CHE5321 Advanced bioprocess technology
Faculty of Engineering
CHE5321 Advanced bioprocess technology is a level 5, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Engineering, offered in 2026 in Semester 1 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 1
- Clayton
- Assessment
- Exam 30%
- and 4 other tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before CHE5321
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
After CHE5321
No unit lists CHE5321 as a prerequisite in the 2026 handbook.
Enrolment rules
You must be currently enrolled in a master’s course in engineering or related STEM and in a related discipline. The unit assumes that you have the necessary foundational knowledge.
Overview
The unit explores how scalable commercially viable process-unit operations are harnessed by the biotechnology industry for the sustainable processing of biomolecules such as recombinant proteins, vaccines, enzymes, nucleic acids, biochemicals and bioplastics. Bioprocess engineering concepts will be developed within workshops and practice classes complemented with practical laboratory sessions. There will also be an opportunity for activities where, both individually and within teams, you will design your own biological engineering solutions to important issues or opportunities. You will learn about the wider biotechnology environment, especially regarding GxP, national and international regulations, ethics, biosafety and commercialisation, and its application to pharmaceutical, food and beverage, waste materials, food and water, bioenergy, and bioplastics sectors.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- Weekly problemsQuiz / TestThreshold hurdle10%
- Practical reportExerciseThreshold hurdle15%
- Moodle quizQuiz / TestThreshold hurdle10%
- Group report and pitchProjectThreshold hurdle35%
- Final assessmentExaminationThreshold hurdle30%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Explain how separations, mass transfer, fluid dynamics and biocatalysis principles are applied in bioprocessing.
- 2
Assess the performance of bioprocessing operations including cell processing, product extraction and purification and troubleshoot operational problems.
- 3
Demonstrate an understanding of the socio-economic context of advanced bioprocessing, such as quality control and assurance, regulatory and ethical responsibilities, in assessing complex problems.
- 4
Solve open-ended problems by investigating emerging trends in the field and identifying and proposing creative processes.
- 5
Collaborate effectively with others by utilising your team’s diverse abilities and perspectives.
- 6
Communicate complex concepts within a range of settings, including oral presentations and written reports.
Workload and teaching
- Laboratories6 hours
- Practical activities24 hours
- Workshops24 hours
- Teaching approachField trips
- Teaching approachOnline learning
- Teaching approachActive learning
- Teaching approachPeer assisted learning
The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of 3-6 hours of scheduled learning activities and 6-9 hours of independent study per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher-directed learning, peer-directed learning and online engagement. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities.
Site visits to local companies (where possible).
Lecture theory content and reading materials are available online.
Weekly session to review and apply knowledge.
Assessment and feedback by peers in workshops.
Where it fits
CHE5321 is part of 1 area of study in the 2026 handbook.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Amin Valiei
- Unit Coordinators
- Dr Amin Valiei
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for CHE5321?
CHE5321 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
When is CHE5321 offered?
In 2026, CHE5321 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton.
How much work is CHE5321?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does CHE5321 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 30% of the final mark, alongside 4 other tasks.
Which majors and minors include CHE5321?
CHE5321 is part of Chemical engineering.