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 Biodiversity Council, 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 upgrade Course |
ENG 1 |
English and French upgrade Courses |
SPI 4 |
Introductory lecture in interdisciplinary for environmental management: the science-policy interface |
SPI 4.1 |
The MSc WABES: A Master On the Science Policy Interface for BES |
SPI 4 |
Introductory lecture in interdisciplinary for environmental management: the science-policy interface |
SPI 4.2 |
Introduction to IPBES: History, objectives, functioning and international governance context (CBD,...) |
Fundamental Knowledge
Module Code |
Module Title |
Course Code |
Course Title |
BBS 4 |
Basic concepts on Biophisical sciences |
BBS 4.1 |
Basic concepts on Ecology (population dynamics, ecosystem functioning) |
BBS 4 |
Basic concepts on Biophisical sciences |
BBS 4.2 |
Basic concepts on Climate system and climate change |
BSS 4 |
Basic concepts on social sciences |
BSS 4.1 |
Basic concepts on Environmental economy |
BSS 4 |
Basic concepts on social sciences |
BSS 4.2 |
Basic concepts on Environmental sociology and anthropology |
BSS 4 |
Basic concepts on social sciences |
BSS 4.3 |
Basic concepts on Environmental Laws/policies |
Methodological Knowledge
Module Code |
Module Title |
Course Code |
Course Title |
RSC 4 |
Research skills: communication |
RSC 4.1 |
Bibliographic research |
RSC 4 |
Research skills: communication |
RSC 4.2 |
Scientific writing |
RSC 4 |
Research skills: communication |
RSC 4.3 |
scientific presenting (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 technique) |
Internship
Module Code |
Module Title |
Course Code |
Course Title |
FIM 4 |
Field Immersion (Practical, data collection in institutions…) |
FIM 4.1 |
Students visit to biodiversity and ecosystem services-related companies and administrations in their home countries |
M1 SPIBES (Semester 2)
Fundamental Knowledge
Module Code |
Module Title |
Course Code |
Course Title |
BSD 5 |
Basic concept on sustainable development |
BSD 5.1 |
The concept of sustainable development (history, challenges, opportinuities, SDGs, Agenda 2063) |
BSD 5 |
Basic concept on sustainable development |
BSD 5.2 |
The concepts of transformational changes and resilience |
BSD 5 |
Basic concept on sustainable development |
BSD 5.3 |
New economic paradigm and sustainable development (green , bleu, circular and bio economies, GDP degrowth) |
DEL 5 |
Diversity and evolution of life |
DEL 5.1 |
Global diversity and distribution of life |
DEL 5 |
Diversity and evolution of life |
DEL 5.2 |
Taxonomy for biodiversity management (Plants, animal and micro-organism) |
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 analysis |
DCA 5.1 |
Statistical analysis, data management and biodiversity sampling strategy |
DCA 5 |
Data collection and statistical analysis |
DCA 5.2 |
Data collection and analysis methods in social sciences (qualitative and quantitative) |
DCA 5 |
Data collection and statistical analysis |
DCA 5.3 |
introduction to applied GIS |
EVM 5 |
Environnemental modeling |
EVM 5.1 |
Application of biodiversity and ecosystem services modelling /Ecosystem/ climate change) |
Internship
Module Code |
Module Title |
Course Code |
Course Title |
FIM 5 |
Field immersion (Practical data collection in the field) |
FIM 5.1 |
Field course Comoe & Lamto reserves |
M1 SPIBES (Semester 3)
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 |
Using IPBES to support the implementation of the UN Sustainable development goals in West Africa |
Specific Knowledge (applications)
Module Code |
Module Title |
Course Code |
Course Title |
AEI 6 |
Applied ecology for sustainable development: Imacts assessments |
AEI 6.1 |
Upcoming and current IPBES assessments |
AEI 6 |
Applied ecology for sustainable development: Imacts assessments |
AEI 6.2 |
Land degradation , restoration & management (reflecting on the IPBES assessment, GLP, ...) |
AEI 6 |
Applied ecology for sustainable development: Imacts 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 in West Africa |
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 |
Funding science and science policy interface work (Career planning, how to develop a scientific project proposal, how to raise funds for science policy interface work) |
SSS 6 |
Scientific soft skills |
SSS 6.1 |
Bioinformatics and data management: example on existing initiatives (GBIF, JRS Biodiversity foundation |
SSS 6 |
Scientific soft skills |
SSS 6.2 |
Project Management, Fund rising (example of biodiversity management) |
SSS 6 |
Scientific soft skills |
SSS 6.3 |
Communication skills |
Thesis
Module Code |
Module Title |
Course Code |
Course Title |
- |
Research proposal |
- |
Students workshop : Analysis and validation of master research proposals |
M1 SPIBES (Semester 4)
Thesis
Module Code |
Module Title |
Course Code |
Course Title |
- |
Internship and defence |
- |
Practical data collection in the field/Dissertation/ defence |