Module Information
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Miscellaneous | 5 x 8 Hour Miscellaneous |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Individual case study and report (up to 3000 words). Development of a bioenergy resource for an advanced conversion technology | 60% |
| Semester Assessment | Oral presentation reviewing a single bioconversion technology (25 minutes) | 40% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Students must take elements of assessment that are equivalent to those that led to failure of the module | 100% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Critically assess bioenergy as a route to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
2. Demonstrate a fundamental and practical knowledge of biomass resources and conversion technologies.
3. Make sound and objective judgments on the complex scientific and societal issues associated with bioenergy.
4. Communicate of scientific issues effectively, to the public and peers, with accuracy and clarity, both orally and in writing.
Brief description
The module provides foundation skills and knowledge in the growingly important field of sustainable biomass conversion to products and power, thereby reducing reliance on, and utilisation of, fossil fuels reserves with the goals of improving fuel security, mitigating climate change whilst minimising environmental impacts or compromises to food production. Students will gain expert insight into the various types biomass feed stocks, conversion technologies (biological and thermochemical), supply chains and carbon mitigation through a series of lectures. Key skills in technology, data analysis and technical writing will be delivered by tutorials and practical classes.
Content
The module starts via five days of intensive practical immersion at our Gogerddan campus (this will be completed the week before the start of Semester 2):
Day 1 Introduction to Bionenergy, week of exercises, aims, the laboratories, staff, health and safety training
Day 2 Fermentation practical
Day 3 Thermogravimetric analysis of biomass quality traits
Day 4 Analysis of biomass composition
Day 5 Analysis of complex data by chemometric modelling
This is followed by five weekly workshops that target key topics and assessment elements:
Week 1: Biomass resources
Week 2- Feed stock matching
Week 3: Fermentation and biorefining technologies
Week 4: Thermochemical conversion pathways
Week 5: Assessed presentations
Tutorials (week 6-11) will support students whilst they write the assessed report.
An important part of the module will be a field trip to broaden the students understanding of the bioenergy and plant science sectors. Depending on distance (last year the students visited Syngenta) this may involve an overnight stay in a hotel, for which funding is petitioned. Without the option of an overnight stay the options for visiting important national and international facilities would be greatly limited. The field trip would probably occur in the introductory week and replace one of the whole day workshops, the drive to the location taking place the afternoon before. The field trip will give validity to the more theoretical aspects of the module and improve the likelihood of future student employment.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | Incorporated into scoping report but not directly assessed |
| Communication | Via oral presentation and report |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Formative learning workshops and detailed feedback on assignment work |
| Information Technology | Only via delivery of scoping report |
| Problem solving | Via report and presentation |
| Research skills | Via report and presentation |
| Subject Specific Skills | Skills developed are bespoke to this industry |
| Team work | Students will conduct some of the workshop exercises in groups |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 7