LV EN RU DE FR

Knowledge-Intensive Bioeconomy

Additional course materials

Course developer

Course abstract

After completing this course, master's students acquire a profound knowledge of the bioeconomy and the classification and strategic priorities thereof. The course particularly focuses on linking the bioeconomy with relevant knowledge and innovations, as well as builds up a new and expanded understanding of research and knowledge transfer mechanisms and support instruments for developing the bioeconomy. Upon completing the course, master students are able to assess and analyse bioeconomy strategies, design and analyse bioeconomy value chains, compare them with traditional economic value chains, as well as provide innovative and original solutions to the problems and challenges related to the supply of and demand for bioresources.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge
• Students will be able to demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the substance, classification and strategic priorities of the bioeconomy, as well as its link with relevant knowledge and innovations. Assessment methods – test.
• Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of research, knowledge transfer mechanisms, support instruments for developing the bioeconomy. Assessment methods – problem-solving, discussion.
• Demonstrate a specific knowledge of the factors constraining demand and supply, as well as problems and challenges regarding bioeconomy industries. Assessment method – group work, a practical assignment, a presentation.
Professional skills
• Assess and analyse bioeconomy development strategies and their implementation success. Assessment methods – case study, independent work.
• Design and analyse bioeconomy value chains, compare them with traditional economic value chains. Assessment method – group work.
Soft skills
• Defend their own ideas, research results and present them to a wider audience. Assessment methods – presentation, group work.
• Work in a team. Assessment method – group work.
Competence
• Independently and comprehensively assess the demand for innovative and bio-based products by a knowledge society, identify problems and come up with original solutions. Assessment methods – discussion, a practical assignment, a presentation.
• Identify problems and challenges related to the supply of bioresources and come up with original solutions. Assessment methods – test, discussion, group work.

Course Content(Calendar)

Lectures
1. The essence and classification of bioeconomy. (2 hours)
2. Strategic issues of bioeconomy. (2 hours)
3. The role of science and innovation in the development of the bioeconomy. (2 hours)
4. Demand for products of bioeconomy sectors. (2 hours)
5. Supply of bioeconomy sectors. (2 hours)
6. bioeconomy research and practical implication. (2 hours)
Practical works
1. Bioeconomy contribution for achieving sustainability goals. (2 hours)
2. Evaluation of national bioeconomy strategies. (2 hours)
3. Examples of bioeconomy innovations. (1 hour)
4. Cooperation of scientists in bioeconomy research. (1 hour)
5. Alternatives in the individual's daily choices. (2 hours)
6. Analysis of bioeconomy value chain. (2 hours)
7. The role of students in bioeconomy research. (1 hour)
8. Test. (1 hour)

Requirements for awarding credit points

During the study course student have to pass 1 test, complete independent works, present results of independent work, participate in group work. At the end of the course the student obtains an accumulative assessment – a test with a mark.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Within the framework of the study course there are 2 independent works – 1 independent work where student preform problem-solving on the topic of national bioeconomy strategies, 1 practical assignment on products of bioeconomy sectors and presentation about main findigs. In addition, within the entire study course, the student independently prepares for a test and group work.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The final assessment in the study course is formed cumulatively - from 1 test (proportion of assessment - 40%), 1 independent work (proportion of assessment - 10%), 1 practical assignment and presentation (proportion of assessment - 30%), group work (proportion of assessment - 20%), where 10% corresponds to one point on the 10-point assessment scale.

Compulsory reading

1. Lewandowski I. Bioeconomy: shaping the transition to a sustainable, biobased economy. Cham: Springer, 2018. 354 p.
2. Sillanpää M., Ncibi C. A Sustainable Bioeconomy: the green industrial revolution. Cham: Springer, 2017. 343 p.
3. Latvijas Bioekonomikas stratēģija 2030. Pieejams: https://www.llu.lv/sites/default/files/2018-07/Bioeconomy_Strategy_Latvia_LV.pdf

Further reading

1. Pietzsch J. Bioeconomy for Beginners. Germany: Springer-Verlag GmbH, 2020. 214 p.
2. Styhre A. Organizations and the Bioeconomy: the Management and Commodification of the Life Sciences. New York: Routledge, 2017. 197 p.
3. Lange L. Development of the Nordic Bioeconomy: NCM Reporting: Test Centers for Green Energy Solutions – Borefineries and Business Needs. Copenhagen: Nordic Council of Ministers, 2015. e-grāmata pieejams LLU tīklā datubāzē eBook Collection EBSCOhost ar LLU IS lietotājkontu https://search-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.llu.lv/login.aspx?direct=true&db=e000xww&AN=1213498&site=ehost-live
4. Future Opportunities for Bioeconomy in the West Nordic Countries. H.O. Jörundsdottir et al. [Place of publication not identified]: Nordic Council of Ministers. 2014. e-grāmata pieejams LLU tīklā datubāzē eBook Collection (EBSCOhost) ar LLU IS lietotājkontu https://search-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.llu.lv/login.aspx?direct=true&db=e000xww&AN=970199&site=ehost-live

Periodicals and other sources

1. Eiropas Bioekonomikas bibliotēka. Pieejams: https://www.bioeconomy-library.eu/
2. Eiropas Bioekonomikas tīkls. Pieejams: https://eubionet.eu/
3. Eiropas Bioekonomikas stratēģija. Pieejams: https://ec.europa.eu/info/research-and-innovation/research-area/environment/bioeconomy/bioeconomy-strategy_en
4. Muska A., Zvirbule A., Pilvere I. (2021) Factors Affecting the Development of the Bioeconomy in Latvia. In: Economic Science for Rural Development Conference Proceedings. Issue 55, pp. 26-34. DOI: 10.22616/ESRD.2021.55.002
5. 25 stāsti par bioekonomikas inovācijām Baltijas jūras reģionā. RDI2CluB, 2020.
6. Eurostat datu bāze. Pieejams: http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat
7. Centrālā statistikas pārvalde. Pieejams: http://www.csb.gov.lv/

Notes

Compulsory study course for the academic master study program “Economics”