Program Overview

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.

Course Details

• Course Code: US740
• Level: 7
• Course Type: Undergraduate
• Study Mode: Full Time
• Department: Applied Science
• Location: Thurles
• Duration: 3 years
• CAO Points: 239

What are the entry requirements?

• Leaving Certificate: A minimum of 5 O6/H7 grades in 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.

Course Modules

Year 1 – Semester 1 – TUS Thurles Campus

• Introduction To Sustainable Development (Credits: 5)
• Professional Skills In Third Level (Credits: 5)
• Introduction To Environmental Chemistry (Credits: 5)
• Introduction To Laboratory Practice and Measurement (Credits: 5)
• Environmental Maths and Computer Skills (Credits: 5)
• Family Farming in Ireland (Credits: 5)
• Forestry (Credits: 5)

Year 1 – Semester 2 – Gurteen College

• Tillage Crop Husbandry (Credits: 5)
• Soils And Peatland (Credits: 5)
• Biology And Botany (Credits: 5)
• Animal Production (Credits: 5)
• Farm Safety & Risk Assessment (Credits: 5)

Year 2 – Semester 1 – Gurteen College

• Dairy Production Management (Credits: 5)
• Farm Business (Credits: 5)
• Beef And Sheep Production (Credits: 5)
• Tillage Crop Management (Credits: 5)
• Animal Welfare, Behaviour And Quality Assurance Standards (Credits: 5)
• Animal Breeding Strategies (Credits: 5)

Year 2 – Semester 2 – TUS Thurles Campus

• Farm Biodiversity Skills (Credits: 5)
• Environment & Sustainable Development (Credits: 5)
• Ecology (Credits: 5)
• Farm Habitat Assessment (Credits: 5)
• The Irish Agri-Food Sector (Credits: 5)
• Introduction To Geographic Information Systems & Surveying (Credits: 5)

Year 3 – Semester 1 – TUS Thurles Campus

• Grassland Management & Nutrient Management Planning (Credits: 5)
• Introduction To Environmental Impacts Of Agriculture (Credits: 5)
• Impacts Of Agriculture On Water Quality (Credits: 5)
• Farm Management And Planning (Credits: 5)
• Professional Development (Credits: 5)
• Geographic Information Systems & Environmental Resources (Credits: 5)

Year 3 – Semester 2

• Work Placement (Credits: 30)

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.

Further Study

Students who successfully complete this level 7 course may progress to the final year of our level 8 in Agricultural Science & Sustainability.