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Unravelling solutions for Future Food problems

Utrecht University

About this Course

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Our society depends on the availability of food and accessibility to it. According to the United Nations nearly 800 million people are hungry and on the other hand, over 650 million people are obese.  While many people in developing countries experience food shortage, in industrialized countries people are throwing food away.
These facts show how paradoxical and complex the world’s food problem is.  
 
ln this course, more than 10 food researchers from Utrecht University will address the main issues of food consumption. They will handle two interrelated themes; Food shortage and Healthy choices. You will learn to identify the key ingredients of the world’s food challenges and to think about the solutions for enabling changes in the current food system.

We will also look at the possible sustainable solutions for several accut issues: the demands of the growing human population, the role of nutrition, and the need to understand food choices in order to have healthier diet and consider the possibilities of alternative foods.

We invite you to join us on an interdisciplinary journey through the world food problems. You will gain new knowledge and insights that will help you form your own opinion on these subjects and make better choices in your food consumption. 
We hope you will enjoy the course!

The Future Food Team

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

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Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 15 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: Arabic, French, Portuguese (European), Chinese (Simplified), Italian, Vietnamese, Korean, German, Russian, Turkish, English, Spanish

Instructors

Instructor rating

4.65/5 (22 Ratings)

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. 15 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: Arabic, French, Portuguese (European), Chinese (Simplified), Italian, Vietnamese, Korean, German, Russian, Turkish, English, Spanish

Offered by

Utrecht University

Utrecht University is a research university comprising seven faculties which collectively span the entire academic spectrum in teaching and research. Founded in 1636, the University is now a modern, leading institute enjoying a growing international reputation. In the Shanghai Ranking, Utrecht University ranks 1st in the Netherlands, 17th in Europe and 56th worldwide. The research focuses on four main strategic themes: Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability. Our motto is: Bright minds, better future.

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating96%(1,398 ratings)

Week

Week 1

2 hours to complete

Introduction Future Food & Food Shortage Part I

2 hours to complete

4 videos (Total 18 min), 2 readings, 2 quizzes

4 videos

Welcome to this course!2m

Introducing the theme - Food Shortage3m

Production limiting factors6m

Vulnerability to famines5m

2 readings

Welcome to the course!10m

Food shortage or distribution problem?10m

1 practice exercise

Shortage and production in context15m

Week

Week 2

3 hours to complete

Food Shortage Part II: Sustainable solutions

3 hours to complete

4 videos (Total 26 min), 2 readings, 3 quizzes

4 videos

The role of genetics in dealing with the environment5m

Control of disease and spoilage in plants7m

Disease control in animals: Animal health5m

Learning from nature7m

2 readings

Accepting alternative foods10m

Closure theme - Food shortage10m

2 practice exercises

Plant production in context30m

Animal welfare30m

Week

Week 3

3 hours to complete

Healthy Choices Part I: Food & Health

3 hours to complete

6 videos (Total 40 min), 4 readings, 3 quizzes

6 videos

Introducing the theme - Healthy choices2m

Functionality of foods and dietary patterns8m

Early life nutrition5m

Interface gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and microbiotica6m

Food allergy9m

Obesity7m

4 readings

Mother milk vs infant formula10m

Gastrointestinal development and function10m

Food allergy10m

Interesting topic?5m

3 practice exercises

What is nutrition?30m

Microbiomes in plants30m

GIT development and function30m

Week

Week 4

4 hours to complete

Healthy Choices Part II: Food-related behavior and interventions

4 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 28 min), 2 readings, 4 quizzes

7 videos

Introducing food related behavior50s

Psychological determinants of (un)healthy eating6m

Economic/environmental determinants of (un)healthy eating5m

Interventions aimed at individuals (Voedingscentrum)2m

Interventions aimed at individuals3m

Interventions aimed at the environment5m

Political/economical interventions3m

2 readings

Interventions aimed at the environment20m

Closure theme - Healthy choices10m

1 practice exercise

Recap theme - Healthy choices30m

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Unravelling solutions for Future Food problems

Unravelling solutions for Future Food problems