Ag Science at UCD

Arrow in the Knee

Whats the Agricultural Science course at UCD like? Such as Animal Science or Agri Business?
4 years is the duration of the course by the way.

Any experience of it would be helpful:rolleyes:

Conflats

I did Animal and Crop, good course to do
year 1) general science gives you basics can be hard but do any amount and you'll pass
Year 2) More agricultural but still broad, more science subjects like biochemistry, animal nutrition basics and basic microbiology and soil science
Year 3) getting more in touch with farming this year subjects such as animal reproduction and breeding as well as courses on environmental schemes. Also depending on course you do work experience (ACP was 9 month placement while others where 6, think agri business is now 9 as wel) in acp you had to do a minimum of 4 weeks on a beef, tillage, sheep, dairy and pig enterprises some lads went o NZ etc.
Year 4) this is the year everything makes sense the previous years build you up to this do modules in things like ruminant production, pigs, cereals, root and alternative crops etc as wel as doing advanced in these subjects. Also first semester every monday for 12 weeks in spent out in Lyons Research Farm doing practicals

Overall I wouldn't have done another course, the crack is mighty and everyone is very friendly and you'd get to know a lot of other years plus the ag soc help bring the country to D4 with nights out etc

freedominacup

My sister did ag science in the mid-nineties. She's now lecturing in genetics in the U.K. after a masters and phd and a few years in research. She did part of her masters where they made dolly the sheep. I'd say like many degrees it opens a few surprising doors.

VNP

Can be a very versatile degree programme depending on which one you choose, but try plan out what you want to work at afterwards from year 3... exit strategy plan like, you need to have a specific enough idea then you ll have a lot of options. Year 1 and 2 can be tough enough general science lectures 9am till 5pm most days or slightly more in some semesters, helpfull staff there for the most part usually good at listening to problems and giving good advice etc might have changed now though? possibly tip in and have a chat before you decide.

Jamesleacy501

Depends on what you want to do after college!! If you want to go home and farm i would advise you to do a BSc in Agriculture in say WIT, Dundalk or CIT because its more hands on but if you want a scientific job or a more technical job do Ag Science. I think a lot of people confuse Ag Science with Agriculture. Know a lot of people who did ag science (Not BSc in Agriculture) in UCD + WIT and they are not happy with the course because its all maths, physics and chemistry!!

coolio kidddd

Hi
This post is fairly old I know but worth a shot. I’m nearly finished my agricultural science course in Tralee it but I want to go further with my studies and complete a masters. I’m keen to further my knowledge in nutrition as I’d like to peruse a career as a ruminant nutritionist. Anyone on here any idea what steps I could take next if I wanted to get nearer to my goals. Anything info is greatly appreciated.
Thanks

davidk1394

The walsh fellowship operated through Teagasc has different opportunities to do a PhD.

Here's the link

https://www.teagasc.ie/about/research--innovation/postgraduate-scholarships/

Macra na Feirme does some masters also but you have to pay
https://www.macraskillnet.ie/