The Agricultual Systems Technology programme(s) is aimed at students who wish to build their knowledge and skills-base to address the complexities of developing, deploying and managing technology for the agriculture sector. With a focus on design, numeracy and technology, our students are committed and engaged wtih agricultural production, and specifically technology to enhance efficiency, sustainablity and reliability. Technologies of interest range from computer systems, networks, data management and sensors through machinery systems to precision agriculture. Students will work both individually and in teams while studying modules in basic science, agricultural sciences, engineering technologies and data science delivered by internationally recognised research active academic staff to ensure the content addresses state-of-the-art technologies and innovation. While the major retains an emphasis on lectures and practicals, there is a significant use of problem solving, applications, online materials and work experience to support learning and to provide practical experience. The Agricultural Systems Technology major results in a level 8 BAgrSc (Hons) degree, that can lead directly to a career path or to Masters degrees in Agricultural Systems Technology, Environmental Technology or Sustianable Energy and Green Technologies. These allow students the flexibility to specialise with advanced programmes aligned to their specific interests.
- School
- School of Biosystems and Food Engineering
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Level
- Undergraduate
- NFQ Level
- Award
- Bachelor of Agricultural Science
- Mode of Delivery
- On Campus
- Programme Director
- Dr Sharon O'Rourke
- Overall Programme Credits:
- Programme Credits:
- Stage 1
Core/Option: 50 Electives: 10
Stage 2
Core/Option: 55 Electives: 5
Stage 3
Core/Option: 55 Electives: 5
Stage 4
Core/Option: 55 Electives: 5 - Major/Minor Core & Option Credits:
- Stage 1: 50
Stage 2: 55
Stage 3: 55
Stage 4: 55
Curricular information is subject to change.
This course is aimed at students who wish to build their knowledge and skills-base to address the complexities of developing, deploying and managing technology for the agriculture sector.
With a focus on design, numeracy and technology, our students will be committed and engaged with farming and food production, and specifically with technology, to enhance efficiency, sustainability and reliability.
Technologies of interest range from computer systems, networks, data management and sensors, through machinery systems to precision agriculture.
2 - Understand the scientific underpinning of technology for agriculture
3 - Understand and assess the full range of health & safety issues associated with work in a farm, factory or forest environment, and be able to use a range of field/laboratory/office/equipment in an efficient and safe way
4 - Manage sensors, data and information in the farm management environment
5 - Assess the role of, and potential for development, of technology for sustainable agricultural development
6 - Devise scientific investigations relevant to all aspects of agricultural systems technology, apply appropriate research methodologies, and interpret findings
7 - Devise and implement technical and technological strategies for optimum agricultural production
8 - Carry out holistic environmental assessment of agricultural production systems
9 - Evaluate agricultural machinery and energy systems and carry out sustainable farm systems management
10 - Evaluate and devise sensing technology for agricultural management
11 - Use a range of written and oral communication techniques and channels to interact effectively with all stakeholders
12 - Develop the ability to direct personal learning and understand the importance of engagement in life-long learning
A PWE placement takes place in third year and may be taken internationally.
There are opportunities to study abroad for one trimester in third year. Possibilities include:
- University of California, USA
- University of Queensland, Australia
- Michigan State University, USA
- Kansas State University, USA
- Purdue University, USA
Graduates will find rewarding and challenging employment in agri-food industries, including:
- Production Agriculture
- Environmental Protection
- Consulting
- Equipment Manufacturing
- Agri-Tech
Typical Roles Include Technical and Managerial Positions in:
- Production
- Service Provision
- Environmental Protection
- Information Technology
- Manufacturing
- Process & Product Design
There are also excellent graduate study opportunities to specialise in Environmental Technology, Food Engineering, Sustainable Energy and Green Technology.
Stage 1
In addition to the 50 credits of core and option modules, students must take elective modules amounting to 10 credits.
Stage 2
In addition to the 55 credits of core modules, students must complete 5 credits of elective modules.
Stage 3
In addition to the 55 credits of core modules, students must complete 5 credits of elective modules.
Stage 4
In addition to the 55 credits of core modules, students must complete 5 credits of elective modules.
