250061 Organic Agriculture

Details
Department of Agriculture and Ecology
Earliest Possible YearBSc. 2 year to BSc. 3 year
DurationOne block
 
Credits15 (ECTS)
Course LevelBSc
 
ExaminationFinal Examination

written examination and oral examination

Portfolio Examination


All aids allowed

Description of Examination: An individual portfolio containing 6 of 8 deliverables is assessed, supplemented by an individual oral examination based on two deliverables, selected by the student and staff respectively.

Weight: 2/3 portfolio, 1/3 oral examination



7-point scale, internal examiner
 
Organisation of Teaching35% lectures; 20% student presentations; 20% excursions; 35% excercises
 
Block PlacementBlock 3
Week Structure: A

Block 3
Week Structure: C
 
Teaching LanguageEnglish
 
Restrictions30 students
 
Course Contents
This course is a basic course in organic food production, linking ecological theory with organic farming practises. The main content is:
- The natural and socio-economic conditions for and the staus of organic agriculture in Denmark, Europe and overseas
- Sustainability concepts and organic standards
- Principles and practise of cropping system design
- Crop and soil management, including fertilization, pest management and technological aspects of organic agriculture
- Function and management of biodiversity in organic farming
- Impacts of organic agriculture on nature and environment
 
Teaching And Learning Methods
Learning methods are a combination of staff input and individual and group activities in class. They include lectures, workshops, independent reading and information gathering, student presentations, exercises and several excursions to relevant farms and research institutions.
 
Learning Outcome
This course is targeted to students in the last part of their BSc studies who seeks knowledge of the principles, the practice and the environmental impacts of organic agriculture as well as an understanding of the application of ecological mechanisms in the organic production. The course requires basic knowledge in natural sciences and can be followed by students with a background in e.g. agriculture, environmental science, biology, geography, etc.

After completing the course the student should be able to:

Knowledge
- Show overview of production practices in different contexts
- Reflect on the role of organic standards as an external condition for organic food production

Skills
- explain how ecological mechanisms are employed in management of crops and soils, nutrients and pests
- explain differences in the environmental impact of different farming systems
- retrieve, process and communicate information

Competencies
- discuss the values and principles behind the organic practices
- reflect on own learning
 
Course Litterature
Lampkin N (2001). Organic Farming. The Farmer's Press.
Selected scientific articles are made available on CampusNet.
 
Course Coordinator
Vibeke Langer, vl@life.ku.dk, Department of Agricultural Sciences/Environment, Resources and Technology, Phone: 35332383
Jesper Rasmussen, jer@life.ku.dk, Department of Agricultural Sciences/Environment, Resources and Technology, Phone: 35333456
Enzo Lombi, enl@life.ku.dk, Department of Agriculture and Ecology/Plant and Soil Science, Phone: 35332199
Hans-Werner Griepentrog, hwg@life.ku.dk, Department of Agricultural Sciences/Environment, Resources and Technology, Phone: 35333572
John R. Porter, jrp@life.ku.dk, Department of Agricultural Sciences/Environment, Resources and Technology, Phone: 35333377
Guillaume Laberge, gula@life.ku.dk, Department of Agriculture and Ecology/Environment, Resources and Technology, Phone: 35333522
 
Study Board
Study Committee NSN
 
Course Scope
lectures70
theoretical exercises80
preparation192
Excursions40
examination10
Colloquia20

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