This programme is designed to provide students with the education and skills to enable to provide leadership for crop development and utilization within the agricultural sector in Ireland and internationally also. It will enable students to develop a holistic view of the crop sector with regard to fundamental sciences, crop breeding, pest management strategies, plant sciences, and environmental aspects. The students will be provided with the scientific basis for the development and management of the agricultural crop resources that are consistent with the principles of sustainable crop production. Additionally, the programme will develop specific skills in the areas of crop breeding, integrated pest management, pesticide compliance, alternative crops and opportunities for crops within the entire agricultural supply chain. The combination of these components with analytical thinking will result in a programme that gives the students the necessary knowledge for supporting and developing the crop sector across the full agricultural and food chain with and understanding of the environmental aspects associate with crop production.
- School
- School of Agriculture and Food Science
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Level
- Undergraduate
- NFQ Level
- 8
- Award
- Bachelor of Agricultural Science
- Mode of Delivery
- On Campus
- Programme Director
- Professor Kevin McDonnell
- Overall Programme Credits:
- 240
- Programme Credits:
- Stage 1
Core/Option: 55 Electives: 5
Stage 2
Core/Option: 50 Electives: 10
Stage 3
Core/Option: 55 Electives: 5
Stage 4
Core/Option: 50 Electives: 10 - Major/Minor Core & Option Credits:
- Stage 1: 55
Stage 2: 50
Stage 3: 55
Stage 4: 55
Curricular information is subject to change.
As a student in our Crop Science Programme, you will learn about the science, production, and management of crops from genes to fields. With a focus on agronomy, you will explore crop production and soil management to improve yield and quality. Our expert faculty members are active researchers in the rapidly developing field of agriculture and agribusiness. In addition to a strong foundation in basic sciences, you will have the opportunity to study emerging crop pathogens, organic agriculture, climate and soils, and plants and diets.
2 - Knowledge and understanding • Understand the main components and processes underpinning crop production • Understand the scientific underpinning of crop production in agriculture • Understand the health and safety issues associated with operating in a farm, industry or related sector.
3 - Applying knowledge and understanding • Use of skills and knowledge of crop biology and principles for the management of crop production • Assess the opportunities for crop technology in a sustainable agricultural system • Understand and apply crop sensors and data in the farm management system
4 - Making Judgements • Devise and implement technical and technological strategies for optimum crop production • Carry out environmental assessment of crop production systems Evaluate and assessment sensing technology for crop management. Evaluate agricultural machinery systems and precision ag
5 - Communications and working skills • Use of a range of communication techniques and channels to interact effectively with all stakeholders • Effective oral communications with scientific stakeholders and practitioners • Effective written skill, reporting and informal communications
The course is designed to allow you to take the Autumn trimester aboard in third year in an international university such as:
- Kansas State University, USA
- Olds College, Canada
- Purdue University, USA
- Michigan State University, USA
And a number of selected opportunities in Europe.
The potential opportunities for graduates are in a wide variety of areas such as
- Agribusiness
- Brewing and malting sectors,
- Crop advisory work for state organisations
- Private consultancy
- Financial services
This is also a very suitable degree if you intend to pursue full-time farming or combine part-time farming with a professional career. Research opportunities to master’s and PhD level are available.
Stage 1
In addition to the 55 credits of core modules, students must take elective modules amounting to 5 credits.
Stage 2
In addition to the 50 credits of core modules, students must take elective modules amounting to 10 credits.
Stage 3
Students must take 55 credits of core /option modules and elective modules amounting to 5 credits.
Stage 4
In addition to the 50 credits of core modules, students must take elective modules amounting to 10 credits.
Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.
Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.
