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Curriculum

The curriculum of the SPIBES MSc. programme is divided into modules, and each module is further divided into courses. The courses are tailored to equip students with the relevant knowledge and skills to seamlessly navigate the science-policy-practise interface for biodiversity.

Semester 1

General Knowledge

Module CodeModule TitleCourse CodeCourse Title
ENG 4Language coursesENG 1English and French Language courses
SPI 4Introduction to interdisciplinary approach in environmental management: the science-policy-practise interface (SPI)SPI 4.1SPIBES: A Master Programme on the Science-Policy Interface for Biodiversity & Ecosystem Services
SPI 4Introduction to interdisciplinary approach in environmental management: the science-policy-practise interface (SPI)SPI 4.2Introduction to the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity & Ecosystem Services (IPBES): history, objectives, functioning and international governance context (CBD...)

Fundamental Knowledge

Module CodeModule TitleCourse CodeCourse Title
BBS 4Introduction to the Biophysical environmentBBS 4.1Basic concepts on ecology (population dynamics and ecosystem functioning)
BBS 4Introduction to the Biophysical environmentBBS 4.2Basic concepts on climate system and climate change
BSS 4Basic concepts of social sciencesBSS 4.1Introduction to Environmental economics
BSS 4Basic concepts of social sciencesBSS 4.2Introduction to environmental sociology and anthropology
BSS 4Basic concepts of social sciencesBSS 4.3Environmental laws/policies

Methodological Knowledge

Module CodeModule TitleCourse CodeCourse Title
RSC 4Research skills: communicationRSC 4.1Systematic Literature review
RSC 4Research skills: communicationRSC 4.2Scientific writing
RSC 4Research skills: communicationRSC 4.3Science communication (Science-Media-Professional)
RSP 4Research skills: good practicesRSP 4.1Ethics and good practices in science
RSP 4Research skills: good practicesRSP 4.2Introduction to Methods in interdisciplinary research (including survey techniques)

Internship

Module CodeModule TitleCourse CodeCourse Title
FIM 4Internship (hands-on experience with data collection, analyses and scientific reporting)FIM 4.1Short stays at boundary organisations, research institutions or parastatal organisations

Semester 2

Fundamental Knowledge

Module CodeModule TitleCourse CodeCourse Title
BSD 5Basic concept of sustainable developmentBSD 5.1Introduction to sustainable development (history, challenges, opportunities, UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), African Union Agenda 2063)
BSD 5Basic concept of sustainable developmentBSD 5.2The concepts of transformational changes and resilience
BSD 5Basic concept of sustainable developmentBSD 5.3New economic paradigm and sustainable development (green economy, blue economy, and circular economy, Gross Domestic Products (GDP) degrowth)
DEL 5Diversity and evolution of lifeDEL 5.1Global biological diversity and distribution of life
DEL 5Diversity and evolution of lifeDEL 5.2Taxonomy for biodiversity management (plants, animals and micro-organisms)

Methodological Knowledge

Module CodeModule TitleCourse CodeCourse Title
IES 5Key interdisciplinary methods in environmental sciencesIES 5.1Considering different values for biodiversity and ecosystem services and (integrated) valuation
IES 5Key interdisciplinary methods in environmental sciencesIES 5.2Indigenous, local and traditional knowledge and practices in biodiversity management
IES 5Key interdisciplinary methods in environmental sciencesIES 5.3Methods of knowledge co-production / participatory methods
DCA 5Data collection and statistical analysesDCA 5.1Statistical analyses, data management and biodiversity sampling strategy
DCA 5Data collection and statistical analysesDCA 5.2Data collection and analytical methods in social sciences (qualitative and quantitative)
DCA 5Data collection and statistical analysesDCA 5.3Introduction to applied GIS
EVM 5Environmental modelingEVM 5.1Biodiversity and ecosystem services modelling /Ecosystem/ climate change)

Internship

Module CodeModule TitleCourse CodeCourse Title
FIM 5Field trip (field data collection in the field and analyses)FIM 5.1Visits to natural parks and reserves – Comoé & LAMTO reserves, Cote d´Ivoire

Semester 3

Module CodeModule TitleCourse CodeCourse Title
SPI 6Science-policy interface (SPI)SPI 6.1Integration of ecosystem services concepts to existing initiatives (PPPs in West Africa /cross-sectoral policies)
SPI 6Science-policy interface (SPI)SPI 6.2Leveraging on IPBES to support the implementation of the UN SDGs in West Africa

Specific Knowledge (applications)

Module CodeModule TitleCourse CodeCourse Title
AEI 6Applied ecology for sustainable development: Impacts assessmentsAEI 6.1Upcoming and current IPBES assessments
AEI 6Applied ecology for sustainable development: Impacts assessmentsAEI 6.2Land degradation, restoration & management (reflecting on the IPBES assessment, GLP, ...)
AEI 6Applied ecology for sustainable development: Impacts assessmentsAEI 6.3Environmental impact assessment
AEU 6Applied ecology for sustainable development: urban ecologyAEU 6.1Application of landscape ecology and planning
AEU 6Applied ecology for sustainable development: urban ecologyAEU 6.2Urbanization and sustainable cities
Applied ecology for sustainable development: Coastal and marine ecologyAquatic ecology and Coastal Zone management (human – nature interactions)

Methodological Knowledge

Module CodeModule TitleCourse CodeCourse Title
AMF 6IPBES assessment methodology and funding SPIAMF 6.1Methods and tools to conduct an IPBES assessment
AMF 6IPBES assessment methodology and funding SPIAMF 6.2Fundraising for research and science-policy interface (career planning and grant proposal development)
SSS 6Scientific soft skillsSSS 6.1Bioinformatics and data management: examples of existing initiatives (GBIF, JRS Biodiversity foundation
SSS 6Scientific soft skillsSSS 6.2Project management Fund raising (example of biodiversity management)
SSS 6Scientific soft skillsSSS 6.3Science communication

Semester 4

Thesis

Module CodeModule TitleCourse CodeCourse Title
-Internship and thesis defense-Practical data collection in the field and analyses/dissertation/ defense
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