Explore UCD

UCD Home >

HORT40080

Academic Year 2025/2026

Research Project (HORT40080)

Subject:
Horticulture
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Agriculture & Food Science
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
15
Module Coordinator:
Dr Aisling Reilly
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

The research project is a key element of the Stage 4 curriculum. In this module students are supported to carry out a research project associated with a specific academic supervisor. In Autumn students select individual projects from a list provided by the module coordinator. They may suggest a project related to their own interests, subject to the approval of the module coordinator. Following consultation with the selected supervisor, the Module Coordinator assigns a project to a student. During the designated project period in Spring, students are expected to devote themselves fully to their projects (subject to other programme requirements). Students must familiarise themselves with the rules of the laboratory and with health and safety practices. Students will maintain regular contact with their supervisor, who will assist by reading and commenting on written work and will provide advice, and where necessary, constructive criticism.

On completion of the project, students submit a final year project thesis and present and defend their research to the class and staff via a PowerPoint presentation.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

During the module students will :
- Develop an ability to synthesise information
- Understand the importance of self motivation and application
- Understand and appreciate the importance of experimental design
- Develop organisational skills
- Develop problem-solving abilities
- Write a research report
- Design and present a Powerpoint presentation

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

300
Total

300

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Each student has the opportunity to undertake an individual research project, generally of their choice.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Thesis/Dissertation: FYP Powerpoint presentation of research, delivered in Research Seminar Week 11 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
10
 No
Thesis/Dissertation: FYP Work Report, graded by Primary Supervisor, records student work ethic, commitment to research, and how much support was required from supervisor(s) during project work. Week 15 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
15
 No
Thesis/Dissertation: FYP Thesis, graded by Primary Supervisor and a second reader. If warranted, a third reader will blind grade the thesis. Week 15 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
75
 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
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

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Students have an individual supervisor who will meet with the student on a regular basis to discuss each stage of their research project.

Name Role
Dr Caroline Elliott-Kingston Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Syed Bilal Hussain Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Aisling Reilly Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Noeleen Smyth Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Tony Twamley Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
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.