Animal Science – Equine
BAgrSc (Hons) (NFQ Level 8)
Course Video
Curricular information is subject to change.
Open AllAnimal Science – Equine allows those with a passion for horses, the equine industry or equine science to pursue these interests at third level and still maintain a broad range of future career options within agriculture. A highlight of the degree is the opportunity to participate in a 5-month international work placement within a leading Thoroughbred or Sport Horse organisation. The degree provides the scientific knowledge and transferable skills necessary for professional leadership roles within many aspects of the Agriculture and Equine industries. Your programme will cover:
- The growth and development of farm animals, how they function, their behaviour, welfare and nutrition.
- Current and future technologies to make agriculture more sustainable but still meet the needs of a growing global population.
- The equine industry in Ireland, its global context and entrepreneurial opportunities
- Focused modules on equine health, reproduction, genetics, breeding, nutrition and exercise physiology delivered by academics who are leading world experts in their fields.
- Exciting technological advances and future research directions within equine science.
Practical learning sessions using live animals are delivered at UCD Lyons Farm, where excellent teaching and research facilities exist. Anatomy classes will take place both at Lyons Farm and at UCD’s Veterinary Hospital.
Your lecturers will share the outcomes of their research programmes as they happen, so that your education is informed by the cutting edge of animal and equine science research.
As every student has a different learning style, you will be assessed by a combination of continuous assessment types. These might include class quizzes, MCQ tests, presentations, essays, group research projects and end-of-trimester examinations.
First & Second Year:
You will study the basic sciences in first year, in addition to topics such as cell and plant biology and animal evolution. In the second year you will learn more about animal nutrition, microbiology, agricultural economics and business management, in addition to studying equine industries in Ireland and globally.
Third & Fourth Year:
In addition to advanced modules in animal nutrition, physiology and genomics, you will take modules on scientific writing, farm business management, professional communications and experimental design. You will participate in focussed modules related to equine health and husbandry, equine genetics, equine reproduction and breeding management, equine nutrition and equine exercise physiology.
For detailed information on subject content click here.
You may be interested in the following blog post: Reasons to study Agricultural Science in UCD.
PWE placement is integral to your degree and is an invaluable learning and networking opportunity. Options include placements on stud farms in the Kentucky Bluegrass region, Japan, Australia, top show-jumping yards in Ireland and the US, and with Horse Sport Ireland, the RDS, and equine feed and biotech companies. There is an option to Study Abroad in third year where you could live abroad in Illinois, Texas, Connecticut, Kansas, Michigan and more.
In addition to the career opportunities available to Animal Science graduates, Animal Science Equine graduates are equipped to pursue careers in:
- Equine enterprise management
- Equine leisure, recreation and tourism activities
- Equestrian marketing and sales enterprises
- Sports journalism
- Academic teaching
You can pursue equine science research and development careers, and Master’s and PhD opportunities in Europe and the US.
“Having grown up in a family involved in the Irish thoroughbred racing industry, choosing the Animal Science – Equine course at UCD was a natural progression for me. During my time at UCD, I have learnt about the theoretical and practical aspects of the equine industry through lectures and field trips. I particularly enjoyed the equine modules and applying what I learned in class to real life examples. The highlight of my time at UCD was my professional work experience in third year. I completed my PWE with Hunter Valley Farm in Versailles, Kentucky, USA. Through the opportunity to live and work abroad, I gained invaluable experience within the US breeding and sales industry.”
Larry Mulvany, Student
Dr. Barbara Murphy
e. barbara.murphy@ucd.ie
UCD Agriculture & Food Science School Office
Agriculture & Food Science Centre
Belfield, Dublin 4
