Food & Fuel - BIO00049I

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  • Department: Biology
  • Module co-ordinator: Prof. James Moir
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: I
  • Academic year of delivery: 2018-19
    • See module specification for other years: 2019-20

Module summary

The provision of food for humanity is set to be a perpetual challenge due to globally increasing population, diminishing mineral resources, and changing demands across cultures worldwide.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching cycle
A Autumn Term 2018-19 to Summer Term 2018-19

Module aims

The provision of food for humanity is set to be a perpetual challenge due to globally increasing population, diminishing mineral resources, and changing demands across cultures worldwide. On the other hand, increasing availability of sugar-rich foods is leading to an epidemic of obesity in many nations. Furthermore, there is an increasing demand to use land for bio-fuel crops rather than food crops. There is a need for creative thinking to ensure the best use of the potential of biology to provide humanity’s needs whilst maintaining global biodiversity. In this module we will explore the issues surrounding food and fuel production and use by investigating the underlying biological properties and adaptability of plants, humans and their associated microbial communities. Biological innovation is part of the solution, but this sits in a wider context of social, ethical and environmental factors which need to be taken into account.

Module learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this module will have the ability to:

1. Discuss appropriate technical approaches for solving problems in the provision of food and fuel

2. Analyse issues related to food and fuel at multiple scales and from multiple perspectives, appreciating the global context for provision of food and fuel and the impacts on the environment

3. Calculate and estimate relevant values such as the flux of energy and biomass involved in food production and use

4. Formulate and review a strategy to use biological processes to adapt food and/or bio-fuel production and/or use

5. Build up a body of knowledge through working together and communicating within a peer group

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Oral presentation/seminar/exam
Presentation		 N/A 60
University - closed examination
Food and Fuel		 1.5 hours 40

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

.

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Oral presentation/seminar/exam
Presentation		 N/A 60
University - closed examination
Food and Fuel		 1.5 hours 40

Module feedback

Feedback on your progress is important to your learning process; your draft review will be commented on and returned to you, your final submission will also be returned with comments.

Indicative reading

These are available through the VLE module site.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.