Capstone Chemistry and Technology for Sustainability from edX

Please note: The capstone project is only accessible for ID-verified MicroMasters Program learners who successfully obtained verified certificate in all MicroMasters Program courses

In this capstone project, you will focus on designing a sustainable biobased process. The emphasis of the project is on conversion. You will design a process from biomass to a finished product and discuss your choices for a catalyst, reactor type, organism and feedstock. You should be able to discuss your choices in the broad picture of sustainability while emphasising the conversion aspects of the process.

Complete your MicroMasters credential with the final written report in this capstone project.

You can only start the capstone project after completingall other courses in the MicroMasters Program in Chemistry and Technology for Sustainability with a verified certificate for every course.

Biorefinery: From Biomass to Building Blocks of Biobased Products; Design an effective biorefinery to obtain valuable components from various biobased feedstocks
Catalytic Conversions for Biobased Chemicals and Products; Design new (bio)catalytic conversion routes to use biobased feedstocks to their highest potential C
From Fossil Resources to Biomass: A Business and Economics Perspective; ****Learn how to market and sell biobased products within a profitable business model

What's inside

Learning objectives

Design a sustainable biobased process.
Choose an appropriate catalyst for the process and discuss the consequences of that catalyst on the process.
Choose an appropriate organism for the process and discuss the consequences.

Choose the appropriate feedstock for your biobased process and discuss the consequences.
Calculate the mass balance of the process.
You will be able to:

Design a sustainable biobased process.
Choose an appropriate catalyst for the process and discuss the consequences of that catalyst on the process.
Choose an appropriate organism for the process and discuss the consequences.
Choose the appropriate feedstock for your biobased process and discuss the consequences.
Calculate the mass balance of the process.
You will be able to:

Syllabus

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Develops skills in sustainable biobased process design, covering catalyst selection, organism selection, feedstock selection, and mass balance calculation

Provides opportunities for learners to apply their knowledge and skills through the capstone project, which involves designing a sustainable biobased process from biomass to a finished product

Taught by Harry Bitter, who is an expert in the field of biorefinery and sustainable chemistry

Examines relevant topics such as biorefinery, catalytic conversions, and the transition from fossil resources to biomass, providing learners with a comprehensive understanding of sustainable biobased processes

Builds upon the knowledge and skills gained in the previous courses in the MicroMasters Program in Chemistry and Technology for Sustainability, making it suitable for learners with a strong foundation in the field

Requires learners to have successfully obtained verified certificates in all MicroMasters Program courses, making it inaccessible to learners who have not completed the prerequisite courses

Reviews summary

Sustainable biobased process design capstone

According to students, this capstone course is a highly valuable culminating experience for the MicroMasters program. Learners praise its ability to challenge them to synthesize and apply knowledge from prerequisite courses to a realistic, sustainable biobased process design. Many found the iterative project structure, with outlines, drafts, and final reports, highly effective. The instructor feedback is frequently highlighted as constructive and top-notch, although a few wished for more interactive support or specific examples. While recognized as demanding and challenging, the course is seen as providing invaluable practical skills for careers in sustainable technology.

High-quality input from instructors for projects.

"The instructor feedback on the draft report was incredibly constructive, helping me refine my final submission."

"I found the feedback quality from the instructors to be top-notch, really pushing my understanding."

"The instructor feedback was detailed and helpful, pulling from all previous courses."

Structure supports deep learning and refinement.

"The structure of submitting an outline, draft, and final report was very effective for iterative improvement."

"The peer review system, coupled with instructor feedback, made my learning iterative and deep."

"The iterative feedback loop on the report was key. I truly felt like I had a professional project experience."

Builds practical skills for industry application.

"Overall, I feel well-prepared to tackle real-world sustainability challenges after this course."

"I appreciated the emphasis on real-world applicability of sustainable processes."

"The practical skills gained are invaluable for my career in sustainable technology."

Synthesizes previous program knowledge effectively.

"This capstone was an excellent culmination of the MicroMasters program. The project challenged me to apply everything I learned from the previous courses..."

"I found the process of integrating knowledge from different modules (biorefinery, catalysis, business) very valuable."

"This course is exactly what I expected; it synthesizes all prior knowledge and forces me to think critically."

Mixed views on initial project guidelines.

"I struggled a bit with the level of detail required for the process design without more specific examples or templates."

"The prompt was broad, and while I understand the aim was to allow creativity, it felt overwhelming."

"I wished for more interactive sessions or Q&A opportunities, as I spent a lot of time consolidating knowledge myself."

Challenging and requires significant effort.

"A very demanding but rewarding capstone."

"I found this capstone very difficult, perhaps too much for the guidance provided."

"It's a challenging course, but if I've done the prior modules, I will benefit immensely."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Capstone Chemistry and Technology for Sustainability with these activities:

Read 'Bioprocess Engineering: Basic Concepts'

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Expand your knowledge of bioprocess engineering by reading this foundational text.

View Bioprocess Engineering : Basic Concepts on Amazon

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Read the book thoroughly, focusing on the chapters relevant to the course material.
Take notes and highlight important concepts.
Discuss the book's concepts with classmates or the instructor.

Review Engineering Mathematics

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Refresh your knowledge of engineering mathematics to build a stronger foundation for this course.

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Review your calculus skills, including derivatives, integrals, and limits.
Brush up on your linear algebra skills, including matrices, vectors, and eigenvalues.
Practice solving differential equations.

Watch Video Lectures on Key Concepts

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Supplement your learning by watching video lectures on key concepts.

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Find video lectures from reputable sources, such as edX, Coursera, or YouTube.
Watch the lectures attentively and take notes.
Pause the lectures and rewind as needed to fully understand the concepts.

