Agroecology and Sustainability of Production Systems
Through working with case studies in practice this course facilitates students to get familiar with all aspects of farm systems and livelihoods. The aim is to well understand the interdependency as well as specific aspects of productivity and sustainability, crops and livestock, social, economic and institutional dimensions of small scale farming systems in a local and global perspective. By working with small holder cases from different countries and different ecological settings, the student will be exposed to different kind of agricultural systems that adapt to very different situations, socio-economically as well as ecologically.
The course Agroecology Basics, 15 credits is recommended as prior study.
Information from the course leader
Welcome to the course
Dear all, A very warm Welcome to the course, 'Agroecology and Sustainability of Productions Systems, LB0109'. Owing to covid-19 situation, most of the teaching activities will take place online (in zoom). Please find the updated class rooms and course schedule in the course web: https://student.slu.se/studier/kurser-och-program/kurser/?sprak=en&anmkod=20088.2021 Our first meeting will take place on 02 November starting at 09.15 in Loftet, Alnarpsgården (also possible online). There could also be some updates in the coming days in relation to zoom links (possibility of hybrid meetings on days which we have planned for the physical meetings). I, together with Linda Engh (Course Assistant), will inform you in good time in Canvas when changes are made. I look forward to having a good time with you all during the course, and let's keep motivating each other! Best wishes, Raj Chongtham Mobile:0725498812
Course evaluation
The course evaluation is now closed
LB0109-20088 - 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.
Additional course evaluations for LB0109
Academic year 2024/2025
Agroecology and Sustainability of Production Systems (LB0109-20018)
2024-11-01 - 2025-01-19
Academic year 2023/2024
Agroecology and Sustainability of Production Systems (LB0109-20008)
2023-10-31 - 2024-01-14
Academic year 2022/2023
Agroecology and Sustainability of Production Systems (LB0109-20071)
2022-11-01 - 2023-01-15
Academic year 2021/2022
Agroecology and Sustainability of Production Systems (LB0109-20051)
2021-11-02 - 2022-01-16
Academic year 2019/2020
Agroecology and Sustainability of Production Systems (LB0109-20006)
2019-11-01 - 2020-01-19
Syllabus and other information
Syllabus
LB0109 Agroecology and Sustainability of Production Systems, 15.0 Credits
Agroekologi och hållbarhet i produktionssystemSubjects
Agricultural Science BiologyEducation cycle
Master’s levelModules
| Title | Credits | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Single module | 15.0 | 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, including 90 credits in one of the subjects/educational areas Social Science, Natural Science or Technology, and English 6.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 and discuss the productivity, sustainability, inputs and outputs in agroecosystems
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 mandatory.
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 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.
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 Food and Landscape – Master’s Programme. The course is read together with LB0131 Agroecology and Sustainability of Food Production Systems.
Responsible department
Department of Biosystems and Technology
Further information
Grading criteria
Grading Criteria of LB0109, Agroecology and Sustainability of Production Systems, 2020-21
|
Learning objectives (LO) |
1 Evaluate and discuss the productivity, sustainability, inputs and outputs in agroecosystems |
2 Explain and discuss different agroecological perspectives on the balance and interaction between crop and livestock production |
3 Describe and explain how farming interacts with the diverse environmental, social, economic and institutional dimensions of sustainable development in agriculture and food systems |
4 Identify, evaluate and propose solutions to problems relevant to the individual production system, i.e. a farm |
|
Examination assessing the LO |
TAPE, farm group work, individual assignment, student seminars |
TAPE, farm group work, student seminars |
TAPE, farm group work, individual assignment, student seminars |
TAPE, farm group work, individual assignment |
|
The student's learning activities show: |
||||
|
Requirements for grade 3 |
- satisfactory skills in analysis and judgement - ability to discuss the important agroecosystem characteristics - participation in seminars and presentations |
- satisfactory performance in explaining and discussing interactions - participation in seminars and presentations |
- satisfactory performance in describing and explaining interactions - participation in seminars and presentations |
satisfactory performance in: - identifying problems on farm - collecting and analysing data - evaluating the reliability of collected data - categorising information and ideas - applying tools/methods to complex problems and suggesting solutions. |
|
Requirements for grade 4 |
- very good performance in analysis and sound judgement - good ability to reflect and discuss the important agroecosystem characteristics - active participation in seminars and presentations |
- very good performance in explaining and discussing interactions - active participation in seminars and presentations |
- detailed knowledge about the various dimensions of agroecological development - ability to describe and explain most important interactions - active participation in seminars and presentations |
very good performance in: - identifying problems on farm - collecting and analysing data - evaluating the reliability of collected data - categorising information and ideas - applying tools/methods to complex problems and suggesting solutions. |
|
Requirements for grade 5 |
- excellent performance and independent prioritizing - excellent performance in reflection and discussion of the most important agroecosystem characteristics - active participation in seminars and presentations |
- excellent performance in detailed explanation, reflection and discussion on interactions - active participation in seminars and presentations |
- depth and systematic understanding, and - ability to make a detailed description and explanation of interactions using concepts based on critical selection - active participation in seminars and presentations |
Excellent performance in: - identifying problems on farm - collecting and analysing data - evaluating the reliability of collected data - categorising information and ideas - applying tools/methods to complex problems and suggesting solutions. |
To obtain grade 5, all assignments must be completed according to deadlines stated in the course schedule
Litterature list
- Literature List of LB0109 updated 29 Oct [Literature List of LB0109 updated 29 Oct] (https://slunik.slu.se/kursfiler/LB0109/20088.2021/Complete_course_literature_LB0109_Agroecology_and_Sustaianbility_of_Production_Systems__29_Oct_update.docx)