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PHYC10180

Academic Year 2026/2027

Physics for Ag. Science (PHYC10180)

Subject:
Physics
College:
Science
School:
Physics
Level:
1 (Introductory)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Patrick Hayden
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This is a first year module for Agricultural Science students that focuses on the basic principles of the physical world and their applications. The topics typically include kinematics in one dimension, Motion and Newton’s Laws, Work, Power and Energy, Pressure, Surface Tension, Viscosity, Heat, Temperature, Mechanism of Heat Transfer, Electric forces and Fields, Electric Current. The overarching theme of the module is safety.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to: (1) Explain the topics covered in the physical world including, for example, mechanics, fluids, electricity, heat and heat transfer (2) Use the equations to solve a wide range of problems (3) Apply the topics in the physical world to examples in Agriculture. (4) Estimate physical quantities and calculate these quantities in a range of units used in practice. (5) Relate physics to particular safety issues in the professional area relatyed to their chosen area of study.

Indicative Module Content:

The topics include kinematics in one dimension, Motion and Newton’s Laws, Work, Power and Energy, Pressure, Surface Tension, Viscosity, Heat, Temperature, Mechanism of Heat Transfer, Electric forces and Fields, Electric Current. The overarching theme of the module is safety.

UNESCO highlights a set of key competencies that support individuals in their development and support society in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UCD has adapted these competencies and is combining them with others to form a general framework of learning competencies. This module will help you develop the competencies below to the levels specified. 
Learning Competency Additional Information Level

Collaboration

 The ability to learn from others; to understand and respect the needs, perspectives and actions of others (empathy); to understand, relate to and be sensitive to others (empathic leadership); to deal with conflicts in a group; and to facilitate collaborative and participatory problem solving. Novice

Critical Thinking

 The ability to question norms, practices and opinions; to reflect on one’s own values, perceptions and actions. Advanced Beginner

Systems Thinking

 The ability to recognize and understand relationships; to analyse complex systems; to think of how systems are embedded within different domains and different scales; and to deal with uncertainty. Advanced Beginner

Strategic

 The ability to collectively develop and implement innovative actions that further sustainability at the local level and further afield. Novice

Integrated Problem Solving

 The overarching ability to apply different problem-solving frameworks to complex sustainability problems and develop viable, inclusive and equitable solution options that promote sustainable development, integrating the competencies in this list. Novice

Self-awareness

 The ability to reflect on one’s own role in the local community and (global) society; to continually evaluate and further motivate one’s actions; and to deal with one’s feelings and desires. Novice

Normative

 The ability to understand and reflect on the norms and values that underlie one’s actions; and to negotiate values, principles, goals, and targets, in a context of conflicts of interest and trade-offs, uncertain knowledge and contradictions. Advanced Beginner

Anticipatory

 The ability to understand and evaluate multiple scenarios for the future – possible, probable and desirable; to create one’s own visions for the future; to apply the precautionary principle; to assess the consequences of actions; and to deal with risks and changes. Novice

Digital Literacy and Judgement

 The ability to access, evaluate, create and communicate information in digital environments; to engage critically, ethically and responsibly with digital technologies and digital information; to understand their opportunities, limitations, risks and impact on individual’s digital identities; and to exercise informed judgement in digital participation and decision-making. Advanced Beginner

AI Literacy & Agency

 The ability to understand, critically evaluate and responsibly engage with artificial intelligence; to recognise how AI systems are shaped by human values; to assess their ethical, social and environmental implications; and to exercise human judgement, agency and accountability in AI-related contexts. Not addressed

Wellbeing

 Wellbeing is having the resources and skills to meet life's challenges, including attributes such as personal development skills, resilience, stress management, strengths, lifestyle skills, nutrition, physical activity, sleep, alcohol/substance use, academic skills, time management, goal setting, interpersonal skills, group work, communication. Novice

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

52
Lectures

36
Tutorial

6
Practical

10
Total

104

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Students are expected to attend lectures, tutorials and laboratory (in person) sessions and to prepare for all by appropriate study (this will include using books and online VLE and other resources). Thus the student should be able to engage fully in discussions and other interactions in lectures, tutorials and labs. Students are further expected to prepare for continuous assessment assignments and end of module examinations via study and, as needed, discussion with the lecturer

