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Bioengineering
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:22:32
Abstract
An introduction to biology for engineers: basic biochemistry, cell metabolism (principles of energy and mass transfer in cellular systems), cell biology (structure and composition of cells, transport processes across cell membranes, growth and reproduction of cells), cellular and molecular biophysics, quantitative tools used in bio- and biomedical engineering.
Objective
Students that already posses an engineering background will be exposed to a broad introduction of fundamental concepts in the fields of biology and chemistry. Focus will be given to aspects relevant to research and development projects in the fields of biotechnology, bioprocess engineering, or biomedical devices. The course will highlight technically exploitable elements in biology and chemistry, to provide the basic understanding and a necessary vocabulary for interdisciplinary communication with biologists / biotechnologists.
Content
Basic biochemistry, cell metabolism (principles of energy and mass transfer in the cell, biocatalysis and enzymes, cellular respiration, protein synthesis, regulation), cellular biology (structure and composition of cells, transport processes across cell membranes, growth and reproduction of cells) , introduction to biotechnology tools and applications of molecular and cellular engineering.
Resources
Lecture Notes
Lecture slides and supporting material made available for download on Moodle.
Literature
NA Campbell, JB Reece : Biology, Oxford University Press; B. Alberts et al : Molecular Biology of the Cell , Garland Science; J. Koolman , Roehm KH : Color Atlas of Biochemistry, Thieme-Verlag.; CR Jacobs, H Huang, RY Kwon: Introduction to Cell Mechanics and Mechanobiology, Garland Science;
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- BSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- session examination
- Mode
- written 90 minutes
- Aids
- English-German Dictionary, Summary sheet (one A4 sheet, handwritten on both sides) as well as a non-programmable calculator
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture | Bioengineering |
|
2 h weekly |
| exercise |
Bioengineering
The exercises start in the second week.
|
|
1 h weekly |