The BAgrSc Animal Science programme aims to provide students with the knowledge and understanding of key scientific facts, principles, concepts and theories relevant to Animal Science, and to produce future national and global leaders in key sectors of the economy, particularly those areas related to animal production, food production and related industries. Students are encouraged to think critically, be active, motivated, autonomous learners and to aspire to lifelong learning, leadership, and individual career growth and development. We aim to provide learning environments that integrate teaching, research, assessment and learning, individually and through group activities in order to develop leadership, critical and reflective thinking, effective communication and inquiry skills. The diversity of learning environments (off campus, particularly UCD Lyons Farm, classroom, laboratory, work placement) and methods (formal lectures, small group practicals, directed autonomous learning) ensure that students have a stimulating learning experience, which should equip them with the skills necessary to provide professional leadership and support for the expanding and dynamic Agri-Food industry. Students will undertake both basic sciences (Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) as they relate to Animal Science, as well as more specialised topics including Agricultural economics and farm business management, Animal Reproduction, Physiology, Genetics and Breeding, Animal Nutrition, Animal Behaviour and Welfare, Ruminant and Non-ruminant Animal Production Systems, Experimental Design and Data Analysis. To achieve the aims of the Programme, students are exposed to stimulating learning and practical experiences from dedicated research-active staff involving an inquiry-based learning approach incorporating a diverse range of teaching and assessment methods in which both critical thinking and research skills are emphasized including case studies, group work, project work and work placements.
- 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
- Assoc Professor Alan Fahey
- Overall Programme Credits:
- 240
- Programme Credits:
- Stage 1
Core/Option: 55 Electives: 5
Stage 2
Core/Option: 50 Electives: 10
Stage 3
Core/Option: 50 Electives: 10
Stage 4
Core/Option: 50 Electives: 10 - Major/Minor Core & Option Credits:
- Stage 1: 55
Stage 2: 50
Stage 3: 50
Stage 4: 50
Curricular information is subject to change.
If you are interested in working closely with farmers in advisory or agribusiness roles, developing more efficient ways of rearing animals and growing crops, this degree is for you.
1 - Devise and implement strategies for optimal animal performance and assess and suggest solutions for problems related to animal production
2 - Manipulate animal physiology and reproductive processes to optimise management and maximise fertility
3 - Design suitable diets for ruminant and non-ruminant production based on sound principles of animal nutrition and feed formulation
4 - Implement the principles of animal genomics and animal breeding for genetic improvement of economically important traits
5 - Implement strategies to optimize the use of grassland in animal production
6 - Use their knowledge of the scientific research principles to devise, analyse, interpret and report on scientific investigations
7 - Devise and implement novel improvement strategies underpinned by sound scientific knowledge and be proficient in communicating key messages to end users
8 - Be able to optimise animal production systems to meet economic targets and achieve environmental objectives
9 - Demonstrate knowledge of animal production systems and how the components are integrated and managed in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way
10 - Understand the animal industry in Ireland, the context in which it operates and its relationship to animal industries internationally
11 - Develop and utilise a wide range of generic skills useful in further career development through specific class exercises and PWE.
2 - Manipulate animal physiology and reproductive processes to optimise management and maximise fertility
3 - Design suitable diets for ruminant and non-ruminant production based on sound principles of animal nutrition and feed formulation
4 - Implement the principles of animal genomics and animal breeding for genetic improvement of economically important traits
5 - Implement strategies to optimize the use of grassland in animal production
6 - Use their knowledge of the scientific research principles to devise, analyse, interpret and report on scientific investigations
7 - Devise and implement novel improvement strategies underpinned by sound scientific knowledge and be proficient in communicating key messages to end users
8 - Be able to optimise animal production systems to meet economic targets and achieve environmental objectives
9 - Demonstrate knowledge of animal production systems and how the components are integrated and managed in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way
10 - Understand the animal industry in Ireland, the context in which it operates and its relationship to animal industries internationally
11 - Develop and utilise a wide range of generic skills useful in further career development through specific class exercises and PWE.
