BSc in Sustainable Food Systems (DN261/FSS6)

As Programme Director I am delighted to bring to you this novel and exciting new programme Sustainable Food Systems. Experts within the School of Agriculture and Food Science along with guidance from industry stakeholders have designed the curriculum to develop your understanding and skill sets of how to produce safe, nutritious, and high-value food while also protecting and enhancing our natural resources and contributing to the rural and national economy. Future graduates with such skill sets will be needed to navigate the sectors sustainability (environmental, economic and social) challenges and opportunities and for Ireland to become a global leader of innovation for sustainable food and agriculture systems. This programme is unique in Ireland to UCD and offers students the opportunity to engage with and learn from leading experts in their fields. Industry engagement, professional work experience and study abroad opportunities create even greater opportunities for students to gain experience within the Irish and international Agri-Food sector. If you are interested in how we produce food sustainably from on farm production and agri-food policy to food processing and human nutrition then this programme is for you. 

Dr Zoe McKay 
Programme Director

Over the 4 years of the course students will study a range of modules which will develop skills in the basic sciences, food production, processing, packaging, food and agri-policy and the three pillars of sustainability (environment, economics and social). Students will also have opportunities to take option and elective modules.

First Year

Modules include:

• Introduction to Chemistry
• Information Skills
• Mathematics for Agriculture I
• Introduction to Sustainability
• Land Use and the Environment
• Introduction to Agricultural Economics and Business
• Animal Biology and Evolution
• Plants and People
• Introduction to Sustainable Food Systems
• Introduction to Animal Science
• Food Diet and Health II – Making Healthy Food Choices

Second Year

• Applied Biostatistics
• Food Systems – Industry
• Social science, food culture and traditions
• Soil Science Basics
• Genetics and Biotechnology
• Business Management
• Principles of Crop Science
• Sustainability Challenges and Solutions
• Forests, Climate and Carbon
• Health, Welfare & Safety in Agriculture
• Sustainable Animal Production

Third Year

• Environmental Data and Modelling
• The Circular Bioeconomy
• Knowledge Transfer for Farm Innovation
• Food Poverty and Policy
• Agri-Environmental Issues and Policy
• Professional Work Experience
• Agrichemicals and the Environment
• Climate, Carbon and Soil
• Scientific Writing and Review
• Sustainable food packaging and waste management

Final Year

• Life Cycle Assessment
• Developments in Food Systems
• Food Chain Integrity
• Dairy and Meat Products
• Precision Agriculture
• Agri-Environmental Nutrient Management

You can select to study abroad for one trimester in year three. There are 25 partner universities as part of the School’s Semester Abroad Programme including Universities such as:

• Lincoln University

• Massey University

• Michigan State University

• Purdue University

• University of California (UC Davis)

• University of Queensland

A 16-weeks period of structured professional work experience takes place in third year. Assisted by a dedicated lecturer, students arrange this industry placements themselves. This placement may be taken abroad if a suitable placement can be secured. The industry placement is an excellent opportunity get new experiences, make industry contacts, and put theory from classes to practical use.

Graduates may end up in roles such as:

• Sustainability managers
• Food policy analysts
• Sustainability advisers/consultants
• Related roles across the global Agri-Food industry and the public sector
• Semi-state or government agencies

Research opportunities to Master’s and PhD level are available.

Non-EU Undergraduate Fee information can be found here.

UCD offers a number of competitive undergraduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD undergraduate degree programme. For information on Undergraduate Scholarships, please see the UCD International Scholarships webpage.

Sustainable Food Systems highlights practices that conserve natural resources, reduce waste, support biodiversity, enhance resilience to climate change, and foster social equity. This vision of sustainability fits very closely with the expertise within the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science where the teaching and research programmes span the entire food chain, from on-farm food production to human nutrition and health, providing a diverse range of career opportunities for graduates in Ireland and internationally. The mission of the school is to develop and apply the science and scholarship of agriculture, food, environmental sciences, and rural development for the benefit of society through excellence in education, research, innovation and continuing professional development.

The Sustainable Food Systems Programme at UCD has been designed to develop knowledge of food production systems, policy, principles, practices, and technologies alongside developing students understanding of the three pillars of sustainability and the impacts on food production and consumption. In addition to this the programme relates to the relevant UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s): 

• No Poverty (SDG 1)
• No Hunger (SDG 2)
• Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12)
• Climate Action (SDG 13)
• Life Below Water (SDG 14)
• Life on Land (SDG 15)