New degree in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security launched
A new undergraduate degree aimed at tackling concerns of food security and sustainability is now recruiting for 2014.
The BSc (Hons) in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security has been designed around internationally recognised expertise and facilities at four partner institutions all located in central Hertfordshire: the University of Hertfordshire, the Royal Veterinary College, University of London (RVC), Rothamsted Research and Oaklands College.
The course places livestock production at the heart of thinking about how we ensure that the human population has a healthy and sustainable food supply in the future in the face of climate change, population growth and water shortages. It will integrate agricultural science with related subjects that impact on sustainability and food security such as geo-politics, legislation and regulation, consumer pressures, economics, agro-ecology and environmental stewardship.
Dr Tim Sands, Programme Tutor in the University of Hertfordshire's School of Life and Medical Sciences, said: "Our specialist teaching and environmental management expertise from the University, combined with over forty years of research into crop protection, will ensure that we equip graduates with the knowledge and skills to lead and inform sustainable agriculture and food security."
Dr Steven Van Winden, Senior Lecturer in Production Animal Medicine at the RVC said: "There is a clear national, cross-government priority in the area of food security and sustainability which has in turn led to a requirement for active research and training in agriculture. This course has been designed in consultation with employers to both meet this need and ensure that graduates have the skills in demand by industry.
"We also hope a course like this will attract new recruits to the agricultural industry. Agriculture provides 9% of employment in the UK and it is vital that we continue to have skilled and knowledgeable graduates entering the profession who are prepared for the future challenges facing the industry."
The content of the new degree will allow graduates work in a wide range of roles and sectors including farming, the agrochemical industry, government departments, research institutions, NGOs, conservation organisations and environmental consultancies. Students will undertake compulsory integrated work placements based in research institutions and industry as well as having the option to complete either a year in industry or a year abroad.
The BSc (Hons) in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security forms part of a new Centre providing world-class education and research in food production, food supply, environmental management and sustainability. The Centre for Agriculture, Food and Environmental Management combines internationally-recognised expertise from the four partner institutions to lead research into some of the most pressing issues affecting every aspect of food production - from farm to table - as well as educating the next generation of agriculture and food chain specialists.
For more information, please contact Julie Cooper, University of Hertfordshire Press Office on 01707 28409501707 284095, Email: j.cooper5@herts.ac.uk
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About the University of Hertfordshire
The University is the UK’s leading business-facing university and an exemplar in the sector. It is innovative and enterprising and challenges individuals and organisations to excel. The University of Hertfordshire is one of the region’s largest employers with over 2,650 staff and a turnover of almost £233 million. With a student community of over 27,200 including more than 2,800 students from eighty-five different countries, the University has a global network of over 175,000 alumni. It is also one of the top 100 universities in the world under 50 years old, according to the new Times Higher Education 100 under 50 rankings 2012. Research is at the core of the University’s strategy to facilitate far-reaching engagement with business, community and national and international partners. The University’s research is world-leading and has been recognised by the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). For more information, please visit www.herts.ac.uk Did you know….?350 qualified nurses graduate from the University of Hertfordshire each year - We are caring!Find out more at go.herts.ac.uk/didyouknow
About the Royal Veterinary College
The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) is the England's largest and longest established veterinary school and is a constituent College of the University of London. The RVC offers undergraduate, postgraduate and CPD programmes in veterinary medicine and veterinary nursing and is ranked in the top 10 universities nationally for biosciences. It is the only veterinary school in the world to hold full accreditation from AVMA, EAEVE, RCVS and AVBC.
A research-led institution, the RVC ranked as the top veterinary school in the Agriculture, Veterinary and Food Science unit of the most recent Research Assessment Exercise with 55% of academics producing 'world class' and 'internationally excellent' research. The College also provides support for the veterinary profession through its three referral hospitals including the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals, Europe's largest small animal hospital, which sees more than 8,000 patients each year. http://www.rvc.ac.uk
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