| Responsible Department | Department of Agriculture and Ecology
90 % Institute of Food and Resource Economics 10 % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Earliest Possible Year | MSc. 1 year | ||||||||||||||||||
| Duration | One block | ||||||||||||||||||
| Credits | 7.5 (ECTS) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Level of Course | MSc | ||||||||||||||||||
| Examination | Final Examination oral examination Portfolio Examination All aids allowed Description of Examination: The portfolio consists of a preselected sub-set of deliverables from the exercises and the pensum. The examination will be a 30 minute individual oral examination. Weight: Oral examination on portfolio: 100% 7-point scale, internal examiner | ||||||||||||||||||
| Requirement for Attending Exam | Completed 4 out of 6 exercises satisfactorily | ||||||||||||||||||
| Organisation of Teaching | Lectures, Colloquia, Exercises, Excursions (2-3 days) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Block Placement | Block 1 Week Structure: C | ||||||||||||||||||
| Language of Instruction | English | ||||||||||||||||||
| Mandatory Prerequisites | BSc in a life science discipline (agriculture, food, natural resources, environment) or a related technology/engineering field | ||||||||||||||||||
| Restrictions | None | ||||||||||||||||||
| Course Content | |||||||||||||||||||
| The course is initiated by an overview of technology applications encompassing food and non-food production systems, from the management of natural resources, to the precision management and production, storage, handling, grading, processing and utilization, and documentation of food, fibre, and other biological products. The methodologies part of the course introduces principles of systems thinking and several systems-based computational tools for analysis, design synthesis and critical evaluation of technology in and for bioresource systems. Topics include: Scope and trends in bioresource technology, Problem identification, Systems concepts, Systems diagramming, Exergy and emergy analyses, Cost Benefit Analysis, Spatial sampling and prediction, Quantitative bioimaging, Automation and IT for precision crop and animal production. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Teaching and learning Methods | |||||||||||||||||||
| The course begins with an introduction to the types of systems and problems addressed by bioresource technolgies. The methodology part of the course will be delivered in week-long modules, each consisting of 2-3 hours of lectures supported by assigned cases that are to be analysed and solved in groups, and then presented and discussed in colloqui. Relevant commercial software will be used where appropriate. Example applications may be taken from (in part depending on student interest): Traceability systems; Bio-energy systems; Phytotechnology and precision horticulture; Aquacultural engineering; Controlled environments (e.g. for livestock, laboratory animals, horticulture); Intelligent machines; Bioprocessing; Animal handling systems; Soil impacts by machinery; Safety. The teaching period will include 2-3 days of excursions, during which students will visit a number of relevant companies and stakeholders. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Learning Outcome | |||||||||||||||||||
| The objective of the course is to introduce students to the diversity of applications involving the integration of life sciences and technical fields for the solution of problems involving plants, animals and the natural environment, and to key tools and methodologies useful for the analysis, design, and evaluation of technology in bioresource systems. Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to: Knowledge: - Describe accurately key systems concepts - Describe the main types of diagrams used most frequently in systems thinking and practice, the purpose they serve and the conventions they use - Describe basic sampling techniques - Define key terms and parameters related to biological variability and the accuracy and errors of a measurement system - Describe main optical and technical terminology and criteria for selecting imaging devices for biological applications - Define and compare 'energy', 'exergy', 'emergy' and 'transformity' concepts as measures of biosystem performance and ecosystem services - Reflect on environmental and resource economic aspects - Identify a range of applications and players (companies, research institutes) of bioresource technologies and their main design and performance characteristics. Skills: - 'Read' and 'draw' a range of diagrams to support thinking and to develop and represent systems of interest within a complex situation - Perform calculations such as CBA, Ecological footprint analyses, mass and energy/exergy balances for biological/technology networks, and undertainty analysis for selected measurement techniques - Estimate total amounts and sizes from stereological samples, and map spatial distributions, of biological structures - Carry out basic image processing operations on digial images - Utilise commercial programmes for simulation and analysis - Explain the rationale behind Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) and distinguish between private and social costs and benefits Competencies: - Describe and analyse a selected system or part of it, applying appropriate methodologies and putting forward sustainable systems development/optimization plans - Apply the principles of problem oriented, interdisciplinary group work | |||||||||||||||||||
| Course Literature | |||||||||||||||||||
| A course compendium will be made available at production costs | |||||||||||||||||||
| Course Coordinator | |||||||||||||||||||
| Dvora-Laio Wulfsohn, dw@life.ku.dk, Department of Agriculture and Ecology/Crop Science, Phone: 353-33395 Hans W. Griepentrog, hwg@life.ku.dk, Department of Agriculture and Ecology/Crop Science, Phone: 405-31694 Søren Marcus Pedersen, marcus@foi.dk, Institute of Food and Resource Economics/Production and Technology Unit, Phone: 353-36882 | |||||||||||||||||||
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