Food Security Fundamentals - Crops BIOL5217

  • Academic Session: 2024-25
  • School: School of Molecular Biosciences
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 1
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No

Short Description

This course will provide an introduction to aspects of food security specifically related to crop production.

Timetable

Students will be required to attend regular classes over a three week period. 

Requirements of Entry

None

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

Students will produce a Food Production Portfolio which will critically discuss and evaluate a specific crop detailing its origin, varieties, agronomy, limitations to growth and productivity, and prospects for improvement (50%).

In addition, they will create and deliver an oral presentation on the key issues affecting productivity and prospects for increased yield of a crop of their choice (50%).

Course Aims

The specific aims are:

■ to give students knowledge of aspects of food security relating to crop production, including constraints on production, crop breeding and improvement, and plant genomes and genetic manipulation

■ to enhance students' conceptual, analytical and presentation skills

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

Knowledge and Understanding

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

■ critically discuss key topics in food security with reference to the current scientific literature

■ critically discuss how opportunities and constraints in crop production impact on food security

 

Skills and Other Attributes

 

Intellectual skills

■ identify, summarise and critically evaluate published reports and publications on aspects of food security

■ critically discuss research findings and ideas on specific topics in food security

■ learn independently

 

Transferable/key skills

■ write a well structured and carefully written report on a crop based food product.

■ produce and deliver a well constructed presentation on a crop based food product.

■ plan and manage time effectively to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the courses summative assessment.