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Join a Study Group

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Collaborate with peers to enhance your understanding.

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Find or form a study group with classmates.
Meet regularly to discuss course material, solve problems, and quiz each other.
Provide support and encouragement to fellow group members.

Complete Practice Problems

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Sharpen your problem-solving skills by completing practice problems.

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Find practice problems from textbooks, online resources, or previous exams.
Solve the problems independently.
Check your solutions against answer keys or ask for feedback from instructors or peers.

Develop a Research Proposal

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Solidify your understanding of the course material by developing a research proposal.

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Identify a research topic that aligns with your interests and the course content.
Conduct a literature review to gather background information.
Develop a research question and hypothesis.
Outline your research methodology.
Write a research proposal that outlines your research plan and expected outcomes.

Become a Mentor

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Deepen your understanding by helping others learn.

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Identify opportunities to mentor younger students or peers who are struggling with the course material.
Provide guidance and support to your mentees.
Reflect on your own learning and understanding as you explain concepts to others.

Contribute to OpenFOAM

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Apply your knowledge and contribute to the open-source CFD community.

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Familiarize yourself with OpenFOAM and its capabilities.
Identify an area where you can contribute, such as code development, documentation, or user support.
Make a meaningful contribution to the OpenFOAM project.

Career center

Learners who complete Capstone Chemistry and Technology for Sustainability will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

R&D Engineer

R&D Engineers design and develop new products and processes, including the development of new materials, the development of new technologies, and the evaluation of new products. This course would be useful as it provides a foundation in the design of sustainable biobased processes, which are important for the development of new products and processes.

See salaries and explore the career path for R&D Engineer

Chemical Engineer

Chemical Engineers design and operate chemical plants and processes, including the production of chemicals, fuels, and pharmaceuticals. This course would be useful as it provides a foundation in the design of sustainable biobased processes, which are important for the development of new chemicals and fuels.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chemical Engineer

Process Engineer

Process Engineers design and operate chemical and other industrial processes, including the development of new process technologies and the management of process operations. This course would be useful as it provides a foundation in the design of sustainable biobased processes, which are important for the development of new process technologies for a variety of applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Process Engineer

Biochemist

Biochemists study the chemical processes that occur in living organisms, including the structure and function of proteins, nucleic acids, and other biomolecules. This course would be useful as it provides a foundation in the design of sustainable biobased processes, which rely on biochemical reactions to convert biomass into valuable products.

See salaries and explore the career path for Biochemist

Pharmaceutical Engineer

Pharmaceutical Engineers design and operate pharmaceutical plants and processes, including the development of new drugs and the management of pharmaceutical production. This course would be useful as it provides a foundation in the design of sustainable biobased processes, which are important for the development of new drugs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Pharmaceutical Engineer

Materials Scientist

Materials Scientists develop and improve materials, including the development of new materials for use in electronics, medicine, and transportation. This course would be useful as it provides a foundation in the design of sustainable biobased processes, which are important for the development of new materials for use in a variety of applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Materials Scientist

Biological Engineer

Biological Engineers apply engineering principles to the design and construction of biological systems, including the development of new medical devices, drugs, and therapies. This course would be useful as it helps build a foundation in the design of sustainable biobased processes, which are important for the development of new drugs and therapies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Biological Engineer

Environmental Engineer

Environmental Engineers design and implement systems to protect the environment, including the development of new technologies for water treatment, air pollution control, and waste management. This course would be useful as it provides a foundation in the design of sustainable biobased processes, which are important for the development of new technologies for environmental protection.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Engineer

Industrial Engineer

Industrial Engineers design and improve industrial processes, including the development of new manufacturing processes, the design of new products, and the management of supply chains. This course would be useful as it provides a foundation in the design of sustainable biobased processes, which are important for the development of new manufacturing processes and products.

See salaries and explore the career path for Industrial Engineer

Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical Engineers design and build machines and systems, including the development of new engines, robots, and medical devices. This course would be useful as it provides a foundation in the design of sustainable biobased processes, which are important for the development of new machines and systems for a variety of applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mechanical Engineer

Project Engineer

Project Engineers manage and oversee engineering projects, including the development of new products and processes, the construction of new facilities, and the implementation of new technologies. This course would be useful as it provides a foundation in the design of sustainable biobased processes, which are important for the development of new products and processes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Engineer

Nuclear Engineer

Nuclear Engineers design and operate nuclear reactors and other nuclear systems, including the development of new nuclear fuels and the management of nuclear waste. This course would be useful as it provides a foundation in the design of sustainable biobased processes, which are important for the development of new nuclear fuels.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nuclear Engineer

Food Scientist

Food Scientists develop and improve food products, including the design of new foods, the development of new food processing technologies, and the evaluation of food safety. This course would be useful as it provides a foundation in the design of sustainable biobased processes, which are important for the development of new food products and food processing technologies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Food Scientist

Petroleum Engineer

Petroleum Engineers design and operate oil and gas wells, including the development of new drilling technologies and the management of oil and gas reservoirs. This course would be useful as it provides a foundation in the design of sustainable biobased processes, which are important for the development of new technologies for the extraction of oil and gas.

See salaries and explore the career path for Petroleum Engineer

Agricultural Engineer

Agricultural Engineers plan, design, and implement agricultural production systems, including the development of new crops and farming practices, the management of water resources, and the conservation of soil and other natural resources. This course would be useful as it covers the design of sustainable biobased processes, which are important for the development of new crops and farming practices.

See salaries and explore the career path for Agricultural Engineer

Capstone Chemistry and Technology for Sustainability

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Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Sustainable biobased process design capstone

Activities

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