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AESC10010

Academic Year 2026/2027

Land Use and the Environment (AESC10010)

Subject:
Agricultural&Environmental Sci
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Agriculture & Food Science
Level:
1 (Introductory)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Helen Sheridan
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Within this module the key global environmental challenges are introduced and discussed. Their potential impacts on human populations over coming decades e.g. climate change, degradation of soil and water resources and loss of biodiversity, are explored. The evolution of the farmed landscape and the impacts of modern agricultural systems are discussed. The role of biodiversity in terms of facilitating ecosystem services that underpin agricultural production systems is discussed and the challenges that biodiversity loss presents are considered. Key policy and legislative initiatives (including the SDG's) that have implications for agricultural production systems and the agri-environment are outlined. Key examples of measures to enhance sustainability within agricultural systems are discussed.


About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:
1) Demonstrate an awareness of key global environmental issues and the factors that are giving rise to these.
2) Understand the main ways in which agricultural production systems have changed over time, particularly over the last 60 years.
3) Appreciate the importance reducing human impacts on the environment.
4) Understand the importance of biodiversity in agricultural production systems.
5) Demonstrate an awareness of key policy and legislative initiatives that impact on European agricultural production systems.

Indicative Module Content:

Key areas this module will focus on are:
Climate change
Biodiversity loss
Ecosystem service provision
Quantity and quality of water resources
Soil degradation
Land use
Enhancing the sustainability of resource use

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


Goal Name Description Coverage

End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture 3

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all 2

Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns 2

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts 3

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss 3
 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

20
Specified Learning Activities

30
Autonomous Student Learning

50
Total

100

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module will be delivered through a series of lectures.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (In-person): End of trimester MCQ examination (RDS Scheduled) examination End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
100
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Assoc Professor Barry John McMahon Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Paul Murphy Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Thurs 10:00 - 10:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Tues 10:00 - 10:50
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