UW Bothell Course Descriptions
UW Tacoma Course Descriptions
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Detailed course offerings (Time Schedule) are available for
BSE 101 Biomass, Biofuels and Bioproducts (5) SSc/NSc
Provides an introduction to the science and technology of Biofuels, Bioproducts, and Renewable Energy. In particular, the generation and properties of biofuels and specialty products from lignocellulosic sources will be emphasized. Part of this class will concentrate on the social aspects of biomass to biofuels conversion. Recommended: high school chemistry and physics, ideally some exposure to organic chemistry. Offered: S.
View course details in MyPlan: BSE 101
BSE 150 Bioresource Science and Engineering Seminar (1)
Introduces the science and technology of bioresources, including paper. Faculty, advisers, and guest lectures present on topics throughout the quarter. Credit/no-credit only.
View course details in MyPlan: BSE 150
BSE 190 Special Topics (1-5, max. 10) NSc
Introduces current topics or courses under development to address the latest issues in bioresource science and engineering.
View course details in MyPlan: BSE 190
BSE 201 Introduction to Pulp, Paper, and Bioproducts (3) NSc
Broad overview of the science and technology of producing pulp and paper. Introduction of the BSE major course sequence and various career options. Examination of Pacific Northwest pulp and paper production facilities.
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BSE 202 Pulp and Paper Lab and Field Studies (1) NSc
Laboratory and field trip studies in pulp and paper technology. Visits to local forest product manufacturing facilities. Required for BSE majors. Credit/no-credit only.
View course details in MyPlan: BSE 202
BSE 210 Concepts in Bioproducts Sustainability (4) NSc
Principles from chemistry, mathematics, physics and material flows are applied to understand processes from feedstock through end-use and re-use of bioproducts. Bioproducts covered are those derived from cellulosic plant materials, including paper products, biochemical, biofuels, and bioplastics. First concepts in engineering analysis are introduced, including introduction to engineering design. Recommended: high school chemistry, physics, and algebra. Offered: A.
View course details in MyPlan: BSE 210
BSE 211 Creativity and Society (5) A&H/SSc
Explores the nature of creativity and innovation in U.S. and other societies. Investigates the processes of thinking and techniques of idea generation in fields such as art, music, science, engineering and medicine.
View course details in MyPlan: BSE 211
BSE 231 Technical Communication for Process Engineers (3) NSc
Introduces technical communication skills for process engineers. Topics covered include general communication, technical writing, oral presentations and engineering ethics. Students work individually and in teams to complete oral and written assignments based on modern, industrially relevant bioresource and process engineering problems. Prerequisite: Either C LIT 240, both ENGl 109 and ENGL 110, ENGL 111, ENGL 121, ENGL 131, ENGL 182, ENGL 197, ENGL 198, ENGL 199, or ENGL 281.
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BSE 248 Paper Properties (4) NSc
Acquaints students with raw material characteristics, physical and mechanical concepts, nomenclature, and procedures related to evaluating paper and paperboard product properties. Emphasizes structural, optical, mechanical, and moisture related properties. Offered: Sp.
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BSE 309 Creativity and Innovation (2) A&H
Understanding creativity and creative thinking; its challenges and dynamics through knowledge, judgment, planning, and observation. Techniques of creative thinking. Design and development of creative games. Computer-aided creative thinking. Creation, protection, and exploitation of a useful idea, including bargaining and negotiations. Offered: jointly with CHEM E 309.
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BSE 391 Engineering Principles of Biorefineries (5) NSc
Introduction to biofinery processes, including material and energy balances; sustainability aspects and environmental issues; and process modeling. Application of conservation laws to calculation of flow rates, chemical composition, and heat requirements of non-reactive and reactive systems typical of processes involving lignocellulosic biomass. Prerequisite: A A 260; either CHEM 223 or CHEM 237; and MATH 207. Offered: A.
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BSE 392 Bioresource Transport Phenomena (5) NSc
Focuses on transport phenomena involved in the biofinery processes, including: momentum, heat, and mass transfer; paper drying, transport in biochemical and thermochemical processes, and product separation; and computational tools. Application of conservation laws to calculations of flow rates, chemical composition, and heat requirements involving lignocellulosic biomass. Prerequisite: minimum grade of 2.0 in BSE 391. Offered: W.
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BSE 399 Undergraduate Internship (1-5, max. 15)
Internship experience with a public agency or private company, supervised and approved by a faculty member. Preparation of professional report reflecting on the experience is required. Credit/no-credit only. Offered: AWSpS.
View course details in MyPlan: BSE 399
BSE 406 Natural Products Chemistry (5) NSc
Provides knowledge of chemistry of aqueous and solvent-rich systems, natural and synthetic polymers, and of interactions with inorganic materials and trace substances present in biomass processing systems. Covers the chemistry of lignocellulosic biomass components: cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and extractives. Presents the fundamental chemistry of biomass conversion process. Prerequisite: either CHEM 223, CHEM 237, or CHEM 335. Offered: A.
