BSEN30020
Source: https://hub.ucd.ie/usis/!W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=MODULE&MODULE=BSEN30020&TERMCODE=202500&ACYR=2026 Parent: https://hub.ucd.ie/usis/!W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=COURSE&MAJR=ETS2&AUDIENCE=
Academic Year 2025/2026
Buildings and Environment (BSEN30020)
Subject: : Biosystems Engineering
College: : Engineering & Architecture
School: : Biosystems & Food Engineering
Level: : 3 (Degree)
Credits: : 5
Module Coordinator: : Assoc Professor Tom Curran
Trimester: : Spring
Mode of Delivery: : Blended
Internship Module: : No
How will I be graded? : Letter grades
Curricular information is subject to change.
This module examines the design and construction of buildings for livestock production and the impact on the environment. Guidance is provided on planning and environmental legislation, design approach, minimum specifications, heating and ventilation, health and safety, environmental emissions, construction materials, building layouts and landscaping.
About this Module
Open All Close All
What will I learn?
Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this module students should be able to: Outline the design approach for buildings for animal production. Describe the relevant planning and environmental legislation. Outline the minimum specifications for agricultural buildings. Calculate key parameters for heating and ventilation. Highlight the main features of construction materials. Design the key building layouts (pig, poultry, cattle, sheep, horses). Recommend the appropriate siting of buildings into the landscape. Outline health and safety issues and environmental emissions associated with livestock buildings.
Indicative Module Content:
Design approach for buildings for animal production. Planning and environmental legislation. Minimum specifications for agricultural buildings. Heating and ventilation. Construction materials. Building layouts (pig, poultry, cattle, sheep, horses). Siting of buildings in the landscape. Health and safety issues and environmental emissions associated with livestock buildings.
How will I learn?
Student Effort Hours:
| Student Effort Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Specified Learning Activities | 41 |
| Autonomous Student Learning | 60 |
| Lectures | 24 |
| --- | --- |
| Total | 125 |
\
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Content delivered in lecture format. Associated building design assignment.
Am I eligible to take this module?
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:\
Students ideally should have studied Engineering, Science or Agricultural Science subjects.
\
Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:\ BSEN40100 - Adv Bldgs for Animal Prod\ \ \ \
How will I be assessed?
Assessment Strategy
| Description | Timing | Component Scale | Must Pass Component | % of Final Grade | In Module Component Repeat Offered |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment(Including Essay): Design of agricultural building including health and safety, environment, minimum requirements and drawings. | Week 12 | Graded | No | 100 | No |
\
Carry forward of passed components
Yes
\
What happens if I fail?
| Resit In | Terminal Exam |
|---|---|
| Autumn | 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\
How will my Feedback be Delivered?
Feedback provided post-assessment.
Reading List
TAMS - Farm Building and Structures Specifications\ https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/65f5b-tams-farm-building-and-structures-specifications/\ \ Teagasc Dairy Manual: a best practice manual for Ireland's dairy farmers\ by Moore, Mark\ 2011\ \ Advances in cattle welfare\ by Tucker, Cassandra B\ Woodhead publishing series in food science, technology and nutrition, 2018, 1\ \ A Practical Guide to the Feeding of Organic Farm Animals: Pigs, Poultry, Cattle, Sheep and Goats\ by Blair, Robert\ 2017
Associated Staff
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Dr Rajat Nag | 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.
| Spring | Lecture | Offering 1 | Week(s) - 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 32, 33 | Mon 13:00 - 13:50 |
| Spring | Lecture | Offering 1 | Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 | Wed 13:00 - 13:50 |