CBE Graduate Level Courses

508. Probability and Statistics for Biotechnology. (C)

This course is designed as an overview of probability and statistics including linear regression, correlation, and multiple regression.  The program will also include statistical quality control and analysis of variance with attention to method of analysis, usual method of computation, test on homogeneity of variances, simplifying the computations, and multi-factor analysis.

510. (CBE 430, MSE 430) Polymer Engineering. (B) Winey, Composto.

This course focuses on synthesis, characterization, microstructure, rheology, and structure-property relationships of polymers, polymer directed composites and their applications in biotechnology.  Topical coverage includes: polymer synthesis and functionalizaiton; polymerizaiton kinetics; structure of glassy, crystalline, and rubbery polymers; thermodynamics of polymer solutions and blends, and crystallization; liquid crystallinity, microphase separation in block copolymers; polymer directed self-assembly of inorganic materials; biological applications of polymeric materials.  Case studies include thermodynamics of block copolymer thin films and their applications in nanolithography, molecular templating of sol-gel growth using block copolymers as templates; structure-property of conducting and optically active polymers; polymer degradation in drug delivery; cell adhesion on polymer surface in tissue engineering.

520. Modeling, Simulations, and Optimization of Chemical Processes. (M) Seider.

Nonlinear systems: numerical solutions of nonlinear algebraic equations; sparse matrix manipulations.  Nonlinear programming and optimization; unconstrained and constrained systems.  Lumped parameter systems: numerical integration of stiff systems.  Distributed parameter systems: methods of discretization.  Examples from analysis and design of chemical and biochemical processes involving thermodynamics and transport phenomena.

521. Fundamentals of Industrial Catalytic Processes. (B) Gorte, Vohs.

This course will introduce students to the important concepts invovled in industrial catalytic processes.  The first part of the course will review some of the fundamental concepts required to describe and characterize catalysts and catalytic reactions.  The majority of the course will then focus on applying these concepts to existing heterogeneous catalysts and catalytic reactions, including discussion of the actual process design and engineering. Descriptions of some homogeneously catalyzed processes like polymerization and the synthesis of acetic acid will also be covered.

560. Biomolecular Engineering. (A)

This course will cover current state of the art in engineering approaches to design, optimization, and characterization of biomolecules.  Particular emphasis will be placed on proteins.  Fundamental physical biochemistry of biological macromolecules will be reviewed to provide a basis for understanding approaches to de novo protein design, combinatorial directed evolution, methods for analysis of structure and function, and practical applications for this class of molecules.  Much of the course material will be drawn from the current literature.

617. (ESE 617, MEAM613) Control of Nonlinear Systems. (A) Seider.

PID control of nonlinear systems; steady-state, periodic and chaotic attractors.  Multiple-input, multiple-output systems; decoupling methods and decentralized control structures.  Digital control; z-transforms, implicit model control, impact of uncertainties.  Constrained optimization; quadratic dynamic matrix control.  Nonlinear predictive control.  Transformations for input/output linearized controllers.

Department of Bioengineering
School of Engineering and Applied Science
University of Pennsylvania
210 S. 33rd Street
Room 240 Skirkanich Hall
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Phone No.: (215) 898-8501
Fax No.: (215) 573-2071
beoffice@seas.upenn.edu

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