In this module, students learn about moral problems in relation to science, and students gain basic knowledge on the most fundamental principles of modern economies and economic thinking applied to innovation-related topics.

NOTE: following this module does not guarantee direct access to the master Innovation Sciences.  

This module is taught in English.

Programme
This module consists of two courses:
Period 2: Economics and Technology - 7,5 EC
Period 2: Philosophy of Science and Ethics - 7,5 EC

After completion of the Economics and Technology course, the student is able to:

• define basic economic principles and terms, in particular from neoclassical (micro)economics and evolutionary economics;
• explain how individual decision-making and price-setting in firms is modeled; 
• analyse and solve game-theoretic problems from different scenarios;
• design own games about desicion problems from real-life examples;
• explain the interplay of supply and demand in competitive and non-competitive markets;
• illustrate changes in market diagrams (including the degree of elasticity) and interpret the consequences for market outcomes; 
• identify common sources of market failure and explain their effects on economic outcomes;
• discuss the rationale of government intervention in solving different types of market failures;
• select the correct economic principles and concepts to analyze an identified real-life economic phenomenon;
• critically reflect on the function of Intellectual Property Rights and their implications for competition and societal welfare;
• explain how social network structures affect the diffusion of innovation;
• explain and illustrate the basic economics underlying digital platforms;
• connect the assumptions and principles of Evolutionary Economics with the life cycle of products and industries;
• explain the differences between Neoclassical Environmental and Ecological Economics;
• describe the challenges and limits associated with decoupling economic growth from environmental pollution.

After completion of the Philosophy of Science and Ethics course, the student is able to:

• reflect upon science and the scientific method;
• reflect upon moral problems in relation to (environmental) science;
• communicate to a general audience on environmental issues, using philosophical tools & knowledge.

• Having passed at least 120 EC from your Bachelor programme including the propaedeutic year
• Interest in novel technologies, innovation, complex multidisciplinary societal challenges, (e.g. sustainability, drug development, mobility, digitalization)

For Economics and Technology: to be determined

For Philosophy of Science and Ethics:
Okasha, Samir, Philosophy of Science. A Very Short Introduction, 2nd edition
Blackburn, Simon, Being Good. A Short Introduction to Ethics
DeGrazia, David, Animal Rights. A Very Short Introduction
Miller, David, Political Philosophy. A Very Short Introduction
Attfield, Robin, Environmental Ethics. A Very Short Introduction

Information about the timetable can be found in MyTimetable. The timetable is definitively known approximately 4 weeks prior to a new teaching period.

Period 2: 16 November 2027 – 5 February 2027

Information about the assessment can be found under 'tests' in the OSIRIS course catalogue for each course. Per course, you can see which assessment methods will be used and how each component has been weighted.

It is important to know that when you register for a course, you are automatically registered for the first test options of that course.

There is a maximum of 5 places for this module. If there are more interested students, students will be placed in the order of application in OSIRIS.

You can hand in the learning agreement until 1 October 2026.