AESC30160 Agrichemicals and the Environment

Academic Year 2021/2022

This module provides an introduction to the use of agrichemicals for the control of pest, disease and weed problems in agricultural systems. Specific attention will be given to the use of: insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, preventative and therapeutic livestock products. The module stresses the environmental consequences of over-reliance on such inputs, procedures to regulate use and developments to integrate such use into environmentally sustainable production systems. Topics include the types, properties and modes of action of the products used, their formulation and methods of application. The module will stress the ecological problems and environmental hazards associated with use, including target resistance, food residues, non-target impacts, generation of secondary problems and accumulation in the wider environment. A brief overview of alternative, non-chemical control strategies - cultural, physical and biological - will also be given and the principles and concepts of the Integrated Management of crop and livestock production systems will be introduced. Places on this module are limited (50) due to constraints in relation to student project supervision. NOTE: THIS MODULE IS TAUGHT OVER 7-WEEKS.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:- Describe the nature and properties of pesticides and animal health products used in agriculture, the problems associated with their practical use and regulation of their development. - Explain the essential role of such inputs into crop and animal production systems.- Outline the wider ecological and environmental consequences of over-reliance and dependence on the use of agrichemicals to control pest problems.- Describe the value, and explain the principles, of alternative control methods and the wider aims of the Integrated Management of crop and livestock production systems.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

30
Autonomous Student Learning

70
Total

100
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures, student presentations and essay. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

NOTE: THIS IS A 7-week MODULE, AND IS ONLY SUITABLE FOR STUDENTS WHO CAN SIT AN END OF COURSE EXAM SCHEDULED IN SPRING (Mid-MARCH).


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Equivalents:
Agrichemicals and Environment (ERM30090)


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Essay: Student essay Week 7 n/a Graded No

20
Examination: End of course examination 2 hour End of Trimester Exam No Graded No

60
Presentation: Student group presentation Week 7 n/a Graded No

20

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Dr Daniel Hurley Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Tomás McCabe Lecturer / Co-Lecturer