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
PHYC10020 - Physics of the Cell for lifesc, PHYC10030 - Physics of Macro-organisms, PHYC10060 - Fields, Waves & Light, PHYC10070 - Foundations of Physics, PHYC10080 - Frontiers of Physics, PHYC10090 - Physics II, PHYC10120 - Physics in Medicine, PHYC10130 - Physics II Medical Science, PHYC10140 - Diagnostic Imaging: Physics, PHYC10150 - Physics for Engineers I, PHYC10160 - Physics for Engineers II, PHYC20080 - Fields, Waves and Light


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (In-person): 2 hour examination End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
50
 No
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Continuous Assessment through work completed in tutorials. Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
15
 No
Quizzes/Short Exercises: 1hr MCQ exam Week 7, Week 8, Week 9 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
10
 No
Report(s): Lab Reports submitted at end of each practical. Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
25
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Dr Patrick Hayden Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Angela Dunne O'Toole Tutor
Dr Ian Mercer Tutor

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Fri 09:00 - 09:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Mon 10:00 - 10:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Wed 13:00 - 13:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 Fri 15:00 - 15:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 2 Week(s) - 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 Wed 14:00 - 14:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 3 Week(s) - 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 Wed 16:00 - 16:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 4 Week(s) - 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 Fri 15:00 - 15:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 5 Week(s) - 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 Wed 14:00 - 14:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 6 Week(s) - 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 Wed 16:00 - 16:50
Autumn Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - 11 Wed 14:00 - 15:50
Autumn Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - 3 Wed 14:00 - 15:50
Autumn Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - 5 Wed 14:00 - 15:50
Autumn Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - 7 Wed 14:00 - 15:50
Autumn Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - 9 Wed 14:00 - 15:50
Autumn Practical Offering 2 Week(s) - 11 Wed 14:00 - 15:50
Autumn Practical Offering 2 Week(s) - 3 Wed 14:00 - 15:50
Autumn Practical Offering 2 Week(s) - 5 Wed 14:00 - 15:50
Autumn Practical Offering 2 Week(s) - 7 Wed 14:00 - 15:50
Autumn Practical Offering 2 Week(s) - 9 Wed 14:00 - 15:50
Autumn Practical Offering 3 Week(s) - 10 Wed 14:00 - 15:50
Autumn Practical Offering 3 Week(s) - 12 Wed 14:00 - 15:50
Autumn Practical Offering 3 Week(s) - 4 Wed 14:00 - 15:50
Autumn Practical Offering 3 Week(s) - 6 Wed 14:00 - 15:50
Autumn Practical Offering 3 Week(s) - 8 Wed 14:00 - 15:50
Autumn Practical Offering 4 Week(s) - 10 Wed 14:00 - 15:50
Autumn Practical Offering 4 Week(s) - 12 Wed 14:00 - 15:50
Autumn Practical Offering 4 Week(s) - 4 Wed 14:00 - 15:50
Autumn Practical Offering 4 Week(s) - 6 Wed 14:00 - 15:50