Trimester | Credits | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Stage 1 Core Modules |
AESC10010 | Land Use and the Environment | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
CHEM00020 | Introductory Chemistry | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
MATH10230 | Mathematics for Agriculture I | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
PHYC10180 | Physics for Ag. Science | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
RDEV10020 | Information Skills | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
RDEV10030 | Introduction to Agricultural Economics and Business | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
ANSC10010 | Introduction to Animal Science | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
BIOL10010 | Animal Biology and Evolution | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
BIOL10030 | Cell and Plant Biology | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
CHEM10010 | Introduction to the Chemistry of Biomolecules | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
CPSC10010 | Introduction to Crop Science | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of: These modules may be selected in the SPRING term in place of 5 elective credits. |
FDSC10030 | Our Food, Our Planet: Introduction to Sustainable Food Systems | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of: These modules may be selected in the SPRING term in place of 5 elective credits. |
PHYC10190 | Aspects of Physics for Ag. Sci | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of: These modules may be selected in the SPRING term in place of 5 elective credits. |
RDEV10040 | Introduction to Food and Agribusiness Management | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
AESC20060 | Soil Science Basics | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
BSEN30170 | Agricultural Mechanisation: Engines and Crop Machinery | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
FOR20100 | Applied Biostatistics | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
HORT20070 | Agricultural Botany | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
MICR20010 | Agricultural Microbiology | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
BSEN30020 | Buildings and Environment | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
CPSC20020 | Fundamentals of Arable Crop Production | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
CPSC20040 | Physiological Plant Ecology | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
FDSC20100 | Agricultural Biochemistry | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
RDEV20140 | Health, Welfare & Safety in Agriculture | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of: The modules may expand your knowledge in the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of electives |
AERD20030 | Business Management | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of: The modules may expand your knowledge in the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of electives |
BIOL20050 | Climate Change and Agriculture | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of: The modules may expand your knowledge in the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of electives |
ANSC20010 | Genetics and Biotechnology | Spring | 5 |
Stage 3 Core Modules |
CPSC30010 | Professional Work Experience | 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr) | 30 |
Stage 3 Core Modules |
AESC30100 | Pests, Parasites and Beneficials | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 3 Core Modules |
BIOL30010 | Plant Diseases: Biology and Control | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 3 Core Modules |
CPSC30050 | Organic Agriculture | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 3 Core Modules |
CPSC30100 | Emerging Crop Pathogens | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 3 Options - A)1 of: Students must select ONE of the two following modules: |
AERD40140 | Analysis of Prices and Markets in Global Agri-Business | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 3 Options - A)1 of: Students must select ONE of the two following modules: |
AESC30220 | Soil Science Applications | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 3 Options - B) Min 0 of: This module may be taken in place of an elective |
RDEV30380 | Knowledge Tfr for Farm Innovat | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 4 Core Modules |
AERD30190 | Farm Business Management | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 4 Core Modules |
AESC40660 | Plants, Roots and Productivity | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 4 Core Modules |
CPSC30040 | Grass and Forage Production | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 4 Core Modules |
CPSC40010 | Cereal Production | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 4 Core Modules |
CPSC40100 | Advances in Crop Mechanisation | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 4 Core Modules |
AESC30160 | Agrichemicals and the Environment | Spring | 5 |
Stage 4 Core Modules |
AESC30230 | Climate, Carbon and Soil | Spring | 5 |
Stage 4 Core Modules |
CPSC40050 | Devs in Crop Production & Util | Spring | 5 |
Stage 4 Core Modules |
HORT10030 | Plant-based Diets | Spring | 5 |
Stage 4 Core Modules |
RDEV30060 | Professional Communications | Spring | 5 |
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0 of: Suggested option module |
AESC30080 | Agri-Environmental Issues and Policy | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 0 of: Suggested option module |
AESC30010 | Scientific Writing and Review | Spring | 5 |
Module Weighting Info
Award | GPA | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Programme | Module Weightings | Rule Description | Description | ||
BHAGR001 | Stage 4 - 50.00% Stage 3 - 50.00% |
Standard Honours Award | First Class Honours | 3.68 |
4.20 |
Second Class Honours, Grade 1 | 3.08 |
3.67 |
|||
Second Class Honours, Grade 2 | 2.48 |
3.07 |
|||
Pass | 2.00 |
2.47 |