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Animal Science - Equine

BAgrSc (NFQ Level 8)
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Study Abroad
Sustainable Development Goals

This course is available through the following application route(s)

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Animal Science – Equine focuses on the applied sciences that underpin animal and veterinary biosciences, with emphasis on the horse. The degree provides the scientific knowledge and transferable skills necessary for professional leadership roles within many aspects of the animal and equine science industries.

You’ll learn about:

  • The growth and development of farm animals, how they function and their behaviour and welfare.
  • The equine industry in Ireland, its global context and entrepreneurial opportunities.
  • Equine health, reproduction, genetics, breeding, nutrition and exercise physiology.
  • Advances and future directions in research with emphasis on equine genetics and reproduction.

About This Course

Students will study the basic sciences in first year, which are complemented by specialist modules in years two - four of the undergraduate degree.

Animal practicals are delivered at UCD’s Lyons Research Farm where excellent new equine teaching and research facilities exist. Anatomy classes are conducted at UCD’s Veterinary Hospital, while exciting research programmes in equine and animal science support the taught elements.

Students' time is spent primarily attending lectures and undertaking independent study. In most modules this also involves attending practical sessions, laboratory workshops and/or tutorials.

A combination of continuous assessment (class quizzes, MCQ tests), research projects and end-of-trimester examinations are used.

A five-month PWE placement is integral to your degree and is an invaluable learning and networking opportunity. Exciting options include placements on stud farms in the Kentucky Bluegrass region, Japan, racing yards in Sydney, Australia, top show-jumping and eventing yards in Ireland, and with Tattersalls Ireland and Horse Sport Ireland.

There are also opportunities to participate in the Study Abroad Programme in third year.

  • University of Illinois, USA
  • Texas  A&M University, USA
  • Iowa State University, USA
  • Purdue University, USA

In addition to the career opportunities available to Animal Science graduates, Animal Science – Equine graduates are equipped to pursue careers in:

  • Equine enterprise management
  • Equine leisure, recreation and tourism activities
  • Equestrian marketing and sales enterprises
  • Sports journalism
  • Academic teaching

You  can pursue equine science research and development careers, and Master’s and PhD opportunities in Europe and the US.

UCD Agriculture and Food Science Programme Office,
Agriculture and Food Science Centre,
Belfield,
Dublin 4
Tel: +353 1 716 7194
Email:agandfoodprogrammes@ucd.ie
Web:www.ucd.ie/agfood

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.

