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Food & Agribusiness Management  (FAS2)

BAgrSc (NFQ Level 8) · Academic Year 2024/2025
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
Dr David Stead
Overall Programme Credits:
180
Programme Credits:
Stage 2
Core/Option: 50 Electives: 10
Stage 3
Core/Option: 55 Electives: 5
Stage 4
Core/Option: 55 Electives: 5
Major/Minor Core & Option Credits:
Stage 2: 50
Stage 3: 55
Stage 4: 50

Curricular information is subject to change.

UCD’s Food and Agribusiness Management programme aims to provide graduates with the necessary combination of skills in business and science required for managerial and professional careers in the food production and marketing chain, and the businesses and organisations that support it. Our students initially study core agricultural science subjects, and then develop a keen understanding of the Irish and international food systems with specialist agribusiness and finance modules. We value and therefore help our students to become active, autonomous learners and critical thinkers, with an ultimate aim of fostering professional development, leadership and entrepreneurial spirit. A variety of supportive but challenging learning environments are provided, where we aspire to integrate best practice teaching with insights from the latest research in the agri-food sector. To achieve the programme’s aims, an inquiry based learning approach is employed incorporating a diverse range of teaching and assessment strategies such as traditional lectures and tutorials, project work, business case studies, group work and policy analysis. A 30 week professional work experience placement in Ireland or abroad gives our students first hand experience of employment in the food and agribusiness sector. Our students should flourish both as individuals and team players, developing the mix of knowledge and skills required for a successful career in the agri-food industry, from principles of farm management and economic analysis to effective communication and time management.


1 - Describe the core principles of economics, business and financial management, and how these apply to farming, food production and marketing
2 - Apply economic, business and financial analysis to support decision making in the agri-food industry, and effectively communicate the results
3 - Develop agribusiness strategies and prepare business and marketing plans
4 - Explain key agricultural, food and environmental policies, and analyse their effects on the food system, the wider rural economy and the natural environment
5 - Understand core animal and crop production sciences, and evaluate their role in efficient farm management and achieving environmental objectives
6 - Describe basic food sciences including food quality and safety assurance, and assess their role in production and processing systems
7 - Analyse and evaluate food supply chains and agricultural markets
8 - Interface between the technical, scientific and commercial aspects of production, processing and marketing within the agri-food sector
9 - Develop and utilise a wide range of generic skills useful in further career development through specific class exercises, professional work experience and project work
10 - Demonstrate research, critical thinking and problem solving skills as they apply to the food and agribusiness sector
11 - Develop and apply skills in quantitative analysis

Stage 2

Autumn trimester: Students take 25 credits of core modules and choose one 5 credit option module.

Spring trimester: Students take 15 credits of core modules, choose one 5 credit option module and 10 credits of elective modules.

Stage 3

Autumn trimester: In addition to the 20 credits of core modules, students must take elective modules and/or Min 0 Option modules amounting to 10 credits.

Spring trimester: A 30 credit mandatory Professional Work Experience module must be undertaken in Stage 3.

Stage 4

In addition to the 50 credits of core modules, students must take elective modules amounting to 10 credits. It is recommended that students take their elective modules in Autumn to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits in each trimester.

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 2 Core Modules
AERD20030 Business Management Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
CHEM00020 Introductory Chemistry Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
FOR20100 Applied Biostatistics Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
MICR20010 Agricultural Microbiology Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
RDEV10030 Introduction to Agricultural Economics and Business Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
CPSC20030 Principles of Crop Science Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
RDEV20030 Applied Economic Analysis Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
RDEV20140 Health, Welfare & Safety in Agriculture Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A)1 of:
Choose one option module for Autumn trimester.
AESC20060 Soil Science Basics Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A)1 of:
Choose one option module for Autumn trimester.
AESC30110 Diversity in the Rural Landscape Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - B)1 of:
Choose one option module for Spring trimester.
FDSC20110 Food Diet and Health II - Making Healthy Food Choices Autumn and Spring (separate)  5
Stage 2 Options - B)1 of:
Choose one option module for Spring trimester.
ANSC20020 Animal Nutrition I Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - C) Min 0 of:
The following modules are closely related to your programme and may be taken in place of electives.
CPSC30050 Organic Agriculture Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - C) Min 0 of:
The following modules are closely related to your programme and may be taken in place of electives.
ANSC20010 Genetics and Biotechnology Spring  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
AERD30180 Professional Work Experience 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)  30
Stage 3 Core Modules
AERD30050 Financial Planning and Control Autumn  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
AERD30200 Statistics and Econometrics Autumn  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
BSEN40410 Food Chain Integrity Autumn  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
FDSC30150 Principles of Meat Science Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of:
The following modules are closely related to your programme and may be taken instead of an elective worth 5 credits
AESC30080 Agri-Environmental Issues and Policy Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of:
The following modules are closely related to your programme and may be taken instead of an elective worth 5 credits
RDEV30160 Food Poverty and Policy Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of:
The following modules are closely related to your programme and may be taken instead of an elective worth 5 credits
RDEV30380 Knowledge Tfr for Farm Innovat Autumn  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
RDEV40670 Food & Agribusiness Research Project 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)  10
Stage 4 Core Modules
AERD30190 Farm Business Management Autumn  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
AERD40020 International Food Marketing Autumn  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
AERD40180 Enterprise Development Autumn  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
AERD30210 Food and Agricultural Policy Spring  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
AERD30220 Agri-Taxation Spring  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
AERD40040 Food and Agribusiness Strategy Spring  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
AERD40190 Agri-Environmental Economics and Policy Spring  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
RDEV30060 Professional Communications Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 0 of:
The following modules are closely related to your programme and may be taken in place of electives.
AERD40140 Analysis of Prices and Markets in Global Agri-Business Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 0 of:
The following modules are closely related to your programme and may be taken in place of electives.
ANSC30020 Animal Breeding I Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 0 of:
The following modules are closely related to your programme and may be taken in place of electives.
CPSC30050 Organic Agriculture Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 0 of:
The following modules are closely related to your programme and may be taken in place of electives.
RDEV30160 Food Poverty and Policy Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 0 of:
The following modules are closely related to your programme and may be taken in place of electives.
RDEV30380 Knowledge Tfr for Farm Innovat Autumn  5

See the UCD Assessment website for further details

Module Weighting Info
 
  Award GPA
Programme Module Weightings Rule Description Description >= <=
BHAGR007 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