Director
| Chalak, Ali |
Food Security Program
Executive Committee | Chalak, Ali (Chair); Habib, Rima; Hamadeh, Shady; Iskandar, Christelle; Keulertz, Martin; Ouaijan, Krystel; Tell, Tariq; Zurayk, Rami, Jaafar, Hadi |
Mission
The food security program aims to promote food security through education, research, community action, and policy-oriented professional practice. The program pursues a holistic approach to the many aspects of food security, including nutritional health, agricultural production, economic development, environmental sustainability, and socio-cultural considerations. The program educates a new generation of leaders in the Middle East and North Africa and throughout the Arab world, preparing graduates to address the vital issue of food security in an interdisciplinary and hands-on fashion. Through its food security program, the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences offers a master of science in food security as well as a non-degree food security graduate diploma – online.
Graduate Programs
The Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences offers two graduate-level programs of study through the Food Security Program, leading to an MS in food security or the food security graduate diploma – online. Both programs address the multiple dimensions of food security by drawing on key disciplines including agriculture, nutrition, and development economics.
MS in Food Security
Credit Requirements
The MS in food security requires the completion of a total of 30 credits, including six required courses. Candidates for the MS in food security have the option of selecting a thesis or non-thesis program of study. Thesis students must complete 15 credits of required core courses, 9 credits from approved elective courses (at least 6 credits within FAFS), and 6 credits of thesis. Non-thesis students must complete 15 credits of required core courses, 12 credits from approved elective courses (at least 6 credits within FAFS), and 3 credits of project. In addition, all students must pass a comprehensive examination.
Students may opt to earn further specialization in one of the following three areas: rural development; economics and policies; or food production and consumption. For thesis students, specialization is earned through the completion of two FAFS electives in the desired focus area of the thesis. For non-thesis students, specialization is earned through the completion of three FAFS electives in the desired focus area of the project.
|
Required Courses |
Credits |
FSEC 300
| Food Security: Challenges and Contemporary Debate
| 3
|
| FSEC 305 | Agriculture: Technology, Supply Chains, Sustainability | 3 |
| FSEC 310 | Nutrition Security: Assessment and Intervention Strategies | 3 |
| FSEC 315 | Food Policies and their Planning Process | 3 |
| FSEC 320 | Graduate Seminar in Food Security | 0 |
| AGSC 301/NFSC 301 | Statistical Methods in Agriculture/Statistical Methods for Nutrition and Food Sciences | 3
|
| FSEC 396 | Comprehensive Exam | 0 |
FSEC 397
Or
FSEC 399
| Project
Or
MS Thesis
| 3
or
6
|
|
Total | |
18 or 21 |
Approved Electives:
The following list reflects suggested elective courses that have been offered in recent terms and is illustrative only. An updated list of suggested electives is provided for enrolled students on a term-by-term basis. The listing and availability of elective courses is subject to change based on course offerings.
Rural Development Specialization
AGSC 384, Political Economy of Middle East Development
NFSC 306, Community Nutrition: Research and Intervention
NFSC 306B, Community and Public Health Nutrition
NFSC 383, Nutrition Communication and Education
RCOD 341, Rural Community Development: Theories, Debates, and Challenges
RCOD 342, Qualitative Methods (4 cr.)
Economics and Policies Specialization
AGSC 376, Resource and Environmental Economics
AGSC 389, Research Methods in Applied Economics
ENSC/LDEM 630, Natural Resource Management
FSEC 306, Indicators and Tools for Measuring Food Security
FSEC 307, Integrated Food Security Phase Classification: Overview and analysis
PPIA 301, Public Policy and Practice
PPIA 306 Political Economy
PPIA 309, Evidence, Policy, and Communication
PSPA 316, International Environmental Policy
PSPA 317, International Political Economy
MKTG 306, Marketing Management
MNGT 306, Leadership and Behavior in Organizations
ECON 332, Political Economy of Development
ECON 338, Economics of Natural Resources and the Environment
PBHL 304, Public Health Policy and Advocacy
Food Production and Consumption Specialization
AGSC 389, Research Methods in Applied Economics
CIVE 648, Climate Change and Water Resources
LDEM/ENSC 635/PSPA 346A, Political Ecology of Water
NFSC 351, Food Safety: Contaminants and Toxins
ENHL 307, Food Safety and Health
CIVE 688, Engineering Sustainability
Course Descriptions
Food Security Graduate Diploma – Online
The food security graduate diploma – online offers a multi-disciplinary perspective and area of study. This program is designed for working professionals and future leaders who are looking for a career-transforming opportunity that explores the areas of food security, agricultural production, nutrition security, and public policy and development programming. The food security graduate diploma – online is delivered in a flexible, fully online format.
Those students who wish to extend their course of study can transfer up to 12 credits (four courses) that have been successfully completed under the food security graduate diploma towards the MS in food security degree program.
Required Courses
The food security graduate diploma – online requires completion of a total of 12 credits, divided across four required courses: FSEC 300D, FSEC 305D, FSEC 310D, FSEC 315D.
Course Descriptions