Module Information

Module Identifier
BDM7820
Module Title
Biobased Product Development
Academic Year
2016/2017
Co-ordinator
Dr Stephen Chapman
Semester
Distance Learning
Other Staff
 

Course Delivery

 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Forum Posts:  students will be required to post at least once in each forum and to reply at least once to another student’s post. The forum will be assessed on quality, quantity, relevance and manner of each post. (total word count 1,500)  25%
Semester Assessment Essay  on an emerging product technology (2,000 words)  30%
Semester Assessment Case study  on a product development (2,500 words)  45%
Supplementary Assessment Students must take elements of assessment equivalent to those that led to the failure of the module  100%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

1. Critically evaluate the technological and commercial potential of bio-based end products.

2. Demonstrate an understanding of the interaction between product design, product performance and the manufacturing process.

3. Analyse the relative limitations and merits (technologically, environmentally, commercially) of current/emerging product- and manufacturing technologies.

4. Assess the relevance and consequences of the different regulatory frameworks for end-products under development.

5. Identify the appropriate product design concept, design tools and process in a specific product development project.

Brief description

Drawing on research from both Aberystwyth and Bangor Universities this module will focus on potential end-products from bio-refineries, including the relevant performance tests and the available processing/manufacturing technologies; current and emerging technologies will be discussed. The module will also pay attention to the product innovation chain including commercial elements, life-cycle analysis and regulatory considerations.

Aims

To provide students with in-depth knowledge of the aims, objectives and the technologies used to produce commercial viable end-products from bio-refineries.

Content

The module will provide a series of units focused on:
  • Bio-based end-products: fuels, platform chemicals to fine chemicals (food ingredients, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals), resins, coatings and plastics, bio-composites (packaging) and forest products. The following aspects will be discussed: product technology, performance test, manufacturing process, commercial prospects and regulatory position
  • Life cycle analysis of bio-based products
  • Product design concepts, tools and processes
  • Regulatory frameworks for bio-based products
The module will deliver the content through a series of recorded lectures, interviews and discussions between researchers at BioComposite Centre, SENRGy and IBERS. The students will be given a reading list of 'essential' and 'recommended' articles and books. They will be expected to interact through forums with other students and the course tutor/researcher. The module will also contain assessments which will encourage students to apply the research they have learnt about in the module to real-life scenarios.

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number A quantitative analysis is integral part of the report on product development case
Communication Students will be expected to be able to express themselves appropriately in their assignments.
Improving own Learning and Performance Detailed feedback will be given for assignment work. This will be assessed through the feedback providing general guidance towards the student’s next assignment. Especially with the formative assignment that will be due before any summative assignments.
Information Technology Students will be required to source information from a variety of scientific publication data bases and to use Blackboard for all aspects of the module.
Personal Development and Career planning This module will provide the students with the latest research into conversion, separation and transformation technology to help them provide the most up-to-date information/advice to their colleagues/clients in the biotech Industry.
Problem solving Online forum posts will be used to help develop and improve student’s problem solving skills, through use of questions that present theoretical problems for the students to solve.
Research skills Students will be required to undergo directed self-study and so will develop their literature research skills.
Subject Specific Skills Subject specific concepts relating conversion, separation and transformation technology will be developed and assessed throughout the module.
Team work Online assessments will require students to debate among themselves to develop a consensus of opinion.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7