Curriculum
The curriculum of the SPIBES MSc. programme is divided into modules. The courses are structured to provide students with training and skills for intervention in the Science-Policy interface, including but not limited to the International Science-Policy Platform for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).
M1 SPIBES (Semester 1)
General Knowledge
| Module Code | Module Title | Course Code | Course Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENG 4 | Language courses | ENG 1 | English and French Language courses |
| SPI 4 | Introduction to interdisciplinary approach in environmental management: the science-policy-practise interface (SPI) | SPI 4.1 | SPIBES: A Master Programme on the Science-Policy Interface for Biodiversity & Ecosystem Services |
| SPI 4 | Introduction to interdisciplinary approach in environmental management: the science-policy-practise interface (SPI) | SPI 4.2 | Introduction to the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity & Ecosystem Services (IPBES): history, objectives, functioning and international governance context (CBD...) |
Fundamental Knowledge
| Module Code | Module Title | Course Code | Course Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| BBS 4 | Introduction to the Biophysical environment | BBS 4.1 | Basic concepts on ecology (population dynamics and ecosystem functioning) |
| BBS 4 | Introduction to the Biophysical environment | BBS 4.2 | Basic concepts on climate system and climate change |
| BSS 4 | Basic concepts of social sciences | BSS 4.1 | Introduction to Environmental economics |
| BSS 4 | Basic concepts of social sciences | BSS 4.2 | Introduction to environmental sociology and anthropology |
| BSS 4 | Basic concepts of social sciences | BSS 4.3 | Environmental laws/policies |
Methodological Knowledge
| Module Code | Module Title | Course Code | Course Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| RSC 4 | Research skills: communication | RSC 4.1 | Systematic Literature review |
| RSC 4 | Research skills: communication | RSC 4.2 | Scientific writing |
| RSC 4 | Research skills: communication | RSC 4.3 | Science communication (Science-Media-Professional) |
| RSP 4 | Research skills: good practices | RSP 4.1 | Ethics and good practices in science |
| RSP 4 | Research skills: good practices | RSP 4.2 | Introduction to Methods in interdisciplinary research (including survey techniques) |
Internship
| Module Code | Module Title | Course Code | Course Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIM 4 | Internship (hands-on experience with data collection, analyses and scientific reporting) | FIM 4.1 | Short stays at boundary organisations, research institutions or parastatal organisations |
M1 SPIBES (Semester 2)
Fundamental Knowledge
| Module Code | Module Title | Course Code | Course Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| BSD 5 | Basic concept of sustainable development | BSD 5.1 | Introduction to sustainable development (history, challenges, opportunities, UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), African Union Agenda 2063) |
| BSD 5 | Basic concept of sustainable development | BSD 5.2 | The concepts of transformational changes and resilience |
| BSD 5 | Basic concept of sustainable development | BSD 5.3 | New economic paradigm and sustainable development (green economy, blue economy, and circular economy, Gross Domestic Products (GDP) degrowth) |
| DEL 5 | Diversity and evolution of life | DEL 5.1 | Global biological diversity and distribution of life |
| DEL 5 | Diversity and evolution of life | DEL 5.2 | Taxonomy for biodiversity management (plants, animals and micro-organisms) |
Methodological Knowledge
| Module Code | Module Title | Course Code | Course Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| IES 5 | Key interdisciplinary methods in environmental sciences | IES 5.1 | Considering different values for biodiversity and ecosystem services and (integrated) valuation |
| IES 5 | Key interdisciplinary methods in environmental sciences | IES 5.2 | Indigenous, local and traditional knowledge and practices in biodiversity management |
| IES 5 | Key interdisciplinary methods in environmental sciences | IES 5.3 | Methods of knowledge co-production / participatory methods |
| DCA 5 | Data collection and statistical analyses | DCA 5.1 | Statistical analyses, data management and biodiversity sampling strategy |
| DCA 5 | Data collection and statistical analyses | DCA 5.2 | Data collection and analytical methods in social sciences (qualitative and quantitative) |
| DCA 5 | Data collection and statistical analyses | DCA 5.3 | Introduction to applied GIS |
| EVM 5 | Environmental modeling | EVM 5.1 | Biodiversity and ecosystem services modelling /Ecosystem/ climate change) |
Internship
| Module Code | Module Title | Course Code | Course Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIM 5 | Field trip (field data collection in the field and analyses) | FIM 5.1 | Visits to natural parks and reserves – Comoé & LAMTO reserves, Cote d´Ivoire |
M1 SPIBES (Semester 3)
Missing Headline
| Module Code | Module Title | Course Code | Course Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| SPI 6 | Science-policy interface (SPI) | SPI 6.1 | Integration of ecosystem services concepts to existing initiatives (PPPs in West Africa /cross-sectoral policies) |
| SPI 6 | Science-policy interface (SPI) | SPI 6.2 | Leveraging on IPBES to support the implementation of the UN SDGs in West Africa |
Specific Knowledge (applications)
| Module Code | Module Title | Course Code | Course Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AEI 6 | Applied ecology for sustainable development: Impacts assessments | AEI 6.1 | Upcoming and current IPBES assessments |
| AEI 6 | Applied ecology for sustainable development: Impacts assessments | AEI 6.2 | Land degradation, restoration & management (reflecting on the IPBES assessment, GLP, ...) |
| AEI 6 | Applied ecology for sustainable development: Impacts assessments | AEI 6.3 | Environmental impact assessment |
| AEU 6 | Applied ecology for sustainable development: urban ecology | AEU 6.1 | Application of landscape ecology and planning |
| AEU 6 | Applied ecology for sustainable development: urban ecology | AEU 6.2 | Urbanization and sustainable cities |
| Applied ecology for sustainable development: Coastal and marine ecology | Aquatic ecology and Coastal Zone management (human – nature interactions) |
Methodological Knowledge
| Module Code | Module Title | Course Code | Course Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMF 6 | IPBES assessment methodology and funding SPI | AMF 6.1 | Methods and tools to conduct an IPBES assessment |
| AMF 6 | IPBES assessment methodology and funding SPI | AMF 6.2 | Fundraising for research and science-policy interface (career planning and grant proposal development) |
| SSS 6 | Scientific soft skills | SSS 6.1 | Bioinformatics and data management: examples of existing initiatives (GBIF, JRS Biodiversity foundation |
| SSS 6 | Scientific soft skills | SSS 6.2 | Project management Fund raising (example of biodiversity management) |
| SSS 6 | Scientific soft skills | SSS 6.3 | Science communication |
M1 SPIBES (Semester 4)
Thesis
| Module Code | Module Title | Course Code | Course Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | Internship and thesis defense | - | Practical data collection in the field and analyses/dissertation/ defense |
