Feeding the World

University of Pennsylvania

About this Course

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This course will explore the concepts driving current food production science (population growth, urbanization, emerging affluence, resource constraints, and underlying biological limits) with the main focus on livestock production. Each of the major food animal species (dairy, swine, beef, and poultry) will be covered in terms of their universal life cycles, constraints to production and emerging societal issues. 
Throughout the course, we will tackle some difficult and important questions:
What are the major health benefits and potential concerns regarding the production and consumption of animal products?
How does animal production affect the efficient use of resources and impact our environment?
Can cost of production be reduced to meet growing demand for animal products around the globe while maintaining health and safety for both animals and consumers?
What are the different types of animal food production systems?

Myths and misconceptions surrounding the animal food systems will be discussed. We’ll also look closely at some of the global issues, problems, and challenges in these food systems which scientists, farmers, and veterinarians, are attempting to solve through collaboration.

Lectures will be delivered by several experts from the University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine who are intimately involved in the study and advancement of animal production systems. The course is geared towards learners who seek a greater understanding of animal food systems as well as those who might have never visited an animal farm, but have a desire to learn more about where some of our food comes from and issues surrounding sustainability.

Learner Career Outcomes

67%

got a tangible career benefit from this course

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 20 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: French, Portuguese (Brazilian), Russian, English, Spanish

Instructors

Instructor rating

4.62/5 (10 Ratings)

David Galligan

Professor of Animal Health Economics

School of Veterinary Medicine

7,780 Learners

1 Course

James Ferguson

Professor Emeritus

School of Veterinary Medicine

7,780 Learners

1 Course

Learner Career Outcomes

67%

got a tangible career benefit from this course

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 20 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: French, Portuguese (Brazilian), Russian, English, Spanish

Offered by

University of Pennsylvania

The University of Pennsylvania (commonly referred to as Penn) is a private university, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. A member of the Ivy League, Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States, and considers itself to be the first university in the United States with both undergraduate and graduate studies.

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Week

Week 1

3 hours to complete

Population Growth and Global Animal Industries

This module introduces the course by discussing the pressing need to address global food security as well as the accompanying challenges and ethical issues. We also explore the role that livestock play in the food production system and review trends in animal production.

3 hours to complete

11 videos (Total 104 min)

11 videos

Feeding the World (About This Course)1m

Welcome to the Course1m

Global Food Security: What's the Status?11m

What About Livestock Systems? Part 110m

What About Livestock Systems? Part 214m

What are the Ethical Issues? Part 110m

What are the Ethical Issues? Part 213m

Copy of What are the Ethical Issues? Part 110m

Mega Trends in Animal Production Part 19m

Mega Trends in Animal Production Part 29m

Demand for Animal Products8m

2 practice exercises

Population Growth and Global Food Security30m

Trends in Animal Production30m

Week

Week 2

2 hours to complete

Issues Surrounding Animal Production

This module begins to explore the fundamental principles of animal production operations and the issues surrounding animal production. We will look at the efficiency and environmental impact of the food system as well as animal welfare concerns. Finally, we will discuss the importance of water as an essential resource for the food production system.

2 hours to complete

6 videos (Total 54 min)

6 videos

"Livestock's Long Shadow"5m

"Long Shadow - Concerns"8m

Introduction to Animal Welfare7m

Land Use: Animal Feeding Systems and Major Food/Feed Crops10m

Water: The Essential Resource for the Food Industry Part 110m

Water: The Essential Resource for the Food Industry Part 210m

2 practice exercises

Livestock Issues in Food Security30m

Water as a Resource in Food Production30m

Week

Week 3

3 hours to complete

Animal Feeds and the Environment

This module focuses on animal feeds and their important role in the animal production system. You will gain an understanding of the constituents in feed as well as how feed is classified. We will also examine and explain how nutrients flow through the environment. Finally, we will look at the problem of food waste and identify solutions.

