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FDSC10030

Academic Year 2026/2027

Our Food, Our Planet: Introduction to Sustainable Food Systems (FDSC10030)

Subject:
Food Science
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Agriculture & Food Science
Level:
1 (Introductory)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Professor Alexander Evans
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module will introduce students to the challenges, and some of the solutions, to sustainable food systems at a global scale.

The module is also relevant to all undergraduate students UCD students interested in food and sustainability.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

Appreciate the challenges of feeding a growing global population.

Have a basic understanding of the functions of foods (e.g. nutrition, livelihoods and the economy) and the challenge of
defining sustainable diets.

Have an appreciation for food production, food commodities, the food supply chain, food price and food waste.

Gain an understanding of the food and climate change conundrum, including the contribution of plant and animal sourced foods.

Be able to critique some of the wider food issues related to challenges of animal feed, biofuels, biodiversity and future foods.

Indicative Module Content:

Some of the topics to be covered include: history of food, food for the global population, food security, nutrition and food, ultra-processed foods, sustainable diets, food waste, food commodities, food production systems, food supply chains, food price today, food & climate change, animal sourced foods, plant based foods, food and biodiversity, food versus fuel, genetically modified foods, and future foods.

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


Goal Name Description Coverage

End poverty in all its forms everywhere 3

End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture 4

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages 3

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all 2

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls 2

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all 1

Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all 1

Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all 2

Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation 1

Reduce inequality within and among countries 3

Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable 1

Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns 4

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts 4

Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development 3

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss 4

Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels 2

Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development 1
 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

26
Autonomous Student Learning

50
Lectures

24
Total

100

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The module will be delivered through face-to-face lectures with all material being available via Bright Space.

Continuous assessment will be designed to encourage self-reflection enquiry and learning.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
ANSC40320 - Global Food Systems


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (In-person): End of Trimester Exam - short questions and/or MCQ End of trimester
Duration:
1 hr(s)
 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
50
 No
Quizzes/Short Exercises: In class, open book, short questions (30%) Week 11 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
30
 No
Reflective Assignment: Take-home reflection and assessment of own food practices habits and motivation (20%) Week 5 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
20
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 1 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Dr Zoe McKay Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 13:00 - 14:50
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