Aims

The Module is common to all Stage 1 students in programmes within the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences. The Module develops students understanding of the complex links and relationships between the different parts of key agri-food systems. Students will work across degree programmes to develop a broad understanding of the issues emerging across agri-food systems.

Outline Of Syllabus

Introductory sessions consider the importance to humans of plants, animals, land and their products and discuss the role of consumers in the agri-food system and the complex relationship between people and the food they eat.

The main part of the module explores the issues associated with 4 agri-food supply chains. The chains covered may vary from year to year but could include the following:

1) Fresh Produce - field and protected cropping, handled and marketed as fresh produce.
2) Wheat (bread and biscuits)- farm mechanisation, assurance schemes, grain storage, global commodity
3) Dairy (milk, milk products and beef) - processing chains, small and large scale processors, quality
transmission through the chain, disease risks (HACCP, pasteurisation, TB). Meat (pigs) - animal welfare,
intensive vs extensive production systems, assessing environmental impacts, preservation and processing,
organ transplant

For each chain, the teaching will be delivered in an integrated programme of 2 or 3 lectures (adjusted according to need) which cover issues arising through the chain from production to consumption.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Introductory sessions consider the importance to humans of plants, animals, land and their products and discuss the role of consumers in the agri-food system and the complex relationship between people and the food they eat.

The main part of the module explores the issues associated with 4 agri-food systems from farm to folk thus covering the knowledge outcomes 1 and 4. In this way the module presents the different systems used to produce animals and plants in agricultural systems, the main process technologies used to deliver plant and animal products and the importance of marketing and retail. The materials covered also give an introduction to health and nutrition as well as considering the role of consumers.

For each chain, the teaching will be delivered in an integrated programme of 4 lectures which cover issues arising through the chain from production to consumption with more discipline-specific materials developed in an associated workshop (programme specific).

Specific assessment preparation sessions will focus on the skills of problem definition, literature-based research and critical analysis providing additional training so that students are well equipped to tackle the assignments - Learning outcomes 5, 6, 7, 8.

At the end of the module the challenges and opportunities facing the agri-food chain will be discussed by students together with a panel of recent graduates now working in the agri-food and rural sectors.

*Extra tutorial groups will be given as extra PiP time if needed/required. Module leader will advise*

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The materials studied in common for 3 farm to folk chains will be examined in a unseen exam paper completed at the end of Semester 1 - this will provide assessment of learning outcome 1.

In Semester 1 students will be required to identify one agri-food system not studied as part of the main teaching of the module for their own individual research.


The technical report (50%) will provide introductory sections describing the selected agri-food system as a whole and the physical, financial and policy contexts within which it operates (learning outcome 4). The report will then provide detailed analysis of at least 2 key issues / problems associated with that system (learning outcome 5, underpinned by learning outcomes 6 and 7). The selection of key issues for investigation is likely to reflect the student's disciplinary focus. The work will be structured according to guidance provided and will be expected to meet the presentational requirements of a report within the agri-food industries (learning outcome 8).