Adv. AgriBiosciences

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

BPS304:Life forms arose on earth 3.5 billion years ago, yet human civilisation emerged ~10,000 years due to domestication of plants & animals (the advent of agriculture). By 2050, the human population will be 9 billion (9000 million) people with requirements for food, feed, fuel (energy), fibre, fuel, chemicals & medicines to sustain their health & livelihoods. Agribiosciences innovations are required to ensure future food security & sustainable development, particularly in developing countries Learning Outcomes 1. Understand what is meant by sustainable global development and food security 2. Describe the evidence-base for the emerging mega-challenges for sustainable development and food security 3. Critically appraise the relative role that science and technology (in particular agribiosciences) can play in meeting current and future needs of humanity 4. Identify and detail the key sectors, issues and areas where innovations are necessary in order to transition humanity to a more sustainable development trajectory 5. Gain an understanding of agribiosciences research and development underway at present to meet urgent needs regarding food security and sustainable development in developing countries 6. Have developed critical thinking skills for appraising and identifying different pathways that can be taken towards sustainable development and food security. 7. Have developed foresight and horizon-scanning capabilities for identification of key areas where innovations are necessary for sustainable development and food security 8. Be proficient in science communication, and understand how policy and media interfaces with science and technology.