The Animal and Crop Production (ACP) programme aims to provide students with a thorough knowledge and understanding of the animal and crop industries both nationally and globally from a social, economic, global and environmental perspective and that guarantees the production of safe food. We encourage our students to explain, evaluate, and effectively interpret theories, and assumptions in the animal and crop science area. We encourage our students to find, access, and critically evaluate information, and then be able to communicate effectively through writing, speech, and visual information. We do this by providing learning environments that integrate teaching, research, assessment and learning, individually and through group activities so as to develop leadership, critical and reflective practice, effective communication and inquiry skills. The diversity of learning environments (classroom, off campus practical’s – particuarly UCD Lyons Farm, field work, work placement) and methods 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 agricultural sector industry. The ACP programme aims to be an integral component in ensuring the continued success of both the Irish animal and crop industries. Through our curriculum and experiential opportunities, we aim to develop leadership ability, integrity, and curiosity in our students and an inquiry based learning approach is employed incorporating a diverse range of teaching and assessment methods such as case studies, group projects, project work and professional work placements.

1 - Describe core sciences including plant and animal biology, in order to demonstrate an in depth knowledge of growth, development and improvement of farm animals and crops.
2 - Demonstrate an understanding of the principles in animal production systems, crop production systems, animal and crop nutrition, grassland systems, soil science, plant pathology, agricultural economics, business and communications.
3 - Analyse the relationships between inputs and outputs in various agricultural fields to make effective and profitable decisions.
4 - Formulate animal and crop production systems that are economical, sustainable and profitable.
5 - Understand the animal and crop industries in Ireland and globally in a way that is welfare and environmentally friendly and guarantees the production of safe food.
6 - Explain the importance of sustainability in relation to animal and crop production systems from a social, economic, global and environmental perspective.
7 - Describe the fundamental principles relating to agricultural economics, farm business management, marketing of farm produce and understanding of supply chain dynamics.
8 - Demonstrate an understanding of and appreciation for the importance of the impact of globalization and diversity in modern agricultural organizations.
9 - Understand and analyze the current events and issues that are occurring in agriculture and how they may affect the future of agriculture, and have the capacity for lifelong learning so as to remain informed of such evolving technical, economical and regulatory frame works.
10 - Demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving skills as they apply to a variety of animal and/or plant production systems.
11 - Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, and an ability to work effectively with others.

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.

The Animal & Crop Production option within the BAgrSc degree provides you with a broad knowledge of agriculture relating to crops, animals and agribusiness. The objectives of this degree are to give you:

 - Knowledge of the growth, development and improvement of farm animals and crops

 - Knowledge of the agribusiness industry and the internal and external factors influencing it

 - The capacity to draw on this knowledge base to formulate animal and crop production systems that are economic and sustainable

 - The capacity for lifelong learning so as to remain knowledgeable of evolving technical, economic, policy and regulatory frameworks

 - Communication and technology skills that are applicable to many areas of professional employment

The Animal & Crop Production degree option is distinctive in that it develops an understanding of the science and business of crop and animal production and their interactions in an environment that is constantly changing due to technology, economics and social and agricultural policy.

STAGE 1
Stage 1 concentrates on the basic sciences and includes project work in which you explore areas of animal and crop production.

STAGES 2-4
You will take a number of modules, ranging from relevant applied sciences (such as Soil Science, Microbiology) to intensive study in the areas of Animal Husbandry, Crop Husbandry, Farm Business, Agricultural Policy and Communications, together with an opportunity for selection of elective subjects and project work. The animal and crop facilities at the UCD Lyons Research Farm are widely used as teaching aids in this degree option, particularly in the final stages of the programme. An extensive eight-month period of Professional Work Experience is undertaken from January of Stage 3.

PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE
Between January and September in Stage 3 you undertake a period of Professional Work Experience in Ireland or abroad. This is a central part of the programme and allows you to gain practical skills, which make a valuable contribution to your CV and can lead to employment offers following graduation.

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

Graduates are employed in a wide variety of areas, such as:

• Agribusiness


• Animal and crop industries


• Consultancy


• Semi-state or government agencies


• Financial services


• Print, radio and television media

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.

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. Option modules may be taken in place of electives.

In addition to the 50 credits of core modules, students must take elective modules amounting to 10 credits. Option modules may be taken in place of electives.

A period of Professional Work Experience is mandatory and must be completed in Stage 3.

In addition to the 50 credits of core modules, students must take elective modules amounting to 10 credits. Option modules may be taken in place of electives.

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 might expand your knowledge of the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of electives.
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 might expand your knowledge of the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of electives.
Stage 2 Core Modules
AESC20060	Soil Science Basics	Autumn	5
FOR20100	Applied Biostatistics	Autumn	5
HORT20070	Agricultural Botany	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
CPSC20020	Fundamentals of Arable Crop Production	Spring	5
FDSC20100	Agricultural Biochemistry	Spring	5
RDEV20140	Health, Welfare & Safety in Agriculture	Spring	5
Stage 2 Core Modules
Stage 2 Options - A)MIN0OF: The modules may expand your knowledge in the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of electives.
AERD20030	Business Management	Autumn	5
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
BSEN20150	Agricultural Engineering Principles	Spring	5
CPSC20030	Principles of Crop Science	Spring	5
CPSC20040	Physiological Plant Ecology	Spring	5
Stage 2 Options - A)MIN0OF: The modules may expand your knowledge in the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of electives.
Stage 3 Core Modules
CPSC30010	Professional Work Experience	2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)	30
AESC30100	Pests, Parasites and Beneficials	Autumn	5
AESC30220	Soil Science Applications	Autumn	5
ANSC30010	Animal Reproduction	Autumn	5
ANSC30020	Animal Breeding I	Autumn	5
ANSC30040	Animal Nutrition II	Autumn	5
BIOL30010	Plant Diseases: Biology and Control	Autumn	5
Stage 3 Core Modules
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
CPSC40010	Cereal Production	Autumn	5
AERD30210	Food and Agricultural Policy	Spring	5
ANSC30390	Sheep Production	Spring	5
CPSC30030	Root and Alternative Crop Production	Spring	5
RDEV30060	Professional Communications	Spring	5
Stage 4 Core Modules
Stage 4 Options - A)MIN0OF: These modules may expand your knowledge in the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of electives.
AESC40150	Wildlife Conservation	Autumn	5
AESC40660	Plants, Roots and Productivity	Autumn	5
ANSC40010	Applied Animal Reproduction	Autumn	5
BSEN40410	Food Chain Integrity	Autumn	5
CPSC30050	Organic Agriculture	Autumn	5
CPSC30100	Emerging Crop Pathogens	Autumn	5
RDEV30380	Knowledge Tfr for Farm Innovat	Autumn	5
AESC40140	Agri-Environmental Nutrient Management	Spring	5
ANSC30130	Principles of Animal Health, Behaviour and Welfare	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)MIN0OF: These modules may expand your knowledge in the Agri-Food sector and 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
BHAGR003	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