%)
Task 4 Test Two (13%)
Task 5 Final Exams (50%)
Participation
Task 1: Assignment 1 - Tutorials
Due Date: 12:00-14:00 Thursday, at the end of each tutorial session.
Details of task: You are required to solve tutorial problems in each tutorial session. You will need to sign a log
book and hand your answer sheets to the tutors. There are 8 sessions of tutorials, and only 6 sessions which
you perform best will be used for marking.
Weight: 12%
Each session will be marked out of 2 marks; 0.8 mark is given for attendance and 1.2 mark is based on efforts
and quality of answers.
Copyright Monash University 2015. All rights reserved. Except as provided in the Copyright Act 1968, this work may not be
reproduced in any form without the written permission of the host Faculty and School/Department.

Task 2: Assignment 2 - Group presentation (a group of 4 students)

Due Date: 1) the short report, 5pm Friday 18 September 2015, 2) final presentation, 10:00-13:00 Thursday, 15
October, 2015
Weight: 12%
Details of task
Students will work in group to prepare a short report and an oral presentation (15 min for each group) on the
innovative design of biologic or cellular systems using the principle of synthetic biology. Students have to identify
an engineering/scientific problem in an emerging area (as shown below) where the synthetic biology is
applicable, and propose the solution to the identified problem.
List of areas having significant commercial and social importance:
1) Health sector (therapeutics and diagnostics)
2) Biotransformation (the manufacture of novel high value chemicals)
3) Bioremediation (environmental control)
The short report (120-200 words) must state:
1) The scientific/engineering problem that the group is going to solve;
2) The area (health sector, biotransformation, and bioremediation) of the problem;
3) List of 3-5 literature (patents or research articles) which are related to the problem and the area of research;
4) One single paragraph (100-150 words) to justify why you choose this problem to solve.
Release dates (where applicable): N/A
Word limit (where applicable): For the short report: 120 to 200 words in length excluding figures, tables,
references and declaration of contribution (12 font, double spaced).
Presentation requirements: For oral presentation: Each group must perform a 15-min oral presentation on the
proposed design covering the aspects such as problem statement, objective, literature review and proposed
methodology (design of cellular system, and selection of host/biobrick/plasimd) to solve the problem that is
stated in the short report.
Estimated return date: Short report- within two weeks of the submission date or after receipt, whichever is later.
Final presentation results will be released by Friday 16 October 2015.
Hurdle requirements: Students must attend all presentations and actively ask questions.
Individual assessment in group tasks: N/A
Multilevel distinction (where applicable): N/A
Criteria for marking: Top mark will be awarded if following criteria are met
Short report (3 marks)
Technical understanding of the
proposed topic

Presentation (9 marks)
Problem statement and objective (2
marks)

Marking criteria
The proposed topic shows the importance and significance of
synthetic biology. Student shows in-depth understanding of all
aspects of the proposed topic.
All required information are provided.

Problem statement is convincingly articulated with clear description

of specific problem that leads to formulation of specific
hypothesis/solution. Objectives are clearly and succintly described
with high specificity.

Literature review
(3 marks)

Summarizes and shows independent ability to provide insightful

synthesis and analysis of the literature information of synthetic
biology in general and the specified research area in particular.

Proposed methodology
(4 marks)

Well-described methodology to achieve the objectives based on

sound scientific method and strong justification.
Demonstated innovative thinking in application of sythetic biology to
solve the probelm.

Copyright Monash University 2015. All rights reserved. Except as provided in the Copyright Act 1968, this work may not be
reproduced in any form without the written permission of the host Faculty and School/Department.

Task 3: Test one

Type: Test during class
Due Date: 08:00-09:30 Wednesday 26 August 2015
Weight: 13%
Perusal: 10 minutes
Duration: 75 minutes
Format: Multiple-choice, Short answer, Problem solving
Task Description: Multiple choice, short answer and problem solving questions on lecture materials up to and
including lecture 8.
Task 4: Test two
Type: Test during class
Due Date: 08:00-09:30 Wednesday 23 September 2015
Weight: 13%
Perusal: 10 minutes
Duration: 75 minutes
Format: Multiple-choice, Short answer, Problem solving
Task Description: Multiple choice, short answer and problem solving questions on lecture materials including
lectures 9-15.
Examination(s)
Final exam: consult exam time table.
Learning resources
Recommended text(s) and readings
1. Title: Bioprocess Engineering Principles
Author: Pauline M. Doran
Publisher: Elsevier
Edition: online version
ISBN: 978-0-12-220855-3
An electronic version can be accessed at:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/book/9780122208515
2. Title: Bioprocess engineering: basic concepts
Author: Michael L. Shuler, Fikret Kargi
Publisher: Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall
Date: 2002
Edition: 2nd ed.
ISBN: 0130819085

