Lancaster Environment Centre

The Lancaster Environment Centre has developed a MSc in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security to train a new generation of researchers and policy makers in this developing area.

With the world's population fast approaching seven billion, one of the main challenges facing the human race is how to feed its people. It's estimated that a rise in food production of at least 50% will be needed by 2030 to meet increasing food demands, against a backdrop of accelerating climate change and increasingly unpredictable weather extremes. Furthermore, society expects that this additional food be delivered with reduced environmental impact and without greatly increasing the world’s cropping area. The challenge is a truly sustainable agriculture that meets both production and environmental targets.

However, food production itself is only part of the problem. Food security isn't just about exploiting scientific and technological advances to increase crop yields, it's also about addressing the associated economic and social factors to enable people to access sufficient, safe and nutritious food. If we are to successfully address the issue of food insecurity, then some understanding of a broad range of underpinning issues is necessary. Increasingly, interdisciplinary training and research with an international focus will be required.

There is a one year full time or two years part time taught Masters, the MSc in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security, which comprises of 6 specialised taught modules, followed by an individual piece of research. There is also a two year full time International MSc (Research) in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security, which also comprises the 6 specialised taught modules, and includes a 12 months overseas research placement.

Core Modules

• Dissertation Project (With Placement)
• Crop Protection
• Food Security, Agriculture and Climate Change
• Sustainable Soil Management

Optional Modules

• Biological Effects of Air Pollution and Climate Change
• Catchment Protection Field Course
• Conservation Biology
• Contaminated Land and Remediation
• Data Analysis and Interpretation
• Environmental Management
• Habitat Management
• Perspectives on Environment and Development
• Right to Adequate Food as a Human Right
• Sustainable Water Management: Concepts, Gov and Practice
• Work Placement