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Crop Science

BAgrSc (NFQ Level 8)
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Sustainable Development Goals

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

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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.

About This Course

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.

In first and second year, the focus is on the development of the key basic sciences that underpin a crops agronomy course such as soils science, agricultural botany, agricultural chemistry and economics. The focus then moves to more crop science applied courses and builds on your initial science to give you a more advanced understanding of crop science including modules such as pesticide use, integrated pest management, plant nutrition and climate and soils.

First Year

Animal Biology & Evolution • Introductory Chemistry • Mathematics for Agriculture • Physics for Agricultural Science • Agricultural Economics & Business • Introduction to Biomolecules • Cell & Plant Biology • Information Skills • Optional Module

Second Year

Soil Science • Microbiology • Agricultural Botany • Arable Crop Production • Business Management

Third Year

Plant Diseases • Pesticide Use • Integrated Pest Management • Control of Weeds • Soil Science • Nutrition • Professional Work Experience (PWE)

Fourth Year

Farm Business • Cereal Production • Organic Agriculture • Forest Production • Emerging Crop Pathogens • Climate & Soils • Plants & Diets

Students spend an average of 40 hours a week attending lectures and tutorials, participating in laboratory-based practicals and undertaking independent study. A combination of continuous assessment and end-of-trimester written examinations is used. Certain modules also involve project work.

Professional Work Experience (PWE)

A 16-week period of structured PWE takes place in third year and may be a combination of on farm, agri-business and research centre placements. PWE can be taken in Ireland or abroad.

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.

Professor Kevin McDonnell
e: kevin.mcdonnell@ucd.ie

UCD Agriculture & Food Science School Office
Agriculture & Food Science Centre
Belfield, Dublin 4

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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:
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

SDG1 SDG2 SDG3 SDG 12 SDG 13 SDG 15

Understanding of crop science is a key aspect of sustainable agricultural practices. Crops are pivotal in developing climate-smart agriculture through food security, nutrition and resources sustainability. Crops underpin both human and livestock production and hence the production of crops in a way that optimises the use of soil and water resources while supporting biodiversity and climate-smart agricultural practices is a fundamental aspect of crop science. This aligns with the vision of the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science as the crop teaching and research programmes work with the entire sector from pre and post-farm gate through the processing sector and into national and international companies. The crop science programme supports the development of strategies relating to UN Sustainable Development Goals:

  • No Poverty (SDG 1)
  • No Hunger (SDG 2)
  • Good Health and Well-Being (SDG 3)
  • Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12)
  • Climate Action (SDG 13)
  • Life on Land (SDG 15)

Growing up on a tillage farm in Co.Offaly agriculture was instilled in me from a young age. UCD was a great experience and I found the modules really interesting and applicable. In the first year you learn the basics of science and build on these fundamentals in later years. In third year I opted to do a student exchange with the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign where I took modules in the Department of Crop Science. There is also a placement element to the course in third year which can let you apply the skills you learned. I would recommend this course to anyone with an interest in agriculture.

Andrew Strong, Student

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.

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

ROWCLASS Apply to   Application Type  
showAudience-audienceInt UAS1
Agricultural Science
Bachelor of Agricultural Science
Full-Time
Commencing September 2024
Undergraduate Degree (Non EU)
Non EU Undergraduates
Closed
showAudience-audienceInt UAS1
Agricultural Science
Bachelor of Agricultural Science
Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
Undergraduate Degree (Non EU)
Non EU Undergraduates
Apply
showAudience-audienceEU DN250
Agricultural Science
Bachelor of Agricultural Science
Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
Application through CAO Apply via CAO
* you can change options at the top of the page

Additional special entry route(s) to Crop Science:

These options have additional eligibility requirements to cater for specific applicant cohorts. You should not apply via these routes before consulting the requirements or contacting the responsible UCD office.

ROWCLASS Apply to   Application Type  
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt UAS1
Agricultural Science
Bachelor of Agricultural Science
Full-Time

Commencing September 2025
Access Progression Pathway
Access Progression Pathway
Application to this Non-EU Access Progression Pathway is by invitation only. If you are not currently enrolled on an Access programme at UCD, your application will be marked as invalid.
If you are not a current Access student, but you are a non-EU applicant seeking admission to an undergraduate degree, please submit an application via the "Undergraduate Degree (Non-EU)" course type.
Apply