Bioprocess Engineering - Batch

In the field of biotechnology, bioprocesses involve the industrial application of biological tools (such as enzymes, microorganisms, or cells derived from higher organisms) for the synthesis of products of interest. In this course unit (UE), the focus will be on the use of microbial and cellular catalysts. Products of interest may include, for example, fermented foods (wine, beer, etc.), energy molecules (bioethanol, methane, etc.), chemical intermediates, or biopharmaceuticals (vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, growth factors, etc.). The knowledge, skills, and competencies acquired during this course unit will be applicable to any sector of the biotechnology industry. The examples provided will correspond to the career paths targeted by both degree programs (the Agrosciences and Health tracks).

This course will focus on bioprocesses and the environment in which the biological reaction takes place (the bioreactor). The course will also address the description and modeling of biological reactions, including a presentation of the approach used in bioprocess engineering. The remainder of the course will be devoted to applying this approach to reactors operated in batch mode (or discontinuous culture). Other operating modes will be covered in the M2 HAV930V course, “Bioprocess Engineering—Continuous and Fed-Batch.”

This course unit includes interactive lectures, tutorials, and practical exercises (lab sessions in the computer lab + independent project-based work in small groups).

Given the importance of the interaction between biology and engineering in bioproduction, this course unit will introduce students to the terminology used in bioproduction and the key parameters at the industrial scale. As a result, students will be able to interact effectively with the various stakeholders involved in bioproduction—whether engineers or biologists, in R&D or in production, etc.

By the end of this course unit, students will have acquired basic knowledge of bioprocesses (understanding and implementing a biological reaction, the approach used in bioprocess engineering), bioreactors, various operating modes, the selection of operating modes, and the modeling of a biological reaction.

Students will also have acquired the bioprocess engineering approach (applied in the first year of the master’s program to the BATCH process) applicable to any bioprocess, including proficiency in the following three areas:

-Analysis of experimental data (calculation of efficiencies, net speeds, specific speeds, etc.) using standard business tools (spreadsheet software such as Excel or an equivalent open-source program), and interpretation of the results obtained

-Organizing the collected data into models

-Based on the information gathered (from experiments or the literature), simulate and plan a cultivation/production process (i.e., scale a simple batch process)

Through the proposed practical exercises, students will also be able, by the end of this course unit, to write an activity report. In preparing this report, they will have been made aware of the importance of communication and the ability to synthesize information (selecting relevant information, choosing methods of presenting information that align with the message, etc.).

Fundamentals of microbiology, metabolism, and cell biology (Level L3 biology bachelor’s degree or equivalent) Fundamentals of differential and integral calculus (high school level: 11th-grade general and technological mathematics curriculum, applications in the general science track...)

Recommended prerequisites:

An understanding of catalyst metabolism, as applied to bioproduction, is essential. This course unit is therefore closely related to course unit HAV812V “Bioprocess Engineering—Metabolism and Bioproduction” for the M1 Biology-Health / IBIS program, and to course unit HAA710V “Biological Catalysis and Microbiology” for the M1 Biology-Agrosciences / ICOA program.

Assessment is based on a comprehensive continuous assessment system (CCI) (homework assignments, practical work, and a final exam).