Aiming at low carbon pathways in its economy, the EU has embarked on a bioeconomy strategy to replace building blocks in the fossil economy by renewable resources. In doing so, the bioeconomy expands its role from being merely a food supplier towards an integrated supplier of a wide range of bio-based products in the EU economy. This course helps students to understand, assess and explore  sustainable pathways in an economy depending on living ecosystems.

The course will be given in 8 units of 3.5 hours each, where each unit contains two content blocks/themes, split by a break. The course language is English.

Unit 1: Introduction and fundamentals (25.10.2017: 14.30-18.00)

• Block I: General introduction
• Block II: Global challenges and the bioeconomy

Unit 2: The bioeconomy and sustainability (08.11.2017: 14.30-18.00)

• Block I: Fundamentals of ecological economics
• Block II: Concepts of sustainability

Unit 3: The bioeconomy in the economy  (15.11.2017: 14.30-18.00)

• Block I: The bioeconomy from a production perspective - Food and non-Food
• Block II: The bioeconomy from a consumption perspective

Unit 4: The bioeconomy and the environment (06.12.2017: 14.30-18.00)

• Block I: Global environmental impacts
• Block II: Assessment of environmental impacts (Guest speaker: Dr. Martin Bruckner)

Unit 5: The bioeconomy in society (13.12.2017: 14.30-18.00)

• 1st exam (on the contents of Unit 1, 2, 3, 4)
• Block I: Human needs, wellbeing and the bioeconomy
• Block II: Sustainability assessments: Linking the biophysical, the economic and the human system

Unit 6: Excursion (20.12.2017: 14:30-18:00)

Unit 7: Governance of sustainable development in the bioeconomy (20.12.2017: 14.30-18.00)

• Block I: The tragedy of the commons
• Block II: The role of the state, the private sector and civil society in governance

Unit 8: New pathways in the bioeconomy (10.01.2018: 14.30-18.00)

• 2nd exam (on the contents of Unit 5, 6, 7)
• Poster presentations  (17.01.2018: 14.30-18.00)

After completing this course, students should have learned (at least!) the following:

• Knowing the differences between a bio-based economy and a fossil economy;
• Understanding socio-ecological systems as complex, interlinked systems and the functions of the bioeconomy therein;
• Knowing the different dimensions of the bioeconomy (economic, social, environmental) and understanding the tradeoffs between them;
• Understanding theoretical concepts of sustainable development and to be able to generate ideas of sustainable business development on the basis of these concepts.
• Knowing about methods to assess resource use and environmental impact related to the bioeconomy;
• Understanding the need for governance concepts in relation to common pool resources and global responsibilities.

Furthermore, the course aims to contribute to the student's capabilities to:

• Recognise the different 'framings' in the sustainability discourse regarding the bioeconomy and to be able to take account of those in discussions;
• Recognise and assess theoretical concepts in ecological economics and to select appropriate concepts for specific cases/ in specific contexts;
• Give and receive critical and constructive feedback in group discussions;
• Reflect on his/her own contribution and performance (self-reflection).

• Input lectures by the course leader

• Paper discussions (which should be read in advance)
• Group work/ group presentations
• Internet videos and film fragments
• Guest lecture 
• Excursion

• 2 partial exams (together 40%)
• Poster / - presentation on a chosen topic related to the bioeconomy and sustainability (30%)
• Group work (20%)
• Active participation in discussions (10%)

Course enrollment is on the basis of "first-come, first-served” principle. If you have registered but cannot participate in the course, please de-register via LPIS during the registration period so that your course is available to students on the waiting list.

If there is a waiting list for enrollment in the course, students at the waiting list will be notified after the end of the enrollment period, and will be allocated to available places.

This procedure, however, is not to be understood as a place guarantee!

No special requirements, except for an active work attitude!