Acquisition of Equipment for Development of a Bioprocess Engineering Laboratory

San Jose State University Foundation, San Jose CA

Investigators

Abstract

Engineering - Chemical (53) This project is adapting and implementing a Bioprocess Engineering Laboratory (BEL) which is helping to integrate the education of science and engineering students and provide them with the expertise necessary to be hired by the biotechnology industry. The curriculum is an adaptation of that developed at the University of California at Davis (NSF ILI-LLD) by Dr. Karen McDonald, with modifications to both the laboratory and multi-disciplinary team development components of the curriculum. Specifically, the latest developments in process technology utilized by pharmaceutical and other biotechnology industries are being added to the laboratory course, and additional courses in Microbial Physiology, Bioinformatics and Biochemical Engineering are being developed to enhance the interface skills between science and engineering students. The objectives of the project are to: utilize industry participation to develop the experimental components of the BEL; facilitate the utilization of engineering/scientist student teams in five courses; develop ten bioprocess engineering experiments (for the two laboratory courses); develop five demonstrations for biochemical engineering, biochemistry and microbiology courses; assess the effectiveness of the BEL in meeting the stated goal.