TIK4021 - Innovation and global challenges
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Choose semester
Course content
Science and innovation are called upon to solve some of the most pressing problems of world today, such as economic development, climate change and global health. But why does economic growth differ so much in the first place? Can university-based research really solve health problems in developing countries? Why do current climate change solutions to such a high degree emphasise development of new technologies? If innovation is one of the big buzzwords of our time, why does it still seem to be so many barriers to it in organisations?
The course will focus on four main topics:
1. Differences in growth and dynamics between sectors, countries and regions. The students will discuss to what extent specific sectors are more important for growth than others, including the ‘resource curse’ hypothesis. This is a relevant approach for analysis of growth both for developing ad developed economies.
2. System transition. This topic is closely linked to energy technologies and the climate challenge, demanding a transition from large technological systems based on fossil fuel to renewable energy. It can also be used for understanding other types of transitions.
3. The role of public research organisations, like universities, in innovation processes and systems, as well as policies and strategies for how academic knowledge can be disseminated into the economy, public sector and the larger society. This includes an introduction to intellectual property rights and commercialisation.
4. Management of innovation. This topic contains both a practical part (group work and company visit) as well as an introduction to some of the classical literature within the innovation management field.
Learning outcome
Knowledge:
The students will acquire knowledge on:
• Differences in growth and dynamics between sectors, countries and regions.
• Dynamics of system transitions.
• The role of public knowledge institutions and infrastructures, like universities, in innovation processes and systems.
• Innovation management.
Skills:
After completing the course the students should have acquired sophisticated analytical skills from reading and analysing a cross-disciplinary set of literature based on different types of data and methodologies. This will make them able to discuss how the above theories and frameworks can be applied in analysis of contemporary policy and economic issues such as:
• dynamics of modern knowledge-based economies
• transitions between different technological regimes
• commercialisation of science-based knowledge
• promotion of innovation in organisations
Competences:
The students should be able to analyse, understand and explain some of the most important issues in today’s societies. Examples are the role of sectors and regions in economic development, the dynamics of system transitions, the relationship between “new” and “old” technologies, and tapping the potential of the public science base
Admission
Students at UiO must apply for courses in StudentWeb.
International applicants, if you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.
The course is applicable for master programme students from humanities and social sciences. Students who have passed the course TIK4001 have priority, and other students are admitted if capacity. For more information on this, contact the student adviser.
The examination in this course is not available for external candidates. Only students admitted to the course may sit for the examination.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
A Bachelor Degree in Social Sciences, Humanities or equal.
Recommended previous knowledge
Overlapping courses
The course is equal to the first part of the course (specialisation) TIK4020, who are split into TIK4021 and TIK4040 (Design Seminar).
Teaching
The lectures will take place in a period of six weeks, from 1st Monday of February to medio March. There will be about 4 lectures every week.
Examination
Home exam, one week.
Language of examination
English. If there are no exchange students attending the course, Norwegian may be the teaching language.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
- Explanation of grades - deadline and processing time
- Appeal about grades
- Complaint about formal exam errors
Ask for explanation of your grade in this course. NB! Students in this course usually receive an explanation of grade automatically. You will not receive additional explanations of you have already received one.
Resit an examination
Special examination arrangements
If you have a disability or a health problem that entails significant inconvenience in an examination situation, you may be considered for special examination arrangements. Mothers who are breastfeeding may apply for extra time to complete the exam.
Evaluation
Feedback from our students is essential to us in our efforts to ensure and further improve the high quality of our programmes and courses. All courses are subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students on a particular course to participate in a more comprehensive, periodic evaluation of this course.
Evaluations (only in Norwegian)