Gwybodaeth Modiwlau

Module Identifier
Module Title
Food, Farming and the Environment
Academic Year
Semester 1
Mutually Exclusive
Other Staff

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Lecture 2 x 2 hour lectures per week
Practical 3 x 3 hour practicals/visits during semester


Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Scientific research paper.  50%
Semester Exam 2 Hours   50%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

1. Explain the ecological processes that occur within food production.

2. Discuss the pressures on the food supply industry.

3. Identify the environmental impacts due to agricultural intensification.

4. Appraise the impacts of food policy and globalisation of food markets.

5. Discuss the concept of sustainability in food production.

Brief description

The module describes the scientific knowledge required to understand the applied ecological aspects that constitutes agricultural production systems. This module will provide students with an awareness of the impact of agriculture and food supply systems on the environment. The module is designed to highlight issues in the human food chain including the globalisation of food markets, the homogenisation of production systems, sustainability, environmental impacts of agricultural and aquacultural intensification, agricultural policy development, public concerns with food production and health, animal welfare , and future consumer and population demands on the food production industry.


Population dynamics
Managing populations
How communities work
Multi-cropping and arable systems
Boundary habitats and habitat fragmentation
Impacts due to agricultural intensification ? direct/indirect
Agri-environment schemes
Food supply in the UK
Globalisation of food markets
Impact of policy on systems and the environment
Issues in the food chain food and human health, animal welfare, biotechnology, biofuels
Sustainability criteria and sustainability assessment
Sustainable resource use in agriculture ? sustainable intensification.

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number Statistical analysis and data presentation of lab/field data
Communication Read in different contexts and for different purposes. Write for different purposes and audiences
Improving own Learning and Performance
Information Technology Present information and data. Access information from the web.
Personal Development and Career planning
Problem solving Identify factors which might influence potential solutions. Evaluate advantages and disadvantages of potential solutions
Research skills Produce academically appropriate reports/scientific research paper
Subject Specific Skills
Team work


This module is at CQFW Level 5