Food Challenges for the 21st Century (Distance Learning) PgCert

Program Overview

This PG Certificate in Food Challenges for the 21st Century (Distance Learning) equips individuals with the skills to address global food security. The program focuses on making and supplying enough food for a growing population, while fostering sustainable production and reducing waste. Students can customize their studies with optional modules in areas such as crop biotechnology and environmental stress. Upon completion, graduates will be prepared to engage in food system discussions, advocate for positive changes, and progress to further study in food security.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This PG Certificate in Food Challenges for the 21st Century (Distance Learning) is designed to equip learners with specialized skills and knowledge to address the global food security challenge. The program focuses on:

• Making and supplying enough food for a growing population.
• Sustainable food production, distribution, and waste reduction.
• Addressing food security challenges in a changing world.
It is tailored for individuals with an interest in the global food system and professionals working in the food supply industry. The program is delivered fully online, allowing students to learn at their own pace and flexibility. The curriculum covers a broad range of issues related to food security and delves into specialist areas like crop production, biotechnology, and soil science. The program is designed for professionals seeking to advance their careers in the food industry or individuals looking to gain foundational knowledge for further study in food security.

Outline:

The PG Certificate in Food Challenges for the 21st Century (Distance Learning) requires the completion of four modules.

• Students explore various factors impacting food availability, including production, distribution, and waste.
• Examines environmental impacts on food production and how to make food more sustainable.
• Students develop a deeper understanding of the global food system, potential conflicts within the system, and how to make informed contributions to food system discussions.
• Optional Modules:
(Students select three from this list)
• Crop Biotechnology:
• Covers the science of agricultural biotechnology, from basic gene function to commercial GM crops.
• Explores diverse applications of plant genetic modification in research and commercial production.
• Crop Production Science I:
• Focuses on factors impacting the growth and yield of various crops.
• Students gain an understanding of plant biology, photosynthesis, and production processes to inform best practices in the food supply chain.
• Includes insights from leading crop producers and scientists.
• Environmental Stress and Crop Production:
• Examines environmental stresses affecting crop production and the 'yield gap' between potential and actual yield.
• Investigates how environmental factors impact plant growth, development, and yield.
• Explores strategies to overcome these negative impacts through genetic modification, management techniques, and plant breeding.
• Incorporates insights from scientists and growers.
• Plant Defence and Crop Protection:
• Explores how plants defend against pests and pathogens, the impact of pests on crop yield, and control mechanisms.
• Students learn about pest and pathogen attack strategies, plant resistance mechanisms, and regulatory environments.
• Develops skills to analyze and examine different approaches to pest and disease control.
• Soil Science:
• Emphasizes the importance of soil for food production and environmental regulation.
• Covers topics like soil nutrient cycling, biodiversity, water and carbon cycling.
• Addresses issues related to soil compaction, erosion, water quality, and the challenges posed by global change.

Careers:

Upon successful completion of this PG Certificate program, graduates will be equipped with the skills and knowledge to:

• Engage effectively in discussions and debates regarding food system issues.
• Contribute to food chain companies by raising awareness of crucial issues.
• Advocate for positive changes in food practices.
• Progress to further study in food security, such as the Pg Diploma or MSc in Food Security (Distance Learning).

Other:

• Students have the opportunity to connect with fellow students and network at optional short workshops or online discussions.
• The program is offered as a full-time course over one year, with all materials provided for online learning.
• The program is delivered by the Lancaster Environment Centre, part of the Faculty of Science and Technology.
• The program is a collaboration between Lancaster University's Environment Centre, the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, and Rothamsted Research.
• Applicants with professional experience in the food supply chain may be considered even if they do not hold an undergraduate degree, as prior learning and experience are recognized.

• Whole programme fees for 1 year full-time study:
• Home: £4,170
• International: £9,000
• Costs in respect of travel, accommodation and food for the residential school element are additional.