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BSEN30010

Academic Year 2026/2027

Bioprocess Engineering Principles (BSEN30010)

Subject:
Biosystems Engineering
College:
Engineering & Architecture
School:
Biosystems & Food Engineering
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Asli Coban
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module introduces students to the fundamental principles of heat and mass transfer relevant to food and bioprocess engineering systems. Students will develop quantitative problem-solving skills through the analysis of diffusion, membrane separation, leaching and heat transfer operations commonly used in bioprocessing and food manufacturing. Laboratory practical sessions and applied case studies will provide experience in interpreting engineering data and evaluating process performance in the context of sustainable and energy-efficient processing technologies.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
Explain the fundamental mechanisms governing mass and heat transfer in bioprocess and food systems.
Apply Fick’s law, steady-state and transient heat transfer principles to solve engineering problems.
Analyse diffusion, membrane separation, leaching and heat exchange operations used in food and bioprocess engineering.
Perform basic engineering calculations related to mass transfer, heat transfer and energy balances.
Interpret experimental data obtained from laboratory practical sessions involving packaging and ultrafiltration systems.
Evaluate the role of transport phenomena in sustainable and energy-efficient bioprocess operations.

Indicative Module Content:

Introduction to transport phenomena in bioprocess engineering
Diffusion and Fick’s law applications
Membrane separation processes and ultrafiltration
Leaching and solid-liquid extraction processes
Food and beverage extraction case studies (e.g. coffee extraction)
Fundamentals of heat transfer and modes of heat transfer
Heat exchangers and industrial thermal systems
Steady-state and transient heat transfer applications
Packaging-related diffusion and heat transfer examples
Laboratory practical sessions involving packaging systems and ultrafiltration

UNESCO highlights a set of key competencies that support individuals in their development and support society in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UCD has adapted these competencies and is combining them with others to form a general framework of learning competencies. This module will help you develop the competencies below to the levels specified. 
Learning Competency Additional Information Level

Collaboration

 The ability to learn from others; to understand and respect the needs, perspectives and actions of others (empathy); to understand, relate to and be sensitive to others (empathic leadership); to deal with conflicts in a group; and to facilitate collaborative and participatory problem solving. Advanced Beginner

Critical Thinking

 The ability to question norms, practices and opinions; to reflect on one’s own values, perceptions and actions. Advanced Beginner

Systems Thinking

 The ability to recognize and understand relationships; to analyse complex systems; to think of how systems are embedded within different domains and different scales; and to deal with uncertainty. Advanced Beginner

Strategic

 The ability to collectively develop and implement innovative actions that further sustainability at the local level and further afield. Novice

Integrated Problem Solving

 The overarching ability to apply different problem-solving frameworks to complex sustainability problems and develop viable, inclusive and equitable solution options that promote sustainable development, integrating the competencies in this list. Advanced Beginner

Self-awareness

 The ability to reflect on one’s own role in the local community and (global) society; to continually evaluate and further motivate one’s actions; and to deal with one’s feelings and desires. Not addressed

Normative

 The ability to understand and reflect on the norms and values that underlie one’s actions; and to negotiate values, principles, goals, and targets, in a context of conflicts of interest and trade-offs, uncertain knowledge and contradictions. Novice

Anticipatory

 The ability to understand and evaluate multiple scenarios for the future – possible, probable and desirable; to create one’s own visions for the future; to apply the precautionary principle; to assess the consequences of actions; and to deal with risks and changes. Novice

Digital Literacy and Judgement

 The ability to access, evaluate, create and communicate information in digital environments; to engage critically, ethically and responsibly with digital technologies and digital information; to understand their opportunities, limitations, risks and impact on individual’s digital identities; and to exercise informed judgement in digital participation and decision-making. Novice

AI Literacy & Agency

 The ability to understand, critically evaluate and responsibly engage with artificial intelligence; to recognise how AI systems are shaped by human values; to assess their ethical, social and environmental implications; and to exercise human judgement, agency and accountability in AI-related contexts. Not addressed

Wellbeing

 Wellbeing is having the resources and skills to meet life's challenges, including attributes such as personal development skills, resilience, stress management, strengths, lifestyle skills, nutrition, physical activity, sleep, alcohol/substance use, academic skills, time management, goal setting, interpersonal skills, group work, communication. Not addressed

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


Goal Name Description Coverage

End poverty in all its forms everywhere 1

End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture 4

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages 2

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all 3

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls 1

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all 3

Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all 4

Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all 2

Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation 5

Reduce inequality within and among countries 1

Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable 1

Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns 5

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts 3

Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development 1

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss 1

Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels 1

Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development 2
 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Tutorial

6
Practical

6
Specified Learning Activities

15
Autonomous Student Learning

60
Total

111

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures, tutorials, laboratory practicals. The practicals will take place in groups with individual reports required. A mixture of class work, assignments and self directed learning.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
CHEN20030 - Thermodynamics & Kinetics


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Practical and assignment reports Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
30
 No
Exam (In-person): Mid trimester examination Week 8 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
35
 No
Exam (In-person): Examination end of trimester local examination Week 12 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
35
 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 1 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Periodically

Food engineering handbook: Food process engineering
by Varzakas, Theodoros; Tzia, Constantina
edited by Varzakas, Theodoros; Tzia, Constantina
Contemporary food engineering., 2014, 1st.

Name Role
Assoc Professor Ronald Halim Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Mon 10:00 - 10:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: Even Weeks Tues 14:00 - 14:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Wed 10:00 - 10:50
Autumn Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - 2, 7 Tues 15:00 - 16:30
Autumn Practical Offering 2 Week(s) - 3, 8 Tues 15:00 - 16:30
Autumn Practical Offering 3 Week(s) - 4, 9 Tues 15:00 - 16:30
Autumn Practical Offering 4 Week(s) - 5, 10 Tues 15:00 - 16:30
Autumn Practical Offering 5 Week(s) - 6, 11 Tues 15:00 - 16:30
Autumn Practical Offering 6 Week(s) - 2, 7 Tues 16:30 - 18:00
Autumn Practical Offering 7 Week(s) - 3, 8 Tues 16:30 - 18:00
Autumn Practical Offering 8 Week(s) - 4, 9 Tues 16:30 - 18:00
Autumn Practical Offering 9 Week(s) - 5, 10 Tues 16:30 - 18:00
Autumn Practical Offering 10 Week(s) - 6, 11 Tues 16:30 - 18:00
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