Meeting the demand for sufficient food for an expanding world population, while preventing depletion of our natural resources and maintaining Earth’s biodiversity, is one of today’s worldwide complex challenges. It is one of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (2: Zero Hunger) and one of the aims within the European Green Deal of the European Commission (Farm to Fork).

To develop constructive perspectives on this highly complex issue, we need people with the capacity to combine knowledge of the Earth’s nature with knowledge of human behaviour, politics, economics, planning and communication. People who know how to translate scientific knowledge to policymakers, managers and the general public; both nationally and internationally. 

Programme

The minor covers 30 EC and can be completed in one semester. The minor programme consist of two core courses (together 9 EC) and at least 15 EC of specialisation courses (restrictive-electives). You can complete your minor with another (restricted OR free of choice) elective course of 6 EC.

Core courses (9 EC) 

There are two core courses: Philosophy of Science (3 EC) and Reflexive Design Project (6 EC) that run throughout the semester:

Philosophy of Science introduces the concept of wicked problems and discusses disciplinary versus interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches in science and society.       

In Reflexive Design Project, students with different specialisations and backgrounds will combine the knowledge they have gained to come up with new, integrated insights and innovative solutions for pressing food problems or related issues. This project is spread over four months and runs parallel to the other courses. An introduction to an (interdisciplinary) philosophy of science will help pave the floor to embark on such a joint endeavour. 

Specialisation (at least 15 EC of restrictive-elective courses)

This minor is meant for students from a wide variety of backgrounds from the natural ánd social sciences.

Did you complete courses in the natural sciences such as environmental science, biology, earth sciences, chemistry or a related discipline? Do you want to know more about plant-soil relations and how land use impacts the environment? Then the specialisation track Food Production and the Environment is for you.

Did you complete courses in the social sciences or related disciplines such as human geography, political science, planning, law, economics? Do you want to know more about the organisation and activities of food systems and its impact on society? Then the specialisation Food Systems and Society is for you.

Specialisation 1: Food Production and the Environment

Soils are essential for agriculture: they are the medium that plants grow in and supply the nutrients the plant require. In the first period you’ll will get a fundamental understanding of processes in soils, plants and their interactions, focusing on their role in agricultural systems. In class, lab and field you’ll learn to link fundamental concepts from plant science, agronomy, soil science and ecology to current societal issues and discussions. In the second and third period you will zoom out and learn about spatial patterns and diversity in biomes, land use and agriculture. You will apply state-of-the-art computational techniques and methods (e.g. Remote Sensing) to monitor and analyse a wide variety of landscapes.

Courses:  

• Plant-Soil Practical (3 EC, period 1) 
• Plant- Soil Interactions in Food Production Systems (6 EC, period 1) 
• Programming in R (3 EC, period 2) 
• Remote Sensing (3 EC, period 2) 
• World Food and Ecosystems (6 EC, period 2+3)

Alternatives:
If you have no prior experience with R and no affinity with coding, we recommend substituting World Food and Ecosystems for Modelling for Sustainability (period 2, 6 EC, not in overview)

• Modelling for Sustainability (6 EC, period 2) 

Specialisation 2: Food Systems and Society

Food systems are a big part of our society, both urban and rural. In this track you will focus on different urban food systems and the role they play in producing, processing, acquiring, distributing and consuming food. Through disciplines like political science, human geography and urban planning you will learn about how the current food system can transform into a more sustainable one. The first period will focus on governance and system innovation perspectives in relation to food (production). The second and third block will delve into transnational food production, provision and consumption from global and local value chains. Throughout the semester you will work on individual and group assignments relating to alternative food systems and solutions for food production issues in our society.

Courses:

•  Governance & Systemic Transformation (6 EC, period 1) 
•  Political Economy of Transnational Food Chains (6 EC, period 2) 
• Introduction Spatial Planning (3 EC, period 1) 
• Food and the City (6 EC, periods 2 & 3) 

Alternatives:
If you have completed courses in (urban) planning, you can substitute Introduction Spatial Planning with an open elective course of your choice.

Elective course (6 EC) 

You can complete your minor with another restricted-elective course or add 6 EC of another elective course of your choice.  

Entry requirements

You can apply for the minor track Food Production and the Environment if:

• You have sufficient background in natural sciences and completed at least 30 EC of courses in e.g. earth sciences, biology, chemistry

You can apply for the minor track Food Systems and Society if:

• You have sufficient background in social sciences or related disciplines and completed at least 30 EC of courses in e.g. political science, social geography, planning, law, economics, etc.

This minor is open to international students and ‘bijvak’ students from other Dutch universities. They must also meet the requirements above. This minor is part of the Future Planet Studies bachelor’s degree programme. For your registration as an elective student, select the Future Planet Studies – elective (bijvak) degree programme in Studielink.

When applying, please submit:

• A signed and stamped extract of your study results

Application and Admission

For the academic year 2025–2026, you can apply from 1 April to 13 May.

There is no limit on the number of places for this minor, but selection will be based on if you do meet the requirements mentioned above.

More information about registering for this minor is available here.

More info and contact

Please contact Future Planet Studies of the Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies (IIS).