Current active course description (last updated 2026/27)
Biomaterials
BIO2005
Current active course description (last updated 2026/27)

Biomaterials

BIO2005
The course introduces fundamental aspects associated with synthesis, properties, processing/fabrication and application of materials (cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin) derived from or associated with bio-entities and their application.

The course introduces fundamental aspects associated with synthesis, properties, processing/fabrication and application of materials (cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin) derived from or associated with bio-entities. Included in the course are many relevant fundamental details that link factors such as bonding, structure and defects in fibres, processing parameters and microstructures (crystallinity and morphology of cellulose) to the properties and mechanics of biomaterials. The course focuses on biomaterials with broad applications beyond energy, optics, agricultural sector, chemical, pharmaceutical, medical or clinical uses.

The couse is offered only if a sufficient number of students is registered.

Elective for students in the 5th semester of the BSc in Sustainable Economy and Bioproduction, Bachelor in Biology and a mandatory coruse in the semesterpackage Biorefinary.

The course can be offered to single course students, but be aware of the course's prerequisites.

The course is base at campus Steinkjer, but may also be digital/online. Lectures may be in English.

The course provides the student with knowledge about:

Knowledge

  • Broad knowledge and understanding of composition and properties of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and extractives
  • Technologies used in feedstock fractionation
  • Chemical reactions in the most important fractionation methods of plant biomass to its constituents
  • Chemical characterization of lignocellulosic compounds using chemical methods.
  • Knowledge of research and development work in fractionation of lignocellulosics.
  • Recognize technical challenges used in manufacturing of different biomaterials and determine the optimal application considering composition and physicochemical properties of lignocellulosics

Skills

The course should enable the students to:

  • Distinguish the special nature of plant-based fibres and assess how the properties affect their applicability
  • Develop an ability to intercorrelate a structure and physicochemical properties of lignocellulosic materials
  • Point out the main bottlenecks in modern applications of cellulose-based fibres, fibre components, hemicellulose, lignin, and extractives
  • Choose correct analytical methods for assessing certain properties of lignocellulosic materials and their applications
  • Develop experimental skills to fractionate lignocellulose to its main constituents (cellulose, hemicelluloses, lignin, extractives) and characterize their chemical structure by chromatography and spectroscopy.

General competence

After completion of the course the students should gain general competence in:

  • the physical and chemical distinctions between natural fibres, regenerated fibres, and nanofibres
  • the basic structures, properties and functions of common hemicelluloses and lignins and structure-property relationship to cellulose-based fibres
  • master the morphology of the native cellulose microfibril and acknowledge how it affects nanocellulose preparation and properties
  • the major obstacles and difficulties in cellulose dissolution and regeneration through basic laws of physical chemistry
  • the main pathways to chemical modification of lignocellulosic materials and assessment of biomaterials’ quality using chemical analytical methods
  • correlation of composition and physicochemical properties of lignin, hemicellulose, and extractives with the pathway to apply biomaterials in industry
No tuition fees. Semester fees and cost of course literature apply. It is also required that students have a laptop at their disposal.

Elective for students in the 5th semester of the BSc in Sustainable Economy and Bioproduction, Bachelor in Biology and the semesterpackage Biorefinary. The course can be offered to single course students, but be aware of the course's prerequisites.

The course is based at campus Steinkjer, but may also be digital/online. Lectures may be in English.

If there are no students in the semesterpackage Biorefinary, the course will not be held in the spring semester.

Interactive lectures, guest lectures (if min. 5 participants will be enrolled), project-relevant literature recherche study and final seminar with the presentation and AI-generated figuares for the project presentation. In the project work, interdisciplinary work is done in small groups or individually.
Evaluation using mid-term and final surveys. Students are also encouraged to participate in the national quality surveys.

Compound assessement, grading scale Letter grades

  • Assessment task, multiple-choice quizzes. Approved/ Not approved.
  • Oral examination, comprises /0/100 of the grade, letter grades A-F
  • Portifolio: Assignemnt(s), comprises 30 /100 of the grade, letter grades A-F
To use ChatGTP or other artificial intelligence (AI) to generate a assignment or report and submit this as your own work, will be classified as cheating.

ECO1018 Circular Bioeconomy & BIO1006 Bioproduction and Technology

Chemistry: KJE1000 , KJ104F, KJE1002 or equivalent

Choose start semester
Credits
7.5
Study location
Steinkjer, Bodø
Responsible faculty
Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture
Course coordinator
Information about the course coordinator for the selected semester is no longer available. Please contact the current course coordinator.