Explore UCD

UCD Home >

CPSC30030

Academic Year 2025/2026

Root and Alternative Crop Production (CPSC30030)

Subject:
Crop Science
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Agriculture & Food Science
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Gary Gillespie
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module is designed for students who already have some knowledge of crop production techniques. It specialises in aspects of the production and utilisation of a range crops such as potatoes, oilseed rape, and faba beans. This modules also covers non-traditional crops and discusses alternative crops for production in Ireland. Aspects of grain trading and crop insurance are introduced with a specific emphasis on their importance for Irish crop production. Students are also exposed to the Microsoft Excel software and how it can be used for on-farm management practices.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module the student should be able to:
- Discuss the production of oilseed rape crops and be able to understand key economic and agronomic factors affecting the profitability of the crop.
- Discuss the production of protein crops and be able to understand key economic and agronomic factors affecting the profitability of the crop.
- Discuss the production of potato crops and be able to understand key economic and agronomic factors affecting the profitability of the crop.
- Evaluate and make decisions re the future economic viability of new cropping options.
- Discuss alternative crops for future cropping patterns in Ireland and be able to make agronomic decisions for the successful establishment of these crops.
- Appreciate the factors underpinning the increasing interest in non-food crops at farm, industry and government level.
- Use Microsoft Excel for aiding with on-farm decisions relating to the nutrient requirements and profitability of farms.

Indicative Module Content:

- Oilseed rape production
- Faba bean and other protein crop production
- Potato production
-Grain trading
- Microsoft Excel
- Alternative, novel and niche cropping options

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

25
Autonomous Student Learning

70
Lectures

30
Total

125

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
In this module the following approaches are used:
1. face to face lectures;
2. active/task-based learning;
3. case-based learning;
4.critical writing.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

It is recommended that students should have completed first, second and thrid year modules before enrolling in this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Equivalents:
Root and Alternative Crop Prod (CPSC37030)


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Written assignment where students will review the literature of a topic related to an assigned alternative/novel crop or crop use Week 10 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
30
 No
Exam (In-person): Examination: The exam will take place in Blackrock in March - The date to be confirmed by Module Coordinator. End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
50
 Yes
Exam (Take-Home): Students will use the Microsoft Excel software to determine the amount of nutrients required for a farm based on agronomic information and the associated costs of providing these nutrients. Week 12 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
20
 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
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
Mr Andrew Doyle Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Gary Gillespie Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Mary Harty Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Cathal McCabe Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Tomás McCabe Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Kevin McDonnell 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 Mon 09:00 - 09:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 09:00 - 09:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 Wed 10:00 - 10:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 10:00 - 10:50
Print this page
Fill in the following details:
Enter the body of your query here.

From time to time UCD would like to send you further information that we feel, based on your enquiry, would be of interest to you.