FDSC20240
Source: https://hub.ucd.ie/usis/!W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=MODULE&MODULE=FDSC20240&TERMCODE=202500&ACYR=2026 Parent: https://hub.ucd.ie/usis/!W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=COURSE&MAJR=EQS1&AUDIENCE=
Academic Year 2025/2026
Professional Skills Developmen (FDSC20240)
Subject: : Food Science
College: : Health & Agricultural Sciences
School: : Agriculture & Food Science
Level: : 2 (Intermediate)
Credits: : 5
Module Coordinator: : Ms Julie Dowsett
Trimester: : Autumn
Mode of Delivery: : On Campus
Internship Module: : No
How will I be graded? : Pass/Fail (GPA Neutral)
Curricular information is subject to change.
This module is designed for undergraduates in the School of Agriculture and Food Science before they go on Professional Work Experience (PWE). The face to face lectures and online materials will give the student the foundation for understanding the skills they already have and those they wish to develop before and during their professional placement to maximise the benefits of the experience and to think about preparing for their future preferred career.
About this Module
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What will I learn?
Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this module students should be able to:\ • Assess the transferrable skills they have, and would like to develop and complete a personal SWOT analysis.\ • Evaluate their level of self-awareness and self-management \ • Appraise the strengths of different leadership styles and team roles.\ • Appreciate the role of communication in giving and receiving feedback, assertiveness, negotiation, influence, managing difficult conversations and mentoring and coaching.\ • Apply the basics of time management \ • Develop goals for their professional development and investigate career options and have linked actively with the career services.\
How will I learn?
Student Effort Hours:
| Student Effort Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Specified Learning Activities | 35 |
| Autonomous Student Learning | 50 |
| Lectures | 15 |
| --- | --- |
| Total | 100 |
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Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module will be delivered through the UCD VLE system and practical tutorials that will consist of:\ • Lectures\ • Guest speakers\ • Asynchronous learning through workbook exercises\ • Support materials delivered through a repository of learning\
Am I eligible to take this module?
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:\
Pre requisites - 'Information Skills' (RDEV10020) is a necessary pre requisite for doing this module.\ Also this module is incompatible with the following PWE modules: ANSC30070, CPSC30010, ANSC30370, ANSC30230, AESC30170, BSEN30510, AERD30180, FOR30180, HORT30070, FDSC30160. \ \
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Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module. \ \
How will I be assessed?
Assessment Strategy
| Description | Timing | Component Scale | Must Pass Component | % of Final Grade | In Module Component Repeat Offered |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reflective Assignment: A reflective essay based on the work and activities covered during the trimester. An informational interview will also need to be completed and a short report written. | Week 12 | Pass/Fail Grade Scale | No | 100 | Yes |
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Carry forward of passed components
No
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What happens if I fail?
| Remediation Type | Remediation Timing |
|---|---|
| In-Module Resit | Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board |
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. \
Assessment feedback
Feedback Strategy/Strategies
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment\ • Self-assessment activities\
How will my Feedback be Delivered?
Feedback individually to students, post assessment - Students will receive feedback from the reflective essay Self-assessment activities- These take place during the module and inform student understanding and goal setting
Associated Staff
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Mr Mark Cumisky | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |
| Dr Sinéad Flannery | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |
| Dr Martina Wallace | 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) - 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11 | Thurs 15:00 - 15:50 |
| Autumn | Lecture | Offering 1 | Week(s) - 1, 5, 8, 10, 12 | Thurs 15:00 - 16:50 |