Course code EkonP022

Credit points 12

Bioeconomics

Total Hours in Course324

Independent study hours324

Date of course confirmation25.09.2018

Responsible UnitInstitute of Economics and Finance

Course developers

author prof.

Modrīte Pelše

Dr. oec.

author prof.

Dina Popluga

Dr. oec.

Prior knowledge

Ekon2100, Bioeconomics I

Ekon3095, Bioeconomics II

Ekon3096, Sustainable Development

Ekon3117, Agricultural and Environmental Policy

Ekon3118, Value Chain Economics

Course abstract

During the practical training, students get acquainted with the activities of the enterprises/ institutions/ organizations involved in the bioeconomy sector, strengthen their theoretical knowledge in the field of bioeconomy and acquire the skills necessary for specialists of agrarian and environmental economics in the labor market, as well as obtain the information necessary for the development of the Bachelor's thesis.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge
• Knowledge of operation of the work placement organisation and the role of the organisation in bioeconomy development. Assessment method - practical training report and the presentation of the report.
• Knowledge of approaches applied at the work placement organisation that promote efficient and sustainable use of bioresources. Assessment method - practical training report and the presentation of the report.
Professional skills
• Associate the acquired theoretical knowledge in bioeconomics with practical assignments to participate in the daily activities of the work placement organisation and in tackling related problems. Assessment method - reference of the practical placement coach.
Soft skills
• Complete and assume responsibility for the assignments given. Assessment method - reference of the practical placement coach.
• Work in a team. Assessment method - reference of the practical placement coach.
• Present and explain the work results to others. Assessment method - presentation of the report.
Competences

• Independently analyse, evaluate, judge as well as solve work assignments in various fields of practical work, working individually and in a team. Assessment method - practical training report and a reference of the practical training coach.

Course Content(Calendar)

The practice is organized to reinforce the theoretical knowledge acquired during the studies in enterprises, institutions, organizations of the bioeconomy-forming industries (i.e. agriculture, food, forestry, fisheries, pharmaceutical, energy, textile, etc.) and to supplement this knowledge with practical work skills.
The practical placement must be related to the production and/ or use and processing of the bio-resources either directly or downstream. Practical placements may include: agriculture, energy, forestry, woodworking, fisheries, food production, pharmacy, etc. enterprises, as well as public authorities and public organizations representing the bioeconomy sectors and contributing to the development of the bioeconomy.
For each trainee the Institute of Economic and Regional Development (hereinafter - EKRA) prepare an individual practice program according to the chosen practical placement. During the internship, the tasks defined in the internship assignment are fulfilled, as well as the tasks assigned to the trainee by the supervisor of the chosen practical placement. The trainee's task is to get to know the practical placement as much as possible, to clarify the role of the practical placement in the context of the bioeconomy and to fulfil the tasks assigned to him in good faith.
Depending on the chosen placement, the trainee should become familiar with:
1) organization of work of practical placement; structure; responsibility and competence; the objectives, targets and their context in the bioeconomy;
2) main activities of practical placement and evaluate them in the context of the Latvian Bioeconomy Strategy 2030 (LIBRA), noting the opportunities and risks of the practical placement in the context of the development of the bioeconomy, as well as to provide practical recommendations for improving performance of practical placement;
3) the role of the practical placement in the development of bioeconomy sectors, promotion of biomass use in the national economy, as well as to find out whether innovative approaches are used in the practical placement for efficient and sustainable use of natural resources.
The trainee should, as far as possible, participate in discussions, meetings, meetings that are organized in practical placement, which are open and which can supplement the knowledge on the tasks included in the practice program.
At the end of the practice, the student develop written practical training report according to the practice assignments. Amount of report is 15-20 pages. The report shall be accompanied by a placement assignment with an officially approved reference of the practical training coach. The practice report is defended at the EKRA by a commission appointed by the director of the institute.

Requirements for awarding credit points

Student must complete practice, develop practice report on practice program tasks and work performed at practical placement, defend report at the commission.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Student must independently prepare a practice report and a presentation about the practical placement and main tasks fulfilled.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The practice is evaluated in 10 point system. The practice is defended if all members of the commission give a positive evaluation of the work. In case of negative evaluation (less than 4 points) - the practice must be repeatedly defended within the time set by the institute.

Compulsory reading

1. Atjaunojamā enerģija un tās efektīva izmantošana Latvijā: Monogrāfija. Jelgava: LLU, 2012. 392 lpp.
2. Krūzs K. Dabas un otrreizējo resursu izmantošana. Mācību līdzeklis. Rīga: Izglītības soļi, 2003. 131 lpp.
3. Pelše M., Naglis-Liepa K., Strīķis V., Leikučs J. Atjaunojamās enerģijas izmantošanas ekonomiskais izvērtējums ilgtspējīgas attīstības kontekstā. Jelgava: LLU, 2012. 85 lpp.: il.

4. Roorda N. Fundamentals of Sustainable Development. Second edition. New York: Routledge,2017.382 lpp. ISBN: 978-1-138-09265-5

Further reading

1. Adamovičs A. u.c. Enerģētisko augu audzēšana un izmantošana. Sast. A. Varika. Rīga: Vides projekts, 2007. 190 lpp.
2. Akvakultūra Latvijā. Rīga: Latvijas zivju resursu aģentūra, 2008. 23 lpp.
3. Atstāja Dz., Dimante Dž., Brīvers I. u.c. Vide un ekonomika: Monogrāfija. Rīga: LU, 2011. 256 lpp.

4. Boļšakovs S. Inovatīvā darbība Latvijā. Rīga: Jumava, 2008. 323 lpp.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Kapitāls: žurnāls lietišķiem cilvēkiem, krāsains biznesa un ekonomikas žurnāls. Rīga: SIA Izdevniecība IKK. ISSN 1407-2505
2. Latvijas Lauksaimniecības universitātes mājaslapa - http://www.llu.lv/lv/bioekonomika
3. Eiropas Komisijas Bioekonomikas zināšanu centra mājaslapa - https://ec.europa.eu/research/bioeconomy/index.cfm
4. Ziemeļvalstu Ministru Padomes mājaslapa - http://www.norden.org/en/theme/nordic-bioeconomy

5. Latvijas Republikas Zemkopības ministrijas mājaslapa - http://www.zm.gov.lv

Notes

Practice for ESAF academic bachelor degree program Economics in specialization direction Agrarian and Environmental Economics.