Want to know more about animals? Want broad-ranging career opportunities in research, production, business and advisory roles? Then Animal Science might be for you.
Animal Science concentrates on the study of applied sciences such as genetics, animal physiology, animal nutrition and behaviour, health and welfare. These are fundamental to understanding how animals function - farm animals, companion animals and wildlife.
They also underpin the principles of livestock production. This degree is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide professional leadership and technical support for the dynamic and rapidly changing animal industry, which contributes 80% of Ireland's agricultural output. In particular, the objectives of this degree are to give you an understanding of:
- The growth and development of farm animals, how they function and of animal behaviour and welfare
- Animal production systems and how the components are integrated and managed in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner
- The animal industry in Ireland, the context in which it operates and its relationship to animal industries in Europe and worldwide.
Animal Science concentrates on the study of applied sciences such as genetics, animal physiology, animal nutrition and behaviour, health and welfare. These are fundamental to understanding how animals function - farm animals, companion animals and wildlife.
They also underpin the principles of livestock production. This degree is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide professional leadership and technical support for the dynamic and rapidly changing animal industry, which contributes 80% of Ireland's agricultural output. In particular, the objectives of this degree are to give you an understanding of:
- The growth and development of farm animals, how they function and of animal behaviour and welfare
- Animal production systems and how the components are integrated and managed in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner
- The animal industry in Ireland, the context in which it operates and its relationship to animal industries in Europe and worldwide.
STAGE 1
This stage includes the core modules for Agricultural Science and provides students with an opportunity to undertake an elective module, Introduction to Animal Science. These act as a foundation for later modules.
STAGES 2-4
The later stages of the programme include a range of relevant applied sciences dealing with animal nutrition, genetics, health, behaviour and welfare. You also undertake modules concerned with environmental issues and policy. You will deal with the physiology, breeding and nutrition of animals in more detail. You also have an opportunity to select from a wide range of modules, depending on your interests or career focus.
The UCD Research Farm at Lyons Estate provides modern teaching facilities and well-equipped laboratories.
PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE
A five-month Professional Work Experience placement is an integral component of the degree programme and takes place following the spring break of Stage 3. This may be taken, for example, as a combination of on-farm, agribusiness and research centre placements. Some of this may be taken abroad as part of our student exchange programmes.
Previously students have gone to the USA, New Zealand, Australia and continental Europe.
This stage includes the core modules for Agricultural Science and provides students with an opportunity to undertake an elective module, Introduction to Animal Science. These act as a foundation for later modules.
STAGES 2-4
The later stages of the programme include a range of relevant applied sciences dealing with animal nutrition, genetics, health, behaviour and welfare. You also undertake modules concerned with environmental issues and policy. You will deal with the physiology, breeding and nutrition of animals in more detail. You also have an opportunity to select from a wide range of modules, depending on your interests or career focus.
The UCD Research Farm at Lyons Estate provides modern teaching facilities and well-equipped laboratories.
PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE
A five-month Professional Work Experience placement is an integral component of the degree programme and takes place following the spring break of Stage 3. This may be taken, for example, as a combination of on-farm, agribusiness and research centre placements. Some of this may be taken abroad as part of our student exchange programmes.
Previously students have gone to the USA, New Zealand, Australia and continental Europe.
An opportunity exists to study abroad for a trimester in third year. Possibilities include:
• University of Illinois, USA
• Kansas State University, USA
• Michigan State University, USA
• Purdue University, USA
• University of Queensland, Australia
A wide range of career opportunities are available to graduates of Animal Science. These include entry into graduate study leading to Masters and Ph.D. degrees and a career in research, and/or in the Animal Health and Pharmaceutical Industry, Animal Breeding and Genetics, Animal feed industry, Procurement, processing and marketing of animal products, Education, Consultancy, Farming and enterprise management, and Journalism.
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 and option modules, students must take elective modules amounting to 10 credits.
Stage 3
In addition to the 50 credits of core modules, students must take elective modules amounting to 10 credits. A period of Professional Work Experience is mandatory and must be undertaken in Stage 3.
