What you will learn
- Take a systems approach and consider different actors, feedback cycles and pressures in a dynamic value chain
- 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 adoption and environmental benefits of biobased policies
Policies stressing circularity in our economy is becoming ever more important. Understanding the economic implications is critical for assessing the policies. The market structure and performance of the value chain, in combination with technical change, influence- and are influenced by circular bioeconomic policies. A company that wants to succeed in the circular bioeconomy 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 the 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 bioeconomy economics and policies.
Completion of this MicroMasters programme in Business and Economics for a Circular BioEconomy will provide you with knowledge and tools to analyse the economics and policy sides of converting biological resources into biobased products. Upon earning the programme certificate, you will be able to contribute substantially to managerial decision-making, as well as policy development.
Courses in this program
WageningenX's Economics and Policies for a Circular Bio-Economy MicroMasters® Program
- 20–28 hours per week, for 5 weeks
Explore how to create a sustainable future by moving away from dependence on fossil resources to biomass resources for the production of food, chemicals and energy-carriers. Discover how to use microorganisms and catalysts to create biobased products.
- 16–24 hours per week, for 6 weeks
Join the transition towards a circular economy considering economic, supply chain, social, technical, managerial and environmental aspects.
- 12–20 hours per week, for 4 weeks
Lead your company to make the switch to biobased resources and build a profitable sustainable business. Learn how to deal with the economics and policies governing this transition and the implementation and learn how to measure the outcome.
- 15–20 hours per week, for 8 weeks
This capstone project is the final part of the MicroMasters® Program Economics and Policies for a Circular Economy. Interdisciplinarity is central in this part, linking the various sections in this MicroMasters Program.
What is a MicroMasters Program?
MicroMasters programs are a series of graduate level courses from top universities designed to advance your career. MicroMasters program certificates showcase deep learning and in-demand skills to employers and can help you get started on a path toward completing an advanced degree.How to Earn a MicroMasters Program Certificate
To earn the program certificate, learners must complete and successfully earn a verified certificate in all four program courses.From Program Certificate to a Master’s Degree
MicroMasters programs are designed to offer learners a pathway to an advanced degree and can count as credit toward completing a Master’s degree program. Learners who successfully earn this MicroMasters program certificate may apply for admission to several Master’s programs, and if accepted, the MicroMasters program certificate will count towards the degree.Learners who successfully earn the MicroMasters program certificate and decide to apply to the Master of Science programme Biobased Sciences at Wageningen University & Research (120 ECTS, 2 year full time on campus program), you will 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.
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) also offers a pathway to credit toward RIT's a Master of Science in Professional Studies.
. If accepted into the program at RIT, students will be eligible for up to 9 credits which will serve toward one concentration required for this interdisciplinary degree. The MS in Professional Studies– which can be completed online or in-person – is a customized, flexible program that meets industry demand by enabling students to strategically combine multiple, complementary fields of study to reflect their unique career and educational goals.- This programme is intended for those currently working in biobased industries, industries that are transitioning to the circular biobased economy, or related non-profit and governmental institutions
- Careers in industries such as: (bio)chemical industry, agri-food water companies, energy producers, logistics, and related governmental and non-governmental organizations
- Exciting career opportunities for traditionally and newly trained: (Bio)chemical engineers, process engineers, supply chain managers, product managers, entrepreneurs, consultants and business developers in a biobased business
- Research scientist, Microbiologist, Bioprocess specialist
- EU employment in the biobased sector accounts for 13.8 million jobs
- The US biobased products Industry Contributes $369 Billion and 4 Million Jobs to American economy
Meet your instructors from Wageningen University & Research (WageningenX)
Experts from WageningenX committed to teaching online learning
Program endorsements
With the market shifting towards a stronger biobased & sustainable economy, Croda will increasingly focus on novel developments of biobased ingredients. This MicroMasters program will provide a good basis to develop the required knowledge and skills to support these sustainable innovations.
Enrolling Now
FAQs
- No, it does not. To be admitted to the on campus programme, you have to meet the general admission criteria and apply to the on campus program through the website, www.wur.eu/admission.
- To optimally learn in/from and complete this MicroMasters program we expect you to have a bachelor degree in social sciences (preferably business-, or economics). However, there is no formal entry level requirement for the MOOCs.
- You can find more information about the on-campus program on www.wur.eu/mbs.
- The Capstone project is a major project where you link the technological part with the business and economy sections and the circular economy section to develop a categorically more sustainable biobased practice. Interdisciplinarity is central in the capstone. You write a report on designing a sustainable Biobased process.
- Formal acceptance for the related Wageningen University on campus Master-program Biobased Sciences, requires one to at least present a BSc-degree that substantially fits one of the three specializations in the program, plus a classifying GPA and a classifying level in English. Once accepted to the program one may apply for a waiver for the MOOC-credits. For the general admission requirements of Wageningen University & Research programmes, please visit our website, www.wur.eu/admission.
- Earn a verified certificate in: Circular Economy: an Interdisciplinary Approach, Economics and Policies in a Biobased Economy, from Fossil Resources to Biomass: a Chemistry Perspective, and Capstone Business and Economics for a Circular Economy
- No, that is not possible. Only by completing the entire MicroMasters program can you transfer the credits to the on campus program.
- Unfortunately, learners residing in one or more of the following countries or regions will not be able to register for this program: Iran, Cuba and the Crimea region of Ukraine. While edX has sought licenses from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to offer our courses to learners in these countries and regions, the licenses we have received are not broad enough to allow us to offer this program in all locations. edX truly regrets that U.S. sanctions prevent us from offering all of our courses to everyone, no matter where they live.
Also in Energy & Earth Sciences at edX
Propelling
Drive your career forward with university-backed credit programs and verified certificatesConvenient
Study and demonstrate knowledge on your scheduleFlexible
Try a course before you paySupportive
Learn with university partners and peers from around the world