Agricultural Science and Sustainability – BSc (Hons)

CAO Points: 302
Campus: Thurles
years: 4

Course Code US870
Level 8
Course Type Undergraduate
Study Mode Full Time
Department Applied Science

Course Overview

The aim of this course is to produce graduates with knowledge and skills in agriculture with a focus on sustainability. While the course provides the students with a sound theoretical basis for understanding complex agricultural and environmental phenomena within a sustainable development context, its focus is on the practical application of knowledge and skills including agri‑business and on‑farm settings.

Agriculture and food is an expanding and vital sector in the Irish economy and sustainability is becoming increasingly important within that sector. The requirement for environmental and sustainability managers in the agribusiness sector is constantly growing. This degree is designed to develop graduates with expertise in the management of agriculture’s interaction with the environment who will be ideally qualified to take advantage of the growing employment opportunities.

The course is designed to give graduates the practical skills in the laboratory, fieldwork and farm skills to work in a broad range of sectors. There are also subjects on personal development which are valuable for success in the workplace. In the second semester of year 3, students will have the opportunity to take part in a work placement of their choice to hone their practical skills while in year 4 they will study atmospherics, carbon management and soil management which are essential in developing sustainable agricultural systems.

This course is offered in conjunction with Gurteen College and fulfils the requirement for Trained Farmer Status (Green Cert). Gurteen College is a 414-hectare farm which includes a wide range of commercial enterprises providing an ideal learning environment. Students of this course will spend the semester 2 in year 1 and semester 1 of year 2 on the Gurteen College campus.
Note: Accommodation is available at Gurteen College. This may be available at an additional cost. Gurteen may charge an additional fee to cover the cost of food and materials.

Contact Details

Brigid Doyle

Email: Brigid.Doyle@tus.ie

What are the entry requirements?

Leaving Certificate

A minimum of two H5 and four O6/H7 grades in six Leaving Certificate subjects, including Mathematics and English or Irish.

Mature Applicants

Candidates applying as mature applicants may be required to attend an interview and may be requested to take an aptitude test to prove their suitability for a place on this programme.

Advanced Entry into year 2

Applicants presenting the full level 6 QQI/FET (FETAC) award in ‘Advanced Certificate in Agriculture’ that includes 3 distinctions in any of the three specialisations listed below will be considered for advanced entry requirements.

Advanced Certificate in Dairy Herd Management – Level 6
Advanced Certificate in Drystock Management – Level 6
Advanced Certificate in Agriculture (Crops and Machinery) – Level 6

International Applicants

International applicants should apply directly to the International Office at TUS, allowing plenty of time for completing the visa process. Applications for September start should be made by 1st June at the latest to ensure visas are processed in time. You should familiarise yourself with visa processing times for your country of origin to ensure you make a timely application. Find out more here.

Course Modules

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

Year 1 – 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

Year 2 – 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

Year 3 – Semester 2

Work Placement

Year 4 – Semester 1

Agri-Environmental Policy and Key Issues
Sustainable Agricultural Systems
Economy and Sustainable Development
EMS and Auditing
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
Project Management Skills

Year 4 – Semester 2

Extension and Innovation
Advanced Soil Science
Carbon Management in Agriculture
Atmospheric Processes and Climate Change
Final Year Project

What can you do after this programme?

Career Opportunities

Graduates can avail of employment opportunities in agriculture, agri-food and environmental management. Graduates are qualified for a wide range of roles such as agricultural advisors, farm auditors, environmental officers/scientists with agribusinesses, the public sector and NGOs, or as researchers and consultants.

Graduates of the programme will achieve ‘Trained Farmer Status’ (Green Cert) (provisional).

This course also meets Teaching Council requirements for Agricultural Science.

**To work as a Farm Advisor submitting plans and payment claims to the Department of Agriculture for farmer clients you must be on the Department’s Farm Advisory System (FAS) list of approved advisors. Requirements for listing include a Level 8 degree in Agricultural Science and undertaking FAS training.**

Further Study

Successful graduates of this programme are eligible for Level 9 and 10 postgraduate programmes within TUS or elsewhere.