Autumn Practical Offering 4 Week(s) - 8 Wed 14:00 - 15:50
Autumn Practical Offering 5 Week(s) - 10 Wed 14:00 - 15:50
Autumn Practical Offering 5 Week(s) - 12 Wed 14:00 - 15:50
Autumn Practical Offering 5 Week(s) - 4 Wed 14:00 - 15:50
Autumn Practical Offering 5 Week(s) - 6 Wed 14:00 - 15:50
Autumn Practical Offering 5 Week(s) - 8 Wed 14:00 - 15:50
Autumn Practical Offering 6 Week(s) - 11 Wed 16:00 - 17:50
Autumn Practical Offering 6 Week(s) - 3 Wed 16:00 - 17:50
Autumn Practical Offering 6 Week(s) - 5 Wed 16:00 - 17:50
Autumn Practical Offering 6 Week(s) - 7 Wed 16:00 - 17:50
Autumn Practical Offering 6 Week(s) - 9 Wed 16:00 - 17:50
Autumn Practical Offering 7 Week(s) - 11 Wed 16:00 - 17:50
Autumn Practical Offering 7 Week(s) - 3 Wed 16:00 - 17:50
Autumn Practical Offering 7 Week(s) - 5 Wed 16:00 - 17:50
Autumn Practical Offering 7 Week(s) - 7 Wed 16:00 - 17:50
Autumn Practical Offering 7 Week(s) - 9 Wed 16:00 - 17:50
Autumn Practical Offering 8 Week(s) - 11 Wed 16:00 - 17:50
Autumn Practical Offering 8 Week(s) - 3 Wed 16:00 - 17:50
Autumn Practical Offering 8 Week(s) - 5 Wed 16:00 - 17:50
Autumn Practical Offering 8 Week(s) - 7 Wed 16:00 - 17:50
Autumn Practical Offering 8 Week(s) - 9 Wed 16:00 - 17:50
Autumn Practical Offering 9 Week(s) - 10 Wed 16:00 - 17:50
Autumn Practical Offering 9 Week(s) - 12 Wed 16:00 - 17:50
Autumn Practical Offering 9 Week(s) - 4 Wed 16:00 - 17:50
Autumn Practical Offering 9 Week(s) - 6 Wed 16:00 - 17:50
Autumn Practical Offering 9 Week(s) - 8 Wed 16:00 - 17:50
Autumn Practical Offering 10 Week(s) - 10 Wed 16:00 - 17:50
Autumn Practical Offering 10 Week(s) - 12 Wed 16:00 - 17:50
Autumn Practical Offering 10 Week(s) - 4 Wed 16:00 - 17:50
Autumn Practical Offering 10 Week(s) - 6 Wed 16:00 - 17:50
Autumn Practical Offering 10 Week(s) - 8 Wed 16:00 - 17:50
Autumn Practical Offering 11 Week(s) - 10 Wed 16:00 - 17:50
Autumn Practical Offering 11 Week(s) - 12 Wed 16:00 - 17:50
Autumn Practical Offering 11 Week(s) - 4 Wed 16:00 - 17:50
Autumn Practical Offering 11 Week(s) - 6 Wed 16:00 - 17:50
Autumn Practical Offering 11 Week(s) - 8 Wed 16:00 - 17:50
Autumn Practical Offering 12 Week(s) - 11 Fri 13:00 - 14:50
Autumn Practical Offering 12 Week(s) - 3 Fri 13:00 - 14:50
Autumn Practical Offering 12 Week(s) - 5 Fri 13:00 - 14:50
Autumn Practical Offering 12 Week(s) - 7 Fri 13:00 - 14:50
Autumn Practical Offering 12 Week(s) - 9 Fri 13:00 - 14:50
Autumn Practical Offering 13 Week(s) - 11 Fri 13:00 - 14:50
Autumn Practical Offering 13 Week(s) - 3 Fri 13:00 - 14:50
Autumn Practical Offering 13 Week(s) - 5 Fri 13:00 - 14:50
Autumn Practical Offering 13 Week(s) - 7 Fri 13:00 - 14:50
Autumn Practical Offering 13 Week(s) - 9 Fri 13:00 - 14:50
Autumn Practical Offering 14 Week(s) - 11 Fri 13:00 - 14:50
Autumn Practical Offering 14 Week(s) - 3 Fri 13:00 - 14:50
Autumn Practical Offering 14 Week(s) - 5 Fri 13:00 - 14:50
Autumn Practical Offering 14 Week(s) - 7 Fri 13:00 - 14:50
Autumn Practical Offering 14 Week(s) - 9 Fri 13:00 - 14:50
Autumn Practical Offering 15 Week(s) - 11 Wed 14:00 - 15:50
Autumn Practical Offering 15 Week(s) - 3 Wed 14:00 - 15:50
Autumn Practical Offering 15 Week(s) - 5 Wed 14:00 - 15:50
Autumn Practical Offering 15 Week(s) - 7 Wed 14:00 - 15:50
Autumn Practical Offering 15 Week(s) - 9 Wed 14:00 - 15:50
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