Print Syllabus

Syllabus

LB0131 Agroecology and Sustainability of Food Production Systems, 15.0 Credits

Agroekologi och hållbarhet i matproduktionssystem

Subjects

Agricultural Science Biology

Education cycle

Master’s level

Advanced study in the main field

Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Master’s level (A1N)

Grading scale

Language

English

Prior knowledge

Knowledge equivalent to 120 credits, of which 90 credits within one of the following areas:

\- natural sciences

\- social sciences

\- humanities

\- technology

\- food and meal science

and

English 6 or equivalent.

Objectives

The aim is to provide applied and holistic understanding of agricultural production systems; how components and processes in production systems interact with each other and their surroundings.

On completion of the course, students will be able to:

- evaluate the agroecosystems in relation to the physical landscape and relating its impact on different geographical levels
- explain and discuss different agroecological perspectives on the balance and interaction between crop and livestock production 
- describe and explain how farming interacts with the diverse environmental, social, economic and institutional dimensions of sustainable development in agriculture and food systems
- identify, evaluate and propose solutions to problems relevant to the individual production system, i.e. a farm.

Content

The course introduces students to agroecological principles and perspectives on production systems via case studies, lectures, scientific literature, student-led seminars, study visits and student assignments performed individually and in groups. Work with farm cases is an important pedagogic component. Students will be trained in how to describe and explain the interactions between farming practices and the social-ecological conditions that influence the sustainability of agricultural production in a holistic food system context.

The course explores the roles of ecological principles and processes such as competition, diversity, facilitation, nutrient cycling and trophic interactions for the functioning and resource use efficiency of production systems. Students will use agroecological concepts and tools to investigate how production components such as crops, animals, soil, technological equipment, infrastructural settings, economic and social settings, cultural norms and other formal or informal institutions interact and influence decision-making and production conditions in the studied systems. Students will also be introduced to different frameworks and methods to evaluate the sustainability of agricultural production systems.

The course will deal with fundamental agronomic production issues in agroecological contexts, with focus on ecosystem services related to crop production, soil processes such as soil fertility building, nutrient cycles and sustainable pest management. Design of diverse and multifunctional systems will be discussed in terms of environmental, economic and social sustainability.

Scheduled seminars, study visits and presentations are compulsory. 

The course focuses on the following generic competencies:
critical thinking, scientific methods, oral communication, written communication and teamwork.

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

To obtain the course credits, a pass in the written examination and assignment work, plus approved participation in compulsory course components will be required.

• 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.

Additional information

The course uses concepts and skills that are taught and trained in the course Agroecology Basics. It is therefore recommended, although not a formal prerequisite, that students take Agroecology Basics prior to this course.



The course is given in parallel with a corresponding course in Agroecology – Master’s Programme.The course is read together with LB0109 Agroecology and Sustainability of Production Systems.

Responsible department

Department of Biosystems and Technology