Course Information
BAgrSc (Hons) (NFQ Level 8)
Full Time - Undergraduate Studies
CAO Code: DN250
CAO Points Range 2019: 423
Length of Course: 4 Years
Average Intake: 175
O6/H7 in English, Irish, Mathematics, a laboratory science subject and two other recognised subjects
Why is this course for me?
This degree gives you a broad knowledge of the science and business of both animal and crop production and their interactions in a constantly changing environment. You’ll develop:
- Knowledge of the growth, development and improvement of farm animals and crops
- Knowledge of the agribusiness industry
- The capacity to formulate economical and sustainable animal and crop production systems
- The capacity for life long learning so you remain informed of evolving technical, economic and regulatory frameworks
- Communication and IT skills
Career & Graduate Study Opportunities
Graduates are employed in a wide variety of areas such as:
- Agribusiness
- Animal and crop industries
- Consultancy
- Semi-state or government agencies
- Financial services
- Print, radio and television media
This is also a very suitable degree if you intend to pursue full-time farming or combine part-time farming with a professional career. Research opportunities to Master’s and PhD level are available.
What Will I Study
First year concentrates on developing the basic sciences, before the focus moves to more applied sciences. You can also choose elective modules, while the facilities at the UCD Lyons Farm are widely used as teaching aids in the final year of the programme. Modules include:
First Year
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Biology
- Introduction to Animal & Crop Science
Second Year
- Soil Science
- Microbiology
- Agricultural Botany
- Animal Nutrition
- Business Management
Third Year
- Animal Breeding & Reproduction
- Plant Diseases: Biology and Control
- Animal Nutrition II
- Professional Work Experience (PWE)
Fourth Year
- Ruminant & Non-Ruminant Animal Production
- Grass & Cereal Production
- Farm Business Management
- Professional Communications
Students spend an average of 40 hours a week attending lectures, tutorials and laboratory-based practicals, and undertake independent study. In the final year, students make regular visits to UCD’s Lyons Farm to get hands-on practical experience.
A combination of continuous assessment and end-of-semester written examinations is used. Certain modules also require project work.
International Study Opportunities
Between January and August in third year, you undertake a period of PWE in Ireland or abroad. You can also study abroad in semester one of third year, at universities including:
- Lincoln University, New Zealand
- Kansas State University, USA
- Texas A&M University, USA
- Purdue University, USA
- Michigan State University, USA
- Cornell University, USA
Testimonial
“I started out in omnibus very naive about what exactly I wanted from my four years at UCD. I know now that choosing Animal and Crop Production (ACP) was the right choice. The course offers a wealth of relevant real-world knowledge that will undoubtedly benefit any future career in the agricultural industry. The highlight of my college career was the semester I spent at Cornell University. I couldn’t pass on an opportunity to study at a world-renowned Ivy League university in New York. My PWE also brought me to Missouri and Denmark. I feel confident going out into the working world knowing I have completed this degree, and that to me is the best indication that my choice to study ACP was worth it.”
Joanne O’Keefe Student
