ALS 428: Bioprocessing Research
Course Number: ALS 428
Course Name: Bioprocessing Research
Year: Second-year
Semester: Fall/Spring
No. Units: 0.5
Faculty/Instructor(s): KiriLynn Svay Hedberg
Description
This course provides the opportunity for students to gain first hand experience in bioprocessing research as part of the bioprocessing community at KGI. Each student will be required to complete the following activities:
1. Review and present your analysis of one or two bioprocessing journal publications
2. For MBS students: Select a suitable bioprocessing research project and prepare an accompanying research proposal. Present and defend your proposal to the group. Conduct the research independently or as part of a group. Present and defend your findings to the group. Prepare and turn in a written report.
3. For Ph.D. students: Give one or two seminars on your doctoral research, or fulfill the requirements for item 2 above on a separate project of your choice.
We will meet weekly as a group for one hour, with two ~20 minute student presentations and ~20 minutes for Q & A. Thus, over the course the semester, each student will attend approximately fifteen weekly meetings, give three or four 20 minute presentations at such meetings, and conduct an independent research project, possibly as part of a small group.
Although all research projects will have a bioprocessing focus, there is a wide range of latitude. The projects may cover anything from CHO or stem cell culture to bioseparations to fermented beverages to biofuels. It is expected that most projects will be lab based and will take advantage of the extensive equipment and facilities of the Amgen Bioprocessing Center at KGI. However, the projects need not be lab based, and may even be primarily focused on the business aspects of bioprocessing. For instance, construction of a new SuperPro process model complete with economic analysis would make for a suitable project. Development of new theoretical approach or mechanistic model would also make for suitable project. The course instructors will gladly offer suggestions for suitable projects. All selected projects will be subject to the approval of the course instructors.
When appropriate, more than one student may work on a given project. Also, when appropriate, certain projects may be continued on to the next semester. Both of these provisions will allow students to take on more complex projects, if so desired. It is expected that certain projects may be suitable for eventual publication in a bioprocessing journal and/or provide preliminary data for future funding applications.
Prerequisites
ALS 331 (can be taken concurrently)
Grading
Weekly Participation: 33.33%
Presentations: 33.33%
Written report: 33.34%