The Animal Science – Equine degree aims to produce knowledgeable, empowered and globally aware equine scientists capable of addressing broad equine industry concerns through critical discourse, enquiry, innovation and sound scientific principle. The programme aims to satisfy requirements of key stakeholders – students, staff and employers – through cognizance of and responsiveness to the international, national, institutional and discipline specific influences that continuously shape the equine curriculum. Graduates will be equipped to pursue successful careers in both the equine industry and other relevant domains as the graduate attributes gained will be equally relevant in multiple work environments, as specialist expertise as well as broad transferable life skills are emphasized. A variety of teaching and learning strategies are used to promote personal and professional development through fostering critical and practical thinking, problem identification and management and communication skills. Emphasis is placed on understanding and applying scientific principles to address animal husbandry concerns. Active learning is promoted through group projects, problem based learning, class discussion, investigation and experimentation. Student performance is assessed using a range of methods, including continuous class evaluation, written & project assignments and end of semester examinations. This is in addition to a strong emphasis on autonomous student learning via individual project work, reflective reports, assigned readings and the traditional lecture format of teaching. Experiential learning is facilitated by the real-world experiences associated with industry work placement, stud farm visits and incorporation of trips to UCD’s Lyons Research Farm. Innovative teaching technologies such as webinars and podcasts and visits from equine professors at international institutions are employed to promote cultural awareness and appreciation of global perspectives within the equine industry, supporting the integration of knowledge, skills and attitudes. 

1 - Demonstrate an ability to independently think, learn, reflect and adapt to changes in the global equine environment by identifying problems and creating solutions
2 - Demonstrate a broad knowledge of scientific principles and methodologies underpinning animal science research and husbandry
3 - Demonstrate an increased breadth and depth of knowledge and skills in the field of equine science, particularly equine genomics, exercise physiology and reproduction
4 - Utilise ability to collect, analyse and evaluate information in order to create new knowledge and understanding within the equine industry
5 - Interpret equine management and reproduction systems to meet economic targets while simultaneously achieving animal welfare objectives
6 - Understand and appreciate the importance of the impact of globalization and diversity in equine manangement systems for control of equine disease
7 - Describe animal production systems and how equine production can be integrated and managed within the larger agri-food industry in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way
8 - Use knowledge of scientific methods to devise, analyse, interpret and report on scientific investigations relevant to the equine industry
9 - Communicate effectively in oral and written form and interact professionally with people of different cultures and disciplines

If you are keen on pursuing a qualification in animal science that focuses on equine studies, then this degree programme is for you.

Animal Science - Equine is an exciting degree programme offering modules which focus on applied sciences that underpin animal and veterinary biosciences, with a particular emphasis on the horse. The programme comprises modules in Equine Anatomy and Physiology of Exercise, Equine Genetics, Reproduction and Breeding Management, Equine Industries, Equine Health and Husbandry, Genetics and Biotechnology, Principles of Animal Science, Principles of Animal Health, Behaviour and Welfare, Animal Nutrition, Animal Physiology as well as Business Management, Financial Planning and Control and Operations and Personnel Management. Strong research programmes in equine science support teaching in Animal Science - Equine.

Students will contribute to regular tutorial sessions, work on research projects and participate in field visits to relevant industry sites. The degree is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide professional leadership and technical support for the dynamic equine industry.

In particular, the objectives of this degree programme are to give you knowledge on:

- The growth and development of farm animals, how they function and their behaviour and welfare, with emphasis on the equine species

- How the various components of the equine industry are integrated and managed

- The equine industry in Ireland, the context in which it operates and its relationship to animal industries in Europe and worldwide

- Equine health, husbandry, genetics, breeding, nutrition and exercise physiology

Stage 1 concentrates on the basic sciences that form a necessary foundation for the modules that will come in subsequent stages. In the following stages you will take a wide variety of modules covering areas such as:
- Genetics and Biotechnology
- Animal Nutrition
- Animal Breeding and Reproduction
- Equine Industries
- Equine Health and Husbandry
- Equine Anatomy and Physiology of Exercise
- Equine Genetics, Reproduction and Breeding Management
- Farm Business Management
- Operations and Personnel Management

UCD's Research Farm at Lyons Estate provides modern teaching facilities and well-equipped laboratories where you will carry out practicals relating to several of your core modules on aspects of animal nutrition, reproduction and general husbandry.

PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE
A five-month Professional Work Experience placement is an integral component of your degree programme and will normally take place following the spring break in Stage 3. This will give you the opportunity to work in the equine industry either at home or abroad and is aimed at allowing students to put into practice what they have learned in the first three years of the degree. It also provides a strong foundation for the modules you will take in Stage 4.

