Program Overview

Agricultural Science and Sustainability – BSc (Hons)

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.

Entry Requirements

• 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.

Course Modules

Year 1 – Semester 1 – TUS Thurles Campus

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

Year 1 – Semester 2 – Gurteen College

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

Year 2 – Semester 1 – Gurteen College

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

Year 2 – Semester 2 – TUS Thurles Campus

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

Year 3 – Semester 1 – TUS Thurles Campus

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

Year 3 – Semester 2

• Work Placement (30 credits)

Year 4 – Semester 1 – TUS Thurles Campus

• E.M.S. And Auditing (5 credits)
• Environmental Monitoring & Assessment (5 credits)
• Economy & Sustainable Development (5 credits)
• Sustainable Ag Systems (5 credits)
• Agri-Environmental Policy & Key Issues (5 credits)
• Environment: Project Management Skills (5 credits)

Year 4 – Semester 2 – TUS Thurles Campus

• Extension And Innovation In Ag (5 credits)
• Carbon Management In Agriculture (5 credits)
• Advanced Soil Science (5 credits)
• Atmospheric Processes And Climate Change (5 credits)
• Agriculture Final Year Project (10 credits)

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

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