Bioprocess Engineering

[Chris]

Bioprocess engineering, also biochemical engineering, is a specialization of chemical engineering or biological engineering. It deals with the design and development of equipment and processes for the manufacturing of products such as agriculture, food, feed, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, chemicals, and polymers and paper from biological materials & treatment of waste water. Bioprocess engineering is a conglomerate of mathematics, biology and industrial design, and consists of various spectrums like the design and study of bioreactors (operational mode, instrumentation, and physical layout) to the creation of kinetic models. It also deals with studying various biotechnological processes used in industries for large scale production of biological product for optimization of yield in the end product and the quality of end product. Bioprocess engineering may include the work of mechanical, electrical, and industrial engineers to apply principles of their disciplines to processes based on using living cells or sub component of such cells.[1]

The central mission of the College of Chemistry is to advance society through education and research, and we have made it our responsibility to fulfill this mission, year in and year out, for more than 140 years.

College faculty have been leaders at the frontiers of knowledge since 1872. Current pioneering research includes premier programs in catalysis, thermodynamics, chemical biology, atmospheric chemistry, the development of polymer, optical and semiconductor materials, and nanoscience, among others.

UC Berkeley's Master of Bioprocess Engineering (MBPE) degree program is driven by the increasingly important role of the bioprocessing field in the world economy. Chemical engineers with expertise in biotechnology and bioprocessing are key to the translation of fundamental research into application through commercial manufacturing processes and products. The bio-based production of pharmaceuticals, sustainable chemicals and fuels, and foodstuffs are just a few examples of industrial processes that require biochemical engineering design and development approaches. To be successful, practitioners must possess not only fundamental knowledge in biochemistry, molecular biology, and chemical engineering but also a hands-on skillset applicable to scaling technologies between laboratory, pilot, and commercial facilities.

Our new master's degree in Bioprocess Engineering is designed for the incoming student who possesses the interest and aptitude but not yet the hands-on experience to step into a bioprocessing role. The MBPE program bridges this expertise and experience gap for those who wish to pursue careers as Associate Scientists or Bioprocess Engineers in the bioprocessing field to design, develop, and implement real-time solutions and strategies. This has been a long-standing but unmet need of both graduates and industry: for students to matriculate from top-notch programs with the relevant skills and experience that can be applied immediately in the workplace. Our program will now fulfill this need.

The UC Berkeley MBPE program is designed to provide students with an unique opportunity to integrate classroom learning with hands-on applications through industry internships. We have partnered with a range of biotechnology companies with applications spanning the pharmaceutical, industrial biotech, and food tech industries. Beyond this, we are very fortunate to have a close relationship with the Advanced Biofuels Processing Demonstration Unit, a Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory operation that also has ties to industry and other academic institutions. Its world class expertise, equipment, and facilities are the perfect training setting to scale-up processes from the lab to commercial relevance.

I am personally excited about this new program. In addition to setting our graduates up for success with invaluable knowledge and tools, we have the unique opportunity to better match student capabilities with current and future industry needs. This, in turn, improves outcomes for both. In the context of the extraordinary stature of UC Berkeley's chemical engineering graduate program, our program portends an undeniable formula for student success.

The Master of Bioprocess Engineering (MBPE) degree will provide graduates upon completion of a 9-month program with an understanding and ability to apply Bioprocess Engineering to a number of key technological needs spanning multiple industries. These include methods to produce biofuels, bio-based chemicals, proteins, pharmaceuticals, and other high-value biologics; how to design and/or operate appropriate unit operations (e.g., fermentation systems), mammalian-cell culture systems, and instrumentation to monitor and control biotechnological processes; and how to apply and test bioproduct separation technologies. Unlike other programs, the new program at UC Berkeley will have access to state-of-the-art bioprocessing equipment at the Advanced Biofuels Process Demonstration Unit (ABPDU), which is part of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory funded by US DOE. Access to the ABPDU will afford you with an integrated didactic experience. As a result, you will be able to immediately apply hands-on knowledge and become specialized in knowing how to relate engineering concepts to biological systems and organisms.

The Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering is home to two professional master's programs, The Product Development Program (PDP) and the Master's of Bioprocess Engineering Program (MBPE). There is some overlap between the programs, please review the infographic below for more information, and email mb...@berkeley.edu if you have any questions.

The rapid growth in critical life science industries is astounding, but is heavily driven by professionals who possess a high degree of knowledge and skills in life sciences, mathematics, engineering, and business. Commonly known as bioprocess engineers, these individuals serve as the backbone of multiple life sciences industries by aiding in the creation of biomanufacturing platforms, product research and development strategies, process evaluation, and more.

Bioprocess engineering leans heavily on individuals who are capable of translating the complexity of both biomedical research and engineering into actionable processes that lead to the creation of new products.

A bioprocess is any process that uses living cells to create a product, while engineering is the science of designing and building complex machines or processes. To that end, bioprocess engineering is the planning, construction, execution, and revision of the biological and mechanical processes required to create new products within the life sciences.

Engineering of this type can be expansive, given the complex nature of the intersecting scientific fields. Bioprocess engineers require advanced knowledge in and understanding of systems engineering, chemistry, biology, and government regulations.

These facets combine to help bioprocess engineers do everything from discovering new drugs based on chemical combinations and deconstruction to creating the multi-step process involved in manufacturing a new drug or other biological product.

Employers may list a variety of duties for bioprocess engineers. Developing and revising manufacturing processes is a common requirement for the role. Bioprocess engineers are often tasked with utilizing their knowledge and skills in math, chemistry, biology, and engineering.

Bioprocess engineering and its practitioners are essential in every industry that relies on biological products. While pharmaceutical companies commonly hire bioprocess engineers to help create and organize manufacturing processes for new drugs and treatments, they are not the only type of employer that may hire bioprocess engineers.

Given that the medical industries hire the majority of bioprocess engineers, you may also see the job title listed under other names, including biomedical engineering and biochemical engineering.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary for a biomedical engineer was over $91,000 in 2019. The BLS anticipates moderate growth in demand for this role over the next decade.

The Master of Science (MSc) in Bioprocess Engineering is delivered by DCU's School of Biotechnology in conjunction with TCD School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT). It is accredited by DCU.

The MSc is an interactive and dynamic programme that will develop your knowledge and appreciation of the conceptual and factual bases for bioprocess design and operation. It also develops your understanding of bioprocessing, particularly the structures, roles and experimental methods associated with biopharmaceuticals, their analysis, production methods and technology for monitoring and control of bioprocesses.

Part-time students: Part-time students can complete the course anytime within a four year period, however we recommend that you take the course over two years. To complete the course within this time-frame, you should take three taught modules each semester and complete the dissertation project during a summer semester. The dissertation module opens during March each year, you may start it on the completion of six taught modules. All taught modules are self-contained and independent of each other. You may choose modules in any order you wish, however we recommend taking BE517, BE515, BE587 & BE560 in the first year as they offer a grounding in the course.

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