Module: Project in Organic Agriculture and Food Systems (12 credits) (3405-490)

Persons:

• Dr. Sabine Zikeli (verantwortlich)

Degree Program:

• Organic Agriculture and Food Systems (Master, since 01.10.2014)
  1. Semester, compulsory
• Organic Agriculture and Food Systems (Master, since 01.10.2014)
  2. Semester, compulsory

Relation to other Modules:

The "Organic Food Chain Project" is a compulsory module for students of the M. Sc. Programme "Organic Food Chain Management". The possibility to practise scientific work and to present scientific results in this module is a good preparation for the master thesis as well as for future work situations.

Prerequisites for Attendance:

Students should be familiar with setting up a computer presentation in e. g. Power Point or in any other computer programme. Moreover, knowledge of statistics (e.g. descriptive statistics, regression analysis, analysis of variance, comparison of means) is helpful. Depending on the project chosen, basic knowledge in economics or agricultural production is an asset.

Sprache:

English

ECTS:

12 credits

Frequency:

beginning every winter semester

Length of the Module:

by arrangement

Compulsory assignment:

Presentation (20 %) at the end of the summer term

Final examination:

Written paper in the form of a project report (80 %) at the end of the summer term

Workload:

112 h presence + 204 h preparation at home + exam = 320 h workload

Professional competences:

After completing this module, students are able to design a research work from setting up a hypothesis to the design of the research trial/data collection, data evaluation and assessment and discussion of the results.
Depending on the topic chosen by the student, students are proficient in using certain lab methods, developing research trials or questionnaires, applying qualitative methods in social sciences and quantitative methods in social sciences and nature sciences, in the use of statistical programmes for data evaluation (SAS) and in the application of statistical methods.

Key competences:

During the project work students learn to cooperate and work independently. As the students usually originate from different countries, they also train their abilities in intercultural communication. They practice time management and self-reliance. They learn and practice both critical and analytical thinking and reading of scientific literature, while writing of scientific texts, the project proposal and the development of research questions enhance their scientific articulateness and their capability of exploring a scientific issue. The research questions are developed by the students from actual problems in practical settings (e.g. on-farm, within companies) or in ongoing research projects and interaction takes place with different stakeholders in the organic sector.
Depending on the topic, students learn how to communicate with practitioners and/or scientists working within the organic sector. Students practice literature research and data collection, assessment and interpretation and enhance their presentation skills in the midterm meeting and in the final presentation.
In addition, students take part in the following compulsory workshops during winter and summer terms: literature search (use of library and journal databases), academic writing (for beginners or advanced learners), intercultural team training and presentation training. These workshops (performed by experts) help students to further enhance the respective skills.

eLearning:

Course in ILIAS

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