APBI 290 Insects as Food and Feed

  "Insects as Food and Feed" is a 3-credit course. The course aims to provide an understanding of the benefits and limitations of entomophagy from the perspective of health, environment and livelihood. The course will discuss the challenges encountered to develop insects as a new protein source for food and feed. The course will include insect rearing methods, preparation and processing of insects and incorporating them as an ingredient in food and feed products. Aspects of entomophagy are explored through student reviews of recent research articles, group projects and individual reports.

Learning Outcomes:  at the end of this course, students should be able to

1. compare and contrast the nutritional benefits /challenges of insects with traditional foods and animal feeds
2. recognize the environmental and ecological impact of using insects as food and feed
3. illustrate the various methods of harvesting insects
4. recognize the challenges of incorporating insects in food and feed
5. demonstrate several ways to incorporate insects as an ingredient during food and feed manufacturing
6. critically assess and objectively critique the primary scientific literature on entomophagy
7. assess the quantitative dimensions of entomophagy
8. critique the role of insects as a sustainable food source

 Proposed Topics:

1. Current status of insects as food and feed
2. Benefits and the risks/challenges (environmental, nutritional, health and economical) involved in using insects as a new protein source in comparison with conventional meat production and other vegetable protein source for human consumption and as a feed source for fish, poultry, cows and pigs

3. How to preserve and process insects as food and feed
4. Insect farming (household level and industrial farming); harvesting insects using a sustainable approach

5. Ingredient in food manufacturing and feed
6. Challenges encountered; food safety and legislative issues
7. Marketing and future prospects

Readings: There is no assigned textbook for this class. Most of the readings will come from the primary literature. Assigned readings will be posted online well in advance of class or discussion. Please have the readings completed well before coming to class in order to complete a short quiz on reading material.

Course structure and operation: The course will include a combination of lectures and discussion groups. A strong emphasis will be placed on independent reading and discussion groups. Papers will include both classic papers and modern treatments or examples. Students are expected to have read and studied all papers prior to coming to class.

 Evaluation:  proposed mark distribution (subject to modification by the instructor); Midterm exam, 25%; Final Exam, 35%; quizzes 15% (4 in total; 3/4 best quizzes will be counted 5% each); Group Project 10%.; term paper 10%; on-line discussion/participation 5%.

 Exams (midterm 25%; final 35%): will cover the content and ideas from lecture, assigned readings, and discussion. Exams will likely contain true-false questions, multiple choice questions, short-answer questions, essays, and ‘fill-in-the–blanks’.

Group Project (10%)  The class will be divided into groups of 4-5 students and each group will be assigned a scientific paper (a journal paper published within the last two years and related to some area of entomophagy). Each group will write a critical analysis of the assigned paper. Students need to provide a thorough, accurate analysis of the author’s justification of the significance of the study,  study design, sample selection, data collection methods, validity and credibility of the study, clarity, and organization. Special points will be given for directing the discussion in fruitful directions.

 Term paper (10%- due November 30): This is a written assignment related to ecological, economic and social value of insects. Exact topic will be assigned in class and will be researched by using scientific literature. Each student needs to submit the term paper by Nov. 30^th including a brief introduction followed by a clear objective, body, conclusion and references.  Penalty for late assignment is 10%. Additional details will be posted on Canvas.

Grading criteria for the assignments is given below:

On-line discussion (5%): A discussion topic will be opened ~twice a month on a topic related to entomophagy or related field in the discussion section on Connect. Students will be expected to submit their thoughts about the discussion topic. Grading will be based on participation and the quality of the content posted. Additional details will be provided in class.

Quizzes (15%): Tasks or quizzes will be assigned during class time. In general, the tasks will be designed to ensure you have done the readings and familiar with the topic.

Library

No additional library resources are required

For further information contact:

Yasmin.akhtar (yasmin.akhtar@ubc.ca)

Lectures will be posted Tues and Thurs 11:30-am

 Office hours: Tuesdays 1:00-2:00 (you can e-mail me anytime)

Tentative class outline-2020