Description
Programme Specification for the 2019/0 academic year
MSc Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture
1. Programme Details
| Programme name | MSc Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture | Programme code | PTS1BIOBIO09 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study mode(s) | Full Time Part Time |
Academic year | 2019/0 |
| Campus(es) | Streatham (Exeter) |
NQF Level of the Final Award | 7 (Masters) |
2. Description of the Programme
There has never been a more urgent need to train scientists in the area of food security, equipped with skills in agronomy, plant pathology, plant disease and plant genetics, and knowledge of modern agricultural systems and agricultural policy. The Royal Society report Reaping the Benefits: science and the sustainable intensification of global agriculture published in October 2009, provided the clearest evidence of the challenge of ensuring global food security during the next 50 years. Crop yields need to rise significantly, but in a manner that requires much lower dependency on chemical intervention and fertilisers.
This programme was developed in collaboration with the agricultural industry, government agencies including Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (defra) and The Food and Environment Research Agency (fera), and farmers and food manufacturers, to provide a multi-disciplinary training in sustainable agriculture and global food security. Research-led teaching in molecular plant pathology, plant sciences and microbiology is strongly supplemented by BBSRC Rothamsted-North Wyke expertise in grassland management, soil science and sustainable farming systems. Leading social scientists also provide valuable input in rural land use and the rural economy. The combination of expertise in both arable and pastureland systems ensures a truly rounded learning experience.
The curriculum takes account of the key skills shortages in the UK to train highly skilled individuals who can enter government agencies, agriculture and food industries and fulfil very valuable roles in scientific research, advice, evaluation, policy development and implementation tackling the challenges of food security. The programme provides opportunities to gain industrial and practical experiences including field trips.
3. Educational Aims of the Programme
The educational aims of the programme are to:
- provide you with knowledge and understanding of topics that underpin our understanding of research-informed frontiers in Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture.
- provide you with a scientific, intellectual, and practical training that will enhance your employability and prepare you for autonomous lifelong learning.
- enable you to experience a supportive learning environment that fosters your academic and personal development.
4. Programme Structure
5. Programme Modules
The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme.
www.exeter.ac.uk/biosciences/current/modules/pgstreatham/
Stage 1
180 credits of compulsory modules
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOM560 | Research Project | 90 | Yes |
| BIOM509 | Professional Skills | 15 | No |
| BIOM562 | Sustainable Land Use in Grassland Agriculture | 15 | No |
| BIOM563 | Crop Security | 15 | No |
| POLM016 | Food Systems, Alternative Food Networks, and Ethical Consumption | 15 | No |
| POLM073 | Political Economy of Food and Agriculture | 15 | No |
| SOCM035 | Knowledge Exchange in the Field | 15 | No |
6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
Intended Learning Outcomes
A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
1. Explain systematically current problems and/or new insights in Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture, much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of the field of study | Taught lectures Field trips Guided reading of literature, literature research and revision Design and implementation of research project | Essay/report Oral presentation Short answer and multiple choice test Literature review Project or dissertation report |
Intended Learning Outcomes
B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
5. Collate and synthesise information from multiple sources | Taught lectures Field trips Guided reading of literature, literature research and revision Design and implementation of research project | Essay/report Literature review Grant proposal Project or dissertation report Oral presentation Poster presentation |
Intended Learning Outcomes
C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
9. Solve problems by the application of appropriate scientific principles and methods | Taught lectures Guided reading of literature, literature research and revision Design and implementation of research project | Essay/report Literature review Grant proposal Project or dissertation report Oral presentation Poster presentation |
7. Programme Regulations
Programme-specific Award Rules
University regulations also allow you the exit awards of PGDip for 120 credits or PGCert for 60 credits. You will be permitted to exit with a PGCert on successful completion of BIOM562, BIOM563, POLM073 and one other 15 credit module, and a PGDip on successful completion of the 90 credit Research Project and BIOM562 and BIOM563.
Classification
Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook. Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.
8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning
Biosciences offersyou meetings each term with a personal tutor and an academic tutor. You can also expect reasonable access to all teaching staff through appointments.
Academic tutoring: The role of academic tutors is to instil a sense of academic rigour and thinking in our students. You will have access to the Programme Director in Biosciences as a first point of contact for programme related queries. You can also expect reasonable access to all teaching staff, for academic tutorials, through appointments.
Personal tutoring: The role of personal tutors is to provide you with advice and support for the duration of the programme and extends to providing you with details of how to obtain support and guidance on personal difficulties such as accommodation, financial difficulties and sickness.
Learning resources: The Biosciences website includes the student handbook, and in addition each module will be supported electronically through the Exeter Learning Environment (ELE) where lecture notes, reading lists and assessment details will be provided. You will also be able to follow your record of achievement through the student record tab on the MyExeter student portal. As an MSc student you will have access to a PC provided by your supervisors and within the location of their research laboratories for the duration of your project. In addition there is a dedicated computer suite available for Bioscience Masters students and WiFi coverage is available in the Geoffrey Pope Building.
9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning
Please refer to the University Academic Policy and Standards guidelines regarding support for students and students' learning.
10. Admissions Criteria
Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the Undergraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Postgraduate applicants must satisfy the Postgraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Specific requirements required to enrol on this programme are available at the respective Undergraduate or Postgraduate Study Site webpages.
11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards
Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.
The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both College and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details.
(http://as.exeter.ac.uk/support/admin/staff/qualityassuranceandmonitoring/tqamanual/fullcontents/)
12. Indicators of Quality and Standards
This programme is recognised by the Society of Biology which guarantees to students that it meets the educational requirements for Associate Membership of the Royal Society of Biology upon graduation (AMRSB) and provides a route to full Membership (MRSB) following appropriate professional experience.
13. Methods for Evaluating and Improving Quality and Standards
The University and its constituent Colleges draw on a range of data to review the quality of educational provision. The College documents the performance in each of its taught programmes, against a range of criteria on an annual basis through the Annual Programme Monitoring cycle:
- Admissions, progression and completion data
- In Year Analysis data
- Previous monitoring report
- Monitoring of core (and optional) modules
- External examiner's reports and University and College responses (reported to SSLC)
- Any Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body/accrediting body or other external reports
- Consultation with employers and former students
- Staff evaluation
- Student evaluation
- Programme aims
Subject areas are reviewed every four years through a periodic subject review scheme that includes external contributions. (http://admin.exeter.ac.uk/academic/tls/tqa/Part%209/9JREVISEDPSRSCHEME.pdf)
14. Awarding Institution
University of Exeter
15. Lead College / Teaching Institution
College of Life and Environmental Sciences (CLES)
16. Partner College / Institution
Partner College(s)
Not applicable to this programme
Partner Institution
Not applicable to this programme.
17. Programme Accredited / Validated by
0
18. Final Award
MSc Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture
19. UCAS Code
C896
20. NQF Level of Final Award
7 (Masters)
21. Credit
| CATS credits | ECTS credits |
|---|
22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group
23. Dates
| Origin Date | 01/09/2011 |
Date of last revision | 29/04/2019 |
|---|