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FB1EPB-Physical Aspects of Biological Systems B

Module Provider: Food BioSciences, School of Chem, FoodBi and Pharm
Number of credits: 10 [5ECTS credits]
Terms in which taught: Autumn
Module Convenor: Dr MJ Lewis
Pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2008/9

Email: m.j.lewis@reading.ac.uk

Aims:
The aims are

  • to explain the principles of selected physical aspects of biological systems and to understand their role in transporting, processing and storing and analysis of such materials.
  • to improve numeracy and practical skills by integrating lectures with practical work and problem sheets in the subject area.
  • to provide the building blocks for further courses in food process engineering and biotechnology.
  • to understand the role of physical properties in food processing operations.
  • to use experimental methods to determine physical properties.
  • to use compositional data or reference sources to estimate physical properties.
  • to provide examples of typical values for the main physical properties.

    Assessable learning outcomes:
    On completion of the module, students should be able to:

  • do numerical calculations related to mass and heat balances.
  • convert physical properties of foods from SI units to cgs and Imperial units and vice versa.
  • perform simple laboratory experiments for determining selected physical properties and perform calculations to determine their values.
  • produce meaningful laboratory reports.
  • estimate some physical properties of food from food composition data.

    Additional outcomes:
    The students should appreciate the role of physical properties, in conjunction with chemical, biochemical and microbiological aspects, in determining food safety and quality.

    Outline content:
    Composition of biological materials and its effect on physical properties. Units and dimensions and dimensionless groups. Introduction to physical concepts such as velocity, acceleration, momentum, force, pressure, work, energy and power. Circular motion. Mass and energy balances, energy conversion processes. Size shape, density, porosity, specific heat , latent heat, and temperature and pressure measurement.

    Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
    The course will be taught by a combination of lectures, practical sessions and tutorials (including problem sheets).

    Contact hours:

      Autumn Spring Summer
    Lectures 20
    Tutorials/seminars 6    6 
    Practicals 6     
    Other contact (eg study visits)      
    Total hours 32    6 
    Number of essays or assignments      
    Other (eg major seminar paper)      

    Assessment:
    Coursework
    Practical reports (66.6%) and problem sheets (33.4%)
    Relative percentage of coursework : 30%
    Penalties for late submission
    Work submitted late will be treated in accordance with the University's Policy on Late Submission of Coursework
    Examinations
    Written examination during the Summer Term
    Requirements for a pass
    40% overall in all assessed work
    Reassessment arrangements
    Written examination during the University re-examination period (late August / early September). Coursework will be taken into account if it is favourable to the student.

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