Tackling real-world problems through Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Course goals

At the end of the course, the students should be able to:

• Cross boundaries while planning and executing a thematic interdisciplinary challenge
• Communicate about a thematic interdisciplinary challenge with fellow students, professionals, stakeholders, and scientists
• Formulate a clear demarcation of an interdisciplinary challenge together with a societal theme partner
• Connect science and society in a comprehensive and integrated problem analysis of an interdisciplinary challenge
• Develop a suitable and innovative end-product and implementation plan for a societal theme partner
• Review the content and feasibility of the end-product and implementation plan
• Review their own strengths and weaknesses with regard to interdisciplinary and cross-level collaboration, and their ability to connect science and society
• Review their contribution to the group in relation to others, and reflect on one’s personal and professional growth

Content

NOTE: Max 100 students (25/TIC) and 10 professionals can follow the course.

Entry requirements
Year 3 Bachelor student, master student or professional (finished master) of any discipline. No specific required previous knowledge, but students need to be willing to work together in interdisciplinary teams and look across boundaries outside their comfort zone.

Enrolment
Please note! For this course deviant enrolment rules apply:
We will provide 4 thematic interdisciplinary challenges (TICs) that match with the 4 strategic themes of the University Utrecht. A maximum of 100 students (25 per TIC) will follow the course together with a maximum of 10 professionals. If more students apply, selection may be possible on the basis of disciplinary background (we aim at diversity) and/or preferred topic(s). You can apply for the course in the regular period (November 2023) for semester 2 (via the ‘Register’ page on our website https://tic-to-tic.sites.uu.nl/). When applying, you will indicate which TIC you prefer to explore, and which TIC is your second choice.
If accepted, you will be automatically enrolled into the course in OSIRIS and will be informed of your admission via email.

Study path
This interdisciplinary course is meant to broaden your horizon, experience working on challenges from societal partners outside the university and develop skills to enable efficient working in interdisciplinary teams.

Language:
Course language and materials are in English.

Content description
Today’s world faces a lot of complex societal problems. These problems demand the input of multiple academic disciplines. Therefore, in the TIC course, students and professionals will be challenged and trained to become interdisciplinary and innovative problem solvers that contribute to solutions for real-world and complex societal problems.
The Thematic Interdisciplinary Challenge (TIC) is a university-broad course for year-3 Bachelor students, Master students and professionals from different disciplines. The course will promote interdisciplinary and cross-level collaboration while solving real-world challenges within the strategic themes of Utrecht University.
Students and professionals will be asked to choose one Interdisciplinary Challenge connected to the four UU strategic themes: Dynamics of Youth, Pathways to Sustainability, Institutions for Open Societies and Life Sciences. More information about each years specific themes and associated societal partners can be found on our website: https://tic-to-tic.sites.uu.nl
The course will offer a mix of expert sessions, workshops and discussions. In interdisciplinary groups comprised of 4-5 students and, when possible, professionals, you will learn to apply theoretical knowledge in order to solve real-world challenges.
Students and professionals from various fields will work together with scientists and policymakers towards a suitable end[1]product that contributes to an innovative solution of the jointly defined problem. The solution could be a prototype, a video, a symposium, a policy document, a podcast etc.
Another important component of the course focuses on (inter)personal and professional development. The course format creates a space to discover yourself and use your curiosity, enthusiasm, and creativity to come up with innovative ideas that contribute to the needs of today’s society.

Educational forms
The course consists of, among other things, debates, group work, workshops, lectures, pitches/presentations, projects, challenge-based learning and a symposium.

Grading
No written exam. The final grade is the result of active participation (pass or fail), team assignments (60%; minimal grade 5.5) and individual personal development assignments (40%; minimal grade 5.5).

Study material
Peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and popular scientific articles, which will be distributed during the course.