AESC30100
Source: https://hub.ucd.ie/usis/!W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=MODULE&MODULE=AESC30100&TERMCODE=202500&ACYR=2026 Parent: https://hub.ucd.ie/usis/!W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=COURSE&MAJR=ESS1&AUDIENCE=
Academic Year 2025/2026
Pests, Parasites and Beneficials (AESC30100)
Subject: : Agricultural&Environmental Sci
College: : Health & Agricultural Sciences
School: : Agriculture & Food Science
Level: : 3 (Degree)
Credits: : 5
Module Coordinator: : Assoc Professor Dara Stanley
Trimester: : Autumn
Mode of Delivery: : On Campus
Internship Module: : No
How will I be graded? : Letter grades
Curricular information is subject to change.
This module is about insects and agriculture; the benefits, costs, and their links with sustainability and sustainable management. It provides an overview of the biology and ecology of invertebrate pests, parasites and beneficials of agricultural importance, and in introduction to integrated pest management. Topics include: the biology, life histories and identification of the major pest, parasite and beneficial groups, review of the main types of damage and benefits caused, the nature and causes of pest and disease outbreaks and the basic principles of pest control and integrated pest management. The module comprises taught lecture classes and a total of 5 x 2 hour practical classes held in the laboratory for class groups A and B on alternate weeks during the trimester. Students will be informed of their practical class group at the start of the trimester.
About this Module
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What will I learn?
Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this module students should be able to:- Recognise, and describe the biology, ecology and economic importance of the main groups of crop pests, beneficials and livestock parasites in Irish agriculture. Understand livestock parasite transmission strategies, and crop pest cycles. Be aware of the variety of possible control strategies, especially with regard to understanding life cycles and the causes of pest/parasite incidence. Understand the concept of integrated pest management, and the key steps involved in designing an IPM strategy. Understand the interaction between husbandry practice, environment, and crop and livestock disease incidence in relation to integrated control strategies and sustainable management.
How will I learn?
Student Effort Hours:
| Student Effort Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 24 |
| Practical | 12 |
| Autonomous Student Learning | 70 |
| --- | --- |
| Total | 106 |
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Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
lectures, lab work, group work
Am I eligible to take this module?
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Exclusions:\
This module (AESC 30100) and AESC 30210 Plant Protection - Pests ARE MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE. Students who take AESC 30210 cannot take this module.
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Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Pre-requisite:\ BIOL10030 - Cell and Plant Biology\ \ Incompatibles:\ AESC30150 - Forest Protection, AESC30210 - Plant Protection - Pests\ \ \ \
How will I be assessed?
Assessment Strategy
| Description | Timing | Component Scale | Must Pass Component | % of Final Grade | In Module Component Repeat Offered |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exam (In-person): Final exam | End of trimester Duration: 2 hr(s) | Graded | No | 50 | Yes |
| Report(s): Lab based practicals and workshops, sometimes with preparation or post-lab assignments needed | Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12 | Graded | No | 50 | No |
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Carry forward of passed components
Yes
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What happens if I fail?
| Resit In | Terminal Exam |
|---|---|
| Spring | No |
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. \
Assessment feedback
Feedback Strategy/Strategies
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment\ • Group/class feedback, post-assessment\
How will my Feedback be Delivered?
Not yet recorded.
Associated Staff
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Assoc Professor Dara Stanley | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |
| Assoc Professor Annetta Zintl | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |
When is this module offered?
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
| Autumn | Lecture | Offering 1 | Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 | Mon 10:00 - 10:50 |
| Autumn | Lecture | Offering 1 | Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 | Wed 10:00 - 10:50 |
| Autumn | Practical | Offering 1 | Week(s) - Autumn: Odd Weeks | Fri 11:00 - 12:50 |
| Autumn | Practical | Offering 2 | Week(s) - Autumn: Even Weeks | Fri 11:00 - 12:50 |