Education
The Industrial Microbiology section is actively and enthusiastically involved in the following education activities:
BSc programme Life Science and Technology
Delft University of Technology and Leiden University
http://lst.leidendelft.nl/bsc/
Biotechnology (Jack Pronk, together with Prof. Sef Heijnen, section Bioprocess Engineering; 3EC)This first-year course in the Leiden-Delft Life Science and Technology programme introduces students to basic concepts and calculations related to the use of micro-organisms in biotechnological processes.
Lectures and Jack’s reading materials for this course are in Dutch
Microbial Physiology (Ton van Maris and Jack Pronk; 4 EC)
A second year course for Life Science and Technology students, Microbial Physiology explores microbial metabolism and the role of micro-organisms in geochemical cycles and industrial processes from a quantitative, thermodynamics-inspired perspective.
The lectures are taught in Dutch, English-language reading materials and powerpoint slides are available. Book: Brock – Biology of Microorganisms.
Industrial Biotechnology (Ton van Maris and guest speakers; 5 EC)
The Industrial Biotechnology course is organized by Ton van Maris for 3rd year BSc students who choose the Minor in Life Science and Technology. The course discusses a number of modern biotechnological processes and thereby integrates and extends concepts discussed in earlier courses. Many of the lectures are taught by scientists working in an industrial setting.
Lectures and reading materials partially in Dutch and partially in English.
BSc End Project (BEP, whole IMB section; 18 EC).
As part of their BSc in Life Science and Technology, many students join the IMB section for 13 weeks of research. Under daily supervision of a PhD student or post-doc, these students perform their own research project, which has direct relevance for the research of our group. During this period, students form an integral part of the IMB section, participate in our work discussions and sharing office space with the group. This presents a good opportunity to become familiar with an international research environment.
The day-to-day language in the IMB section is English. Final reports are customarily written in English.
1st and 2nd year Biotechnology practicals (IMB Staff Technicians and PhD students)
Acquiring practical skills, ranging from the handling of microorganisms, through pipetting to working with bioreactors, is essential for both Life Science and Technology and the research in our group. Not surprisingly, many PhD students and staff technicians of the IMB group supervise the 1st or 2nd year Biotechnology practicals.
Reading materials for this practical are in Dutch. Supervision English/Dutch.
MSc programme Life Science and Technology
Delft University of Technology
http://www.lst.msc.tudelft.nl/
Cell Factory track (track coordinator Jack Pronk, 120 EC)
Cell Factory is one of three tracks of the Delft MSc programme in Life Science and Technology. This track focuses on understanding living cells in the context of industrial processes and on using this understanding to designing and improving (novel) applications of microorganisms. As track coordinator, Jack provides information to BSc students interested in this track and advises Cell Factory students on choices of elective courses and internships and, if desired, on career aspects. Current Cell Factory students and alumni are asked to join the LinkedIn group Cell Factory, which provides a nice overview of the career development of Cell Factory students.
Metabolic Reprogramming(Pascale Daran-Lapujade, 6EC)
Metabolic Reprogramming focuses on strategies to optimize industrial micro-organisms and equip them with new functionalities. Lectures are combined with intensive discussions on selected scientific publications. Each student prepares a presentation on one scientific publication; all students read the complete set of publications and actively engage in group discussions on the papers. In addition to scientific content, attention is given to other aspects of the scientific publications (style, statistics, internal consistency, impact).
This course is taught in English
Molecular Biotechnology and Genomics (Jean-Marc Daran, 6EC)
Many innovations in modern biotechnology are driven by the spectacular developments in genomics and synthetic biology. This course focuses on recent developments in this field and, in particular, how molecular techniques can be applied to study and improve existing and novel industrial biotechnological processes. In addition to lectures and group discussions, the course consists of computer exercises.
This course is taught in English
Microbial Physiology (Ton van Maris, 4 EC)
This elective course is an, extended guided self-study version of the BSc course Microbial Physiology (see above). This course is not meant for students who have already followed the BSc course, but aims at international MSc students and PDEng students who want to improve their knowledge on Microbial Physiology.
This course is taught in English. Book: Brock - Biology of Microorganisms.
MSc End Project (MEP, whole IMB section, 45 EC)
As part of their MSc in Life Science and Technology, students join our group for 8 months of research. Under daily supervision of a PhD student or post-doc, you perform your own research project that has direct relevance for the research of our group. In many cases, the results from the MSc end projects end up in the scientific publications of our group. During this period, students form an integral part of our group, participating in our work discussions and sharing office space with the group.
The day-to-day language in the IMB section is English. Final reports are written in English.
BSc programme Molecular Science and Technology
Biotechnology practical as part of the 1st year skill oriented practical series (Niels Kuijpers, Max Zomerdijk, Ton van Maris (coordinator) and PhD students). A first year practical that makes students familiar with the use of fermenters, microorganisms and gas-liquid mass transfer (oxygen).
Reading materials for this practical are in Dutch. Supervision English/Dutch.
BSDL Advanced Courses
Advanced Course on Microbial Physiology and Fermentation Technology
http://www.bodl.bt.tudelft.nl/content/documents/Brochure_MPFT_2012.pdf
(course directors Jack Pronk and Prof. Sef Heijnen, Section Bioprocess Engineering, lecturers include IMB staff members Pascale Daran-Lapujade, Ton van Maris and Jack Pronk)
An intensive, two-week course with many renowned guest speakers. Over a quarter of a century, this continuously evolving course has continued to attract participants from around the world, both from industry and from academia. The course has a maximum attendance of 40 participants.
Advanced Course Application of Genomics in Industrial Fermentation
(course director Han de Winde, lecturers include IMB staff members Pascale Daran-Lapujade, Jean-Marc Daran, Jack Pronk and Han de Winde)
A one-week intensive course on the fascinating applications of modern genomics techniques in industrial fermentation processes, ranging from beer fermentation to biofuels production.
http://www.bodl.bt.tudelft.nl/content/documents/Brochure_MB_2012.pdf
Committees
The dedication of the IMB section to Education is also reflected by their active participation in education-related committees:
Board of Studies BSc Life Science and Technology
Ton van Maris, member
Board of Studies MSc Life Science and Technology
Ton van Maris, chairman
Education Committee Department of Biotechnology
Han de Winde, chairman
Pascale Daran-Lapujade, member
Examination Committee BSc Life Science and Technology
Jack Pronk, member
Examination Committee MSc Life Science and Technology
Jack Pronk, member
