Food & Agribusiness Management  (FAS1)

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 science and agricultural science subjects, and then develop a strong understanding of the Irish and international food systems with specialist modules in agribusiness. We value and therefore help our students to become active, autonomous learners and critical thinkers, with an ultimate aim of fostering lifelong learning, leadership, ethical behaviour 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 and computer work, case studies, group presentations and data 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 business 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 agricultural and environmental sciences, and evaluate their role in efficient agribusiness management and achieving desired sustainability 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 utilize 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 data analysis using modern statistical methods
12 - Understand core animal, crop production and environmental sciences, and evaluate their role in efficient farm management and achieving desired environmental objectives
13 - Develop and apply skills in quantitative analysis
14 - Understand core animal and crop production sciences, and evaluate their role in efficient farm management and achieving environmental objectives

Can't decide between business and science? Why not do a degree that combines both and develops your specific knowledge of Ireland's largest indigenous industry?

This programme combines business and economics with the technology and science of the agri-food sector. This is an important part of the Irish economy, accounting for about 8.4% of gross domestic product, 6.7 billion euro in exports and 9.5% of total employment.

The programme develops your skills and knowledge for managerial and professional careers in the food production and marketing chain and the businesses and organisations that serve it. This extends from supply of raw materials to agriculture, through farm production, to the processing and marketing of food products, including the many private and state organisations that serve the agri-food industry. Students will work on the most up-to-date computer and communications technology throughout the programme.

STAGE 1
Stage 1 introduces you to the world of food production and marketing and provides foundation material in food and agricultural economics, core sciences and analytical techniques.

STAGE 2
In Stage 2 you will build up your business knowledge with modules in Business Management, Finance and Marketing, as well as modules on Crop and Animal Production Systems.

STAGES 3 & 4
You will go on in Stages 3 and 4 to concentrate on:

- Human Resources Management
- Food Products Technologies
- Food Manufacturing Systems
- Computer Analysis
- Farm Business Management
- International Food Marketing
- Food & Agribusiness Strategy
- Food, Agricultural & Environmental Policy
- IT & E-Business

PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE
The Professional Work Experience programme of five months in the food and agribusiness industry or related sectors is an integral part of your degree programme and takes place in the spring / summer period of Stage 3.
This helps you build your skills, apply the knowledge you have learnt and in many cases can lead to employment following graduation.
As part of this programme, students may research and explore a range of international opportunities, which require approval by the Professional Work Experience Co-ordinator.

You will spend the second trimester of your third year working in the food and agribusiness industry in Ireland or abroad. This helps you apply the knowledge you have gained, and can lead directly to employment following graduation.

There are also opportunities to take a trimester abroad in third year. Possibilities include:

• Cornell University, USA
• University of California, USA
• Kansas State University, USA
• University of Queensland, Australia
• Purdue University, USA
• Lincoln University, New Zealand

Our graduates have an excellent  record of finding employment in various sectors, including:

• Food processing
• Food distribution and marketing
• Financial services
• Consultancy services
• Agri-food media
• Farm management

Popular graduate study programmes include: MSc and PhD by research; MSc in Marketing; MAgrSc in Agricultural Extension and Innovation and MSc in Food Business Strategy.

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

Stage 1

Autumn trimester: Students must take 30 credits of core modules.

Spring trimester: Students take 20 credits of core modules, choose one 5 credit option module and choose one 5 credit elective module.

Stage 2

Autumn trimester: Students take 20 credits of core modules, choose one 5 credit option module and one 5 credit elective module.

Spring trimester: Students take 20 credits of core modules, choose one 5 credit option module and one 5 credit elective module.

Stage 3

Autumn trimester: In addition to the 25 credits of core modules, students must take elective modules and/or Min 0 Option modules amounting to 5 credits.



Spring trimester: A period of Professional Work Experience is mandatory. The Professional Work Experience module is 30 credits.

Stage 4

In addition to the 55 credits of core modules, students must take elective modules amounting to 5 credits. It is recommended that students take their elective modules in Autumn to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits in each trimester.

See the UCD Assessment website for further details

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