Foundations of Chemical and Biological Reaction Engineering

Biological systems are complex, but their behavior can be predicted and controlled using the principles of reaction engineering. Whether you are aiming to optimize industrial fermentation or understand cellular processes, grasping the core kinetics of cells and enzymes is essential. This text-based course guides you from foundational biochemistry concepts to quantitative engineering models. You will learn how to analyze and predict the rates of biological reactions, establishing a solid framework for modern bioprocess design. By reading through clear, step-by-step explanations and working through practical calculations, you will gain the skills to model biological systems confidently. What you'll learn: Understand foundational concepts of enzyme kinetics and the Michaelis-Menten rate form; Analyze microbial cell growth kinetics, including substrate uptake and product formation rates; Apply mass balance principles to design and evaluate batch, continuous, and fed-batch bioreactors; Practice modeling biological reactions using modern kinetic parameters and simulation concepts; Explore contemporary topics in bioprocessing, including metabolic flux analysis and scale-up challenges. The course begins with essential definitions of biocatalysis and cellular stoichiometry before advancing to kinetic modeling and reactor design. This course is designed for beginners, engineering students, and life scientists looking to build quantitative modeling skills, with no prior reaction engineering experience required. Start your journey into bioprocess engineering today.