Program Overview

Course Overview

The course "Biopolymeric materials and Experimental design and data analysis" is a specialization course offered at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). The course code is TBT4506.

Course Details

• Credits: 7.5
• Level: Second degree level
• Course start: Autumn 2025
• Duration: 1 semester
• Language of instruction: English and Norwegian
• Location: Trondheim

Course Content

Biopolymeric Materials

The course emphasizes the properties and behavior of biological macromolecules at concentrations above critical overlap concentration. Topics include viscosity profile, order/disorder transitions, gel formation, viscoelastic properties, and phase behavior when mixing macromolecules. Examples of biopolymer use are given, with a special emphasis on biomedicine and biopolymers used in immobilization of cells and enzymes. Demonstration of rheological equipment for characterization of soft materials is also included.

Experimental Design and Data Analysis

This part of the course covers uncertainty analysis, hypothesis testing, simple and multiple linear regression, experimental design with two-level factorial experiments, analysis of variance (ANOVA), nonparametric methods, and the use of IBM SPSS for statistical analysis.

Learning Outcomes

• Biopolymeric Materials: Basic knowledge of biological biopolymers in concentrated solutions and gels, materials based on them, and how such materials can be tailored and changed to defined properties.
• Experimental Design and Data Analysis: Knowledge of basic statistical models and methods used in science and technology. Ability to interpret results of hypothesis testing, regression analysis, experimental design, analysis of variance, and nonparametric methods. Ability to use software for statistical calculations and analysis.

Learning Methods and Activities

• Biopolymeric Materials: Lectures and demonstrations.
• Experimental Design and Data Analysis: Lectures (24 hours), exercises (8 hours).

Compulsory Assignments

• Exercises in statistics.

Evaluation

• Experimental Design and Data Analysis: Four exercises, all of which must be approved to take the written exam (2 hours).
• Biopolymeric Materials and Experimental Design and Data Analysis: Written exam (2 hours). Both parts of the exam must be passed to receive a passing grade in the course. In case of a re-sit examination, the examination form may be changed from written to oral.

Recommended Previous Knowledge

Previous knowledge in biochemistry, microbiology, biochemical engineering, and molecular genetics is required, corresponding to courses such as TBT4107, TBT4110, TBT4145, and TBT4135. A basic course in Statistics from BSc is also recommended.

Course Materials

Information to be given at the commencement of the course. The textbook "Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists" (9th Edition) by Ronald E. Walpole is recommended.

Credit Reductions

This course has academic overlap with TBT4507, TBT4508, and MATV4008. If overlapping courses are taken, a credit reduction will be applied to the course with the lowest grade. If grades are the same, the reduction will be applied to the course completed most recently.

Subject Areas

• Technological subjects

Examination Arrangement

• Examination Arrangement: Aggregate score
• Grade: Letter grades

Ordinary Examination - Autumn 2025

• School Exam: Weighting 50/100, examination aids allowed (Code D), date and time to be announced, duration 2 hours, exam system Inspera Assessment.
• Place and Room for School Exam: To be announced, check Studentweb for the final location.

Re-sit Examination - Summer 2026

• School Exam: Weighting 50/100, examination aids allowed (Code D), duration 2 hours, exam system Inspera Assessment. Place and room to be announced.