Feedback to you
Comments on tutorial problems, verbal feedbacks in the tutorial classes and
lectures. Feedback will be given to the whole class if certain matter concerns all students.
Extensions and penalties
Tutorial answer sheets must be submitted to the tutors at the end of each tutorial session. You must sign tutorial
log book to receive marking for each session. Late submission will not be marked.
Returning assignments
Standard solutions of tutorial questions will be uploaded on Moodle site after each tutorial session.

Copyright Monash University 2015. All rights reserved. Except as provided in the Copyright Act 1968, this work may not be
reproduced in any form without the written permission of the host Faculty and School/Department.

Resubmission of assignments
No resubmission is allowed.
Referencing requirements
N.A.
Required Resources
N.A.
Recommended Resources
Monash online learning system
https://my.monash.edu.au/teaching/learning-systems/
Field trips
N.A.
Additional subject costs
N.A.
Examination material or equipment
A faculty approved calculator is permitted (meaning only scientific calculators that are not programmable and
detailed in the list below will be permitted in the examination. These calculators must be checked by the faculty
and have either a Faculty of Engineering or a Faculty of Science approved sticker)
A list of the Faculty of Engineering approved calculators and the process for obtaining a sticker is available
online at:
www.eng.monash.edu.au/current-students/calculators.html
IMPORTANT: Only these listed calculators with the authorised Monash University-Science or Monash
University-Engineering STICKER will be allowed into the examination by the invigilators.
OTHER INFORMATION
Policies
Monash has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and
students are aware of the Universitys academic standards, and to provide advice on how they might uphold
them. You can find Monashs Education Policies at: www.policy.monash.edu.au/policybank/academic/education/index.html
Key educational policies include:
Student Academic Integrity Policy and Student Academic Integrity: Managing Plagiarism and Collusion
Procedures ;
Assessment in Coursework Programs;
Special Consideration;
Grading Scale;
Discipline: Student Policy;
Academic Calendar and Semesters;
Orientation and Transition; and
Academic and Administrative Complaints and Grievances Policy.

Copyright Monash University 2015. All rights reserved. Except as provided in the Copyright Act 1968, this work may not be
reproduced in any form without the written permission of the host Faculty and School/Department.

10

Graduate Attributes Policy

http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/management/monash-graduate-attributespolicy.html
Student Charter
All Monash Occupational Health & Safety Policies, procedures and Guidelines are available on the OHS website
(http://www.monash.edu.my/ohse/)
The OHS website has information on: Occupational Health and Safety Policy at Monash, Emergency Guidelines
for the Sunway Campus, Contacts, Emergency Hotline Numbers, List of Marshals and First Aiders.
If you see something dangerous or hazardous on campus or if you are hurt during working hours, please report
this to your lecturer / supervisor or call the emergency number 46333.
For all emergencies on Sunway Campuses, please dial +603 5514 46333.
Student Services
The University provides many different kinds of services to help you gain the most from your studies. Contact
your lecturer or tutor if you need advice and see the range of services available at
http://www.monash.edu.my/Student-services/
The Library and Learning Commons, Monash University Sunway Campus, provides a range of services and
resources that enable you to save time and be more effective in your learning and research. Go to
http://www.lib.monash.edu.my or the library tab in my.monash portal for more information.
Disability Liaison Unit
Academic support services may be available for students who have a disability or medical
condition. Registration with the Disability Liaison Unit is required. Further information is available as follows.
Website: http://monash.edu/equity-diversity/disability/index.html;
For information and referral, telephone: Sudent Adviser, Student Community Services at 03 55146018;
or drop In: Student Community Services Department, Level 2 Building 2, Monash University, Sunway
Campus.
Email: dlu@monash.edu (Disability Liaison Unit, Monash University Australia)

Copyright Monash University 2015. All rights reserved. Except as provided in the Copyright Act 1968, this work may not be
reproduced in any form without the written permission of the host Faculty and School/Department.

11