Improving Food Production with Agricultural Technology and Plant Biotechnology
Build your knowledge of food production challenges and technology with this online course for post-16 students of biology.
13,176 enrolled on this course
Duration
3 weeksWeekly study
3 hours100% online
How it works
Improving Food Production with Agricultural Technology and Plant Biotechnology
Learn how to address challenges in growing, harvesting, and processing food
Are you inspired to join the next generation of scientists and tackle challenges in food security? On this course, you will get access to innovative research solutions that address some of the biggest issues in food, agriculture, and plant biotechnology.
You will become more familiar with the journey plants take, from crops in the field to food on your plate. You will explore the importance of scientific research in food security and discover the new technologies that are transforming agriculture.
Syllabus
Week 1
Plant Biotechnology
Introduction
Find out more about what you'll be learning over the next three weeks.
What is plant biotechnology?
Learn about the different methods of plant biotechnology and how they can help with pathogen control.
Alternatives to plant biotechnology
Discover alternative ways to protect crops from pests and diseases, such as biological control.
What future solutions could plant biotechnology offer us?
Explore innovative research in plant biotechnology and suggest your own ideas for future solutions.
Week 1 summary
Test your knowledge and summarise what you've learnt this week.
Week 2
Agricultural Technology
Introduction
Find out what you'll be learning about agricultural technology this week.
What is agricultural technology?
Discover the history of agricultural and see examples of machines being used today.
Agricultural technology today
Learn about the challenges today's farmers face and how technology is helping them.
What future solutions could agricultural technology offer us?
Discover leading research in agricultural technology, such as field robots, and how new ideas become reality.
Week 2 summary
Test your knowledge and summarise what you've learnt this week.
Week 3
Applied Food Science
Introduction
Find out what you'll be learning in the final week of the course.
Harvesting
Learn what happens to crops after the harvest and what challenges food processors face.
What is food science?
Learn how food science is helping us to turn food industry by-products into useful new products, reducing food waste.
What future solutions could food science offer us?
Discover innovative research in food science, and how new ideas are turned into real products.
Week 3 summary
Test your knowledge and summarise what you've learnt this week.
Wrapping up
What have you learnt over the past 3 weeks, and what are you going to do next?
Who is this accredited by?
This course has been certified by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to continuing professional development principles.
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Identify the different methods of plant biotechnology
- Explore the challenges involved in growing, harvesting and processing plant-based food
- Describe the history of agricultural technology and examine what future solutions agricultural technology could offer us.
- Assess the role of scientific research in addressing challenges in food security
- Debate the opportunities and limitations of new technologies
- Assess consumer trust in the science and technology involved in bringing food from the field to the supermarket
Who is the course for?
This course is designed for 16-19 year olds studying biology related STEM subjects at A level or undergraduate level. It will also appeal to adults interested in the technology behind food production.
If you’re looking to expand your knowledge on this topic, you might also find of interest the following EIT Food courses on sustainable food production and farming systems:
Who will you learn with?
I am Group Leader at the John Innes Centre (UK). My lab uses genetics and genomics to improve yield and quality components in wheat.
https://www.jic.ac.uk/people/cristobal-uauy/
I am Manager Technology Innovation Strategy at the John Deere European Technology Innovation Center in Germany. My research focus is on precision agriculture and sustainable food production
I am Associate Professor in Food Science and Technology at UAM (Spain). I develop my research activity at CIAL Institute in Biocatalysis, Green Processes, Bioactive Lipids, Food Chemistry, etc.
Project Manager for Gatsby Plant Science Education Programme, based at the Sainsbury Laboratory University of Cambridge
Who developed the course?
EIT Food
EIT Food is Europe’s leading food initiative, working to make the food system more sustainable, healthy and trusted.
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge contributes to society through the pursuit of excellent education, learning, and research.
Endorsers and supporters
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Ways to learn | Buy this course | Subscribe & save | Limited access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choose the best way to learn for you! | $109/one-off payment | $244.99 for a whole year Automatically renews | Free |
| Fulfill your current learning need | Develop skills to further your career | Sample the course materials | |
| Access to this course | tick | tick | Access expires 3 Oct 2024 |
| Access to 1,000+ courses | cross | tick | cross |
| Learn at your own pace | tick | tick | cross |
| Discuss your learning in comments | tick | tick | tick |
| Tests to check your learning | tick | tick | cross |
| Certificate when you're eligible | Printed and digital | Digital only | cross |
Cancel for free anytime |
Ways to learn
Choose the best way to learn for you!
Subscribe & save
$244.99 for a whole year
Automatically renews
Develop skills to further your career
- Access to this course
- Access to 1,000+ courses
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Tests to boost your learning
- Digital certificate when you're eligible
Cancel for free anytime
Buy this course
$109/one-off payment
Fulfill your current learning need
- Access to this course
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Tests to boost your learning
- Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible
Limited access
Free
Sample the course materials
- Access expires 3 Oct 2024
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades) Sale price available until 31 October 2024 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply. | |||
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)
Sale price available until 31 October 2024 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
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