MicroMasters Economics and Policies for a Circular Bio-Economy

Why follow this MicroMasters programme?

• Directly apply what you learn to your own business
• Study at the best agricultural university in the world from the comfort of your own home
• Plenty of opportunities to ask questions and to interact with other learners
• Earn credits for the on-campus master’s programme Biobased Sciences

Policies stressing circularity in our economy are becoming ever more important. It’s critical to understand the economics implications of these policies that govern the transition and implementation of biobased products and resources. The market structure and performance of the value chain influence- and are influenced by circular bioeconomic policies. A company that wants to succeed in the circular bio-economy must be prepared for the challenges and opportunities ahead.

This MicroMasters programme will help you understand the basic economics of a circular biobased economy. You will learn to carry out economic assessments of the benefits and costs of new biobased technologies, in a dynamic value chain, where feedback occurs between different actors such as between retailers and food processors. At the end of this MicroMasters programme, in the last course, you will perform a capstone project in which you apply the knowledge from all courses to your own business case. This will give you the opportunity to receive feedback from experts in the field of circular bio-economy economics and policies.

What you will learn

Completion of this MicroMasters programme in Business and Economics for a Circular Bio-Economy will provide you with knowledge and tools to analyse the economics and policy sides of converting biological resources into biobased products. To earn the programme certificate, learners must complete and successfully earn a verified certificate in all four programme courses. Upon earning the programme certificate, you will be able to contribute substantially to managerial decision-making, as well as policy development.

After completion of the programme, you will be able to:

• Understand the economic issues and policies affecting the circular bioeconomy at the firm, on a national and international level
• Assess the costs, benefits and market impacts of new biobased technologies
• Evaluate the adoptation and environmental benefits of biobased policies
• Take a systems approach and consider different actors, feedback cycles and pressures in a dynamic value chain

Contents of the MicroMaster programme

The programme consists of the following MOOCs:

Is this MicroMasters programme for you?

This MicroMasters programme is for anyone who is interested in deepening their knowledge on the economics and policies aspects of a biobased economy. It is specifically aimed at those currently working in biobased industries, industries that are transitioning to be more biobased, or non-profit and governmental institutions. In addition to a brief introduction of the technological aspects related to biobased materials and their conversion, the programme will focus on the economics and policy aspects of the biobased economy. The programme emphasizes a systems approach and the various associated tools and methods (e.g. life cycle assessment and agent-based modeling).

If you would like to know more about the business and operations side of the circular economy, you might be interested in the following Micromasters programme.

Applying for the on-campus master's Biobased Sciences

Learners who successfully earn the MicroMasters programme certificate and decide to apply for the Master of Science programme Biobased Sciences at Wageningen University & Research (120 ECTS, 2 year full time on-campus programme) need to go through the regular admission procedures for MSc students and meet the entry requirements. If you are admitted and would like to be exempted from courses in the MSc programme, you can send a formal waiver request. Campus courses that can be waived (up to 18 credits) are courses that are equivalent to the online courses in the MicroMasters Programme.

Please note: if your intention is to apply, please start your application procedure as early as possible.

If you have any questions about the on-campus master's and/or if you have attented the 'old' MicroMasters programme (MicroMasters Programme Biobased Sciences for Sustainability/up to 24 ECTS), and like to apply, please contact team Online education.