Basic and applied microalgae I

• Part I. Basic microalgae taxonomy, physiology, and growth regulating stressors
• Part II. Microalgae biochemistry and applied microalgae science (bioprospecting, mass cultivation, CO2 and NOx sequestration, products, biorefinery, process modelling)

Local admission, application code 9336 - master's level singular course. Admission requires a bachelor's degree (180 ECTS) or equivalent qualification, with a major in biology, biotechnology or chemistry of minimum 80 ECTS.

Recommended prerequisites: One or several of following courses (or equivalent, see below):

Knowledge:

• The course aims to give the students knowledge of «de facto» microalgae science relevant to the new emerging frontiers in bioenergy/biotechnology/CCU-applications.
• This includes selected basic microalgae taxonomy, physiology and ecology themes, with special focus on northern temperate and Arctic biota.
• Analysis/laboratory methods relevant to the themes listed above are also included, with special focus on biomass.

Skills:

• Be able to communicate a thorough understanding of microalgae as primary producers in an ecological as well as commercial biorefinery mass production context.
• Be able to combine environmental and chemical/biological parameters in a quantitative way, i.e. to be able to perform simple mathematical dynamical modeling of ecological as well as biorefinery processes.

General competence:

• Gain competence that allows for a necessary understanding of the quantitative aspects of ecology, stress, biochemistry and biorefinery processes.

If you pass the examination in this course, you will get an reduction in credits (as stated below), if you previously have passed the following courses:

• BIO-8606 Basic and applied microalgae II 5 stp

The course is comprised of 10 lectures (2 hrs), 4 seminars (2 hrs) and 1 practical (6 hrs).

The syllabus is made up of relevant scientific articles and fact sheets that will be given out after the lectures. In order to mediate an understanding of quantitative and dynamic aspects of microalgae ecology as well as production/cultivation applications, the students will participate in the construction of a (simple) «whole process» mathematical/dynamic simulation model.

This quantitative model concept will function to interconnect all lectured science themes. Included in the course is a «biomass measuring methods» practical, either arranged as participation during a research cruise or at a microalgae production plant.

This course has a schedule that overlaps (has some lectures in common) with the PhD course BIO-8606 Basic and applied microalgae II.

Language of instruction and examination

Oral exam. Grade: Pass/Fail.

Coursework requirements: In order to take the ordinary or re-sit exam, students must fulfil three coursework requirements: Attendance at 90% of the lectures/seminars, submission of one written (practical) project, and, finally, submission of a report presenting results from selected model scenarios.

Good English language skills (written and spoken) is required for participation in this course.

There will be a re-sit examination for students that did not pass the previous ordinary examination.