You may apply to study abroad for either a semester or a year through the Erasmus programme or on a non-EU exchange. UCD has over 200 Erasmus partners in Europe and an increasing number of non-EU exchange agreements with universities in the USA, Canada, Australia, Japan and elsewhere. Click here for more information (link to Erasmus programme in International Office)

Please visit the Erasmus section by clicking on the International Office link at the top of this page.

In addition to the career opportunities available to Animal Science graduates, Animal Science – Equine graduates are equipped to pursue careers in:

• Equine enterprise management


• Equine leisure, recreation and tourism activities


• Equestrian marketing and sales enterprises


• Sports journalism


• Academic teaching

You  can pursue equine science research and development careers, and Master’s and PhD opportunities in Europe and the US.

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 modules, students must take 10 credits of elective modules.

Students are required to take 60 credits in total. In addition to the 50 or 55 credits of core modules (depending on whether ANSC30220 Equine Health and Husbandry is offered in that year), students must take the remaining 5 or10 credits of elective modules. A period of Professional Work Experience is mandatory and must be undertaken in Stage 3.

Students are required to take 60 credits in total.In addition to the 45 credits of core modules (depending on whether ANSC30220 Equine Health and Husbandry is offered in that year), students must take 15 credits of elective modules. Alternatively, some or all of the 15 credits maybe selected from the additional options listed below.

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: The 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: The modules might expand your knowledge of the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of electives.
Stage 2 Core Modules
AERD20030	Business Management	Autumn	5
AESC20060	Soil Science Basics	Autumn	5
ANSC30210	Equine Industries	Autumn	5
FDSC20010	Food Macronutrients	Autumn	5
FOR20100	Applied Biostatistics	Autumn	5
MICR20010	Agricultural Microbiology	Autumn	5
ANSC20010	Genetics and Biotechnology	Spring	5
ANSC20020	Animal Nutrition I	Spring	5
FDSC20100	Agricultural Biochemistry	Spring	5
RDEV20140	Health, Welfare & Safety in Agriculture	Spring	5
Stage 2 Core 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
FDSC20240	Professional Skills Developmen	Autumn	5
AESC20050	Applied Zoology	Spring	5
BSEN30020	Buildings and Environment	Spring	5
CPSC20020	Fundamentals of Arable Crop Production	Spring	5
CPSC20030	Principles of Crop Science	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
AESC30080	Agri-Environmental Issues and Policy	Autumn	5
ANSC30010	Animal Reproduction	Autumn	5
ANSC30020	Animal Breeding I	Autumn	5
ANSC30030	Animal Genomics	Autumn	5
ANSC30170	Animal Physiology I	Autumn	5
ANSC30220	Equine Health and Husbandry	Autumn	5
AESC30010	Scientific Writing and Review	Spring	5
ANSC30150	Animal Physiology II	Spring	5
ANSC30230	Professional Work Experience	Spring	10
ANSC30340	Equine Reproduction and Breeding Management	Spring	5
Stage 3 Core Modules
Stage 3 Options - A)MIN0OF: These modules may expand your knowledge in the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of electives.
BSEN40410	Food Chain Integrity	Autumn	5
RDEV30380	Knowledge Tfr for Farm Innovat	Autumn	5
LANG10170	French General Purposes 1 (CEFR A1.1)	Autumn and Spring (separate)	5
LANG10230	Spanish General Purposes 1 (CEFR A1.1)	Autumn and Spring (separate)	5
ANSC30100	Applied Biotechnology	Spring	5
Stage 3 Options - A)MIN0OF: These modules may expand your knowledge in the Agri-Food sector and may be taken in place of electives.
Stage 4 Core Modules
AERD30190	Farm Business Management	Autumn	5
ANSC30220	Equine Health and Husbandry	Autumn	5
ANSC30250	Equine Genetics	Autumn	5
CPSC30040	Grass and Forage Production	Autumn	5
AERD30210	Food and Agricultural Policy	Spring	5
ANSC30050	Experimental Design and Data Analysis	Spring	5
ANSC30130	Principles of Animal Health, Behaviour and Welfare	Spring	5
ANSC30350	Equine Nutrition	Spring	5
RDEV30060	Professional Communications	Spring	5
Stage 4 Core Modules
Stage 4 Options - A)MIN0OF: It is highly recommended that students choose the Equine Science Project as their elective choice in the Spring trimester. These modules may be taken in place of electives.
AESC40150	Wildlife Conservation	Autumn	5
RDEV30380	Knowledge Tfr for Farm Innovat	Autumn	5
AESC30230	Climate, Carbon and Soil	Spring	5
ANSC30100	Applied Biotechnology	Spring	5
ANSC30380	Animal Science Industries	Spring	5
ANSC40090	Equine Science Project	Spring	5
CPSC40040	Developments in Grassland	Spring	5
Stage 4 Options - A)MIN0OF: It is highly recommended that students choose the Equine Science Project as their elective choice in the Spring trimester. These 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