Overordnede kursusmål
Living systems are natural biological processes (i.e. mediated by
living organisms), which are used by humans for multiple purposes:
to produce feed for animals, food for humans, feedstock (e.g.
timber, pulp, biomaterials) and energy, or to treat organic
material in waste flows. Supply and management of these living
systems is strongly connected with significant social, economic and
environmental impacts. The understanding of such systems and their
components from an engineering perspective is pivotal in order to
maintain, improve or even replace them based on their use and
performance. With focus on major engineering aspects and using
specific real life examples, the course provides an overview of
living systems' characteristics and uses. The overall aim of
the course is to outline the state of the art of living systems
technology and current and future challenges for using them to
improve human life.
Læringsmål
En studerende, der fuldt ud har opfyldt kursets mål, vil kunne:
- Explain key living system definitions.
- Use terminology in relation to specific living systems.
- Explain how living systems can be utilized by humans.
- Describe the characteristics of different living systems,
including information flows, energy and matter.
- Analyse environmental, technological and economic implications
related to specific living systems.
- Recommend future uses of existing living systems that can
improve human lives.
- Make informed decisions about the use and design of peer
feedback.
- Apply communication, cooperative and teamwork skills such as
planning, management, leadership and peer support.
Kursusindhold
Living systems are a vast variety of natural processes involving
organisms that humans further develop and enhance in order to
produce feed, food, medicines, energy, different materials and
improve the quality of life. Specifically, living systems are open
self-organizing life forms that interact with their environment and
are maintained by flows of information, energy and matter. The
understanding of the general principles of how living systems work
is crucial in order to be able to evaluate the productivity, the
environmental and economic impact, and the possibilities to improve
or even replace a living system with other more efficient
processes. The course provides students with an essential
understanding of the role of living systems in society, the most
important scientific aspects related to these, and how living
systems can be addressed from an engineering perspective. With
focus on engineering aspects, the course addresses all key phases
of a living system: cell, organ, organism, group, organization,
community, society, and supranational system. The course uses peer
learning through different existing living systems to provide the
students with the essential understanding of the role and operation
of living systems in the society e.g. industrial microorganisms,
fermentation systems, downstream processing, biomass, bioenergy,
wastewater treatment, aquaculture production etc. Finally, an
overview of living systems definitions, availability, competing
uses (e.g. competition between resources, process efficiency,
emerging technologies, etc.) is provided.
Litteraturhenvisninger
Lecture notes, living systems introductory leaflet, videos,
scientific articles and peer reports.
Sidst opdateret
04. maj, 2026