3 hours to complete

9 videos (Total 78 min)

9 videos

What are Concentrates and Proteins?8m

What are Roughages?11m

Feed Analysis7m

Nutrient Concentration in Modern Animal Systems7m

Nitrogen (N) in Food Production8m

The N/P Ratio Dilemma6m

Animal Manure: Waste or Resource10m

Feeding Management: Nutrient Source Control9m

Food Waste7m

3 practice exercises

Animal Feed Components and Their Analysis30m

Nutrients in Animal Production30m

Food Waste30m

Week

Week 4

2 hours to complete

General Animal Production, Efficiency and Food Safety

This module continues the discussion of animal production operations by looking at factors that affect farms’ animal yields and environmental efficiency. We will also explore food safety, how and why antibiotics are used in food production, and the importance of veterinary medicine as part of the livestock system. Finally, we will look at the challenges of food security and livestock farming in the developing world.

2 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 57 min)

7 videos

Animal Production Unit and Marginal Production10m

Food Safety, Elements of Concern - The Big Picture6m

Antibiotic Use in Livestock5m

Growth Promotion vs. Disease Prevention8m

Trends in Antibiotic Use5m

Rinderpest11m

Challenges of Food Security in the Developing World9m

3 practice exercises

The Animal Production Unit30m

Food Safety and Antibiotic Use30m

Livestock, Veterinary Medicine and Food Security30m

Week

Week 5

3 hours to complete

Dairy Production

Welcome to the first week of the course which explores a particular animal production sector. The focus for this module will be dairy. The life cycle of a dairy cow as well as the environmental impact of dairy production will be covered. We'll also explore housing systems, milking technologies, trends and animal welfare issues in the dairy production system. Finally we will address public health concerns in dairy production including hormone use, antibiotic use, and milk safety in the U.S.

3 hours to complete

9 videos (Total 79 min)

9 videos

Life Production Cycle of the Dairy Cow4m

Resource Use in Dairy Production13m

Example of Yield Impact on Water Use (Dairy)5m

Housing Systems in Dairy Production11m

Hand Milking to Robotics9m

Industry Trends in Dairy Production10m

Bovine Somatotropin BST8m

Are There Antibiotics in Milk?6m

Milk Safety in the U.S.8m

3 practice exercises

Life Cycle and Environmental Impact30m

U.S. Industry and Animal Welfare30m

Public Health30m

Week

Week 6

1 hour to complete

Swine Production

This module will examine the life cycle of market hogs and mother sows in the U.S. swine production system. Swine housing and the rationale behind those facilities will be covered in addition to welfare and the trends and challenges currently affecting the swine industry.

1 hour to complete

4 videos (Total 15 min)

4 videos

The Life Cycle of a Market Hog2m

The Life Cycle of a Mother Sow2m

Why are Most Pigs Raised Indoors?2m

Sow Housing and Welfare7m

2 practice exercises

Life Cycle and U.S. Industry30m

Animal Welfare30m

Week

Week 7

2 hours to complete

Poultry Production

This module examines the production system and life cycle of U.S. poultry. We'll address animal welfare issues and emerging challenges and finish the week with a discussion about public health concerns related to the poultry production system.

2 hours to complete

4 videos (Total 41 min)

4 videos

Poultry Production Systems8m

The U.S. Poultry Industry9m

Welfare/Husbandry Emerging Issues12m

Avian Influenza10m

3 practice exercises

Life Cycle and U.S. Industry30m

Animal Welfare30m

Public Health30m

Week

Week 8

4 hours to complete

Beef Production

The final module of the course focuses on beef production systems. We will examine the production system and life cycle of U.S. beef cattle. Then, we'll address animal health as well as public health issues. Finally, we'll finish the week with a discussion about the international beef industry.

4 hours to complete

11 videos (Total 112 min)

11 videos

The Beef Cow Life Cycle Part 15m

The Beef Cow Life Cycle Part 210m

United States Beef Industry Part 114m

United States Beef Industry Part 216m

U.S. Beef Industry - Animal Health Part 116m

U.S. Beef Industry - Animal Health Part 29m

U.S. Beef Industry - Animal Health Part 38m

Implant Technology in Beef Production8m

International Beef Industry Part 110m

International Beef Industry Part 29m

Thank You! Concluding Thoughts44s

4 practice exercises

Life Cycle30m

U.S. Industry30m

Animal and Public Health30m

International Industry30m

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
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Feeding the World