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CPSC40040

Academic Year 2024/2025

Developments in Grassland (CPSC40040)

Subject:
Crop Science
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Agriculture & Food Science
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Zoe McKay
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
Module Type:
Fieldwork Module
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module is designed for students in ACP and Animal Science. It will examine in detail the production of grass with special reference to techniques that can improve the sustainability and efficiency of grazed grass. This module is designed to expand further on topics covered in Grass and Forage Production (CPSC 30040) and to introduce new topics dealing with advances in the understanding of grass and forage production and new developments in forage management. The new topics introduced will include knowledge transfer for grassland technologies, emerging grassland management technologies and alternatives to grass only swards. Each student will be required to submit a project on a case study farm in which the current grassland management regime will be described and a plan for the future will be constructed.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module, the student should be able to: 1) Have an advanced understanding of grass budgeting including the use of grassland management software. 2) Describe the most recent advances in the concepts and technologies associated with grassland management to improve the sustainability and efficiency of grazed grass. 3) Have an understanding of the challenges associated with the adaption of grassland management on-farm and the role knowledge transfer has to play. 4) Assess the alternative forage systems and detail the advantages and disadvantages of each system. 5) Have the ability to construct a detailed grassland management plan for a commercial farm.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

36
Autonomous Student Learning

48
Lectures

24
Total

108

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The module enables problem-solving and data interpretation, an example of which are the Pasturebase Ireland computer classes and exercises. This module combines lectures (40% content) with in-class group work, project, padlet (e-ideas board), computer laboratories (60% content) to learn how to use grassland management software. The students are assessed via continuous assessments and project grades. They receive feedback on their projects via the padlet tool both from their peers via a group peer review session and written individual feedback from the module coordinator. Thus, enabling more critical thinking for a stage 4 module. Artificial intelligence (AI) tools for example but not limited to, ChatGPT, are not permitted for use in this module.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Co-requisite:
CPSC30040 - Grass and Forage Production

Incompatibles:
ANSC30290 - Grassld Mgt & Appl Dairy Nutr


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (In-person): Continuous Assessment: Short answer style questions Week 5 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
25
 No
Exam (In-person): Continuous Assessment: Short answer style questions Week 10 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
25
 No
Individual Project: Project: Written project Week 12 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
50
 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, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Peer review activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feed back on continuous assessment 1 and 2 via grades and in class feedback post examination Peer review of project via a Padlet exercise Individual feedback on project via a Padlet exercise

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Field Trip Offering 1 Week(s) - 30 Fri 09:00 - 17:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 09:00 - 09:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 13:00 - 13:50
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