General aims
The module ‘Biomass as renewable resource' aims at providing knowledge and skills regarding the potential of plant biomass as feedstock, with a major focus on challenges and opportunities for its sustainable use in agriculture and industry for the production of bio-energy and bio-products through a circular economy approach. Classes will provide basic knowledge of plant biology and ecology, necessary to understand the factors determining the direct and indirect importance of plant biomass as feedstock for energy supply and other uses. Characteristics of biomass and valorization pathways will be taught. Students will learn limits and benefits in the use of different types of biomass in the light of social and environmental issues related to global change. In this regard, the role of biomass as a key component in the circular economy will be analyzed. The cascading use as efficient utilization of residues and waste materials to extend biomass availability will be discussed also through case studies. Case studies will be analysed and discussed during sessions common to the other two modules to provide the necessary interdisciplinary understanding of the topics covered in the course.

Knowledge and understanding
By the end of the course, students will have developed a fundamental understanding of the following:
• renewable resources in the global change era;
• the importance of biomass as a renewable resource;
• main EU and international policies regarding biomass use as a renewable resource;
• basics of plant biology and ecology in relation to sustainable biomass valorization;
• classification of biomass based on origin, characteristics and sustainability;
• pathways and processes of biomass valorization in the productive and energy supply chains;
• the role of biomass in the circular economy;
• challenges and opportunities in the cascading use of biomass as feedstock;
• real-world examples of sustainable biomass management in the productive and energy supply chains.

Applied knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student will be able to:
• discuss traditional and emerging renewable products derived from biomass;
• discuss the sustainability of bioproducts derived from biomass;
• identify the potential environmental and socio-economic externalities associated with unsustainable biomass production and use;
• propose sustainable valorization strategies based on valuable compounds obtained from biomass;
• discuss biological and ecological mechanisms and plant strategies relevant to the sustainable use of biomass;
• critically analyse the evolution of biomass use as a renewable resource in response to changing energy and environmental challenges at national and supranational levels;
• evaluate biomass valorization strategies from a circular economy perspective;
• interpret economic and productive systems in the light of biological and ecological constraints.

Making judgements
At the end of the course, the student will be able to:
• critically evaluate the potential, limitations and sustainability of different types of biomass as renewable feedstock;
• assess the suitability of different biomass valorization pathways according to biomass origin, composition, availability and environmental constraints;
• compare alternative uses of biomass by considering energetic efficiency, production of bioproducts, circular economy principles and cascading use;
• critically analyse the environmental, social and economic implications associated with biomass production, transformation and use;
• identify potential trade-offs and conflicts related to biomass exploitation, including competition with food production, land-use change, biodiversity conservation and resource depletion;
• evaluate case studies of biomass management and valorization, identifying strengths, weaknesses and possible improvements;
• formulate reasoned opinions on the role of biomass in renewable energy strategies and in the transition towards more sustainable production systems;
• integrate biological, ecological, technological and socio-economic information to support informed decisions on sustainable biomass use.

Communication skills
At the end of the course, the student will be able to:
• use appropriate scientific terminology to describe biomass types, characteristics and valorization pathways;
• clearly communicate the environmental, biological and socio-economic implications of biomass use;
• present and discuss case studies of biomass management and valorization in a structured and critical way;
• interact with third parties during interdisciplinary discussions, supporting arguments with scientific and technical evidence.

Learning skills
At the end of the course, the student will be able to:
• independently deepen knowledge on biomass valorization, renewable resources and circular economy;
• critically consult scientific, technical and policy-related sources on biomass use and sustainability;
• integrate new information from different disciplines to analyse biomass-related issues;
• apply the acquired knowledge to further studies or professional contexts related to sustainable resource management, bioenergy and bioproducts.