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AESC30160

Academic Year 2025/2026

Agrichemicals and the Environment (AESC30160)

Subject:
Agricultural&Environmental Sci
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Agriculture & Food Science
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Simon Hodge
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

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.

About this Module

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.

Indicative Module Content:

- Introduction to agrichemicals
- Why do we still use agrichemicals?
- Limitations of agrichemicals
- Harm caused by agrichemicals
- Alternatives to chemical insecticides
- Agrichemicals in Irish cropping systems
- Agrichemicals and microorganisms
- Fertilisers and environmental harm
- National and EU agrichemical legislation
- Ecotoxicology

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 Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): A short essay on a topic related to the effects of agri-chemicals on non-target organisms (eg earthworms, pollinating insects, farmland birds, aquatic animals) Week 5 Graded No
20
 No
Exam (In-person): 2 hour in person exam. Questions will be short answer / short essay format.
 End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Graded No
60
 No
Group Work Assignment: Students will work in small groups to produce a short (approx 10-12 minutes) presentation on any topic related to the use of agri-chemicals and the wider ecological or human environment. Week 7 Graded No
20
 No

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 Simon Hodge Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Mohd Faheem Khan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Tomás McCabe Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 Fri 11:00 - 12:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 Wed 14:00 - 15:50
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