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. 

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.

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.

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.

There are opportunities to study abroad (Australia, Europe and the USA) in Stage 3 for one semester and to work abroad for your Professional Work Experience (Australia, Europe, New Zealand and the USA).

A range of opportunities exists, including:

• Animal feed industry


• Procurement, processing and marketing of animal products


• Education


• Consultancy


• Farming and enterprise management


• Journalism

Graduate research opportunities exist at Master’s and PhD levels.

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

In addition to the 55 credits of core modules, students must take elective modules amounting to 5 credits.

In addition to the 50 credits of core/option modules, students must take elective modules amounting to 10 credits.

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.

In addition to the 50 credits of core and option modules, students must take elective modules amounting to 10 credits.

Module ID	Module Title	Trimester	Credits
Stage 1 Core Modules
AESC10010	Land Use and the Environment	Autumn	5
CHEM00020	Introductory Chemistry	Autumn	5
MATH10230	Mathematics for Agriculture I	Autumn	5
PHYC10180	Physics for Ag. Science	Autumn	5
RDEV10020	Information Skills	Autumn	5
RDEV10030	Introduction to Agricultural Economics and Business	Autumn	5
ANSC10010	Introduction to Animal Science	Spring	5
BIOL10010	Animal Biology and Evolution	Spring	5
BIOL10030	Cell and Plant Biology	Spring	5
CHEM10010	Introduction to the Chemistry of Biomolecules	Spring	5
CPSC10010	Introduction to Crop Science	Spring	5
Stage 1 Core Modules
Stage 1 Options - A)MIN0OF: 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
RDEV10040	Introduction to Food and Agribusiness Management	Spring	5
Stage 1 Options - A)MIN0OF: These modules may expand your knowledge of the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of an elective in Trimester 2 - Spring.
Stage 2 Core Modules
AERD20030	Business Management	Autumn	5
AESC20060	Soil Science Basics	Autumn	5
FOR20100	Applied Biostatistics	Autumn	5
MICR20010	Agricultural Microbiology	Autumn	5
ANSC20010	Genetics and Biotechnology	Spring	5
ANSC20020	Animal Nutrition I	Spring	5
BSEN30020	Buildings and Environment	Spring	5
FDSC20100	Agricultural Biochemistry	Spring	5
RDEV20140	Health, Welfare & Safety in Agriculture	Spring	5
Stage 2 Core Modules
Stage 2 Options - 1 OF: Students must select one of the following 2 modules
HORT20070	Agricultural Botany	Autumn	5
CPSC20030	Principles of Crop Science	Spring	5
Stage 2 Options - 1 OF: Students must select one of the following 2 modules
Stage 2 Options - A)MIN0OF: 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
BSEN30170	Agricultural Mechanisation: Engines and Crop Machinery	Autumn	5
FDSC20010	Food Macronutrients	Autumn	5
AESC20050	Applied Zoology	Spring	5
CPSC20020	Fundamentals of Arable Crop Production	Spring	5
Stage 2 Options - A)MIN0OF: These modules may expand your knowledge of the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of electives
Stage 3 Core Modules
ANSC30010	Animal Reproduction	Autumn	5
ANSC30020	Animal Breeding I	Autumn	5
ANSC30030	Animal Genomics	Autumn	5
ANSC30040	Animal Nutrition II	Autumn	5
ANSC30170	Animal Physiology I	Autumn	5
ENVB30110	Food Microbiology	Autumn	5
ANSC30050	Experimental Design and Data Analysis	Spring	5
ANSC30070	Professional Work Experience	Spring	10
ANSC30150	Animal Physiology II	Spring	5
Stage 3 Core Modules
Stage 3 Options - A)MIN0OF: 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
BSEN30170	Agricultural Mechanisation: Engines and Crop Machinery	Autumn	5
CPSC30050	Organic Agriculture	Autumn	5
RDEV30380	Knowledge Tfr for Farm Innovat	Autumn	5
AESC30010	Scientific Writing and Review	Spring	5
AESC30160	Agrichemicals and the Environment	Spring	5
AESC30230	Climate, Carbon and Soil	Spring	5
ANSC30100	Applied Biotechnology	Spring	5
ANSC30340	Equine Reproduction and Breeding Management	Spring	5
Stage 3 Options - A)MIN0OF: These modules may expand your knowledge of the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of electives
Stage 4 Core Modules
AERD30190	Farm Business Management	Autumn	5
ANSC30120	Non-ruminant Animal Production (Swine & Poultry)	Autumn	5
ANSC30400	Beef Production	Autumn	5
ANSC30410	Dairy Production	Autumn	5
CPSC30040	Grass and Forage Production	Autumn	5
AERD30210	Food and Agricultural Policy	Spring	5
ANSC30130	Principles of Animal Health, Behaviour and Welfare	Spring	5
ANSC30390	Sheep Production	Spring	5
RDEV30060	Professional Communications	Spring	5
Stage 4 Core Modules
Stage 4 Options - A)MIN1OF: Students must select at least one module. Additional modules may be taken in place of electives
ANSC40010	Applied Animal Reproduction	Autumn	5
FDSC30150	Principles of Meat Science	Autumn	5
AESC40140	Agri-Environmental Nutrient Management	Spring	5
ANSC30380	Animal Science Industries	Spring	5
ANSC40040	Advanced Dairy Production	Spring	5
BSEN30020	Buildings and Environment	Spring	5
CPSC40040	Developments in Grassland	Spring	5
CPSC40050	Devs in Crop Production & Util	Spring	5
Stage 4 Options - A)MIN1OF: Students must select at least one module. Additional modules may be taken in place of electives

		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