ID:
ECO0374
Duration (hours):
45
CFU:
6
Year:
2026
Overview
Date/time interval
Primo Semestre (14/09/2026 - 11/12/2026)
Syllabus
Course Objectives
Bioeconomy and innovation are two closely related concepts. Circular bioeconomy value chains involve the production and valorization of bio-based resources into higher-value goods through the systematic introduction and commercialization of product and process innovations, with the contribution of different scientific disciplines and stakeholders.
The objective of the course is to offer an introduction to the fundamentals of the Bioeconomy and the Economics of Innovation, providing students with the concepts and tools needed to understand and interpret the economic and technological dynamics of this transition, with a focus on the biotech and bio-based industries and on the sustainability paradigm.
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
1. define the concepts of bioeconomy and innovation and the main metrics used to measure them;
2. explain the link between innovation, bioeconomy and sustainable economic growth;
3. analyze the role of patents and intellectual property rights in innovation processes;
4. describe the role of public research and universities within innovation (eco)systems;
5. evaluate the effect of market structure and firm competition on innovation processes;
6. critically discuss the role of public policies in supporting the transition towards a circular bioeconomy;
7. use the R statistical software to visualize and analyze innovation-related data;
8. analyze and present innovations and case studies in the field of the circular bioeconomy.
The objective of the course is to offer an introduction to the fundamentals of the Bioeconomy and the Economics of Innovation, providing students with the concepts and tools needed to understand and interpret the economic and technological dynamics of this transition, with a focus on the biotech and bio-based industries and on the sustainability paradigm.
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
1. define the concepts of bioeconomy and innovation and the main metrics used to measure them;
2. explain the link between innovation, bioeconomy and sustainable economic growth;
3. analyze the role of patents and intellectual property rights in innovation processes;
4. describe the role of public research and universities within innovation (eco)systems;
5. evaluate the effect of market structure and firm competition on innovation processes;
6. critically discuss the role of public policies in supporting the transition towards a circular bioeconomy;
7. use the R statistical software to visualize and analyze innovation-related data;
8. analyze and present innovations and case studies in the field of the circular bioeconomy.
Course Prerequisites
Basics in mathematics, microeconomics and statistics are suggested but not required.
Teaching Methods
The course consists of lectures and practical sessions, with discussion of scientific papers and case studies. In line with the Degree Programme's Teaching Regulations, teaching is delivered in blended mode: at least one third of the hours in person, with the remaining share possibly delivered online, mainly through live synchronous streaming and, to a lesser extent, through asynchronous materials (recorded lectures, case studies, self-assessment tests). The practical sessions include the use of the R statistical software to analyze innovation data and a final workshop with group project presentations.
Assessment Methods
Assessment is based on a final written exam consisting of 2 sets of multiple-choice questions and 2 open-ended questions, to be answered in 2 hours, covering the topics discussed during the course. Answers are evaluated based on the completeness and correctness of their content, as well as, for the open-ended questions, on the ability to clearly and rigorously argue the economic concepts applied to the cases discussed.
Students are offered the opportunity to take part, at the end of the course, in a workshop with a group project presentation, assessed on the relevance of the analysis, the appropriate use of the economic tools presented in class, and the quality of the presentation. If the project is positively assessed, students may answer only 1 set of multiple-choice questions and 1 open-ended question in the final written exam, with the exam duration reduced to 1 hour. In this case, the final grade is calculated by giving equal weight (50% and 50%) to the group project grade and to the reduced written exam grade.
In line with the Degree Programme's Teaching Regulations, two partial exams are also scheduled, one for each module, each consisting of a written exam with 1 set of multiple-choice questions and 1 open-ended question to be answered in 1 hour:
1. the first partial exam (Module 1) takes place at mid-semester, in the week of 26-30 October 2026;
2. the second partial exam (Module 2) takes place immediately after the end of lectures, in the week of 14-18 December 2026, or alternatively at the first exam date of the winter exam session;
3. students who did not take the second partial exam, or did not pass it, may take a make-up exam at the first exam date of the winter session (7 January - 12 February 2027); this make-up exam constitutes the 6th exam date scheduled for the course.
If both partial exams (or the make-up exam) are passed, the final grade is calculated as the arithmetic mean of the grades obtained in the two exams.
Access to the exams (including partial exams) is subject to the acquisition of the credits required to enroll in the 3rd year of the programme.
Students are offered the opportunity to take part, at the end of the course, in a workshop with a group project presentation, assessed on the relevance of the analysis, the appropriate use of the economic tools presented in class, and the quality of the presentation. If the project is positively assessed, students may answer only 1 set of multiple-choice questions and 1 open-ended question in the final written exam, with the exam duration reduced to 1 hour. In this case, the final grade is calculated by giving equal weight (50% and 50%) to the group project grade and to the reduced written exam grade.
In line with the Degree Programme's Teaching Regulations, two partial exams are also scheduled, one for each module, each consisting of a written exam with 1 set of multiple-choice questions and 1 open-ended question to be answered in 1 hour:
1. the first partial exam (Module 1) takes place at mid-semester, in the week of 26-30 October 2026;
2. the second partial exam (Module 2) takes place immediately after the end of lectures, in the week of 14-18 December 2026, or alternatively at the first exam date of the winter exam session;
3. students who did not take the second partial exam, or did not pass it, may take a make-up exam at the first exam date of the winter session (7 January - 12 February 2027); this make-up exam constitutes the 6th exam date scheduled for the course.
If both partial exams (or the make-up exam) are passed, the final grade is calculated as the arithmetic mean of the grades obtained in the two exams.
Access to the exams (including partial exams) is subject to the acquisition of the credits required to enroll in the 3rd year of the programme.
Contents
The course is organized into two modules and a practical lab, for a total of 45 hours of classroom teaching:
1. Module 1 (24 hours): foundations of the economics of innovation applied to the bioeconomy — technological innovation, innovative firms and innovation systems, intellectual property, market structure and innovation.
2. Module 2 (16 hours): financing and policies for innovation, innovation diffusion, open innovation and globalization in the bioeconomy.
3. Lab and workshop (5 hours): analysis of innovation data using the R software and a practical group assignment.
The detailed list of topics covered in each module, with the number of hours devoted to each, is reported in the "Extended programme" section.
1. Module 1 (24 hours): foundations of the economics of innovation applied to the bioeconomy — technological innovation, innovative firms and innovation systems, intellectual property, market structure and innovation.
2. Module 2 (16 hours): financing and policies for innovation, innovation diffusion, open innovation and globalization in the bioeconomy.
3. Lab and workshop (5 hours): analysis of innovation data using the R software and a practical group assignment.
The detailed list of topics covered in each module, with the number of hours devoted to each, is reported in the "Extended programme" section.
Course Language
Italian
More information
Office hours: the instructor is available at the end of each lecture or by appointment, to be arranged by contacting the instructor via e-mail (andrea.vezzulli@uninsubria.it).
A Tutoring Service is active at the Department of Economics. More detailed information is available at the following link: https://www.uninsubria.it/servizi/tutti-i-servizi/tutorato-dieco
The course contributes to the achievement of the following UN 2030 Agenda Sustainable Development Goals:
• Goal 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• Goal 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production
• Goal 13 – Climate Action
A Tutoring Service is active at the Department of Economics. More detailed information is available at the following link: https://www.uninsubria.it/servizi/tutti-i-servizi/tutorato-dieco
The course contributes to the achievement of the following UN 2030 Agenda Sustainable Development Goals:
• Goal 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• Goal 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production
• Goal 13 – Climate Action
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