Module Details

Module Code: AGRI7007
Title: Sustainable Agriculture
Long Title: Sustainable Agriculture
NFQ Level: Intermediate
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2016/17 ( September 2016 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 6210 - Agriculture
Module Delivered in: 2 programme(s)
Module Description: This module is designed to show the importance of sustainability in the production and placing on the market of plant and animal food products.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Discuss the concept of sustainability in food production in traditional, conventional and intensive production systems.
LO2 Describe threats to sustainability and evaluate strategies to promote decision making for sustainable futures.
LO3 Carry out investigations of threats and solutions and analyse data and reports in the area of sustainable agriculture.
LO4 Conduct a sustainability audit of a given food production holding or amenity facility and document a plan of action for its sustainable future.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
Concepts of Sustainability
Aspects of personal, social, economic and environmental sustainability.
Threats to sustainability.
Local and global threats. Personal and family capacity. Fuel and energy. Droughts and floods. Feed and fodder. Fertiliser and nutrients. Climate change.
Production Models
Industrial, intensive, commercial, traditional, and organic agriculture and horticulture. Carbon footprint measurement and management.
Sustainable practices.
Regulatory and commercial factors in sustainable agriculture and horticulture. Renewable sources.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework50.00%
End of Module Formal Examination50.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 50
Timing Week 10 Learning Outcomes 3,4
Assessment Description
Student completes a sustainability audit and action plan for a farm, horticultural holding or amenity facility such as golf course, country estate, wildlife park or pet farm.
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type Formal Exam % of Total Mark 50
Timing End-of-Semester Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4
Assessment Description
End of Semester Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Formal Lecture Every Week 2.00 2
Lecturer-Supervised Learning (Contact) Contact Laboratory sessions, Field trips, Exhibitions, Case studies. Every Week 2.00 2
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact No Description Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
This module has no Part Time workload.
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Felix Dodds and Jamie Bartram (Eds). (2016), The Water, Food, Energy and Climate Nexus, 1st. Routledge, [ISBN: 1138190948].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
  • Website, Origin Green. origingreen.ie.
  • Website, Environmental Protection Agency. epa.ie.
  • Website, Farmers Journal. farmersjournal.ie.
  • Website, Dept of Environment. environ.ie.
  • Website, Dept. of Agriculture,
    http://agriculture.gov.ie
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_BAGRI_7 Bachelor of Science in Agriculture 6 Elective
CR_BHORT_7 Bachelor of Science in Horticulture 6 Mandatory