Achieving Sustainability: Social, Ecological and Economic Perspectives

How can we design a society that thrives within planetary boundaries—while remaining innovative, profitable, and fair? This minor invites you to explore that question at the intersection of ecology, social sciences, technology, and economics .

We are living in an age of unprecedented human impact on nature and resources. While rapid technological progress can make us feel disconnected from natural systems, our societies remain deeply dependent on them. Understanding this complexity—and learning how to act on it—requires strong analytical skills, reliable knowledge, and an interdisciplinary mindset.

In this minor, you will develop the expertise needed to understand, prevent, mitigate, and remediate environmental challenges, while also learning how to turn sustainability into opportunity. You will gain the tools to reduce ecological footprints, support the transition to a circular economy, and transform environmental problems into innovative and economically viable solutions .

To reach these goals, three modules of 5 EC each on Environmental Sciences, The Economics of Sustainability, and Bio-based Economy (as a sustainable solution to merge environmental sustainability and business) are implemented in a holistic and integrated manner. All modules are taught through an interactive and problem-based learning approach , with a strong hands-on focus. You will work with real-world case studies from Rotterdam and the Netherlands , applying theory directly to pressing societal challenges.

This minor is open to third-year students , particularly those with a background in life sciences, economics, or social sciences. It is especially relevant for students aspiring to become green business managers, environmental economists or scientists, ecologists, social scientists, designers, planners, and entrepreneurs —professionals who will lead the shift from a fossil-based economy to a sustainable, circular future .

Modules:

1. Biobased Economy
2. Environmental Sciences
3. The Economics of Sustainability

• understand the principles of ecosystem organization and functioning, environmental sustainability and resilience;
• analyse and estimate the impact of environmental problems on natural ecosystems;
• identify approaches to mitigate and reduce environmental issues;
• have a clear picture of the concepts of green growth and resource dependencies/reutilization, including the recycling and cascading of biomass;
• be familiar with the theoretical conceptualisation and operationalisation of sustainability in Economics;
• understand how circular economic structures can be created;
• be acquainted with institutions, policies, governance and regulations for a sustainable economy;
• have a proper knowledge of the recent technological developments in the service of sustainability in the fields of energy (including biofuels), materials (including bioplastics), biotechnology, waste processing and agriculture;
• start thinking in systems by acquiring the basic principles of industrial ecology and regenerative cities.
• critically assess the impact of such approaches on our society.

• Open to max 40 students;
• The minor requires a full-time dedication :
• The minor will be entirely conducted in English language;
• The minor will take place in the Erasmus University College building (Nieuwemarkt 1A, Rotterdam)
• The attendance to lectures, PBL sessions and workshops is strictly mandatory ;
• A considerable amount of self-study during each week is needed (30 hours on average);
• The Minor will follow the EUR calendar. It will start on 31 August 2026 with a mandatory session on PBL educational system.

Modules:

1. Biobased Economy
2. Environmental Sciences
3. The Economics of Sustainability

Teaching methods
The teaching method includes problem-based learning (PBL) sessions, lectures and workshops. The PBL sessions are organised in small working groups (around 15 students per class). Lectures are given by both EUC academic staff and external guest experts in the field. A workshop will be organised at BlueCity Rotterdam, where hands-on activities are planned. These activities will help the students in understanding the opportunities as well as the bottlenecks when translating theory into practice.

Teaching materials
Teaching materials include scientific articles, reports, book chapters, and videos.

Method of eximination:
The method of examination includes three components:

1. A final group project ,**** covering the content of the three modules in a holistic manner.
2. An individual final assignment . A multidisciplinary assignment aiming at evaluating the capacity of the students to think critically and propose innovative solutions to existing case-studies
3. Professional conduct . In order to maintain the professional conduct unaffected, a student can skip one mandatory session per module only.

The final grade will be calculated by combining the single grades of these components.

Composition of final grade:
The composition of the final grade will include the combination of these individual components:

• Group project: 50%.
• Individual assignment: 40%.
• Professional conduct: 10%. In order to maintain the professional conduct unaffected, a student can miss out one mandatory session per module only.