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60310-01 - Lecture with practical courses: Agroecological Farming: The Example of Organic Agriculture (3 CP)
| Semester | spring semester 2026 |
| Course frequency | Every spring sem. |
| Lecturers | Else Bünemann-König (else.buenemann-koenig@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | Knowledge in farming systems is essential to understand why agriculture is a major driver for environmental pressures through land use change, loss of soil fertility, decrease in biodiversity and the dependence on external inputs in form of energy, fertilizers and pesticides. As an alternative, agroecological farming aims to reduce the environmental and also social pressures, as defined by 10 principles (FAO Agroecology Knowledge Hub). Organic Farming is a prominent certified example of agroecological farming, and it is considered a promising option to solve the current problems of intensive agriculture. The lecture is organised as a lecture series (“Ringvorlesung”) where experts in soil, plant, animal and food system sciences will outline the frame conditions, principles and practices of organic agriculture, illustrating the connection to the agroecological principles through case studies. In a group exercise, the students will develop their own thoughts on the application of agroecology principles and will present their reflections to the other participants. During a half-day field trip, the theoretical material is illustrated on a long-term system comparison experiment and a practical farm in the valley of Leimen. Another optional field trip presents research done at FiBL, the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture, in Frick. |
| Learning objectives | The students are familiar with the agroecological principles and the practices of organic farming. They can evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different farming systems and know the specific challenges in the areas of soil management, plant production and animal husbandry. The students are capable to judge critically the solutions of organic agriculture in view of an agroecological production, as well as a transformation of the food system. Detailed learning objectives will be provided for each lecture on ADAM. |
| Comments | Lecturers: Experts of the respective disciplines at FiBL, actively involved in national and European research with a strong link to practical farmers. |
| Weblink | adam.unibas.ch |
| Admission requirements | Students of the MSD without background in natural sciences, and who have chosen the focus area in social sciences or in economics must have completed the 'Complementary Knowledge in Natural Sciences' module (or at least earned 8 CP). Credit points are to be transferred to the FASR module (with learning agreement). |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Friday | 12.15-14.00 | Botanik, Hörsaal 00.003 |
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Friday 20.02.2026 | 12.15-14.00 | Botanik, Hörsaal 00.003 |
| Friday 27.02.2026 | 12.15-14.00 | Fasnachtsferien |
| Friday 06.03.2026 | 12.15-14.00 | Botanik, Hörsaal 00.003 |
| Friday 13.03.2026 | 12.15-14.00 | Botanik, Hörsaal 00.003 |
| Friday 20.03.2026 | 12.15-14.00 | Botanik, Hörsaal 00.003 |
| Friday 27.03.2026 | 12.15-14.00 | Botanik, Hörsaal 00.003 |
| Friday 03.04.2026 | 12.15-14.00 | Ostern |
| Friday 10.04.2026 | 12.15-14.00 | Botanik, Hörsaal 00.003 |
| Friday 17.04.2026 | 12.15-14.00 | Botanik, Hörsaal 00.003 |
| Friday 24.04.2026 | 12.15-14.00 | Botanik, Hörsaal 00.003 |
| Friday 01.05.2026 | 12.15-14.00 | Tag der Arbeit |
| Friday 08.05.2026 | 12.15-14.00 | Botanik, Hörsaal 00.003 |
| Friday 15.05.2026 | 12.15-14.00 | Auffahrt |
| Friday 22.05.2026 | 12.15-14.00 | Botanik, Hörsaal 00.003 |
| Friday 29.05.2026 | 08.30-12.00 | Field trip to the Research Institute of Organic Farming (FiBL) in Frick |
| Friday 05.06.2026 | 08.30-12.00 | Field trip to the DOK Therwil (mandatory) |
| Friday 12.06.2026 | 12.15-13.45 | Botanik, Hörsaal 00.003 |
| Modules |
Courses: Master's Studies Ecology (Master's Studies: Ecology (Start of studies before 01.08.2025)) Courses: Master's Studies Plant Science (Master's Studies: Plant Science (Start of studies before 01.08.2025)) Doctorate Botany: Recommendations (PhD subject: Botany) Module: Core Competences in Natural Sciences (Master's Studies: Sustainable Development) Module: Courses for Master's Studies in Ecology (Master's Studies: Ecology) Module: Courses for Master's Studies in Plant Science (Master's Studies: Plant Science) Module: Landscape Systems (Master's Studies: Geosciences) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | 1. Mandatory participation in student group work on agroecological principles; reflection paper and presentation on Friday, 22.05.2026. 2. Mandatory participation at the field trip to the DOK trial on 05.06.2026, 8:30-12:00 h. 3. Written exam on Friday, 12.06.2026, 12:15-13:45 h (Botanik Hörsaal 00.003). Preconditions for the exam: student group work. |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration, dereg: cancel course registration |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | 1-6 0,5 |
| Repeated registration | as often as necessary |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Science, studiendekanat-philnat@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Integrative Biologie |