FBMFSS-Food Systems Summer School

Module Provider: Food and Nutritional Sciences
Number of credits: 15 [7.5 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Summer term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Emma Bennett
Email: e.j.bennett@reading.ac.uk

Module Co-convenor: Prof Richard Frazier
Email: r.a.frazier@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The module will bring together the EIT Food cohort to analyse current problems within the food supply chain, such as environmental pollution or food waste, and develop potential solutions to these issues. Throughout the module you will be exposed to entrepreneurs and industry experts, to help develop your business skills.   

Aims:

The aim of the module is to get you to analyse a problem and generate new ideas to meet current and future challenges in the food sector.

Assessable learning outcomes:

• Critically evaluate the existing literature on the challenge you have been given


• Design a technical solution to your challenge, taking into account the different stages of the food supply chain


• Undertake market research and financial modelling in relation to your technical solution


• Defend your solution during a pitch

Additional outcomes:

• Entrepreneurial skills including; networking, team building, creativity and presentation skills


• A basic knowledge on accessing resources to make your ideas a reality

Outline content:

The module will cover the following topics; how to be an effective leader, how to work within a team, developing business ideas, business sustainability, financial modelling, market research, entrepreneurial skills and building a successful business.  

Global context:

Many of the problems presented in the module will be experienced globally, therefore students will need to be able to evaluate the extent of the issues in different geographic regions. Plus consider the most appropriate ways to solve the problems in different locations.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module will be delivered in the format of online learning resources, face to face workshops and lectures, plus tutorials with industry experts.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures			10
Seminars			20
Tutorials			5
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)			20
Wider reading (directed)			15
Advance preparation for classes			10
Completion of formative assessment tasks			10
Group study tasks			30
Essay preparation			25
Reflection			5
Total hours by term	0	0	150
Total hours for module	150

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Oral assessment and presentation	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

N/A

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

A 30 minute group presentation on the solution to the problem that the group was tasked with solving. This will involve making a structured pitch to a panel of entrepreneurs, industry partners and investors, who will provide feedback on making the ideas commercially viable.

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy 'Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes', which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

50%

Reassessment arrangements:

Re-submission of coursework with mark capped at 50%.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 30 March 2023