Høst 2018

BIO-3614 Basic and applied microalgae I - 10 stp

The course is administrated by

Norges fiskerihøgskole

Type of course

Master course mainly aimed at biology and biotechnology students. The course is also available as a singular course.

Course overlap

BIO-8606 Basic and applied microalgae II 5 stp

Course contents

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)

Application deadline

Concerns only admission to singular courses: Applicants from Nordic countries: 1 June for the autumn semester. Exchange students and Fulbright students: 15 April for the autumn semester.

Admission requirements

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): BIO-1501 Akvatisk Økologi, BIO-2001 Fysiologi I, BIO-2513 Marin Biodiversitet, BIO-2601 Generell mikrobiologi, BIO-2606 Generell og marin bioteknologi, BIO-2010 Marine Ecology, BIO-3504 Production and Growth in Polar Areas

Objective of the course

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.

Language of instruction

English if international students, otherwise Norwegian.

Teaching methods

The course is comprised of 10 lectures (2 hrs), 4 seminars (2 hrs) and 1 practical (36 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.

Assessment

Oral exam. Grade: Pass/Fail.

Coursework requirements: In order to attend exam, students must fulfill three coursework requirements: 1. Attendance at 90% of the lectures/seminars 2. Submission of one written (practical) project 3. Submission of a report presenting results from selected model scenarios.

Re-sit: A re-sit exam is arranged in the next semester.

Date for examination

Oral examination 30.11.2018

The date for the exam can be changed. The final date will be announced at your faculty early in May and early in November.