4099 - Bioprocess Foundations

Course Description

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown how critical it is to control contagious diseases through vaccines and other biopharmaceuticals. As the industry grows, its biomanufacturing capacity will also expand and evolve. This will lead to increased demand for a trained workforce who can operate and manage biomanufacturing facilities. If you have a basic grounding in science, this course will show how bioprocess engineering can transform raw materials to valued bioproducts. By the end of this course, you will be able to define bioprocessing and describe the basic principles of cell growth, recognize the basic differences and similarities in the nature of microbial and mammalian/eukaryotic cell culturing processes, understand bioreactor set up and basic operations, identify typical steps in upstream and downstream processing of biologicals and identify methods to monitor cell number, nutrient depletion and waste accumulation.

This two-part micro course focuses on bioprocess foundations. The first part is self-directed, with instructor support available. In the second part of the micro course, you will put your learnings to action with an on-site interactive practicum at the Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry (Unit Operations Lab, WB125), University of Toronto. The hands-on practicum will teach the basics of working with bioreactors and include an introduction to downstream processing of biologicals.

A Certificate of Completion in Upskilling in Biomanufacturing will be awarded upon successful completion of the three micro-courses, SCS 4019 Good Manufacturing Practice in Biomanufacturing, SCS 4023 Quality Assurance Management in Biomanufacturing and SCS 4099 Bioprocess Foundations. This provides an opportunity to have your resume moved to the top of the pile by demonstrating to both Canadian and international employers that you already possess the skills required to work in a biomanufacturing facility.

Within four to six weeks of successfully completing this micro course, you will receive your micro-credential indicating achievement of the outlined learning outcomes and competencies/skills. Micro-credentials are tamper proof, verifiable, blockchain-based and 100% digital. They can be shared on social media, including LinkedIn and Facebook, embedded in websites or downloaded as PDFs.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this micro course, you'll be able to:

• Define bioprocessing and describe the basic principles of cell growth 
   
• Recognize the basic differences and similarities in the nature of microbial and mammalian/eukaryotic cell culturing processes 
   
• Describe bioreactor set up and basic operations 
   
• Identify typical steps in upstream and downstream processing of biologicals 
   
• Identify and describe methods to monitor cell number, nutrient depletion and waste accumulation

Competencies/skills developed in this micro course include:

• Understanding Bioprocess Engineering
• Operation of bioreactors
• Monitoring of Bioprocess Engineering Equipment
   

Notes

Certificate of completion in Upskilling in Biomanufacturing when the following 3 micro courses are completed:

• SCS 4019 Good Laboratory Practice in Biomanufacturing *ON HOLD
• SCS 4023 Quality Assurance Management in Biomanufacturing *ON HOLD
• SCS 4099 Bioprocess Foundations

Eligible learners may apply to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) for this micro-credential. You can find more information on our Financial Aid page.

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