Course

BIOEC350 Biologically Based Production, Industrial Processes and Markets

Credits (ECTS):10

Course responsible:Eirik Romstad

Campus / Online:Taught campus Ås

Teaching language:Engelsk, norsk

Limits of class size:50

Course frequency:Annually

Nominal workload:250 hours

Teaching and exam period:This course starts in the Spring parallel. This course has teaching/evaluation in the Spring parallel and June block.

About this course

The course has two main parts: (i) Production-economics including industrial processes and (ii) market analysis.

The course covers non-linear optimization, linear programming and analysis of supply and demand in the marketplace for biologically based products. The chosen methods are being utilized in order to highlight the impact various decisions in the production process and market demand have on profitability.

Learning outcome

Knowledge:

How various elements impact the profitability and sustainability of different production methods.

How a market-focus in production and processing of resources impact choices the company management impact raw material use and production processes.

How value chain analysis and identification of market potential for rest-materials impacts firm profitability

Methods to analyze productions with emphasis on how changes in production methods and processes impact profitability.

Skills:

How to analyze production processes and estimate differences in costs with different approaches to production

How to analyze production costs and market opportunities for products and production methods.

General competence

Able to communicate and work with persons from different disciplinary backgrounds

In teams be able to solve multifaceted problems associated with use and processing of biological resources.

  • Learning activities
    The course is divided in three main parts: (i) lectures/exercises related to markets and consumer behavior, (ii) lectures/exercises related to the economics of production and industrial processes, and (iii) a group term paper on a self selected topic, where the work on the paper includes student presentations with feed back from fellow students and the teaching staff. The term paper is to have a value chain perspective, where clarification of what is contained in the value chain is essential to frame and define the paper.
  • Teaching support

    Lectures with discussions related to theories and methods, and how these theories and methods can be used to analyze specific bio-economic problems.

    Exercises and discussions where students gain experience on applying methods and theories taught on applied issues.

    A term paper with advicing and feedback on problem definition, chosen theories and methods, and analysis on the term paper topic.

  • Prerequisites
    Bachelor degree in business administration, economics, industrial economics, biological production or technology/engineering.
  • Recommended prerequisites
    None
  • Assessment method
    Portfolio Combination: Term paper in groups (3-4 students): Weighting of aspects made public at the course start.

    Portfolio Karakterregel: Letter grades
  • Examiner scheme
    External examiner checks the quality of syllabus,and principles for evaluation of papers
  • Mandatory activity
    Mandatory presence on all the group presentations.
  • Teaching hours
    Theory part until aprx. April 1. For the rest of the term, groups work on their term paper. Advicing on demand.