Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security

Structure

The course may be studied full-time over 12 months or part-time over two years.

You will study five core modules and three elective modules, followed by the Research Project on a topic related to one of the key themes of the course. The Research Project is introduced in January to be carried out over the summer and submitted at the end of September. It will be presented as a review of the topic and as a research paper.

In addition to lectures, you will participate in case studies, seminars and management projects. This approach fosters teamwork and complements individual study and student learning.

You will gain a broader understanding of relevant issues through knowledge acquisition, intellectual enquiry, debate, and team/individual research. The course will provide a learning environment that encourages you to explore factors influencing sustainability while at the same time reflecting on your own actions and attitudes, and those of others. Furthermore, several team projects are developed throughout the course, which include: production of a magazine or podcast and organisation of a national conference.

There are two entry points to the programme, either in September or in January.

September entry

Students will study four modules in the autumn term followed by four modules in the spring term, and complete their Research Project by the end of September.

January entry

Students will study four modules in the spring term, complete their Research Project by the end of September, and study four modules in the autumn term.

Modules will be taught in 10 week blocks.

Modules

• Integrated Agricultural Systems
• Sustainable Management of Soil and Water
• Research Project
• Development Project Management
• Agricultural and Rural Policy
• Poverty and Food Security

Plus choice of THREE elective modules, selecting at least TWO from:

• Organic Production and Marketing
• Sustainable Agricultural Intensification
• Small Scale Farming and Local Food Supply

Plus One elective module from:

• Food Chain
• Natural Resource Management
• Climate Change and Development
• Tourism and Development
• Fisheries and Aquaculture Management
• Systems for Food Safety Management