This course explores the role of biotechnology in shaping Spain’s healthcare system, public health policies, and biomedical innovation. The course examines how scientific advances in biotechnology intersect with health management, regulation, and ethical considerations within the Spanish and European contexts. Students will study key areas such as pharmaceutical and biotech innovation, genomics and personalized medicine, medical devices, digital health, and biotechnology in public health. Particular attention is given to Spain’s National Health System, its decentralized governance structure, and the management of healthcare services across autonomous communities. The course also analyzes regulatory and policy frameworks at both national and EU levels, including clinical trials regulation, health technology assessment, and market access for biotech products. Through case studies, policy analysis, and applied projects, students will gain insight into the challenges of managing innovation, sustainability, and equity in healthcare. Ethical issues related to biotechnology—such as data protection, bioethics, access to care, and patient rights—are integrated throughout the course.

 This course explores the economic, environmental, and strategic dimensions of the Blue Economy in the region at both ends of the Strait of Gibraltar. It examines how maritime and coastal activities (shipping and logistics, tourism, fisheries and aquaculture, renewable marine energy, port management, and marine biotechnology) contribute to regional development while facing increasing sustainability and governance challenges. Students will analyze the Western Mediterranean as a dynamic and interconnected economic space, shaped by international trade routes, coastal urbanization, climate change, and European, Spanish and Moroccan policy frameworks. The course combines business perspectives with environmental and socio-political considerations, highlighting innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable business models in marine and coastal sectors. Through case studies, policy analysis, and applied projects, participants will develop the ability to assess market opportunities, risks, and regulatory constraints specific to the Blue Economy. By the end of the course, students will be equipped to design and evaluate business strategies that balance economic growth with environmental protection and social responsibility in the Western Mediterranean context.

This course explores the interactions between climate change and coastal systems in the Western Mediterranean, with a focus on the challenges and solutions relevant to coastal engineering. The course addresses key climate-driven impacts such as sea level rise, coastal erosion, flooding, extreme storm events, and ecosystem degradation, using the coasts of southern Spain and northern Morocco Spain as a case study region. Emphasis is placed on the vulnerability of urbanized coasts, ports, beaches and low-lying areas, as well as on the socio-economic implications for tourism, infrastructure, and coastal communities. Students will learn to apply coastal engineering tools and methodologies to assess risks and design adaptation and mitigation strategies. Topics include coastal monitoring and data analysis, numerical and physical modeling, nature-based solutions, hard and hybrid coastal defenses, and integrated coastal zone management under climate uncertainty. Real-world case studies from Spain and Morocco will be used to link theory with practice. By the end of the course, students will be able to critically evaluate climate change impacts on Western Mediterranean coastlines and propose sustainable, engineering-based responses that balance environmental, technical, and societal considerations.

This course explores the worlds of luxury, hospitality, and gastronomy in Spain and Morocco through cultural, historical, and contemporary perspectives. Focusing on two countries with deep Mediterranean connections, the course examines how heritage, craftsmanship, design, and culinary traditions shape distinctive models of high-end tourism and hospitality. Students will analyze the evolution of luxury and hospitality from royal courts, riads, and paradores to modern boutique hotels, resorts, and fine-dining experiences. The course highlights the role of architecture, interior design, service culture, branding, and storytelling in creating meaningful luxury experiences rooted in place and tradition. Special attention is given to the fusion of Andalusi, Arab, Amazigh, Mediterranean, and European influences that define hospitality practices in both countries. Culinary traditions are a central component of the course, with an emphasis on regional products, food heritage, and contemporary gastronomy. Students will explore Spanish and Moroccan cuisines, their shared histories, techniques, and ingredients, as well as the global positioning of chefs, restaurants, and culinary destinations as instruments of cultural prestige and economic development. By the end of the course, students will be able to critically assess luxury and hospitality models in Spain and Morocco, understand the cultural significance of cuisine as an expression of identity and soft power, and evaluate how tradition and innovation intersect in shaping premium experiences for global audiences.

This course examines how the EU addresses cybersecurity challenges while upholding fundamental rights, democratic values, and ethical principles in the digital age. The course explores the legal, political, and technical foundations of cybersecurity in the EU, alongside ethical questions related to privacy, data protection, surveillance, artificial intelligence, and digital sovereignty. Students will analyze key EU policies, strategies, and regulatory frameworks—such as the EU Cybersecurity Strategy, the GDPR, the NIS2 Directive, and the Digital Services and Digital Markets Acts—and assess their impact on governments, businesses, and citizens. The course also addresses contemporary threats including cybercrime, disinformation, hybrid threats, and state-sponsored cyber operations, with a focus on risk management, resilience, and international cooperation. Through case studies, policy analysis, and ethical debates, students will develop critical skills to evaluate how cybersecurity measures can be designed and implemented responsibly, balancing security needs with human rights and ethical accountability. The course is particularly suited for students interested in EU studies, law, international relations, public policy, information security, and digital governance.