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CPSC30010

Academic Year 2025/2026

Professional Work Experience (CPSC30010)

Subject:
Crop Science
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Agriculture & Food Science
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
30
Module Coordinator:
Dr Stafford Vigors
Credit Split by Trimester:
Autumn 0
Spring 30
Trimester:
2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
Yes
Module Type:
Professional/Work Placement Module
How will I be graded?
Distinction/Pass/Fail (GPA Neutral)

Curricular information is subject to change.

Students are expected to gain appropriate experience with animal and crop production enterprises across a perdiod of 30 weeks. Students should gain experience on pig, beef, sheep, dairy and tillage enterprises. Placements with approved agribusiness organisations (eg. co-operatives, financial institutions, environmental consultants, agricultural journalism etc.) and in Teagasc research and advisory centres are also encouraged. Experience may be gained in Ireland or abroad. The PWE programme may be adjusted to suit the requirements of individual students based on their prior experience, interest and aptitude. Students should gain an understanding of the day-day on farm activities while also understanding the key factors determining production efficiency and profitability. In addition students should gain an understanding of the wider context of agriculture in relation to sustainability.

Students must familiarise themselves with and abide by the PWE regulations as set out by the Agricultural Sciences Programme Board. Host contract completion is a mandatory requirement of the PWE programme. Therefore, each placement must have a finalised host contract in place (which has been signed by the host and received by UCD) before the placement is deemed to have commenced by UCD. Any placements (or parts thereof) completed in the absence of an appropriately completed host contract will not be accepted and are deemed null and void. Only in the most exceptional circumstances will any deviation from this requirement be permitted and this must have the agreement, in writing, of the PWE co-ordinator.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module each student should be able to: Collect, analyse and report the important information on a range of animal and crop enterprises and organizations. Describe the business organization/ farm and the responsibilities of key operatives in the enterprises/organizations on which they were located. Students should understand the factors that drive both production and economic efficiency.

In addition, depending on the nature of the individual PWE programme, students will have opportunities to develop important teamwork, interpersonal and self management transferable skills such as: Work independently in unfamiliar situations; Manage their time effectively; Work effectively as a team member and respect the views of others in the team; Accept and respond to constructive criticism; Account for their actions and decisions; Critically reflect on their experiences; Based on their contacts and experiences, be able to critically identify and develop potential sources of appropriate employment for their future career.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Placement/Work Experience

600
Total

600

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Students are expected to gain appropriate experience on approved farms with suitable animal and crop production enterprises. Placements with approved agribusiness organisations such as co-operatives, financial institutions, environmental consultants, agricultural journalism and in research and advisory centres are encouraged. Experience may be gained in Ireland or abroad. The programme may be adjusted to suit the requirements of individual students based on their prior experience, interest and aptitude, thus allowing students choices and preferences in their learning. The students choose their placements/ hosts, thus enabling students to take increasing responsibility for their learning. In addition students complete and sign a ‘student contract’ which in effect is a learning contract or 'learning agreements' and 'negotiable learning agreements'. The students do on average 6 different placements, national and international. Thus, it requires clear and concise planning in advance and from the outset. Students are assessed via monthly reflective journals, a detailed report of all placements and oral interview, this allows a grade to be not only awarded on technical ability but also their choice of placements, personal experience and development.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Pre-requisite:
RDEV20140 - Health, Welfare & Safety


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Monthly reports returned to module coordinator Week 1 Spring, Week 5 Spring, Week 9 Spring, Week 12 Spring Pass/Fail Grade Scale No
20
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Report submitted of each enterprise and non farm placement, submitted as one document at the of July Week 15 Spring Pass/Fail Grade Scale No
20
 No
Exam (In-person): Oral examination in person. All aspects of PWE can be assessed. Will take place at the beginning of August Week 15 Spring Pass/Fail Grade Scale No
60
 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Remediation Type Remediation Timing
Repeat (CFP) Within Three Semesters
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

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Students are given feedback on their planned programme in a face to face meeting during semester 1. Group/class feedback on their planned programme is given in preparatory sessions/classes during semester 1 While on placement, individual feedback maybe provided is it is deemed necessary by the module coordinator, this maybe through email, telephone or on site visit.

Name Role
Dr Cathal McCabe Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
2 Trimester (Sep-May) Lecture Offering 50 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Thurs 15:00 - 15:50
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