Program Structure
The program requires that 4 courses be taken, each taking 2 weeks of study time. The program will take about 60 hours to complete.
The program is offered during the Fall session each year (October – December). Students may register and complete all courses in one session or spread out the courses (in order of prerequisite requirements) over a 2-year time frame.
Each course in this program will require approximately 15 hours of learner’s time. The program has 4 courses:
- Bioeconomy and Circular Bioeconomy Policies
- October 14 – 25, 2024
- Biotechnologies Enabling Circular Bioeconomy
- October 28 – November 8, 2024
- Circular Bioeconomy Business Case Studies
- November 18 – 29, 2024
- Circularity Assessment Strategies
- December 2 – 13, 2024
Courses must be taken in sequential order, as they build on one another, but may be taken individually, in different sessions within a two-year time frame, to receive the micro-certificate.
Timeline to Completion
Participants have the flexibility to set their own timeline to completion, within a maximum of two years.
Course Descriptions
Course 1: Bioeconomy and Circular Bioeconomy Policies
Circular bioeconomy is multidisciplinary. It is essential to understand the definition of CB in different sectors, the relevant CB policies with implementation strategies, and the importance of CB for sustainability development and carbon-neutral targets. This course begins by understanding the CB definitions and continues with the global progress on CB development. The CB economics and policies nationally and internationally will be explored to provide learners with an overall understanding of the CB sector including business constraints and opportunities. Learners will assess the potential of their organization in terms of Circular Bioeconomy Business Development strengths, weaknesses, missions, and targets. The course concludes with an applied focus on setting specific, measurable, actionable goals.
Course 2: Biotechnologies Enabling Circular Bioeconomy
This course builds understanding for learners on available biotechnologies and bioprocesses that can be applied to achieve their goals in partnership with stakeholders. Learners will explore the mature biotechnologies available across North America and Europe. They will learn the principles of biotechnology development and the detailed strategies to transform their organizations toward bioeconomy. Learners will gain applied, well-rounded, multidisciplinary perspectives on biotechnologies and bioprocesses, including biomass, bio-based electricity, and products. The course concludes with understanding and applying proper Circular Bioeconomy Business Development scope-based assessment on the status of their organization and market needs.
Course 3: Circular Bioeconomy Business Case Studies
This course links the practical knowledge, skills and competencies acquired in theory with the development of traditional bioeconomy business cases and emerging types of production to present various successful business models in agriculture, forestry, and bio-based products. Learners will understand the strategies for bioeconomy investment attractions and project management. Learners will be exposed to various CB business sectors that will support them in optimizing their own Circular Bioeconomy Business Development goals. The practical knowledge sharing with the bioeconomy professional through lectures will be conducted for learners to understand the real challenges and solutions. By the end of the course, learners will have a comprehensive understanding of initiating Circular Bioeconomy Business Development with the application of a reasonable and practical proposal.
Course 4: Circularity Assessment Strategies
This course provides learners with widely-used calculation strategies for circularity assessment. The circularity assessment tool will be presented with a demonstration that can be applied to various business sectors. This course supports learners to better understand the sustainability of their Circular Bioeconomy Business Development proposal based on the calculation results. In the end, learners will provide an optimized bioeconomy development proposal, applying the skills and competencies from all four courses.