Module Type Module   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:
The modules might expand your knowledge of the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of electives.
 FDSC10030 Our Food, Our Planet: Introduction to Sustainable Food Systems Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
The modules might expand your knowledge of the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of electives.
 PHYC10190 Aspects of Physics for Ag. Sci Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
The modules might expand your knowledge of the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of electives.
 RDEV10040 Introduction to Food and Agribusiness Management Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 AERD20030 Business Management Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 AESC20060 Soil Science Basics Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 ANSC30210 Equine Industries Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 FDSC20010 Food Macronutrients Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 FOR20100 Applied Biostatistics Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 MICR20010 Agricultural Microbiology Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 ANSC20010 Genetics and Biotechnology Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 ANSC20020 Animal Nutrition I 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:
These modules may expand your knowledge of 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:
These modules may expand your knowledge of the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of electives.
 FDSC20240 Professional Skills Developmen Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
These modules may expand your knowledge of the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of electives.
 AESC20050 Applied Zoology Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
These modules may expand your knowledge of the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of electives.
 BSEN30020 Buildings and Environment Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
These modules may expand your knowledge of the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of electives.
 CPSC20020 Fundamentals of Arable Crop Production Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
These modules may expand your knowledge of the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of electives.
 CPSC20030 Principles of Crop Science Spring  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
 AESC30080 Agri-Environmental Issues and Policy Autumn  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
 ANSC30010 Animal Reproduction Autumn  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
 ANSC30020 Animal Breeding I Autumn  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
 ANSC30030 Animal Genomics Autumn  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
 ANSC30170 Animal Physiology I Autumn  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
 ANSC30190 Equine Anatomy and Physiology of Exercise Autumn  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
 AESC30010 Scientific Writing and Review Spring  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
 ANSC30150 Animal Physiology II Spring  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
 ANSC30230 Professional Work Experience Spring  10
Stage 3 Core Modules
 ANSC30340 Equine Reproduction and Breeding Management Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of:
These modules may expand your knowledge in the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of electives.
 BSEN40410 Food Chain Integrity Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of:
These modules may expand your knowledge in the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of electives.
 RDEV30380 Knowledge Tfr for Farm Innovat Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of:
These modules may expand your knowledge in the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of electives.
 LANG10170 French General Purposes 1 (CEFR A1.1) Autumn and Spring (separate)  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of:
These modules may expand your knowledge in the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of electives.
 LANG10230 Spanish General Purposes 1 (CEFR A1.1) Autumn and Spring (separate)  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of:
These modules may expand your knowledge in the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of electives.
 AESC30230 Climate, Carbon and Soil Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of:
These modules may expand your knowledge in the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of electives.
 ANSC30100 Applied Biotechnology Spring  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
 AERD30190 Farm Business Management Autumn  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
 ANSC30190 Equine Anatomy and Physiology of Exercise Autumn  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
 ANSC30250 Equine Genetics Autumn  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
 CPSC30040 Grass and Forage Production Autumn  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
 AERD30210 Food and Agricultural Policy Spring  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
 ANSC30050 Experimental Design and Data Analysis Spring  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
 ANSC30130 Principles of Animal Health, Behaviour and Welfare Spring  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
 ANSC30350 Equine Nutrition Spring  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
 RDEV30060 Professional Communications Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 0 of:
It is highly recommended that students choose the Equine Science Project as their elective choice in the Spring trimester. These modules may be taken in place of electives.
 AESC40150 Wildlife Conservation Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 0 of:
It is highly recommended that students choose the Equine Science Project as their elective choice in the Spring trimester. These modules may be taken in place of electives.
 RDEV30380 Knowledge Tfr for Farm Innovat Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 0 of:
It is highly recommended that students choose the Equine Science Project as their elective choice in the Spring trimester. These modules may be taken in place of electives.
 AESC30230 Climate, Carbon and Soil Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 0 of:
It is highly recommended that students choose the Equine Science Project as their elective choice in the Spring trimester. These modules may be taken in place of electives.
 ANSC30100 Applied Biotechnology Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 0 of:
It is highly recommended that students choose the Equine Science Project as their elective choice in the Spring trimester. These modules may be taken in place of electives.
 ANSC30380 Animal Science Industries Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 0 of:
It is highly recommended that students choose the Equine Science Project as their elective choice in the Spring trimester. These modules may be taken in place of electives.
 ANSC40090 Equine Science Project Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 0 of:
It is highly recommended that students choose the Equine Science Project as their elective choice in the Spring trimester. These modules may be taken in place of electives.
 CPSC40040 Developments in Grassland Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 0 of:
It is highly recommended that students choose the Equine Science Project as their elective choice in the Spring trimester. These modules may be taken in place of electives.
 FDSC10030 Our Food, Our Planet: Introduction to Sustainable Food Systems Spring  5

SDG1 SDG2 SDG 13 SDG 15

The BAgrSc degree in Animal Science-Equine encompasses important content relevant to the three pillars of sustainability (environmental, economic and social) as they relate to equine production and management practices for the Irish and wider global equine industry. Environmental sustainability in equine feeding practices, grassland maintenance and waste management is emphasized. Students learn how changes in daily horse feeding management practices can have positive effects on the environment, circular agriculture and the horses themselves. Increasing focus is placed on improving equine welfare as it underpins the Social License to Operate for many equestrian disciplines, upon which thousands of livelihoods depend in Ireland and internationally. The economic sustainability of horse breeding is a key component of the programme and is underpinned by the cutting edge research programmes that inform module content by the programme’s lead academics. These have delivered innovative new equine breeding technologies and advanced genetic selection for training and performance by Programme Director Assoc Professor Barbara Murphy and Professor Emmeline Hill, respectively, and are at the forefront of delivering increasing sustainability for the equine industry.

In addition, the broader animal science content of the programme addresses the relevant UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s): 

  • No Poverty (SDG 1)
  • No Hunger (SDG 2)
  • Climate Action (SDG 13)
  • Life on Land (SDG 15)

Non-EU Undergraduate Fee information can be found here.

UCD offers a number of competitive undergraduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD undergraduate degree programme. For information on Undergraduate Scholarships, please see the UCD International Scholarships webpage.

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General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Animal Science - Equine:

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Animal Science - Equine
Bachelor of Agricultural Science		 Commencing 2024/2025 September Undergraduate Degree (Non EU)
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