Foundations of Chemical and Biological Reaction Engineering

Understanding how chemical and biological systems react and transform is fundamental to modern process engineering, biotechnology, and sustainable manufacturing. This text-only course guides you from basic molecular interactions to the design of complex reactor systems. You will learn how to analyze reaction rates, model metabolic pathways, and design safe, efficient reactors using mathematical principles. By working through structured written explanations and step-by-step analytical problems, you will develop the quantitative skills needed to predict reaction behavior under various operating conditions. What you'll learn: - Understand the foundational principles of chemical kinetics and rate laws - Analyze ideal reactor models including batch, continuous stirred-tank, and plug flow systems - Model biological reactions, enzymatic pathways, and basic bioreactor dynamics - Apply mass and energy balances to non-isothermal reacting systems - Evaluate transport limitations and catalyst effectiveness in heterogeneous reactions - Practice modern computational formulation techniques for complex multi-reaction networks The course begins with essential terminology, thermodynamic definitions, and basic kinetic concepts before advancing to multi-step reactions, reactor sizing, and biological system modeling. You will progress systematically from simple ideal systems to realistic, non-isothermal engineering applications. This course is designed for beginners in chemical engineering, biotechnology students, or professionals seeking a structured refresher in reaction kinetics. No prior experience in reactor design is required, though a basic understanding of general chemistry and introductory calculus is helpful. Start building your foundation in reaction engineering today.