CPSC20020 Fundamentals of Arable Crop Production

Academic Year 2024/2025


This module is designed to give students an overview of the physiology and development of the main cereal crops grown in Ireland over the course of their life cycle using the BBCH scale. Factors affecting the development and growth of crops are also discussed. Students will be exposed to crop experimentation and trial design concepts.
Arable cropping systems and crop rotations in Europe are compared and contrasted with world cropping systems. Key practices and innovations in crop farming worldwide are introduced including GM crops and no-till agriculture. Intensive cropping systems are outlined with input : output details. An introduction to plant breeding and crop carbon footprints are also discussed.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module the student will be able to;
- Understand of the genetics associated with crop/plant breeding.
- Understand the different cropping techniques on a European and world level
- Discuss the details of intensive high input-high output crop production practices.
- Describe and discuss the development of cereal crops throughout the year.
- Discuss advances in technology for crop production practices
- Describe and discuss the factors that affect crop growth and yield.
- Understand the core aspects of crop trials and experimentation practices.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

22
Autonomous Student Learning

78
Total

100
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The approaches to teaching and learning in CPSC20020 include:
active/task-based & problem-based learning
lectures
reading of journal articles related to assignments
 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Exam (In-person): This end of semester exam will consist of written questions. Topics will include growth factors, crop agronomy, crop lifecycles, etc. n/a Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% Yes

50
Exam (In-person): An in-class MCQ style exam on materials covered during lectures n/a Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No

10
Assignment(Including Essay): An assignment will be covered in class which introduces the concept of experimentation and crop science.
A scientific report will be written on an experiment related to an aspect of crop production		 n/a Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No

40

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

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

There is the opportunity for student feedback in class for the written assignment prior to submission of the finalised version and individual feedback post-assessment will also be provided. Group feedback of the in-class MCQ will also be provided allowing students the opportunity to target specific areas for enhanced learning prior to the final exam.

Name Role
Eoghan Curran Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Gary Gillespie Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Cathal McCabe Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Tomás McCabe Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Mr Conor O'Flaherty Lecturer / Co-Lecturer