Food waste - current situation and future opportunities
The course covers how food waste occurs and how it is managed throughout the food supply chain; from primary production, processing, manufacturing and distribution, to retail, restaurants, food services and households. Food waste issues are studied from different actors’ perspectives and ethical, social, economic and environmental aspects are taken into account, locally as well as globally.
The following issues are covered:
The food waste hierarchy and management options for reduction, reuse and recycling in the different stages of the food supply chain.
Current regulations and policies in national, as well as, international contexts, particularly focusing on sustainable development goals
Current practices in food waste quantification, food waste impact assessments and techniques for valorization of waste.
Design of qualitative and quantitative studies for assessment of opportunities for reduction, reuse and recycling of food waste in different stages of the food supply chain.
These issues are treated in lectures, seminars and study visits (where participation can be compulsory), project assignments and written examination.
Course evaluation
The course evaluation is now closed
LV0118-10306 - Course evaluation report
Once the evaluation is closed, the course coordinator and student representative have 1 month to draft their comments. The comments will be published in the evaluation report.
Syllabus and other information
Syllabus
LV0118 Food waste - current situation and future opportunities, 7.5 Credits
Matsvinn - dagens problem och framtidens möjligheterSubjects
Environmental Science Food Science Food science Environmental scienceEducation cycle
Master’s levelModules
Title | Credits | Code |
---|---|---|
Single module | 7.5 | 0101 |
Advanced study in the main field
Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirementsMaster’s level (A1N)
Grading scale
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.
Language
EnglishPrior knowledge
- Knowledge equivalent to 120 credits on basic level, including at least- 15 credits in food science, food and nutrition, environmental science, biology, technology/teknik, animal science, agricultural science or horticultural science
- Knowledge equivalent to English 6 from Swedish upper secondary school
Objectives
The main objective of the course is to give the students general knowledge about food waste in different stages of the food chain; how and why it occurs, the consequences it leads to, measures that can be taken to reduce it and how it can be utilisated in by-products and nutrient recycling. The course also intends to develop the students’ ability to apply scientific methods related to food waste management.
After completed course, the student should be able to
Explain how and why food waste occurs in different parts of the food supply chain
Discuss food waste in relation to relevant regulations and policies
Identify problems and formulate research questions with regards to food waste
Apply appropriate methods for analysing quantities and qualities of food waste
Propose and assess solutions for reduction, reuse and recycling of waste in the different stages of the food supply chain
Content
The course covers how food waste occurs and how it is managed throughout the food supply chain; from primary production, processing, manufacturing and distribution, to retail, restaurants, food services and households. Food waste issues are studied from different actors’ perspectives and ethical, social, economic and environmental aspects are taken into account, locally as well as globally.
The following issues are covered:
The food waste hierarchy and management options for reduction, reuse and recycling in the different stages of the food supply chain.
Current regulations and policies in national, as well as, international contexts, particularly focusing on sustainable development goals
Current practices in food waste quantification, food waste impact assessments and techniques for valorization of waste.
Design of qualitative and quantitative studies for assessment of opportunities for reduction, reuse and recycling of food waste in different stages of the food supply chain.
These issues are treated in lectures, seminars and study visits (where participation can be compulsory), project assignments and written examination.
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 presentation of individual and group assignments
Approved participation in compulsory parts of the course
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 examination of a degree project (independent project), the examiner may also allow the 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 Energy and Technology
Grading criteria
Objective |
Grade 3; Pass |
Grade 4; Pass with credit |
Grade 5; Pass with distinction |
1. Explain how and why food waste occurs in different parts of the food supply chain. |
The student explains how and why food waste occur in different parts of the food supply chain. |
The student explains in detail how and why food waste occur in different parts of the food supply chain. |
The student explains in detail and compares how and why food waste occur in different parts of the food supply chain. |
2. Discuss food waste in relation to relevant regulations and policies. |
The student discusses food waste in relation to relevant regulations and policies. |
The student discusses in detail food waste in relation to relevant regulations and policies. |
The student discusses in detail and critically reflects on food waste in relation to relevant regulations and policies. |
3. Apply appropriate methods for analyzing quantities and qualities of food waste. |
The student applies appropriate methods for analyzing quantities and qualities of food waste. |
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4. Identify problems and formulate research questions with regards to food waste. |
The student identifies problems and formulates research questions with regards to food waste. |
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5. Propose and assess solutions for reduction, reuse and recycling of waste in different stages of the food supply chain. |
The student proposes and assess solutions for reduction, reuse and recycling of waste in different stages of the food supply chain. |
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Litterature list
- Routledge Handbook of Food Waste Författare: Edited ByChristian Reynolds, Tammara Soma, Charlotte Spring, Jordon Lazell [Routledge Handbook of Food Waste] (https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9780429462795) Kommentar: Tillgäglig som e-bok via biblioteket