Module Information
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Workshop | 3 x 3 Hour Workshops |
| Lecture | 22 x 2 Hour Lectures |
| Field Trip | 1 x 3 Hour Field Trip |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Policy Briefing Assignment | 50% |
| Semester Exam | 2 Hours | 50% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Students must take elements of assessment equivalent to those that led to failure of the module. | 50% |
| Supplementary Exam | 2 Hours Students must take elements of assessment equivalent to those that led to failure of the module. | 50% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Explain the ecological processes that occur within food production.
2. Discuss the pressures on the food supply industry.
3. Identify the environmental impacts due to agricultural intensification.
4. Appraise the impacts of food policy and globalisation of food markets.
5. Discuss the concept of sustainability in food production.
Brief description
The module describes the scientific knowledge required to understand the applied ecological aspects that constitutes agricultural production systems. This module will provide students with an awareness of the impact of agriculture and food supply systems on the environment. The module is designed to highlight issues in the human food chain including the globalisation of food markets, the homogenisation of production systems, sustainability, environmental impacts of agricultural and aquacultural intensification, agricultural policy development, public concerns with food production and health, animal welfare , and future consumer and population demands on the food production industry.
Content
The globalisation of food production and agricultural systems
Trends in food consumption and the effects on human diet and health
Food safety, traceability and farm assurance
Farming systems and the environment: Then and now.
The influence of policies and politics on agriculture and the environment
Managing organisms and communities within the farmed environment
Effects of agricultural intensification on the environment
The importance of boundary habitats and landscape connectivity within the farmed environment
Developing multi-species agricultural systems
Integrated crop management and advances in agricultural systems
Biotechnology in the field and on your plate?
Food, or fuel from the field?
How do we create sustainable agricultural systems?
The use of Whole Farm Conservation Schemes
The role of Agri-Environment schemes
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | Statistical analysis and data presentation of lab/field data |
| Communication | Read in different contexts and for different purposes. Write for different purposes and audiences |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | |
| Information Technology | Present information and data. Access information from the web. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | |
| Problem solving | Identify factors which might influence potential solutions. Evaluate advantages and disadvantages of potential solutions |
| Research skills | Students will be required to engage with the peer-reviewed research literature and this will require effective use of scientific search engines, and critical reading and appraisal of scientific papers |
| Subject Specific Skills | |
| Team work |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 5