AL2110 Sustainable Food Production and Consumption 7.5 credits

Lectures as well as seminars and project work

The course describes alternative food systems and the complexities associated with assessing their sustainability, and demonstrates the sustainability trade-offs between contrasting systems (e.g. local vs. global; extensive vs. intensive). Topics covered include: agroecology, food and farming systems, nutrient cycles, sustainability impacts, life cycle assessment, climate change, ecosystem services, biodiversity, land-use and water-use impacts, food security and sovereignty, trade, GMOs.

After finishing the course, the student should be able to:

• analyse, compare and constrast the environmental, economic and social sustainability aspects of alternative food production and consumption systems (e.g. organic vs. conventional farming; animal-based vs. animal-free diets);
• evaluate and critically assess alternative systems of food production and consumption with a hard (i.e. quantitative) systems approach; and
• argue rationally, logically and coherently, as well as in a courteous manner, for the relative sustainability impacts associated with the different systems for food production and consumption.

Admitted to Master's Programme, Sustainable Technology (TSUTM).

Others: Degree of Bachelor or Degree of Bachelor of Science in Engineering or other corresponding technical, natural or other science degree at first cycle academic education of at least 180 higher education credits or equivalent.

Courses from upper secondary school corresponding to the courses Eng B/6 according to the Swedish upper secondary school system or equivalent.

The course uses KTH’s learning management system (LMS) as an important support. A computer with internet and e-mail and the possibility to use Word and Excel (Microsoft version recommended) and to read pdf- files is necessary. Other software that is needed in the course will be downloadable from the internet or from the LMS or made available on KTH computers.

To be described before course start

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

• PRO4 - Project, 3.0 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
• SEM1 - Seminar, 1.5 credits, grading scale: P, F
• SEM2 - Seminar, 0.5 credits, grading scale: P, F
• TEN1 - Exam, 2.5 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

Passed seminars, project work and exam

Students who have not completed the course with previous examination are asked to contact the examiner.

Miguel Mendonça Reis Brandão

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.