Entry requirements

Genome Biology, 5 credits, or Protein Biotechnology, 10 credits.

Learning outcomes

After the course, the student should be able to:

• account for and discuss the concepts of renewable energy and energy carrier as well as energy production and consumption at the national, European and international level.
• through in-depth knowledge about solar energy, photosynthesis and molecular biology account for the production of biomass from photosynthetic organisms for energy production
• analyse, account for and discuss biological potentials as well as challenges in genetic engineering with respect to the design of microorganisms that produce bioethanol, biomethane, biohydrogen as well as feedstock for biodiesel production.
• through in-depth knowledge of bioreactors, design and choose systems and parameters for large-scale units for conversion of solar energy to renewable biofuels.
• critically analyse and present the strengths and weakness of his/her own as well as others' oral and written presentations of subject-related material.

Content

Energy, Renewable energy, Energy carrier, Greenhouse gases. Solar energy, Renewable electricity. Photosynthesis, Biomass from photosynthetic organisms. Traditional and molecular breeding of crops. Biofuels, Bioethanol, Biodiesel, Biomethane, Biohydrogen. Design and construction of microorganisms with desired metabolism, synthetic biology. Bioreactors, Photoreactors. Fuel chains, Life cycle analysis.

Instruction

Lectures, laboratory sessions, seminars. Industry contacts, including study visits, with companies and govermental agencies in renewable energy,

Assessment

Written examination at the end of the course ( 8 credits). Laboratory sessions and associated seminars and discussions ( 5 credits) as well as written and oral presentations (2 credits).