Dairy Business
BAgrSc (Hons) (NFQ Level 8)
Course Video
Curricular information is subject to change.
Open AllThe Irish dairy industry is in a time of significant change, following the abolition of EU milk quotas on March 31, 2015. This change brings significant challenges and opportunities for young, highly skilled graduates from the Dairy Business programme. This degree is designed to equip future leaders of the dairy industry with the scientific, technical and business skills needed to succeed in this exciting industry.
The first two years provide a strong foundation in business, science, mathematics, and technology-related modules, followed by relevant applied sciences, business, and communication modules.
First Year
- Animal Biology and Evolution
- Introductory Chemistry
- Mathematics for Agriculture
- Physics for Agricultural Science
- Agricultural Economics and Business
- Introduction to Management
- Land Use and the Environment
- Cell and Plant Biology
- Introduction to Animal Science
- Introduction to Food and Agribusiness Management
- Optional Modules
Second Year
- Soil Science
- Animal Reproduction Applied Biostatistics
- Marketing: Forms, Customer & Society
- Accounting for non-Business students
- Business Law
- Animal Nutrition
- Principles of Dairy Production
- Global Operations and Supply Chain Management
- Health, Welfare and Safety in Agriculture
- Optional Modules
Third & Fourth Year
In your third year, you will undertake the technical management of a dairy farm at Teagasc, Kildalton Agricultural College and gain Professional Work Experience (PWE) in the industry. For trimester two of third year, you study at Teagasc, Moorepark in areas including::
- Herd Health and Milk Quality
- Grassland Management and Applied Dairy Nutrition
- Dairy Systems
- Dairy Business project
- Applied Dairy Breeding and Fertility
Fourth year focuses on business and science modules, consolidating earlier learning.
- Farm Business Management
- Agri- Environmental Issues and Policy
- Animal Breeding
- Animal Nutrition
- Leadership and Change Management
- Food and Agricultural Policy
- Food and Agrbusiness Strategy
- Agri-Environmental Nutrient Management
- Experimental Design and Data Analysis
- Professional Communications
- Optional modules
For detailed information on subject content click here.
You may be interested in the following Blog post: Dairy Business students talks about his work experience abroad.
PWE (Professional Work Experience) takes place between July and December (first trimester, third year) and offers you the opportunity to visit New Zealand at the busiest time of the dairy farming calendar.
Graduates of the Dairy Business Programme are well-positioned for a range of roles, including:
- Dairy Farm Management
- Research
- Animal feed industry
- Banking
- Teaching
- Consultancy
Research opportunities to Master’s and PhD level are also available.
“This course combines the study of the scientific and technical elements of farming while incorporating the business and financial aspects. The highlight of my time was 3rd year, when I spent 6 months on professional work experience, and was recognised by UCD to receive the Grant Thornton PWE Excellence Award. My second semester of 3rd year was spent in the Teagasc Moorepark Research Centre, where we visited some of the leading researchers, farmers and companies in the industry. I believe I can have a positive impact on a thriving dairy industry and my plan is to complete my PhD in Teagasc Moorepark. Choosing this degree is one of best decisions I ever made and I will remember my time in UCD fondly.”
Patrick O’Dwyer, Student
Professor Karina Pierce
e. karina.pierce@ucd.ie
UCD Agriculture & Food Science School Office
Agriculture & Food Science Centre
Belfield, Dublin 4
