Feeding the World
University of Pennsylvania
课程信息
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.
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
1
Section
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.
10 videos (Total 93 min), 2 quizzes
10 videos
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
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 Security16m
Trends in Animal Production10m
2
Section
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.
6 videos (Total 54 min), 2 quizzes
6 videos
"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 Security20m
Water as a Resource in Food Production10m
3
Section
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.
9 videos (Total 78 min), 3 quizzes
9 videos
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 Analysis12m
Nutrients in Animal Production16m
Food Waste8m
4
Section
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.
7 videos (Total 57 min), 3 quizzes
7 videos
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 Unit6m
Food Safety and Antibiotic Use10m
Livestock, Veterinary Medicine and Food Security8m
5
Section
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.
9 videos (Total 79 min), 3 quizzes
9 videos
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 Impact12m
U.S. Industry and Animal Welfare12m
Public Health12m
6
Section
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.
4 videos (Total 15 min), 2 quizzes
4 videos
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. Industry14m
Animal Welfare12m
7
Section
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.
4 videos (Total 41 min), 3 quizzes
4 videos
The U.S. Poultry Industry9m
Welfare/Husbandry Emerging Issues12m
Avian Influenza10m
3 practice exercises
Life Cycle and U.S. Industry10m
Animal Welfare12m
Public Health8m
8
Section
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.
11 videos (Total 112 min), 4 quizzes
11 videos
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 Thoughts0m
4 practice exercises
Life Cycle12m
U.S. Industry8m
Animal and Public Health12m
International Industry10m
4.6
Top Reviews
By PG•Jan 4th 2018
very interesting, with a lot of clear explanation. I have really appreciated the pdf of slides for every lesson
By JQ•Jul 28th 2017
exceptionally interesting course, with a lot I personally found vital to know. thanks so much!
Instructors
Dr. David Galligan
Professor of Animal Health Economics
James Ferguson
Professor of NutritionAbout 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.
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