Mar 28, 2024  
2019-2020 Undergraduate Academic Catalog 
    
2019-2020 Undergraduate Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

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EB 2250 - Biopolymer Engineering

3 lecture hours 0 lab hours 3 credits
Course Description
The course introduces various classes of biopolymers and their applications in selected subspecialties. An understanding of material bulk and surface properties, biopolymer biocompatibility, manufacturing processes, cost, sterilization, packaging and regulatory issues in terms of developing and engineering polymers are stressed. Topics range from polymerization, polymer characterization techniques, and processes tailoring specific properties to biopolymer purification. (prereq: EB 2240 )
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  • Categorize different kinds of natural and synthetic biopolymers
  • Understand and discuss the step-growth and chain-growth polymerization and biopolymer processing
  • Discuss the methods for polymers and biopolymers characterization, and analyze the characterization data using their science and engineering skills
  • Understand and discuss the importance of the biopolymer properties: biocompatibility and biodegradability
  • Discuss industrial applications of biopolymers and biopolymer marketing and regulations

Prerequisites by Topic
  • Biokinetics and biocatalysis
  • Industrial use of proteins and enzymes
  • Design and applications of proteins and enzymes

Course Topics
  • Introduction to polymers and biopolymers
  • Natural biopolymers in life science
  • Principles of polymerization
  • Polymer and biopolymer processing
  • Polymer and biopolymer characterization: Physics
  • Polymer and biopolymer characterization: Chemistry
  • Biocompatibility
  • Biopolymers: biomedical applications
  • Biopolymers: environmental applications
  • Project I (biopolymers: agricultural applications)
  • Project I (biopolymers: cosmetic applications)
  • Biopolymers: food industry applications
  • Bioplastics (green plastics): science of biodegradable plastics
  • Engineering biopolymers: market
  • Engineering biopolymers: regulations
  • Project II

Coordinator
Dr. Wujie Zhang



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