What does "biobased" mean and what are the current structural changes in the production and use of biological resources? This course will answer those questions and more; highlighting the opportunities, hurdles, and driving forces of the bioeconomy. Bioeconomy aims at the conversion of the raw material base from fossil to biogenic raw materials and builds a bridge between technology, ecology, society and economy as well as their interactions. This structural change involves the production and use of biological resources to provide products, processes and services in all economic sectors within the framework of a sustainable economic system. The course will train experts who can understand, accompany and shape this change. The course describes the different types of biomass, the methods of refinery and typical conversion technologies used for biobased products. The strong emphasis will be given also to the countries of Global South. The course concludes with an individual assignment: writing a paper on the topic of own choice, which is relevantly researchable and of current interest.
Lectures:
- General introduction - Scientific and political background and history
- Bioeconomy - Issues and challenges
- Essential fields of bioeconomy I
- Essential fields of bioeconomy II
- Five principles for sustainable bioeconomy: I
- Five principles for sustainable bioeconomy: II
Seminars:
- Bioeconomy – Perspective for Europe, Americas, Africa and Asia
- Bioeconomy – Perspective of Global North vs Global South
- Guest lecturer
- Focus group discussion
- Guest lecturer
- Group presentation
Self-study materials include recorded lectures, study text, and literature sources, providing theoretical knowledge on the essential fields of bioeconomy as well as sustainable bioeconomy. Each topic combines the reading of literature, individual or group assignments, and feedback on the reviews and applications of the methodological perspectives are examined.