Stage 4
In addition to the 50 credits of core and option 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 expand your knowledge of the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of an elective in Trimester 2 - Spring. |
FDSC10030 | Our Food, Our Planet: Introduction to Sustainable Food Systems | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of: These modules may expand your knowledge of the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of an elective in Trimester 2 - Spring. |
PHYC10190 | Aspects of Physics for Ag. Sci | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of: These modules may expand your knowledge of the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of an elective in Trimester 2 - Spring. |
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 |
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 |
BSEN30020 | Buildings and Environment | 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 |
BSEN30170 | Agricultural Mechanisation: Engines and Crop Machinery | 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 |
FDSC20010 | Food Macronutrients | 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 |
CPSC20020 | Fundamentals of Arable Crop Production | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 1 of: Students must select one of the following 2 modules |
HORT20070 | Agricultural Botany | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 1 of: Students must select one of the following 2 modules |
CPSC20030 | Principles of Crop Science | Spring | 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 |
ANSC30040 | Animal Nutrition II | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 3 Core Modules |
ANSC30170 | Animal Physiology I | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 3 Core Modules |
ENVB30110 | Food Microbiology | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 3 Core Modules |
ANSC30050 | Experimental Design and Data Analysis | Spring | 5 |
Stage 3 Core Modules |
ANSC30070 | Professional Work Experience | Spring | 10 |
Stage 3 Core Modules |
ANSC30150 | Animal Physiology II | Spring | 5 |
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of: These modules may expand your knowledge of the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of electives |
AESC30080 | Agri-Environmental Issues and Policy | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of: These modules may expand your knowledge of the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of electives |
BSEN30170 | Agricultural Mechanisation: Engines and Crop Machinery | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of: These modules may expand your knowledge of the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of electives |
CPSC30050 | Organic Agriculture | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of: These modules may expand your knowledge of 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 of the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of electives |
AESC30010 | Scientific Writing and Review | Spring | 5 |
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of: These modules may expand your knowledge of the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of electives |
AESC30160 | Agrichemicals and the Environment | Spring | 5 |
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of: These modules may expand your knowledge of 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 of the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of electives |
ANSC30100 | Applied Biotechnology | Spring | 5 |
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of: These modules may expand your knowledge of the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of electives |
ANSC30340 | Equine Reproduction and Breeding Management | Spring | 5 |
Stage 4 Core Modules |
AERD30190 | Farm Business Management | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 4 Core Modules |
ANSC30120 | Non-ruminant Animal Production (Swine & Poultry) | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 4 Core Modules |
ANSC30400 | Beef Production | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 4 Core Modules |
ANSC30410 | Dairy Production | 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 |
ANSC30130 | Principles of Animal Health, Behaviour and Welfare | Spring | 5 |
Stage 4 Core Modules |
ANSC30390 | Sheep Production | Spring | 5 |
Stage 4 Core Modules |
RDEV30060 | Professional Communications | Spring | 5 |
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 1 of: Students must select at least one module. Additional modules may be taken in place of electives |
FDSC30150 | Principles of Meat Science | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 1 of: Students must select at least one module. Additional modules may be taken in place of electives |
AESC40140 | Agri-Environmental Nutrient Management | Spring | 5 |
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 1 of: Students must select at least one module. Additional modules may be taken in place of electives |
ANSC30380 | Animal Science Industries | Spring | 5 |
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 1 of: Students must select at least one module. Additional modules may be taken in place of electives |
ANSC40040 | Advanced Dairy Production | Spring | 5 |
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 1 of: Students must select at least one module. Additional modules may be taken in place of electives |
CPSC40040 | Developments in Grassland | Spring | 5 |
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 1 of: Students must select at least one module. Additional modules may be taken in place of electives |
CPSC40050 | Devs in Crop Production & Util | Spring | 5 |
See the UCD Assessment website for further details
Module Weighting Info
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 |
|||
| BHAGR005 | 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 |
|||