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 Core Modules |
CHEM00020 | Introductory Chemistry | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
MATH10230 | Mathematics for Agriculture I | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
PHYC10180 | Physics for Ag. Science | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
RDEV10020 | Information Skills | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
RDEV10030 | Introduction to Agricultural Economics and Business | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
BIOL10010 | Animal Biology and Evolution | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
BIOL10030 | Cell and Plant Biology | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
CHEM10010 | Introduction to the Chemistry of Biomolecules | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
MATH10240 | Mathematics for Agriculture II | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of: Students must select an Autumn module |
AESC10010 | Land Use and the Environment | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of: Students must select an Autumn module |
FOR10020 | Trees and Forests in Ireland | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of: Students must select an Autumn module |
FDSC10010 | Food Diet and Health | Autumn and Spring (separate) | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of: Choose your electives from any available modules across UCD or, if you prefer something in Agriculture, these are available: |
FDSC10010 | Food Diet and Health | Autumn and Spring (separate) | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of: Choose your electives from any available modules across UCD or, if you prefer something in Agriculture, these are available: |
BSEN10010 | Biosystems Engineering Design Challenge | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of: Choose your electives from any available modules across UCD or, if you prefer something in Agriculture, these are available: |
CPSC10010 | Introduction to Crop Science | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of: Choose your electives from any available modules across UCD or, if you prefer something in Agriculture, these are available: |
HORT10020 | Plants and People | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of: Choose your electives from any available modules across UCD or, if you prefer something in Agriculture, these are available: |
RDEV10040 | Introduction to Food and Agribusiness Management | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
AESC20060 | Soil Science Basics | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
BSEN20060 | Food Physics | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
COMP10010 | Introduction to Programming I | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
FDSC20010 | Food Macronutrients | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
FOR20100 | Applied Biostatistics | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
MICR20010 | Agricultural Microbiology | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
ANSC10010 | Introduction to Animal Science | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
ANSC20020 | Animal Nutrition I | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
BSEN20150 | Agricultural Engineering Principles | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
CPSC20030 | Principles of Crop Science | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
RDEV20140 | Health, Welfare & Safety in Agriculture | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of: Choose your elective from any available modules across UCD that fit your term dates or, if you prefer something in Agriculture, this is available: |
CPSC20020 | Fundamentals of Arable Crop Production | Spring | 5 |
Stage 3 Core Modules |
BSEN30510 | Professional Work Experience | 2 Trimester duration (Spr-Sum) | 10 |
Stage 3 Core Modules |
AERD20030 | Business Management | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 3 Core Modules |
BSEN20170 | Applied Programming for Agricultural Technology | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 3 Core Modules |
BSEN30170 | Agricultural Mechanisation: Engines and Crop Machinery | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 3 Core Modules |
BSEN30190 | Agricultural Mechanisation: Hydraulics and components | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 3 Core Modules |
CPSC30040 | Grass and Forage Production | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 3 Core Modules |
FOR30430 | Geographic Information Systems | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 3 Core Modules |
BSEN20040 | Biosystems Engineering Research Trends | Spring | 5 |
Stage 3 Core Modules |
BSEN30520 | Sensors and Sensing Systems | Spring | 5 |
Stage 3 Core Modules |
BSEN30530 | Numerical Methods for Agricult | Spring | 5 |
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of: Choose your electives from any available modules across UCD that fit your term dates or, if you prefer something in Agriculture, these are available: |
AESC30230 | Climate, Carbon and Soil | Spring | 5 |
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of: Choose your electives from any available modules across UCD that fit your term dates or, if you prefer something in Agriculture, these are available: |
ANSC30050 | Experimental Design and Data Analysis | Spring | 5 |
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of: Choose your electives from any available modules across UCD that fit your term dates or, if you prefer something in Agriculture, these are available: |
FOR30070 | Forest Harvesting | Spring | 5 |
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of: Choose your electives from any available modules across UCD that fit your term dates or, if you prefer something in Agriculture, these are available: |
HORT30390 | Plant Biotechnology & Micropro | Spring | 5 |
Stage 4 Core Modules |
AERD30190 | Farm Business Management | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 4 Core Modules |
BSEN30240 | Waste Management | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 4 Core Modules |
BSEN30360 | Life Cycle Assessment | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 4 Core Modules |
BSEN40570 | Capstone Project 1 | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 4 Core Modules |
COMP20070 | Databases and Information Systems I | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 4 Core Modules |
BSEN30060 | Quantitative Risk Assessment for Human and Animal Health | Spring | 5 |
Stage 4 Core Modules |
BSEN30210 | Precision Agriculture | Spring | 5 |
Stage 4 Core Modules |
BSEN40510 | Precision Livestock Management | Spring | 5 |
Stage 4 Core Modules |
BSEN40520 | Optical Spectroscopy | Spring | 5 |
Stage 4 Core Modules |
BSEN40550 | Capstone Project 2 | Spring | 10 |
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 0 of: Choose your electives from any available modules across UCD or, if you prefer something in Agriculture, these are available: |
BSEN30280 | Water and Wastewater Engineering | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 0 of: Choose your electives from any available modules across UCD or, if you prefer something in Agriculture, these are available: |
BSEN30020 | Buildings and Environment | Spring | 5 |
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 0 of: Choose your electives from any available modules across UCD or, if you prefer something in Agriculture, these are available: |
BSEN30030 | Air Pollution | Spring | 5 |
Module Weighting Info
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 |