Modules for course D4BB | MSC/AGFSDL
MSc Agroforest & Food Security (Dist Learn) (Subj to Valid)

Compulsory Modules

Semester 1

• DDL-4004: Agroforestry Systems & Prac. (20) Core
  Agroforestry practices worldwide and their role within the farming and forest systems. Introduction to systems analysis. Principles of agroecology. Ecological interactions and biophysics of multi-component systems: Soil and microclimate effects; land equivalent area, multiple outputs. Case studies illustrating a wide range of ecological interactions. Social and economic interactions with specific reference to agroforestry. Land use and sustainable livelihoods. Income diversity/stability/resilience/risk mitigation. Ecosystems services (external benefits) specifically relating to agroforestry. Case studies illustrating social and economic aspects of agroforestry.
• DDL-4207: Global Food Security (20)
  • Introduction to food security and food systems: Definitions and evolution of the concept of food security; conventional and alternative food systems and their interconnections • Cropping systems : Intensive, subsistence and alternative systems • Drivers affecting the food system: Population and increased demand; Governance; Energy and other costs; Competition for resources • Impact of future climate change; Impacts of rising prices • Sustainably balancing future supply and demand; improving productivity using existing knowledge and emerging technologies; sustainable intensification • Reducing waste; improving governance; reducing / managing demand • Linking food systems with environmental policy; improving biodiversity and ecosystem services while increasing food production
• DDL-4999: Distance learning Dissertation (60)
  Execution and written presentation of a suitable scientific project which is devised by the student and an individual academic supervisor and validated by the convenor and/or Programme Director. A suitable project entails a worthwhile scientific question, of direct relevance to the degree programme being undertaken, and established against the context of framework of current knowledge and concepts, that allows the formulation and testing of one or more hypotheses. This would be expected to involve up to 12 months part-time work, typically including: 6-8 months for data collection from the field, laboratory or computer; 2-3 months for data analysis; and 2-3 months for writing-up, including correction of the first draft after the comments of the supervisor are received.

Semester 2

• DXX-4505: Natural Resource Management (20)
  Ecosystem services and the Millenium Ecosystem Assessment; Systems concepts and the sustainable livelihoods framework; Participatory modelling of natural resource management issues; Using systems models to explore natural resource management issues; Using visualisation systems to explore natural resource management issues; Incorporating local knowledge in natural resource management; Systematic approaches to local knowledge.
• DDL-4999: Distance learning Dissertation
  Execution and written presentation of a suitable scientific project which is devised by the student and an individual academic supervisor and validated by the convenor and/or Programme Director. A suitable project entails a worthwhile scientific question, of direct relevance to the degree programme being undertaken, and established against the context of framework of current knowledge and concepts, that allows the formulation and testing of one or more hypotheses. This would be expected to involve up to 12 months part-time work, typically including: 6-8 months for data collection from the field, laboratory or computer; 2-3 months for data analysis; and 2-3 months for writing-up, including correction of the first draft after the comments of the supervisor are received.

Optional Modules

60 credits from:

• DDL-4012: Carbon Footprinting and LCA (20) (Semester )
  The global carbon cycle and greenhouse gas fluxes associated with agricultural production and the food and fibre supply chain. The key roles of soils, ruminants, fertilizers, transport and energy consumption as sources of CH4, N2O and CO2 emissions. International protocols for carbon footprinting (CF) and determination of emissions factors. Methods to identify emission hotspots within production and supply chains and scenario testing. Life cycle assessment of carbon, greenhouse gases, water and pollutants, including the challenge of limitation of primary data sources, and reliability of secondary data. Assessment of land use change.
• DXX-4530: Forest Management Planning (20) (Semester 2)
  The origins and meaning of sustainable forest management; Pan-European operational level guidelines (PEOLG) and their implementation at national level. The forest management planning process: scoping; survey; analysis; synthesis; implementation; monitoring; review. Production of a forest management plan: site description, including use of forest datasets to produce maps; desired characteristics and limiting factors; current levels, target levels and monitoring; general approaches to implementation; five-year work programme; cash flow forecast, including estimation of timber production and grant income.
• DXX-4532: Forestry Field Course (20) (Semester 2)
• DXX-4536: Urban Forestry (20) (Semester 1)