Program Overview

AL2110 Sustainable Food Production and Consumption

Course Description

The course describes alternative food systems and the complexities associated with assessing their sustainability, and demonstrates the sustainability trade-offs between contrasting systems. Topics covered include: agroecology, food and farming systems, nutrient cycles, sustainability impacts, life cycle assessment, climate change, ecosystem services, biodiversity, land-use and water-use impacts, food security and sovereignty, trade, GMOs.

Course Disposition

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Project work

Intended Learning Outcomes

After finishing the course, the student should be able to:

• Analyse, compare and contrast the environmental, economic and social sustainability aspects of alternative food production and consumption systems
• Evaluate and critically assess alternative systems of food production and consumption with a hard (i.e. quantitative) systems approach
• Argue rationally, logically and coherently, as well as in a courteous manner, for the relative sustainability impacts associated with the different systems for food production and consumption

Literature and Preparations

Specific Prerequisites

• Admitted to Master's Programme, Sustainable Technology (TSUTM)
• Others: Degree of Bachelor or Degree of Bachelor of Science in Engineering or other corresponding technical, natural or other science degree at first cycle academic education of at least 180 higher education credits or equivalent
• Courses from upper secondary school corresponding to the courses Eng B/6 according to the Swedish upper secondary school system or equivalent

Literature

Information about course literature can be found in the course memo for the course offering or in the course room in Canvas

Examination and Completion

Grading Scale

• A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Examination

• SEM1 - Seminar, 1.5 credits, grading scale: P, F
• SEM2 - Seminar, 0.5 credits, grading scale: P, F
• TEN1 - Exam, 2.5 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
• PRO4 - Project, 3.0 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Other Requirements for Final Grade

• Passed seminars, project work and exam

Ethical Approach

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution

Further Information

Offered by

ABE/Sustainability and Environmental Engineering

Main Field of Study

• Environmental Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering

Education Cycle

Second cycle

Course Information

• Course location: KTH Campus
• Duration: 25 Aug 2025 - 24 Oct 2025
• Periods: P1: G1, I1
• Pace of study: 50%
• Application code: 50114
• Form of study: Normal Daytime
• Language of instruction: English
• Number of places: Places are not limited
• Target group: Open for all students as long as it can be included in your program
• Planned modular schedule: P1: G1, I1
• Part of programme: No information inserted
• Examiner: Miguel Mendonça Reis Brandăo