This course is available through the following application route(s)
The Graduate Certificate in Animal Science is suitable for students who wish to undertake advanced studies in a specific component of animal science in pursuit of upskilling and career development in the livestock sector. This unique postgraduate programme was designed after comprehensive consultation with leading stakeholders including animal nutrition and health industries. As a component of the suite of options available for the MSc, this new certificate also aims to equip graduates with cutting edge skills and position them for progression to leadership roles in a dynamic and critically important sector of the global economy.
This innovative programme enables students to focus their studies on specific aspects of animal science including genetics & genomics, reproduction, nutrition and health. For those with an enquiring mind, a deeper understanding of scientific principles relevant to solving issues currently limiting system sustainability will be reflected in new modules developed for this MSc, including immunobiology, sustainable livestock and global food systems.
Graduates of this programme will acquire the following skills in their chosen subject areas:
A spectrum of understanding of core foundational principles in Animal Science including the latest developments in each discipline.
An understanding of the current and future challenges of animal production enterprises and how research is meeting these challenges.
The ability to comprehensively synthesize and articulate the role of education, strategic and applied aspects of agriculture in identifying the solutions for the Agri-food systems of tomorrow.
The ability to apply animal science knowledge (e.g. Nutrition, Genetics, Reproduction and Health) for the sustainable production of livestock in a welfare-friendly and ethically responsible manner.
The capacity to demonstrate and apply a foundation knowledge of how cutting-edge developments in Animal Science ensure a safe food supply for consumers.
Knowledge on how to employ a range of media to effectively communicate with the multiple and diverse stakeholders in the Irish and International Agri-food sector.
The ability to apply relevant scientific evidence and other knowledge, to positively affect policy, regulation and public health relating to animal production systems.
The self-actualisation skills to occupy leadership positions and to take active roles in societal discussions surrounding sustainable animal production systems.
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 Options - A)20CR: Animal Science modules Students will need to complete 20 credits from this block. Please refer to the Animal Science Programme handbook for further information, |
ANSC40270 | Advanced animal reproduction | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)20CR: Animal Science modules Students will need to complete 20 credits from this block. Please refer to the Animal Science Programme handbook for further information, |
ANSC40280 | Advanced animal nutrition | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)20CR: Animal Science modules Students will need to complete 20 credits from this block. Please refer to the Animal Science Programme handbook for further information, |
ANSC40290 | Sustainable livestock systems | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)20CR: Animal Science modules Students will need to complete 20 credits from this block. Please refer to the Animal Science Programme handbook for further information, |
ANSC40300 | Livestock infection, immunity and One Health | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)20CR: Animal Science modules Students will need to complete 20 credits from this block. Please refer to the Animal Science Programme handbook for further information, |
ANSC40310 | Animal Genomics and Quantitative Genetics | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - A)20CR: Animal Science modules Students will need to complete 20 credits from this block. Please refer to the Animal Science Programme handbook for further information, |
ANSC40320 | Global Food Systems | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B)10CR: Associated and Transferrable Skills modules Students will need to complete 10 credits from this block. Please refer to the Animal Science Programme handbook for further information, |
ANSC40350 | Animal Welfare & Society | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B)10CR: Associated and Transferrable Skills modules Students will need to complete 10 credits from this block. Please refer to the Animal Science Programme handbook for further information, |
ENVB40370 | Data Analyses & Interpretation (On-line) | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B)10CR: Associated and Transferrable Skills modules Students will need to complete 10 credits from this block. Please refer to the Animal Science Programme handbook for further information, |
STAT40730 | Data Programming with R (Online) | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B)10CR: Associated and Transferrable Skills modules Students will need to complete 10 credits from this block. Please refer to the Animal Science Programme handbook for further information, |
IA20160 | Creative Thinking & Innovation (Online) | Autumn&Spring&Summer(separate) | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B)10CR: Associated and Transferrable Skills modules Students will need to complete 10 credits from this block. Please refer to the Animal Science Programme handbook for further information, |
SCI50020 | Research Integrity Online | Autumn&Spring&Summer(separate) | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B)10CR: Associated and Transferrable Skills modules Students will need to complete 10 credits from this block. Please refer to the Animal Science Programme handbook for further information, |
VET40460 | TEARAP | Autumn&Spring&Summer(separate) | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B)10CR: Associated and Transferrable Skills modules Students will need to complete 10 credits from this block. Please refer to the Animal Science Programme handbook for further information, |
ANSC40360 | Equine Reproduction&Fertility | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B)10CR: Associated and Transferrable Skills modules Students will need to complete 10 credits from this block. Please refer to the Animal Science Programme handbook for further information, |
FDSC40890 | Animal Foods | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B)10CR: Associated and Transferrable Skills modules Students will need to complete 10 credits from this block. Please refer to the Animal Science Programme handbook for further information, |
HNUT40110 | Food Quality and Safety (O/L) | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B)10CR: Associated and Transferrable Skills modules Students will need to complete 10 credits from this block. Please refer to the Animal Science Programme handbook for further information, |
ANSC40340 | Commun & Agri-Innovation | Summer | 10 |
Full Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: Yes
General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Graduate Certificate Animal Science FT:
| ROWCLASS | Apply to |
|---|---|
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | D084 Graduate Certificate Animal Science FT Graduate Certificate Full-Time Commencing September 2026 Graduate Taught |