Print Syllabus

Syllabus

BI1396 Sustainable Production Systems in a Global Perspective, 15.0 Credits

Hållbara produktionssystem i ett globalt perspektiv

Subjects

Agricultural Science Biology

Education cycle

Bachelor’s level

Modules

Title	Credits	Code
Comparing regions - group work	2.0	0102
Reading seminar Living Planet - individual work	1.0	0103
Reading seminar Planetary boundaries - individual	1.0	0104
Production system - group work	2.0	0105
E-case - group work	3.0	0106
Individual essay	5.0	0108
Excursion / PhD presentation day	1.0	0109

Advanced study in the main field

First cycle, has at least 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Bachelor’s level (G2F)

Grading scale

Language

English

Prior knowledge

Qualifications equivalent to 60 hp in Agricultural Science, Horticultural science or Biology.

Objectives

The course aims to educate and prepare students to work with sustainable development of production systems and to strengthen students’ competence in systems thinking, critical thinking, design and evaluation of future scenarios and decision-making in consultation with others.

After completing the course, the student should be able to:

• describe conditions for food production and bioenergy in different countries.

• describe the current situation for food production and bioenergy in different countries

• evaluate how landscapes and urban environments affect, enable and support production on both a large and small scale globally

• explain and reason about sustainability in production systems and the supply of food and bioenergy

• compare and evaluate different countries’ conditions and competitiveness for a bio-based economy

• assess the international market for various products from the agricultural and horticultural sector.

Content

The course deals with and discusses biological / ecological, environmental, climatic, technical, economic, political and social conditions for globally sustainable (social, ecological, economic) food production and bioenergy. Entrepreneurship and trade in goods and services are also covered.

The course includes:

• Biological, technical and economic conditions for agricultural production in different parts of the world

• Most important characteristic factors in production systems in different parts of the world

• Review of the current situation for agriculture and farmers in different parts of the world

• Global climate and environmental effects, e.g. water management, greenhouse gases and erosion

• International agricultural and horticultural policy and trade

• Food consumption in different countries from a sustainability perspective

The course consists of lectures / discussions, case studies in groups and project work. The course introduction, the introduction and presentation of group and individual project work, as well as reading seminars, the research presentation day and any excursions are compulsory elements.

Grading form

The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.

Formats and requirements for examination

Approved written and oral reporting of case studies and project assignments and participation in compulsory components.

• If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.

• The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.

• If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.

• For the assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Other information

• The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.

• If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Responsible department

Department of Biosystems and Technology