Sustainable Livestock Farming

Fakultät

Fakultät Agrarwissenschaften und Landschaftsarchitektur (AuL)

Version

Version 2 vom 20.04.2026.

Modulkennung

44M0524

Niveaustufe

Master

Unterrichtssprache

Englisch

ECTS-Leistungspunkte und Benotung

5.0

Häufigkeit des Angebots des Moduls

nur Sommersemester

Dauer des Moduls

1 Semester

 

 

Besonderheiten des Moduls

Das Modul findet auf Englisch statt. Sind alle Studierenden deutschsprachig, wird das Modul auf Deutsch mit englischem Unterrichtsmaterial gehalten. 

Kurzbeschreibung

Sustainable livestock farming is an integrated approach that aims to meet the present needs of livestock farmers without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. This involves minimising environmental impact and promoting animal welfare while optimising the use of resources.

The module provides an integrative understanding of sustainable livestock farming, taking into account ecological, economic, social, and ethical dimensions. Students learn to critically analyze existing production systems and to evaluate sustainable solutions on a scientific basis.

Lehr-Lerninhalte

- Basic principles of sustainable livestock farming

- International concepts and frameworks

- The environmental impact of livestock farming and key sustainability indicators

- Animal welfare and animal health as a sustainability dimension

- Methods of sustainability assessment (e.g. LCA)

- Sustainability measures, their trade-offs and synergies

Gesamtarbeitsaufwand

Der Arbeitsaufwand für das Modul umfasst insgesamt 150 Stunden (siehe auch "ECTS-Leistungspunkte und Benotung").

Lehr- und Lernformen
Dozentengebundenes Lernen
Std. WorkloadLehrtypMediale UmsetzungKonkretisierung
10Vorlesung-
10Seminar-
5Übung-
5Exkursion-
Dozentenungebundenes Lernen
Std. WorkloadLehrtypMediale UmsetzungKonkretisierung
30Prüfungsvorbereitung-
30Veranstaltungsvor- und -nachbereitung-
30Referatsvorbereitung-
30Literaturstudium-
Benotete Prüfungsleistung
  • mündliche Prüfung oder
  • Klausur
Bemerkung zur Prüfungsart

The standard examination form is an oral exam. Alternatively, a written exam may be chosen by the lecturers; the exam type will be defined upon the start of lectures.

The oral examination will be carried out by two examiners per student.

Prüfungsdauer und Prüfungsumfang

ca. 20-30-minute oral examination (standard) or a 2 hour written exam (alternative)

Empfohlene Vorkenntnisse

Sound knowledge of livestock husbandry methods

Wissensverbreiterung

Students are familiar with key characteristics of sustainable livestock farming and know the principles of sustainable husbandry.

Wissensvertiefung

Students can evaluate the sustainability of animal husbandry based on various criteria. They can assess different methods and forms of animal husbandry in terms of their sustainability and evaluate opportunities for optimization.

Wissensverständnis

Students can apply assessment methods and evaluate the impact of animal husbandry. They can develop arguments on the sustainability aspects of husbandry systems and discuss possible alternative approaches.

Nutzung und Transfer

Students can identify and evaluate the ecological, economic and social impacts of animal husbandry and understand how to minimize these impacts.

Wissenschaftliche Innovation

By addressing the impacts, frameworks and requirements of sustainable livestock farming, students are encouraged to discuss innovative solutions to the challenges faced by the sector and to question the status quo.

Kommunikation und Kooperation

Students can explain sustainable livestock farming systems using technically and ethically correct language. The practical orientation of the module creates a good basis for practical cooperation.

Wissenschaftliches Selbstverständnis / Professionalität

Students can recognise the potential of modern livestock husbandry methods. They can review their decisions professionally. They can scrutinise and reflect critically on husbandry concepts from a sustainability perspective.

Literatur

- FAO (2022) The role of animal health in national climate commitments

- FAO (2018) Transforming the livestock sector through the Sustainable Development Goals

- FAO (2013) Tackling Climate Change through Livestock. A global assessment of emissions and mitigation opportunities

- Scientific review articles (depending on focus)

Other literature will be recommended during the course.

Verwendbarkeit nach Studiengängen

  • Land Use Transformation
    • Land Use Transformation M.Sc. (01.03.2026)

  • Angewandte Nutztierwissenschaften
    • Angewandte Nutztierwissenschaften M.Sc. (01.09.2025)

    Modulpromotor*in
    • Münster, Pia
    Lehrende
    • Münster, Pia
    • Hinrichs, Birgit
    • Waßmuth, Ralf