Postgraduate Course: Analysis and Shaping of the Bioeconomy (PGSP11425)
Course Outline
| School | School of Social and Political Science |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | This course provides an introduction to the origins of the bioeconomy, its conceptual foundations, and the new science and technology that is driving it. Topics include definitions of the bioeconomy, the evolution of the life science industries, the economic impacts on countries and regions, and the role of public stakeholders. The course draws on Innogens unique approach to the study of life sciences from a systemic perspective; drawing on the concept of an innovation ecosystem (which comprises multiple business models, value chains and external enablers and constraints). |
| Course description |
This course provides an introduction to the origins of the bioeconomy, its conceptual foundations, and the new science and technology that is driving it. Topics include definitions of the bioeconomy, the evolution of the life science industries, the economic impacts on countries and regions, and the role of public stakeholders. The course draws on Innogen¿s unique approach to the study of life sciences from a systemic perspective; drawing on the concept of an innovation ecosystem (which comprises multiple business models, value chains and external enablers and constraints).
The sectors of the economy that are based on the life sciences comprise the bio-based economy or bioeconomy. The bioeconomy can be defined in terms of its scientific and technological base, and can include industrial production of goods and provision of various services. In these terms, the bioeconomy includes agriculture, health, energy and environmental bioscience.
Bioeconomy also refers to a set of concepts, and sometimes aspirations, about the way that the economy should be organized. In this respect, the bioeconomy links to various systems perspectives about innovation, but ones that have overtones of ecosystems thinking, for which Innogen has developed its own particular approach. Bioeconomy in this respect looks at the entire framework of using natural resources more wisely and efficiently, working with rather than against natural systems to achieve social and commercial goals. As a result, the bioeconomy often makes use of lifecycle approaches to systems of innovation as well as how economies are developed and directed.
The aim of this course is to familiarize students with different facets of this bioeconomy. These include the origins of the bioeconomy, the different scientific and technological determinants of the contemporary bioeconomy, and the status of the so-called biotechnology revolution. The course will also cover sustainability issues associated with the bioeconomy, including the role of citizens and other stakeholder groups as co-creators of social and technological innovation.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2015/16, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: 25 |
| Course Start |
Block 1 (Sem 1) |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
100
(
Lecture Hours 10,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
88 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
3000 word Essay (100%) |
| Feedback |
Not entered |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Critical Knowledge and understanding of the key definitions, theories and history of the bioeconomy in a global context
- Extensive and detailed understanding of the different innovation sectors that make up the bioeconomy.
- A critical awareness of the conceptual underpinnings of the bioeconomy with respect to other areas of theory and knowledge including innovation ecosystems and ecology.
- Ability to use their knowledge and understanding to identify emerging socio-economic trends in the bioeconomy
- The skills to analyse the size and contribution of the bioeconomy to the European Economic Area, and an awareness of competitor regions and countries.
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Reading List
Arundel, A. V., B. van Beuzekom, and I. Gillespie (2007) Defining biotechnology - carefully. Trends in biotechnology 25 (8):331-332. [Ejournal]
BIS (2013) Strategy for UK Life Sciences One Year On available at
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/strategy-for-uk-life-sciences-one-year-on
Coriat, B., Orsi, F., and Weinstein, O. (2003) Does biotech reflect a new science-based innovation regime? Industry and Innovation 10(3):231-253. [Ejournal]
Nightingale, P and Martin P. (2004) The myth of the biotech revolution. TRENDS in Biotechnology 22(11):564-569. [Ejournal
OECD. 2001. The Application of Biotechnology to Industrial Sustainability ¿ A Primer. Paris: OECD Publishing.
http://www.oecd.org/science/biotech/1947629.pdf
OECD. 2009. The bioeconomy to 2030: designing a policy agenda. Paris: OECD Publishing.
http://www.oecd.org/futures/long-termtechnologicalsocietalchallenges/thebioeconomyto2030designingapolicyagenda.htm
Tait, J. (2007) Systemic Interactions in Life Science Innovation. Technology Analysis and Strategic Management 19(3):257-277. [Ejournal]
Tait, J. and Barker, G., (2011) Global food security and the governance of modern biotechnologies: opportunities and challenges for Europe EMBO Reports 12:763-768. (http://www.nature.com/embor/journal/v12/n8/pdf/embor2011135a.pdf)
Tait, J. with Wield, D., Chataway, J. and Bruce. A. (2008) Health Biotechnology to 2030. Report to OECD International Futures Project, ¿The Bio-Economy to 2030: Designing a Policy Agenda¿, OECD, Paris, pp 51; http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/12/10/40922867.pdf.
Wield, D. (2013) Bioeconomy and the global economy: industrial policies and bio-innovation. Technology Analysis & Strategic Management, 25(10):1209-1221. [EJournal]
Wield, D., Hanlin, R., Mittra, J. and Smith, J. (2013) Twenty-first century bioeconomy: global challenges of biological knowledge for health and agriculture. Science and Public Policy 40(1):17¿24. [EJournal]
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Prof Joyce Tait
Tel: (0131 6)50 9174
Email: joyce.tait@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Kate Ferguson
Tel: (0131 6)51 5122
Email: kate.ferguson@ed.ac.uk |
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