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Food System and Sustainability
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Programs:
Food System and Sustainability
Units:
32 hours
Format:
Live Online
Duration:
Jun 25 2025 ~ Jul 18 2025
Cost:
Free
Credit(s):
2
Course Description

Food systems describe the food paths from source to consumer. This comprehensive course delves into the critical intersection of food systems and sustainability, offering a profound understanding of how our food choices impact the environment, society, and the economy. Through interdisciplinary exploration, students will gain the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the complexities of today's global food systems. This course will help students understand the factors affecting food systems. Students will examine technological aspects of modern food systems, covering the environmental, economic, and social sustainability, food resilience, the roles of innovation and technology in modern food systems, and consumers’ awareness.  

This course combines lectures, group case studies, discussions, and practical exercises like group presentation. Students will engage in critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaborative projects to address real-world challenges in food systems and sustainability. Guest speakers from various sectors of the food industry will provide unique insights. By the end of the course, participants will be well-equipped to make informed decisions and contribute to the transformation of food systems towards a more sustainable and resilient future.

Relevant SDGs:  SDG2 SDG3

Academic Team

PI:

  • Zhongquan Sui, Professor, School of Agriculture and Biology, zsui@sjtu.edu.cn

Collaborators:

  • Juan Du, Associate Professor, Department of Food Technology, Singapore Institute of Technology, du.juan@signaporetech.edu.sg
  • Abadi Gebre Mezgebe, Associate Professor, Department of Food Science and Technology, Hawassa University, abadigebre84@gmail.com
What skills will students get?
  1. Describe food systems and the influences upon them.
  2. Understand how modern food systems can affect health.
  3. Describe food system regulations, monitoring procedures and the role of the dietitian as factors encouraging a safe food supply.
  4. Understanding and establish the ability to identify problems and build the teamwork to solve problems.
Mode of Teaching

Lecture, tutorial, discussion, practice and group presentation.

Grading
  1. Attendance: 30%;
  2. Group presentation: 70%;
Course-specific Restrictions

N.A.

Class Schedule

Week

Date
(DD/MM)

Week Day

Time (UTC+8)

Topic

Credit hours

Teaching mode
(Lecture/Tutorial/Discussion)

Instructor in charge

1

25/06

Wednesday

14:00-18:00

Introduction to food systems

4

Lecture、Tutorial &Discussion

Zhongquan Sui

1

27/06

Friday

14:00-18:00

Sustainability and food systems

4

Lecture、Tutorial &Discussion

Abadi Gebre Mezgebe

2

02/07

Wednesday

14:00-18:00

Agriculture and foodproduction

4

Lecture、Tutorial &Discussion

Juan Du

2

04/07

Friday

14:00-18:00

Human and hungry

4

Lecture、Tutorial &Discussion

Abadi Gebre Mezgebe

3

09/07

Wednesday

14:00-18:00

Animals in the food system

4

Lecture、Tutorial &Discussion

Juan Du

3

11/07

Friday

14:00-18:00

Sustainabilityfood systemandhumanhealth

4

Lecture、Tutorial &Discussion

Zhongquan Sui

4

16/07

Wednesday

14:00-18:00

Final group presentation

4

Presentation & Discussion

J Du/Abadi /ZQ Sui

4

18/07

Friday

14:00-18:00

Finalgrouppresentation

4

Presentation & Discussion

J Du/Abadi /ZQ Sui

Total

32

 

Course Contact

Zhongquan Sui: zsui@sjtu.edu.cn

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