The master programme Biobased Sciences focuses on the transition from a petrochemical to a biobased and circular economy. This master zooms in on four main aspects to come to a sustainable transition: economic, technical, social and environmental aspects. The programme is interdisciplinary. It includes biomass production, bioconversion, biorefinery and societal, logistic and economic transition processes.
There are three specialisations to choose from. You will develop thorough expertise in one of the three disciplines, and you will gain knowledge about the other two disciplines.
Biomass Production and Carbon Capture
Focuses on the knowledge of plant physiology and development, genetics and breeding, and plant biotechnology for biomass production. Biomass can be produced in the field, in greenhouses, in the sea as well as in forests. Several social, environmental, economic and technical aspects will determine which crops are most suitable for which applications and how you can grow them in the best way.
Focuses on the processing steps needed to produce chemicals, biopolymers, feed or renewable energy from biomass. Engineering is fully integrated with process technology, physical-, organic- and biochemistry, product quality and process requirements. All those fields play an important role when designing a biorefinery.
Focuses on economic aspects to enable the transition from a petrochemical to a biobased and circular economy. This includes resource management, logistics, closing of energy, water and nutrient cycles, policy, biobased business and sustainability analysis methods.
Students who want to learn more about topics discussed in this programme can play the biobased game developed by some students via https://games.learningadventures.nl/games/wur/cactopiaisland?p=9dd81eb4bd7b9f7
