Bachelor of Science(Agricultural Science)

Course Overview

The multi-trillion euro global agrifood sector is the largest contributor to economic development globally, and underpins rural employment and livelihoods. However, the environmental impacts of food production must be dramatically reduced, and new opportunities are emerging for farmers to diversify activities and income streams as society accelerates towards a climate neutral and circular bioeconomy. This exciting new four-year BSc is for the next generation of agrifood professionals who will need to deliver food security in a rapidly changing world. The multidisciplinary teaching team, based in the University of Galway and Teagasc, comprises internationally recognised research leaders in animal science, plant science, agri-sustainability and the bioeconomy.

Through practical skills training at Teagasc centres in Athenry, Grange, Moorpark and Oak Park, multiple farm demonstrations, and a 12-weeek farm placement, Agricultural Science at the University of Galway provides a strong foundation in the fundamentals of animal and crop science. This is coupled with rigorous training in quantitative systems analysis necessary to navigate farming through the biophysical and regulatory constraints that the sector will face as society deals with the evolving climate and biodiversity crises.

In addition to core technical knowledge and skills for agricultural science, the course includes state-of-the-art training in geographic information systems (GIS to manage spatial data, carbon foot-printing of farms and entire food value chains to understand emissions sources and abatement measures, and farm business management. Through guest lectures and access to advanced agriculture and land use software models, students are exposed to important perspectives on what climate-neutral farming could look like in Ireland. Final year students are tasked with developing a 10-year plan for their placement organisation, incorporating technical knowledge of farming practises, business planning, emission abatement measures and an assessment of diversification options in the context of farm succession planning. This course provides essential knowledge and skills for the next generation of successful farmers, farm advisors, land managers and other agrifood professionals, civil or public servants, scientific researchers and educators.

Minimum Grade H5 in two subjects and passes in four other subjects at O6/H7 level in the Leaving Certificate, including Irish, English, Mathematics, a laboratory science subject (i.e., Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Physics with Chemistry (joint), Computer Science or Agricultural Science) and any two other subjects recognised for entry purposes.

This new programme builds on University of Galway’s established reputation for excellent teaching and research across agribiosciences and sustainability. The course is delivered by internationally-recognised research leaders in animal science, agri-sustainability and the bioeconomy, ensuring students are provided with the cutting-edge knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the agrifood and land sector through challenging times ahead. Co-delivery of technical modules with Teagasc provides a strong foundation in agricultural science training, achieving Green Cert accreditation. But what set this Level 8 degree apart from other courses is the strong focus on multi-scale systems thinking to explore sustainable and resilient future pathways for Ireland’s agrifood sector – in the context of growing global demand for food and bio-based resources for the bioeconomy, yet within the constraints imposed by national obligations pertaining to climate change, biodiversity and water quality. There is increasing pressure on the agrifood sector, and farmers, to reconcile food production with the intensifying climate and biodiversity crises. This course provides the essential breadth of perspectives and skills to tackle those challenges head on, forming the next generation of agrifood leaders, advisors, educators and policy makers.