Agricultural Science and Sustainability - BSc

Program Overview

The Agricultural Science and Sustainability – BSc program combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills in agriculture and sustainability. It prepares graduates for careers in agri-business and on-farm settings, with a focus on environmental management and food production. The program is offered in partnership with Gurteen College, providing students with hands-on experience on a commercial farm. Graduates are qualified for roles as agricultural advisors, environmental scientists, and farm auditors.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Agricultural Science and Sustainability – BSc program aims to produce graduates with comprehensive knowledge and skills in agriculture, with a strong emphasis on sustainability. The program provides a solid theoretical foundation for understanding complex agricultural and environmental phenomena within a sustainable development context. However, its primary focus is on the practical application of knowledge and skills in agri-business and on-farm settings. The program recognizes the expanding and vital role of agriculture and food in the Irish economy, highlighting the increasing importance of sustainability within this sector. It addresses the growing demand for environmental and sustainability managers in the agribusiness sector, preparing graduates to excel in this field. The program is designed to equip graduates with expertise in managing agriculture's interaction with the environment, making them ideally qualified to capitalize on the expanding employment opportunities in this area.

Outline:

The program is structured over three years, with a combination of theoretical and practical learning experiences. Students spend their first year at TUS Thurles, followed by a semester at Gurteen College in year one and semester one of year two. The remaining semesters are completed at TUS Thurles.

Year 1:

• Semester 1 - TUS Thurles:
• Family farming in Ireland
• Introduction to Sustainable Development
• Introduction to Environmental Chemistry
• Introduction to Laboratory Practice and Measurement
• Professional Skills in third Level
• Semester 2 - Gurteen College:
• Tillage Crop Husbandry
• Animal Production
• Soils and Peatland
• Forestry
• Farm Safety and Risk Assessment
• Biology and Botany

Year 2:

• Semester 1 - Gurteen College:
• Tillage Crop Management
• Dairy Production Management
• Beef and Sheep Production
• Animal Breeding Strategies
• Animal Welfare
• Behaviour and QA Standards
• Farm Business
• Semester 2 - TUS Thurles:
• The Irish Agri-Food Sector
• Environment and Sustainable Development
• Ecology
• Farm Habitat Assessment
• Farm Biodiversity Skills
• Introduction to GIS and Surveying

Year 3:

• Semester 1 - TUS Thurles:
• Grassland Management and NMP
• Farm Management and Planning
• Introduction to Environmental Impacts of Agriculture
• GIS and Environmental Resources
• Impacts of Agriculture on Water Quality
• Semester 2:

Teaching:

The program emphasizes practical learning experiences, including laboratory work, fieldwork, and farm skills. This approach aims to provide students with the necessary skills to work in a diverse range of sectors. The program also includes subjects on personal development, which are crucial for workplace success.

Careers:

Graduates of the Agricultural Science and Sustainability – BSc program are well-prepared for a variety of career opportunities in agriculture, agri-food, and environmental management. They are qualified for roles such as:

• Agricultural advisors
• Farm auditors
• Environmental officers/scientists with agribusinesses
• Environmental officers/scientists in the public sector and NGOs
• Researchers
• Consultants
Graduates also achieve 'Trained Farmer Status' (Green Cert) (provisional) upon completion of the program. The program meets the Teaching Council requirements for Agricultural Science.

Other:

• The program is offered in conjunction with Gurteen College, a 414-hectare farm with various commercial enterprises, providing an ideal learning environment.
• Students spend semester two of year one and semester one of year two at Gurteen College.
• Students who successfully complete this level 7 course may progress to the final year of the level 8 Agricultural Science & Sustainability program.