Capstone Economics and Policies for a Circular Economy from edX

Please note: The capstone project is only accessible for ID-verified MicroMasters Program learners who successfully obtained verified certificate in all MicroMasters Program courses.

In the first three courses of the MicroMasters Program, you will learn about all the different steps in a biobased process and the economics and policy aspects you should consider before choosing a certain process. In this capstone project, you will combine the knowledge of the technological section with the economics and policies sections to develop a sustainable biobased practice. The focus is on linking the various aspects into an integral research, based on literature research and applied to a practical case.

The final product in this capstone project is a written report. From an economic perspective, you will write an advice for an audience of your choice, for example the executive board of a company, an investor or a governmental agency. You are free to choose the subjects you want to address in this advice. This means you get the opportunity to work on a case of your choice and receive feedback from experts in the field.

In order to find the information and publications you need, you will get tips and advice on how to do proper literature research. Along the way, you will get feedback on your proposal, draft and final report. The final report should reflect the academic research capabilities on a master's level, i.e. defining a research proposal, proper literature research, methodology, data, results and conclusions and discussion.

You can only start the capstone project after completing all other courses in the MicroMasters Program Economics and Policies for a Circular Economy, with a verified certificate for every course:

What's inside

Learning objectives

Find and interpret academic literature
Develop a methodology by taking into account all disciplines discussed in this micromasters program

Apply the methodology to analyze the economic viability of a business project in a circular economy considering its technological, economic, and policy aspects
After completing the course, you will be able to:

Find and interpret academic literature
Develop a methodology by taking into account all disciplines discussed in this micromasters program
Apply the methodology to analyze the economic viability of a business project in a circular economy considering its technological, economic, and policy aspects
After completing the course, you will be able to:

Syllabus

Module 1: Course Overview

In module 1 you will find out more about the structure of the course, the prerequisites for participating in the capstone project and the learning outcomes.

Module 2: Preparation Assignments

Module 2 of the course focusses on preparing you for the capstone project. Some additional reading material is provided to help you on your way to writing a report of professional advice. You will also write a Proposal and Draft of the final report.

Module 3: Final Assignment

In this module you will work on your own case for this capstone project. Using the feedback from the course instructors on your work you will be well prepared to write your final report.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Taught by three experienced instructors in economics, chemistry, and bioresources

Teaches students to analyze the economic viability of business projects, considering technological, economic, and policy aspects

Students have the opportunity to work on a case of their choice and receive feedback from experts in the field

Part of a MicroMasters Program in Economics and Policies for a Circular Bio-Economy

Requires completion of three other courses with verified certificates

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Capstone Economics and Policies for a Circular Economy with these activities:

Review lecture notes and textbooks on the fundamentals of biobased chemistry and technology

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Refreshing your knowledge on the fundamentals will strengthen your understanding of the concepts and techniques discussed in this course.

Browse courses on Biotechnology

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Review lecture notes, textbooks, and other relevant materials
Identify areas where your knowledge needs strengthening
Seek additional resources or support to clarify concepts

Compile a list of relevant scientific articles and research papers on biobased product development

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Creating a compilation of relevant materials will provide you with a valuable resource for further research and exploration of the topic.

Browse courses on Biobased Economy

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Conduct a literature search using databases and search engines
Identify and select relevant articles and research papers
Organize and compile the materials in a systematic manner

Participate in peer review sessions to discuss and provide feedback on biobased project proposals

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Peer review sessions offer an opportunity to share your ideas, receive feedback, and refine your proposal, improving its overall quality.

Browse courses on Biobased Economy

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Prepare your project proposal for review
Attend the peer review session and present your proposal
Actively listen to and provide constructive feedback to others
Revise and improve your proposal based on the feedback received

Four other activities

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Create a blog post summarizing the main economic and policy considerations for developing a biobased practice

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Creating a blog post will help you synthesize your understanding of the economic and policy aspects of a biobased economy and enhance your writing and communication skills.

Browse courses on Biobased Economy

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Research and gather information on the economic and policy considerations for biobased practices
Organize your thoughts and ideas into a coherent outline
Write a draft of your blog post
Revise and edit your post for clarity and accuracy

Follow online tutorials on biobased process optimization techniques

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Following tutorials will introduce you to various techniques for optimizing biobased processes, expanding your knowledge and enhancing your practical skills.

Browse courses on Biotechnology

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Identify and select relevant tutorials
Follow the instructions and complete the exercises
Implement the techniques in a practical project

Complete practice problems on calculating the economic viability of biobased projects

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By completing practice problems, you can develop your skills in assessing the economic viability of biobased projects and improve your problem-solving abilities.

