Technical chemistry 2, 7.5 Credits

Contents

The course Engineering Chemistry 2 provides fundamental knowledge in biocatalysis and genetic engineering, with a focus on green and sustainable chemistry. It offers basic knowledge about biocatalysts, their production and modification, as well as their use in technical contexts.
The course consists of three modules, two theoretical modules (3.0 credits each) and one laboratory module (1.5 credits).
Module 1: Biological Catalysts: Enzymes and microorganisms, their structure and function.

• Structure and function of cells: Information flow according to the central dogma, central metabolic processes, and differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
• Structure and function of enzymes: Protein structural levels, enzymatic catalysis, and basic enzyme kinetics.

Module 2: Microorganisms and the development of biological catalysts

• Microorganisms: Different groups of microorganisms, their growth, and cultivation.
• Production and development of industrial biological catalysts: Introduction to genetic engineering, metabolic engineering, and adaptive laboratory evolution of microorganisms.

Module 3: Laboratory work. The module includes practical laboratory work focusing on examples within biological catalysts and genetic engineering, as well as study visits to a company relevant to the course. The module provides students with practical experience in planning, conducting, and analyzing experiments, as well as formally presenting the results in both written and oral form.
This course equips you with tools to contribute to a sustainable future through innovative biotechnology.

Expected learning outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding:
Be able to explain:

• The flow of information in living cells according to the central dogma
• Basic energy metabolism
• The basic structure of microbial cells
• The basics of enzyme structure and function
• How genetic and metabolic engineering, as well as adaptive laboratory evolution, can be used to produce biological catalysts with desirable properties

Skills and Abilities:
Use knowledge of enzymes and microorganisms to:

• Perform basic enzyme kinetic calculations
• Perform basic calculations of microbial growth
• Handle biological catalysts in a technically appropriate and safe manner
• Plan, conduct, interpret, and present laboratory work both orally and in writing, and handle chemicals and equipment safely
• Evaluation and Approach:
• Be able to reflect on:
• The opportunities and risks of genetic and metabolic engineering
• How work with microorganisms and genetic and metabolic engineering is regulated by national and international regulations and agreements
• The potential of biological catalysts in sustainable development and green chemistry

Required Knowledge

At least 30 credits in Chemistry.

Form of instruction

The course is offered as a distance learning course and consists of:

• Lectures and exercises (digital, live and pre-recorded)
• Laboratory exercises (onsite in Umeå)

Examination modes

Examinations consist of individual written exam (Module 1 and 2), as well as written and oral presentations of laboratory work (Module 3).  
For the written exam, one of the following grades: Fail (U), Pass (3), Pass with Merit (4), or Pass with Distinction (5). Laboratory work is graded as either Pass (3 or G) or Fail (U). To pass the course, students must pass all examinations and complete both modules. The final grade is based on the results of the written exam.
To pass the course, all examinations and the above-mentioned compulsory sections must be passed. The final grade is based on the results of the written exam. In the case of absence from any compulsory section of the course, the examiner will decide whether the student will be given compensatory assignments or will have to redo the missing parts later.
Examiners may decide to deviate from the modes of assessment in the course syllabus. Individual adaptation of modes of assessment must give due consideration to the students' needs. The adaptation of modes of assessment must remain within the framework of the intended learning outcomes in the course syllabus. Students who require an adapted examination must submit a request to the department holding the course no later than 10 days before the examination. The examiner decides on the adaptation of the examination, after which the student will be notified.

Other regulations

In the event that the syllabus ceases to apply or undergoes major changes, students are guaranteed at least three examinations (including the regular examination opportunity) according to the regulations in the syllabus that the student was originally registered on for a period of a maximum of two years from the time that the previous syllabus ceased to apply or that the course ended.