View course details in MyPlan: BSE 406
BSE 410 Industrial Wastewater Treatment and Reduction (4)
Applications of mathematics, statistics and chemistry for the engineering design of pollution control for high-strength industrial wastewater, with focus on the pulp, paper and biorefineries industries. Includes design of treatment reactors, settling chambers, sorption operations, and approaches for wastewater reduction. Prerequisite: BSE 210 and either BSE 391, CHEM E 310, CEE 350, or CEE 357; and either MATH 207 or AMATH 351; recommended: courses in physics; organic chemistry; differential equations; statistics; and engineering fundamentals. Offered: W.
View course details in MyPlan: BSE 410
BSE 420 Bioresource Engineering I (4)
Covers chemistry and reaction kinetics of conversion of biomass into molecules and fibers for use in making fuels and high value products. Includes chemical, biological, and thermal conversion of biomass. Develops applications of reaction kinetics to design reactor configurations. Prerequisite: BSE 406. Offered: W.
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BSE 421 Bioresource Engineering II (4)
Introduces basic mass transfer processes and physical basis: diffusion, convection, and mass transfer coefficients. Analyzes separation processes used in forest products and bioresources industries: membrane separations, flow through porous media, leaching and extraction, and evaporation. Includes industrial processes: dialysis, reverse osmosis, fiber web formation, pulp washing, and black liquor evaporation. Prerequisite: minimum grade of 2.0 in both BSE 392 and BSE 420. Offered: Sp.
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BSE 422 Bioresource Engineering III (4)
Introduces process simulators and their application to model unit operations and large scale integrated facilities such as biorefineries and pulp and paper mills. Covers applications to optimize processes for production and environmental impact, basic control equipment, process models used in control, types of controllers, and simple controller tuning. Prerequisite: minimum grade of 2.0 in BSE 421. Offered: A.
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BSE 426 Bioresource Laboratory (4)
Covers bioconversion laboratory techniques, focusing on design and operation of conversion processes to produce high value biorenewable products based on chemistry of biomass. Products include ethanol, pulp, glycols, and sugar streams. Includes significant product design component, and hands-on laboratory creation of products based on design. Prerequisite: minimum grade of 2.0 in BSE 420; Q SCI 381 or STAT 311 which may be taken concurrently. Offered: Sp.
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BSE 430 Papermaking Processes (5)
Examines stock preparation operations (refining, screening, and cleaning) for papermaking and sheet forming as a unit of operations. Considers related unit operations of fluid dynamics and heat transfer as they apply to the commercial process. Covers sheet finishing operations of surface sizing, calendaring, and rewinding. Analyzes physics of fiber webs. Prerequisite: either BSE 392 or CHEM E 340. Offered: A.
View course details in MyPlan: BSE 430
BSE 436 Pulp and Paper Laboratory II (4)
Paper testing, paper additives, flocculation, drainage, retention, heat transfer, and fluid dynamics in papermaking from virgin and recycled raw materials. Prerequisite: BSE 430. Offered: W.
View course details in MyPlan: BSE 436
BSE 475 Life Cycle Assessment: Fundamentals and Bio-Based Applications (5)
Overview of life cycle thinking, the fundamental theory of the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) framework, and practical applications in supporting real-world decision-making. Presents state-of-the-art LCA tools, industrial case studies, and advanced LCA methodologies using the framework of bio-based materials and bioenergy solutions. Emphasizes systems thinking. Offered: jointly with ESRM 475; W.
View course details in MyPlan: BSE 475
BSE 480 Bioresource Design I (4) SSc/NSc
Design and production of biomass derived products meeting given specifications and financial constraints, integrating coursework knowledge to solve complex, open-ended design problems. Specific considerations in design include: economic, marketability, environmental, sustainability, ethical, health and safety, social, and political. Prerequisite: minimum grade of 2.0 in BSE 406; 2.0 in BSE 420; 2.0 in BSE 430. Offered: W.
View course details in MyPlan: BSE 480
BSE 481 Bioresource Design II (5) SSc/NSc
Comprehensive design of pulp and paper processes, including: economic feasibility studies; process equipment design, optimization, and control; and overall process integration and layout. Safety and ethics in the design process. Prerequisite: BSE 480. Offered: Sp.
View course details in MyPlan: BSE 481
BSE 489 Foreign Study (1-5, max. 15)
Individual foreign study of topics for which there is not sufficient demand to warrant the organization of regular classes. Offered: AWSpS.
View course details in MyPlan: BSE 489
BSE 490 Special Topics (1-5, max. 15)
Individual tutorial study of topics or courses under development to address the latest scientific developments in forest resources. Offered: AWSp.
View course details in MyPlan: BSE 490
BSE 497 Pulp and Paper Internship (1, max. 3)
Technical and economic analysis of commercial pulp and paper installations. Structured visits to industrial operations to observe technical aspects of pulp and paper curriculum in practice. Preparation of visitation reports and analysis in seminar setting. Offered: A.
View course details in MyPlan: BSE 497
BSE 499 Undergraduate Research (1-5, max. 15)
Individual research supervised by a faculty member. For advanced students desiring to extend their educational experience. Offered: AWSpS.
View course details in MyPlan: BSE 499