Browse courses on Biobased Economy

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Identify the relevant economic factors and assumptions
Perform calculations and analyze data to determine the economic feasibility
Evaluate the results and make recommendations

Assist with research or development projects related to biobased materials or processes

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Volunteering will provide you with hands-on experience in the field, enhance your practical skills, and contribute to the advancement of biobased technologies.

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Identify and contact organizations involved in biobased research or development
Inquire about volunteer opportunities and express your interest
Attend training or orientation sessions as required
Actively participate in the project and contribute your knowledge and skills

Career center

Learners who complete Capstone Economics and Policies for a Circular Economy will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Circular Economy Researcher

Circular economy researchers study the circular economy and develop new ways to transition to a circular economy. This course will provide circular economy researchers with a deeper understanding of the economic and policy aspects of transitioning to a circular economy.

See salaries and explore the career path for Circular Economy Researcher

Circular Economy Project Manager

Circular economy project managers oversee the implementation of circular economy projects, ensuring that they are economically viable and aligned with the organization's sustainability goals. This course will provide you with the skills to manage circular economy projects, including developing project plans, managing budgets, and evaluating project outcomes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Circular Economy Project Manager

Circular Economy Consultant

Circular economy consultants help organizations understand and implement circular economy principles, which aim to eliminate waste and pollution by keeping resources in use for as long as possible. Knowledge of circular economy economics and policies is essential for this role. This course can provide a strong foundation for understanding these concepts and their practical applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Circular Economy Consultant

Environmental Economist

Environmental economists use economic principles to analyze environmental issues and develop policies to address them. They must have a strong understanding of both economics and environmental science. As circular economy policies play a major role in mitigating climate change and managing resources, this course can provide a good foundation for environmental economists who want to specialize in the circular economy or resource economics.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Economist

Sustainability Manager

Sustainability managers develop and implement sustainability strategies for their organizations. Understanding the economic viability of sustainable practices is an important aspect of this role. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to evaluate the economic feasibility of circular economy initiatives.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Manager

Environmental Policy Analyst

An environmental policy analyst researches, analyzes, and develops environmental policy. Economic and policy aspects of circular economy are important considerations for environmental policy analysts. This course will cover these topics along with methodology for research, analysis, and reporting.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Policy Analyst

Sustainability Consultant

Sustainability consultants help organizations to improve their environmental and social performance. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to advise organizations on how to transition to a circular economy.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Consultant

Public Policy Analyst

Public policy analysts research, analyze, and develop public policy. They must have a strong understanding of both policy and economics. This course will provide public policy analysts with a deeper understanding of the economic and policy aspects of transitioning to a circular economy.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Policy Analyst

Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

Corporate social responsibility managers develop and implement CSR strategies for their organizations. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to evaluate the economic viability of CSR initiatives, including those related to circular economy.

See salaries and explore the career path for Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

Climate Change Policy Analyst

Climate change policy analysts research, analyze, and develop policies to address climate change. They must have a strong understanding of both climate science and policy. This course will provide climate change policy analysts with a deeper understanding of the economic and policy aspects of transitioning to a circular economy.

See salaries and explore the career path for Climate Change Policy Analyst

Sustainability Analyst

Sustainability analysts focus on advising organizations on how to reduce their environmental and social impact by improving their sustainability performance. As it is crucial for a sustainability analyst to have a deep understanding of economic viability, the Capstone Economics and Policies for a Circular Economy course may be useful for this role. The course's focus on analyzing the economic viability of business projects in a circular economy, considering technological, economic, and policy aspects, is directly relevant to the work of a sustainability analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Analyst

Environmental Engineer

This course will provide environmental engineers with a deeper understanding of the economic and policy aspects of transitioning to a circular economy.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Engineer

Environmental Scientist

Environmental scientists study the environment and work to develop solutions to environmental problems. The course will provide environmental scientists with a deeper understanding of the economic and policy aspects of transitioning to a circular economy.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Scientist

Environmental Compliance Manager

Environmental compliance managers ensure that their organizations comply with environmental regulations. This course will provide environmental compliance managers with a deeper understanding of the economic and policy aspects of transitioning to a circular economy.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Compliance Manager

Energy Analyst

An energy analyst is a professional who researches, analyzes, and interprets energy data to make recommendations on energy policy and planning. The course will provide energy analysts with a deeper understanding of the economic and policy aspects of transitioning to a circular economy.

See salaries and explore the career path for Energy Analyst