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 agricultural science subjects, and then develop a keen understanding of the Irish and international food systems with specialist agribusiness and finance modules. We value and therefore help our students to become active, autonomous learners and critical thinkers, with an ultimate aim of fostering professional development, leadership 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 work, business case studies, group work and policy 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 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 animal, crop production and environmental sciences, and evaluate their role in efficient farm management and achieving desired environmental 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 quantitative analysis
12 - 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.

There are opportunities to take a semester abroad in Stage 3 in one of our global exchange universities in Australia, Europe or the USA.

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

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.

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.

Autumn trimester: In addition to the 20 credits of core modules, students must take elective modules and/or Min 0 Option modules amounting to 10 credits.

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

In addition to the 55 credits of core modules, students must take elective modules amounting to 5 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
BIOL10010	Animal Biology and Evolution	Spring	5
BIOL10030	Cell and Plant Biology	Spring	5
CHEM10010	Introduction to the Chemistry of Biomolecules	Spring	5
RDEV10040	Introduction to Food and Agribusiness Management	Spring	5
Stage 1 Core Modules
Stage 1 Options - A)1OF: Choose one option module.
FDSC10010	Food Diet and Health	Autumn and Spring (separate)	5
ANSC10010	Introduction to Animal Science	Spring	5
Stage 1 Options - A)1OF: Choose one option module.
Stage 1 Options - B)MIN0OF: The following modules are closely related to your programme and may be taken instead of an elective worth 5 credits
BSEN10010	Biosystems Engineering Design Challenge	Spring	5
CPSC10010	Introduction to Crop Science	Spring	5
HORT10020	Plants and People	Spring	5
Stage 1 Options - B)MIN0OF: The following modules are closely related to your programme and may be taken instead of an elective worth 5 credits
Stage 2 Core Modules
AERD20030	Business Management	Autumn	5
FDSC20010	Food Macronutrients	Autumn	5
FOR20100	Applied Biostatistics	Autumn	5
MICR20010	Agricultural Microbiology	Autumn	5
AERD20020	Business Law	Spring	5
CPSC20030	Principles of Crop Science	Spring	5
RDEV20030	Applied Economic Analysis	Spring	5
RDEV20140	Health, Welfare & Safety in Agriculture	Spring	5
Stage 2 Core Modules
Stage 2 Options - A)1OF: Choose one option module for autumn trimester.
AESC20060	Soil Science Basics	Autumn	5
AESC30110	Diversity in the Rural Landscape	Autumn	5
Stage 2 Options - A)1OF: Choose one option module for autumn trimester.
Stage 2 Options - B)1OF: Choose one option module for spring trimester.
FDSC20110	Food Diet and Health II - Making Healthy Food Choices	Autumn and Spring (separate)	5
ANSC20020	Animal Nutrition I	Spring	5
Stage 2 Options - B)1OF: Choose one option module for spring trimester.
Stage 2 Options - C)MIN0OF: The following modules are closely related to your programme and may be taken instead of electives worth 10 credits.
CPSC30050	Organic Agriculture	Autumn	5
ANSC20010	Genetics and Biotechnology	Spring	5
Stage 2 Options - C)MIN0OF: The following modules are closely related to your programme and may be taken instead of electives worth 10 credits.
Stage 3 Core Modules
AERD30180	Professional Work Experience	2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)	30
AERD30050	Financial Planning and Control	Autumn	5
AERD30200	Statistics and Econometrics	Autumn	5
BSEN40410	Food Chain Integrity	Autumn	5
FDSC30150	Principles of Meat Science	Autumn	5
Stage 3 Core Modules
Stage 3 Options - A)MIN0OF: The following modules are closely related to your programme and may be taken instead of an elective worth 5 credits
AESC30080	Agri-Environmental Issues and Policy	Autumn	5
RDEV30160	Food Poverty and Policy	Autumn	5
RDEV30380	Knowledge Tfr for Farm Innovat	Autumn	5
Stage 3 Options - A)MIN0OF: The following modules are closely related to your programme and may be taken instead of an elective worth 5 credits
Stage 4 Core Modules
RDEV40670	Food & Agribusiness Research Project	2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)	10
AERD30190	Farm Business Management	Autumn	5
AERD40020	International Food Marketing	Autumn	5
AERD40180	Enterprise Development	Autumn	5
RDEV30040	Information Technology and E-Business	Autumn	5
AERD30030	Agri-Environmental Economics and Policy	Spring	5
AERD30210	Food and Agricultural Policy	Spring	5
AERD30220	Agri-Taxation	Spring	5
AERD40040	Food and Agribusiness Strategy	Spring	5
RDEV30060	Professional Communications	Spring	5
Stage 4 Core Modules
Stage 4 Options - A)MIN0OF: The following modules are closely related to your programme and may be taken instead of an elective worth 5 credits
AERD40140	Analysis of Prices and Markets in Global Agri-Business	Autumn	5
ANSC30020	Animal Breeding I	Autumn	5
CPSC30050	Organic Agriculture	Autumn	5
RDEV30160	Food Poverty and Policy	Autumn	5
RDEV30380	Knowledge Tfr for Farm Innovat	Autumn	5
Stage 4 Options - A)MIN0OF: The following modules are closely related to your programme and may be taken instead of an elective worth 5 credits

		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