Learning outcome

A candidate who has passed the course will have a learning outcome in the form of acquired knowledge, skills, and general competence, as described below.

Knowledge

The candidate masters:

• advanced theory regarding bioenergetics and its thermodynamic foundation in microbial processes and scientific methods regarding the energy conversion steps in biochemical reactions
• how the topic is studied experimentally and theoretically
• how it is applied to understand natural and constructed environments especially for the treatment of constituents in water

Skills

The candidate can plan and conduct research and development independently on processes where bioenergetics play an important role, based on insight in fundamental principles as well as the analytical tools available

General competence

The candidate is able to communicate R&D results from studies where bioenergetics play a key role in recognised international channels.

Course Description

• The flow of energy in biological systems, energy and entropy balances, exergy, respiration, biosynthesis and active transport
• Calculation of thermodynamic properties of mixtures of gas and liquid, based on theoretical and empirical models
• Emphasis is on understanding the molecular interactions in classical systems
• Results from statistical thermodynamics connect the classical thermodynamics and molecular properties
• Thermodynamic properties from volumetric data, intermolecular forces, corresponding states and osmotic systems, fugacities in gas mixtures, excess functions and activity coefficients

Teaching and Learning Methods

Lectures and theoretical exercises are based on relevant literature to achieve specified knowledge, skills and general competence. The lectures highlight the most relevant course topics, covered in detail in the course literature. The exercises are designed to give the students skills in quantifying energy flow in biological processes. A higher level of comprehension is obtained by carrying out a literature review of applications of bioenergetic principles in environmental biotechnology.

Assessment Methods

Final examination, which counts 100 %.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean