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